Tag: Reviews

Joseph Under Three Flags – Barbara Reaume Sandre

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JOSEPH – Under Three Flags
by Barbara Reaume Sandre

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Sep 13, 2026  

I liked the Detroit Shoemaker better but truly enjoyed following the Reaume family exploits in Joseph Under Three Flags. The book gives us an inside look at the hardships our ancestors faced daily, back in the day-things we could barely imagine.
I’m sure few Canadians and even less Americans truly know how the Detroit-Windsor areas were settled and how the U.S. major city was once occupied by the French and then British.
If you’re a local history buff, you’ll love hearing the familiar French and English names of the past which are now reflected in our historical landmarks and city streets.
It’s obvious Barbara Reaume Sandre has meticulously researched this book, weaving historical fact with family tradition and tragedy.
It’s a great read.

Tales of Texas Road – K.G. Miceli

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Tales of Texas Road: Amherstburg, Ontario (Haunted Tales)
by K.G. Miceli

15204490

Edmond Gagnon‘s review – Sep 03, 2026  

bookshelves: did-not-finish

Having been born in the Town of McGregor, where Texas Road is located, I was looking forward to scoring a copy of this book and reading it. My parents had their own ‘stories’ of a headless motorcycle rider/ghost.
Starting it, I have to say I enjoyed the first several stories.
I struggled to finish the book but gave up about two-thirds of the way through.
The book was well-written for a new author but the stories quickly became repetitive, and frankly a bit boring. I’m aware that the book’s content is simply a collection of other people’s ‘stories’ but many seem far-fetched or made up by young folks who were either drunk or high.
I visited the graveyard and road when I was a teen too but never saw anything out of the ordinary.
I am open-minded to the supernatural though and maybe others will enjoy the book.

The Paris Option – Robert Ludlum

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The Paris Option (Covert-One, #3)
by Robert Ludlum, Gayle Lynds (Goodreads Author)

15204490

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Sep 03, 2026  

bookshelves: did-not-finish

I picked up this book off the patio table at least a dozen times, trying to get into the story and put it to rest but it wasn’t to be. There is way too much fluff and back story for me…so much so I forgot where the plot was going.
Perhaps it’s only my perception but almost all female author’s I’ve read, go into way too much detail in trying to explain every scene that takes place. This book was co-written by Gayle Lynds so maybe that’s my point.
I’ve read other Ludlum books and don’t recall having the same issue. It should have been a good story to read but I finally gave up less than half-way through.

“Michael” – The Michael Jackson Movie

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I’ve never really been a Michael Jackson fan, although I had to admit to listening to some of the original Jackson Five music when I was much younger.

Cathryn and I just saw the movie, ‘Michael’ and were blown away by Jaafar Jackson’s (son of Jeremy Jackson) rendition of his uncle. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought I was watching archived footage of Michael. This newcomer to the big screen is sure to garner more than a few awards for this performance.

The movie was brought to us by the same producers who did Bohemian Rhapsody (watch for a guest appearance by Mike Myers), along with some of the Jackson brothers.

The music, dance and creativity was true to Michael – I wasn’t aware of how talented the guy actuallywas.

We both give this movie a 10 out of 10 – a rarity for me.

True Blue – David Baldacci

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True Blue by David Baldacci (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review – Feb 23, 2026  

I rarely give a book five stars but I think David Baldacci deserves every one of them, for True Blue. Being retired law enforcement, I can easily relate to the various roadblocks police have to negotiate while trying to solve crime. The two protagonists (sisters) played well off each other, along with a lawyer for one of their sidekicks.
The story move quickly, with a plot that kept me guessing (almost) most of the time. The police procedural action was believable and pretty accurate, and the behind the scenes government corruption came as no surprise to me.
In my opinion, there are way too many secret government investigative organisations, with way too much power.
True Blue is a great read for crime fiction fans.

Standoff – Sandra Brown

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Standoff


bySandra Brown (Goodreads Author)

Edmond Gagnon‘s review Feb 18, 2026  

Not a page turner for me…instead, I struggled to pick it back up and finish the book so I could see how it ended. It was painful getting there, with way too much fluff and backstory and detail for me. In my opinion, the last chapter was the best and I enjoyed the ending.
Perhaps it is my personal opinion of investigative reporters who put ‘getting the scoop’ above anything else.
Thankfully, unlike so many other hostage stories, Standoff puts a completely different spin on things.

Boston Blue

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Good news Blue Bloods fans! Executive producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Donnie Wahlberg have teamed up to bring us Boston Blue, a spin-off to carry on the Reagan family tradition. The pilot opens with Sean Reagan as a cop in Boston, who gets injured while running into a working fire. His father, Danny Reagan, visits him in the hospital and inserts himself into the investigation.

Sean is played by a new actor but another Reagan makes an appearance, as well as Danny’s New York partner (look for the love connection). The rest of the cast is new but similar to the Reagan clan, with family members in policing and the DA’s office. It’s hinted from the start that Danny Reagan is in Boston to stay, where he can keep an eye on his son.

The story is filmed on location in Toronto and Boston, and from what I’ve seen, promises to be a continuation of the Blue Bloods legacy. Call is Boston Blue Bloods if you will.

It’s on CBS but we’re steaming it on Paramount +

Bruce Springsteen – Deliver Me From Nowhere

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If you’re expecting a movie full of musical action and a cross selection of Springsteen songs to see and hear on the big screen, don’t bother. Wait to stream it. This film is more about how the Boss battled with his demons – an alcoholic father and his own ongoing depression. In my opinion, the back story made the whole movie slow and depressing.

On the upside, Jeremy Allen White gives the performance of his life – not only mimicking Springsteen’s mood and mannerisms but he kick’s ass when singing his songs. His rendition of Born in the USA actually gave me goosebumps. It was the highlight of the movie, for me.

Bruce is a talented songwriter and performer, and even though his unorthodox recording of the Nebraska album wasn’t accepted by record producers, he held fast and demanded the vinyl be released with no media fanfare, tour, or even his picture on the cover.

The flick was a bit deep and dark for me but Cathryn enjoyed it. There should have been more music. She gave it an 8 out of 10. I’m giving it a 6 but a 10 for White’s performance.

The Detroit Shoemaker

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The Detroit Shoemaker
by Barbara Reaume Sandre

Edmond Gagnon‘s review

Aug 28, 2025 

This book took me completely by surprise. Not usually a genre I read, I was quickly consumed by the story of a French family who emigrated from France, settled in Montreal, and then helped to establish the cities of Detroit and Windsor.
The author’s research is extensive and meticulous, tracing her family’s roots back several generations.
The story delves into Canada’s fur trade and French migration south along the St. Lawrence Seaway to the birth of Detroit, in the form of Fort Pontchartrain.
The level of survival skills and determination of our pioneering ancestors is nothing short of amazing.
Every local history buff should snag a copy of this book.

F1 – The Movie

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If you liked Days of Thunder or Top Gun, you’ll love F1-The Movie, starring Brad Pitt. And instead of an all-star ensemble, this action flick brings you the expertise of Joseph Kosinski in the director’s chair, Jerry Bruckheimer as producer and music by Hans Zimmer – yes, the same crew that puts together movies for Tom Cruise.

Actually, the two mega-stars raced go-carts together while filming Interview with a Vampire and they tried to make a racing movie years ago but it never got off the ground. And to top it off, Cruise showed up for the London premiere of Pitt’s F1, reuniting them for the first time in over 20 years.

Sylvester Stallone hoped to make an F1 movie back in 2001, with Driven, but couldn’t crack the secret F1 cult and had to settle on CART Racing. But Kosinski, Bruckheimer and Pitt spent 3 years pitching their idea to F1 racing officials before getting the nod. It’s said they clinched the deal by inviting the top executive to Top Gun Maverick to show the kind of movie they wanted to make.

Producers went so far as to gain actual F1 race footage and offer cameos to real F1 drivers, as well as hiring a champion F1 driver as producer. And Pitt not only practiced driving in a modified F2 car, he drove on some of those same tracks around the world. When interviewed he said he was humbled by the experience and it was one of the highlights of his life.

So, if you’re looking for high octane racing action with an awesome soundtrack, amazing cinematography and a good story, be sure to check out F1 – The Movie on the big screen. It was filmed in iMax.

Cathryn and I both loved the movie and rated it 10 out of 10.