#List of Secrets

[femalebookworm]

Okay, then, this is Vital Secrets series (bundle of book 1-3, but as you can tell, reviews will be separate!) is my first read for 2024 (started Jan 2, ended Jan 3, 8pm sharp), picked this set at random after seeing cover with dude holding a gun and some words like, crime, thriller, suspense, detective work etc attached to it. All that, set my mindset for CSI, NCIS; set the standards too high, but the coincidences were piling up too hard and too fast, I just followed the letters on the e-page.

Yeah yeah, I kept the same intro used for the first book, sue me. List of Secrets is about 32% into this bundle, and while I have the separate book status being marked on Goodreads, I could definitely NOT review 3 books in one go; my brain wouldn’t let me. It would also be super long, and I know Goodreads and my blog have limits. Bear with me, I’ll keep the bundle review simple, just one more book guys, gals and inbetweens. NOT SPOILER FREE, read at your own risk.

Oh man, finally got into the groove of this author. They didn’t disappoint. While the first book was detailed enough for the reader to put it together before the main characters, List of Secrets kept the cloak until almost the last chapter. From the-go you have two serial killers, two siblings (in fact), and they both kinda fall in love with target and target adjacent. So many deaths, so many hearts destroyed. So many lies. The last page kinda gave me the feels that the target and target adjacent has something in common to bond over, and maybe it’s twisted to think the author meant they would become friends — or maybe even something more? Don’t know, the sneak peek suggested Joe would join in win the rest of the OG characters for the next book. Not all complaining. Enjoying it, actually.

Oops, my bad, the characters names - Lizzie, a cop from Seattle whose life changing betrayal of bestie and fiancé took her on a trip where she meets a guy she clicks super fast, Landon. Likable characters, I might add. But they soon return to their lives - Seattle vs Texas. They kinda have a long distance relationship. Cool. Normal. Then we have Samantha (was that her name? Cannot remember. Sorry. I suck with names, and this time I didn’t take any notes) hitting a skii class with a retired athlete, Donny, they fall madly in love within three dates or so, same as Lizzie/Landon. However, they do spend a lot of time together before hell breaks loose. While these couples go about their lives, murders are happening all across the globe, some to people who kinda deserve and others, well… leaving you with a question mark on how they were/are important to begin with. Shit happens, and suddenly the puzzles are put together with the joint efforts of Nathan (whose baby was born somewhere along the crazy murders and relationships growing speedily) and Joe (Lizzie’s godfather, and her dad’s old partner). Some other characters were introduced from other districts as well, and wondering if they will return on book 3 (the final one I HAVE) or even later on.

Hmm, what else can I say? I think this is it. The plot twist I didn’t see coming was the family bond. Familiarity, yes - at one point - but not this. Onto the next book as soon as my headache leaves me alone. Maybe will start it tomorrow only and give my brain and eyes some much needed rest.

[galaxystt]

its really a big mystery, isn't it? (excuse the crunchy gif quality omg idk how to make it less pixelated so im just uploading the images separately ;o;)

[shhh-secret-time]

Fuck it, OC brain rot won. Get ready for the Secret Ask List

1) Does your OC have a voice claim, if so who?

2) Who's your OCs best friend? How did they become best friends?

3) What song describes your OC?

4) What song describes your OC and their partner/love interest?

5) Do you ship your OC with a Canon character? If so who?

6) If your OC is in a fantasy setting, what profession would they be in the modern day?

7) Vice-Versa! If your OC is in the modern day, what fantasy class would they be? Would they be a different race?

8) What hobbies does your OC have? What do they do to unwind?

9) How does your OC handle their physical health? Do they take care of themselves?

10) How does your OC handle their mental health? Do they take care of themselves?

11) What was your inspiration for your OC?

12) Does your OC interact with other people's OC? If so, who's their best OC friend?

13) Does your OC have a rival? How did it start?

14) Who's a character your OC cannot stand! It's on sight when they see them!

15) Will your OC ever retire? Do you see them making it?

16) How's their relationship with their parents? Are they alive?

17) If your OC has kids, are they a good parent? Do they ever feel guilty if they have to leave them?

18) What are their pronouns? What would they like to be called?

19) What's their sexuality? What's their love language both giving and receiving?

20) If they fight, what's their weapon of choice?

21) What song best describes their relationship with their enemy?

22) Fight or Flight? Are they a lover or a fighter?

23) Is your OC reliable? Can I call them up at two in the morning if I have a flat tire?

24) Can they play any instruments? If so, what do they play?

25) Are they the kind of person who can't resist a good song? Can I catch your OC singing to themselves while they do the dishes?

26) What flower do you associate your OC with?

27) What's their spirit tamagotchi? Or an animal you associate them with?

28) What clique would they be in? (Draw them in the clothes of said group!)

29) Imagine a mood board for your OC! What's on it? (Make it if you want!)

30) My OC and your OC are friends. This isn't a question. I'm not asking. (How do they respond?)

[spellboundcities]

Is it too late to make this joke

(original v)

[reality-detective]

EPSTEIN’S CLIENT LIST ABOUT TO DROP – Top Politicians, Hollywood Elites & Wall Street Billionaires EXPOSED!

The storm is here. President Trump’s relentless legal warrior, Alina Habba, has sounded the alarm: The Epstein files are about to go public. The elite are trembling. The hidden names, the blackmail, the crimes they thought would stay buried—it’s all coming out. Washington is in panic mode.

For decades, the corrupt elite—**the same ones who rigged elections, silenced dissent, and waged war against Trump—**operated in the shadows. They blackmailed politicians, funded globalist agendas, and controlled the media. But now, judgment day is coming.

Habba’s Bombshell: Full Exposure Is Inevitable

Appearing on FXO and Friends, Habba laid it out:

“Transparency is coming. They’re panicking because they don’t want the world to know who visited Epstein’s island, who’s a pedo, and who still sits in DC.”

This isn’t just another scandal. This dwarfs Watergate. The very people calling Trump "dangerous" are about to be exposed as the real monsters.

Why They FEAR Trump: He Knows It ALL

The deep state’s obsession with destroying Trump? It’s simple:

Trump knows who was on Epstein’s Island.

He knows who was blackmailed.

He knows who controls the puppets in DC.

He knows where the bodies are buried.

With Pam Bondi now vowing to unleash the files, the corrupt elite are spiraling into chaos.

Epstein: The Cabal’s Secret Weapon

Epstein wasn’t just a predator—he was an intelligence asset. His island was a blackmail factory, targeting politicians, CEOs, and celebrities for control. Funded through shady NGOs, shell companies, and even government programs, his operation was bigger and darker than anyone knew.

And when Epstein became a liability? They silenced him.

Suicide? Not a chance.

But here’s the kicker—his blackmail files survived. And now, they’re about to surface.

The Deep State’s Next Moves: Chaos Incoming

The cabal won’t go down without a fight. Expect: 👇

Massive media blackout – They’ll pretend nothing’s happening.

Disinformation storms – They’ll label the files "fake" or "politically motivated."

False flags & distractions – Riots, financial crashes—anything to shift focus.

Mysterious deaths – Whistleblowers and insiders? They’ll start disappearing.

More attacks on Trump – Indictments, smear campaigns, and witch hunts.

But NOTHING will stop what’s coming.

The Deep State’s Worst Nightmare Has Begun

Trump has been preparing for this moment. The sealed indictments. The military tribunals. The takedown of the corrupt elite.

“The days of the government hiding from the people are over.”

The Epstein files are coming. The guilty will be named. Justice will be served.

Trump was right all along.

And now, the storm hits. 🤔

[izelthewashbear]

I've seen a MCYT Queerbaiter bracket going around, so in case anyone cares, here's my Lifers queerbaiting tierlist :3

That should go without saying, but just in case - this is all just for shits and giggles, I don't accuse anyone of anything, it's just for funsies. Also if I accidentally missed someone who is queer or something, lemme know (I'm also open to discussions)

[hailsatanacab]

A Persuasive Argument - dpxdc

"Great!" Danny says, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention. The dinner table falls silent as everyone looks towards him. It's a full house today and, honestly, Danny's a little nervous. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I gathered you here today."

"It's dinnertime. In our house." Duke mutters, while doing a very bad job of concealing his yawn. He holds his fork poised over the braised beef, but, just like everyone else, still looks towards Danny before tucking in. It's intriguing enough to wait.

"Yeah, no one misses Alfie's dinner." Dick says, with a brilliant smile that Danny can't help but return.

"Precisely! What better time to talk to you all than when you're all actually here!"

"Wait, I thought you came round to work on our English essays?" Tim asks, blinking owlishly.

"I'm afraid I've lured you here under false pretences, Tim."

"This is where I live."

"I would still really appreciate help on that essay though, I mean, what the hell is Hamlet even about? I just don't get that old time-y language, like 'Hark! A ghost hath killed me!' - absolute rubbish, what does that even mean?"

"The ghost never kills anyone in Hamlet, he's there to tell Hamlet that he was murdered. Have you actually read it?"

"No, but it sounds like you have. Tim, I want this guy to help me with my essay instead. I know for a fact that you haven't read Hamlet, either."

"So? We don't need Jason, I've read the Sparknotes."

"Hi Jason, I'm Danny, pleasure to meet you, summarise Hamlet in three sentences or less."

"Am I auditioning to help you write your essays? I can't believe you’ve gone through your whole school life without reading it, it’s good!"

"Hamlet, along with a number of other classics, was banned in our house because it portrayed ghosts as intelligent and sympathetic beings rather than evil, animalistic beasts. I didn’t even get to see The Muppet's Christmas Carol until last year with Tim! It was surprisingly good, and I hate Christmas because everyone always argued and it sucked. But we're getting off topic. I—"

"No, no, please go back to that, because what the fu—"

"Boys, please." Bruce interrupts, looking to the world as if he wants to hang his head in his hands. "Danny, you were about to say something?"

"Oh, yeah, Mr. Wayne! Thanks!"

"Please, call me Bruce."

"Well, that very succinctly brings me to my point, because I'd actually really like to call you dad."

Nobody says a word. Nobody even blinks, all as shocked as the other, watching open-mouthed as Danny pulls his laptop out from beside his chair. Bruce can definitely feel a headache coming on.

"Before you say anything, I've prepared a 69 slide PowerPoint presentation on why you, Bruce Wayne, should adopt me, Danny Last-Name-Pending. Please save your questions, comments, and verdict until the end, thank you."

[ambxtxo]

donna tartt’s reading list

In an interview, Tartt lists her favorite authors and the names of a few works. I have listed the most popular works from each author and the specific ones she recommended as well.

Homer

The Iliad

The Odyssey

Greek Poets and Tragedians

Argonautica

Antigone

Prometheus Bound

The Oresteia

Medea

Oedipus Rex

The Bacchae

The Frogs

Dante

Inferno

Purgatorio

Paradiso

Shakespeare

“I went back and read Macbeth and Hamlet during the pandemic”

Macbeth

Hamlet

Dickens

“Dickens was a part of my familial landscape, the air I breathed.”

A Tale of Two Cities

Great Expectations

Nabokov

Pale Fire

Lolita

Proust

In Search of Lost Time

Swann’s Way

Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment

The Brothers Karamazov

Yeats

The Collected Poems of W.B. Yeats

Irish Fairy and Folk Tales

Borges

Labyrinths: Selected Stories and Other Writings

Edith Wharton

The House of Mirth

Ethan Frome

Evelyn Waugh

Brideshead Revisited

Helena

Salinger

Catcher in the Rye

Virginia Woolf

Mrs. Dalloway

Orlando

Edward St. Aubyn

The Patrick Melrose Novels

Haruki Murakami

Kafka on the Shore

Norwegian Wood

Olga Tokarczuk

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Don DeLillo

White Noise

Underworld

W.G. Sebald

Austerlitz

The Rings of Saturn

Joan Didion

The Year of Magical Thinking

The White Album

Other Specific Books

Memoirs d’Outre-Tome by Chateaubriand

Jigsaw by Sybille Bedford

All for Nothing by Walter Kempowski

A Balcony in the Forest by Julien Gracq

[nightingale-prompts]

The Devil's Drink-DCxDP prompt

Eldritch Coffee Shop AU part 3 (I guess)

First | Previous |

"Hey there, Sailor."

Jason already knew when he passed those aged mahogany doors that he'd be waiting. Always at that bar when the kids were sleeping. This place— it was like it shifted to what you needed at the time.

Coffee and cakes during the day. A speakeasy during the evening for food, drink, and dancing. But right now, when the graveyard shift takes on a new meaning, the age of this place starts to show. It's somber and quiet. The regulars talked low amongst themselves or sat alone at the booths or bar—contemplating where the time went at the bottom of their gin and tonic.

The band played jazz, slow and smooth. The trumpet dragged it's notes like a dead body across the floor. Made you wanna just close your eyes and sigh like a man bearly keeping it together because he knows that once he leaves the bar, life will be waiting to give him a reason to come back.

That barman. He had a sort of dry smile. He took a long drag from his cigarette, his red eyes focused on Jason and his every moment. Hungry—like was wanted something.

His uniform was slightly undone after a long night. His sleeves—cuffed and his forehead arm tattoos on full display. The ink went from elafent thin lines to thick black. Chains etched into his skin and skeletal bones that matched what was underneath the skin.

They sure liked their graveyard aesthetic around here.

"Need a drink don't you, Rev?" He said, the rich gravely voice said between puffs of smoke.

Jason took a seat at the extended bar that stood perpendicular from the barista station, or just a turn from it. Even now you can smell the coffee grounds mixed with the scent of cigars in the air.

"I'm surprised you're busy right now," Jason said tilting his head to the patrons still here.

"Are you? In a city like this even the dead don't sleep. Can't empty this place unless it's closed. You should know that. You don't own the Iceberg lounge for nothing." The bartender said holding his cigarette between his sharp black-painted fingers.

"No, I meant with your kids and everything." Jason said showing his cards as well.

The barkeeper grunted.

"Not like they need their big brother putting them to bed and it's not like I a have a partner waiting up." He said putting a glass on the bar and pouring a viscous, translucent green or blue liquid that swirls with light.

He mixed the drink with ice, strange leaves, and unknown berries before pouring it into a glass with one smooth motion.

"No shot?" Jason quiped.

The bartender leaned down until his cheek brushed Jason's and whispered in his ear.

"I think a bit of extra flair is needed. Too much of the raw stuff might ruin your palette. Can't have you like the straight whisky drinkers over there that can't tell a beer from a cider. Plus, I wanna water down your drinks so you stay longer." He pulled away and Jason got a good look at those sharp white fangs he had for teeth. More wolf then vampire thought.

Whatever he was Jason knew he was human. He knew that Jason was a revenant so perhaps he was too. He probably just committed to the death thing in a completely different way.

Did that mean he was from the League of Assassins? It was possible but would Raz allow someone to sell his treasured Lazarus water? Besides Raz had never considered drinking it like this. Jason had tasted it upon his resurrection and it was awful the grossest thing he ever ingested. Not like the stuff served here. Pure, potent, and delicious.

Jason took a drink. Just under the foamy head was a tangy-sweet taste with an oddly comforting chill, like mint and citrus with a hint of spice. Then there was a deep acidic bite like a wolf had his jaws at his throat. Exactly what Jason wanted.

The wolf looked at him, waiting for judgment.

"It's good. "Jason said, "What is it called?"

"Ordering it again?" The man asked a smug grin on his face.

"I might."

"The Elixir. Simple isn't it. No stupid puns at least." He said.

"I like that puns. They are cute." Jason said lowly while taking another drink.

"That's how those little troglodites get you." He sighed.

"You let them thought."

"No comment."

Jason laughed.

"So what else do you have?" Jason asked.

"It's a secret menu. Can't tell you or—you know. Not secret." The Bartender cooed while taking a glass left by a patron and putting it in the sink.

"How else am I gonna know what to order? Jason coaxed.

"Come back and I'll serve you a new one."

"An excuse to see me or get more of my money?"

"Money for sure. I love money."

Their conversation piddled away for a pit until they listened to music in silence.

"Well you should get going Rev. I got a group of old bones sweeping in soon."

"Can I at least get a name?" Asking a bit too needy.

"Dan. Don't get me mixed up with the other ones." He said.

"Don't think I could," Jason said opening the door to the stairs. The cool of graveyard slowly wafting towards him.

"Also. You sound better when you aren't stumbling over your words Rev. It's cuter when you do, Rev." Dan said with a predatory glint in his eyes.

Like a switch was turned in his brain Jason felt his tongue tie in his mouth as he babbled a goodnight and left as quietly as possible.

He's the devil. Clearly, he was a demon.

But Jason would come back. Like a call in the night he would seek out the devil's drink.

[messymoonmad]

Amphitrite: bold of you to assume Poseidon can read

Your honour this man was drawing FISH DOODLES!

That man was NOT writing

Touché!

On a serious note, he can read he's just very slow and usually makes someone read for him when it's an important message. He rarely writes, but he knows how to altho he is terrible at spelling and has an ugly handwriting

[acowardinmordor]

I only had Steve repeating his senior year because I wanted the kids to know Eddie already, but thinking about it? This messes Steve up so so much more. He obviously met Robin, who asked a few pointed questions that made him go oh. about his life and his identity.

He’s back for another year in high school because of post concussion symptoms. His parents are probably pissed. He’s trying to rebuild his own sense of self without defining it with popularity, but he’s stuck in the place where he was the most popular before. And is now one of those loser super seniors.

Enter Eddie, who had been on Steve’s radar as a vague awareness of maybe-attraction in previous years. And the guy is protecting his kids. Encouraging them. He’s also as close to Out as he can be in Hawkins. He knows who he is. He’s unapologetic and doesn’t let trends define him. He’s who he wants to be. Of course there’s hearteyes.

But Steve isn’t comfortable with himself enough to talk to him directly. Hence the letters.

And maybe at first he wasn’t even sure that Eddie liked getting them. Or was even reading them. Probably wrote about how he was anonymous because he didn’t think Eddie would actually like him if he knew. It’s been a theme from the start, and it was probably the first thing that Eddie talked about when he could finally write back.

Eddie totally said that anyone who wrote letters like that, who was that kind and clever and generous and funny, would always be someone Eddie liked. Loved. That it wouldn’t matter if X was ugly, that it wouldn’t even matter if X was a girl. That Eddie would still want to know them.

And that’s when you have those insults. When Steve was finally finally brave enough to be around Eddie. To come to Hellfire. Because Eddie had promised in the letters to teach X how to play, that he’d be so so patient because X told him that he probably wasn’t smart enough to play.

Eddie has to betray everything he’s said.

And it is specifically because Steve Harrington is anathema to Eddie.

Proof that who Steve wants to be, tries to be, is wanted, but who he is in real life, not on paper, isn’t good enough.

(Yes, Robin had to be hugged into submission to keep her from slashing Eddie’s tires)

But, tag writer whose user name I can’t recall, Steve didn’t write his last letter in the car. He dropped off the boys, went home, and wrote something longer at first. He tried to find a way to explain to Eddie that he’s trying. That he wants to be a better person who Eddie would be happy to discover is X. He writes it, and he doesn’t believe that it will ever happen. That he can ever be better.

Anyway, Steve totally gets Vecna’d in this AU, and Eddie is one of the focal points.

[mleemwyvern]

number of times each life series member sacrificed themselves, a tier list.

[buttercupshands]

Some crk-isat au things!

A sprite turned into art as well!

Fount of Knowledge in Mal du Pays role with Forgotten Country being somewhat connected to the Spire of Knowledge

It also works if replacing the sprites

Same with phase 1&2 of secret encounter

Also PV is now crowned as Isa, sketched this little thing bc it seemed funny to me

[fictionadventurer]

We laugh at sci-fi for how it over-explains technology, but we also need to make fun of how Victorians describe any time period that takes place more than ten years before the book's publishing date.

It's like if we wrote like this about the '80s or '90s.

According to the curious fashions of the day, she wore a shirt of tie-dye print. It may seem quaint to our modern sensibilities, but such colorful styles were a common sight in any public street of those times.

At the time this story occurred, it was not uncommon for young men to wear their hair cropped closely around the face, but allow the hair behind the head to grow until it brushed the level of the shoulders.

In those days, the information superhighway was little more than a crude unpaved path, full of hazards and beset by brigands, so it is not strange that our heroine, instead of entering her query into the search bar on her browser, went to the public library and scoured the books on the shelves for the information she sought.

She and her friends went to the theater to see E.T. How strange to think that film was once at the heights of popularity and acclaim, as well-known in its day as films like The Hunger Games or The Avengers have become in the intervening time.

I get that the lack of video and audio recording made it harder for future generations to experience the details of the past, and that technology was changing their world at a faster rate than ever before, but also, dude, it was only, like, forty years ago, so maybe chill out a bit.

[reality-detective]

BREAKING: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is working overtime to shield Jeffrey Epstein’s elite client list from the American people.

Durbin has blocked subpoenas for Epstein’s flight logs and is now vowing to block Kash Patel’s confirmation, knowing Patel has promised to expose the full client list.

Why is Durbin so desperate to keep this hidden? Who is he protecting? Americans deserve the truth—this information belongs to the people!

The reason they are hiding the list is: There are people in high places on that list. 🤔

[mikami1992]

Supernatural Cops

The fandom has come to the conclusion that all kinds of supernatural or unusual things happen in Amity Park and people take it like any other Tuesday.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if this place is the only place in the country (not to say the world) that has a police division in charge of handling Cults…

Yes, in Amity Park there is a group of police (not to say half of all the police in the city) that are dedicated to controlling cults and their peculiarities, because we must remember that, despite the reputation of being a tourist trap, this town in the middle of nowhere has the reputation of being the most haunted place in the country (or the world), so it wouldn't be crazy to say that on certain dates of the year many "tourists" (cough cultists cough) arrive who come in order to do "events" (cough rites cough), so whether they want it or not, someone has to control that the limits on how they are "celebrating" are not broken… and to top it off, the limits of what the city considers acceptable is a greater margin than other places, so it has become common for some groups to come back later.

So yes, Amity Park has one of the most effective police departments in dealing with cults and supernatural beliefs, not only are they effective in identifying participants, most of the time they know what kind of cultist they are dealing with, whether they are just playing a game or are the real magic business and how dangerous/troublesome they will be in the end.

What's more, this group is so good at what they do, that many times the inhabitants of Amity Park prefer to call them instead of the GIW (they are too destructive and there is still no 100% reliable insurance that will pay for the damages they cause), when it comes to a problem with a ghost and the ghost child is not around.

and that competition is more noticeable when other cities in the country begin to ask for help with some unknown cults that are appearing rap