Without Motive

So far I'm only into the third chapter but will read more.
As always, just my opinion .. I am a reader and no expert. I also nit pick because I know we miss things in our own writing that leap out at other people …
What a thoroughly unpleasant character Pascoe is. And you showed us, didn’t tell, which is a big plus.
Minor nitpick; use a comma when a speaker addresses someone by name. i.e. “Just a little snack, darling.”

Really enjoyed this book. Look forward to reading more of Sam Deakin. Good luck Cyrus

Thanks Mary. Don't worry, Sam Deakin is oiut there on another case and if he solves it you shouldn't have long to wait !! Cyrus Ferguson

That's a hell of a start to your great book. Love your MC Pascoe bonded with him straight away.

You have a great flow to your writing and you have succeeded in fleshing out your characters so they appear really and their surroundings believable.

A great read that is happily shelved by moi.
Melxx
Impeding Justice

Cyrus, I got a copy of your book 6 months ago and never got chance to read it until I got settled in Canada. What a very interesting read that certainly keeps you entertained. What a character Pascoe is! Nice job. All the best, Dean

The characters in this book are really great. It's good to know that a sequel is on its way.

Hello Cyrus,
A very enjoyable read. You show character well, and I like the way you take us into Deakins home life. I have tried to do the same with my detective. Good luck with it.
Tom Kilcourse

I like the irony of Joy's name; her life is anything but joyous. Pascoe is a truly horrible character, which, of course, would keep me reading. Good pitch and title. Backed.
Nitpicks: you might want to put a break - a couple of stars or dashes - when your point of view changes between Joy and Pascoe, as otherwise it can be confusing for the reader.
You could lose the word 'curiously' from the Concorde paragraph.

I liked the prologue; you describe so well the wretchedness of someone who has been incarcerated. Excellent hook at the end of it. The description of the woman undressing was well done and the snippets of information like money and George Beast and of course Apollo 13reminded me of what life was like in those days. This is well written and moves at a good pace. I will back it with pleasure.

Tony

I liked the prologue; you describe so well the wretchedness of someone who has been incarcerated. Excellent hook at the end of it. The description of the woman undressing was well done and the snippets of information like money and George Beast and of course Apollo 13reminded me of what life was like in those days. This is well written and moves at a good pace. I will back it with pleasure.

Tony

A ripping yarn. Keeps you guessing till the last m inute, and a great read for those of us living in the immediate area of the setting. Sure this is the first of many.
Carol

I have no idea if my previous comment made it through, but I really like this, you characters are engaging and lifelike.
Backed.

I bought this book a while ago and spent a happy few hours reading it. I enjoyed the setting, which I'm slightly familiar with, and was quickly absorbed in the plot and the interplay of the well-drawn characters. Thanks, Cyrus, and good luck with the next one.

So far I'm only into the third chapter but will read more.
As always, just my opinion .. I am a reader and no expert. I also nit pick because I know we miss things in our own writing that leap out at other people …
What a thoroughly unpleasant character Pascoe is. And you showed us, didn’t tell, which is a big plus.
Minor nitpick; use a comma when a speaker addresses someone by name. i.e. “Just a little snack, darling.”

Living down the road from Ormskirk, I had to have a look at this. Only read a couple of chapters so far but found them a good read. Good luck. John

This is fantastic, just the type of gripping story I enjoy! All the elements of a great thriller here along with a unique and descriptive writing style which fits well with the genre.

This has all the makings of a story I would want to read in full.

Backed

Jo xx

Spoilt

Without Motive: DCI Deakin would make a good TV character - believable and human. After 4 chapters the only nitpick is that each chapter deals with a new character and I would like to see some interaction between them earlier on. But that's only a small issue; I really enjoyed the professional feel of the writing and the story is right up m street. Backed!

Really enjoyed this book. Look forward to reading more of Sam Deakin. Good luck Cyrus

Thanks Mary. Don't worry, Sam Deakin is oiut there on another case and if he solves it you shouldn't have long to wait !! Cyrus Ferguson

Really enjoyed this book. Look forward to reading more of Sam Deakin. Good luck Cyrus

Thanks Mary. Don't worry, Sam Deakin is oiut there on another case and if he solves it you shouldn't have long to wait !! Cyrus Ferguson

Really enjoyed this book. Look forward to reading more of Sam Deakin. Good luck Cyrus

Excellent read, can't wait for the next book.

Great read, really enjoyed it and it's on my bookshelf now.
:)

Cyrus, I stumbled onto your book and thought it would be a good read. I wasn't disappointed. That was a chilling scene in Chapter 1 with the woman in front of the mirror. As an editor I noticed you shifted the point of view POV from Joy to Pascoe and back to Joy. If you can write the scene through only one set of eyes and keep the POV on one character, the reader can climb into that body and become part of the story. Just have the other characters react. Anyway, it is no big deal. Great writing and fun read. Good luck with it.
Steve Ward
Test Pilot's Daughter: Revenge

Cyrus,

I was hooked from the start. A great sense of place, believable dialogue and just the right style of writing for a crime thriller.

On my shelf with pleasure.

Sheila
Pinpoint (psychological crime/legal thriller)

Cyrus
I read prologue & Chapter 1

John Stratton
Has he been in prision since 1968, and are we now in present day 2009.....Because that's a long time to be in prision with no substantial evidence against him...41 years......So he's in his 60's or so ? Now I admit this is not my 'genre' so delete this comment if I am talking a load of shite.....But, is that likely to happen ? Would there not have had to have been something incriminating, something to provide a grey area of suspicion, something he could explain but not prove....? I know this is fiction, but crime/'thriller readers often become detectives themselves from what I see, comment wise here on the site......

Joy, she needs a shake, she surely doesn't believe that this monster she's married to, this horrible smelly violent pig, is popping out to do a spot of bird watching ? Reflectively, she should say something along the lines 'I dont care where he is, what's he's doing or who with, so long as he's not here with me' You need to credit her with some intelligence.....I like her, and as you want me to do, I feel sorry for her......But she knows that man inside out, surely.....Hating him as she does......

Pascoe, f***** hate him.....Hope he meets his match later on.

I'll come back to this........Do me a favour and let me know if I missed something re; John Stratton..

Backed.

Fantastically written around the liverpool area, anyone with an interest in crime and liverpool will be gripped by this local authors view point, can't wait for the next one, compelling reading from an author with obvious talents in this sector.

Good stuff

Kev(Catherine Wheel Alley)

Hi All. I bought the book - Without Motive - earlier this year.
Not normally a reader of crime fiction, I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. A real 'who dunnit', it kept me guessing right to the last few pages.
The characters are very real and having lived around the area in which it is set I could visualise it all.
Also a fascinating glimpse at behind the scenes in the world of law and order. Cyrus obviously knows this world personally.
Looking forward to his next one!
Enjoy.
Lizzie - Bag Lady

Hi Cyrus!

This is a gripping thriller! Very hard to put down. Your writing style grabs the reader and does not let go - great job with your detail and action weaved into your story.

Your pitch - I would suggest chunking it into at least two different paragraphs, and I believe ex-husband needs a hyphen. Other than that, great job! On my shelf.

Kim
Invisible Justice

Hi Cyrus. Really enjoyed the book, one of those I could not put down. Perhaps and I hope you are going to be the Scouse version of Peter James.
Loved the deep observations of both characters and locality of the book. I am waiting with impatience for the next Deakin story!!!
Friend of mine had the pleasure of a BA flight in business class, feet up to Philidelphia reading your novel. She loved it.
Wish you all the best for future novels.

Great book, thoroughly enjoyed it. Now sitting on my bookshelf waiting for the sequel. Don't leave it too long!

Good choice to start out with the innocent man behind bars. It gives the reader not only the mystery, but a strong emotional reason to figure it out. You're not afraid to allow your characters complex and believable inner lives. Great job!

This is an exceptional crime thriller - really enjoyed the read and suspense!! Well written, great plot and structure. Certainly on my bookshelf ;o) Thanks Cy.

I started to read this, attracted to a fellow writer of crime fiction, and was absolutely captivated by it. You are a fine writer, technically sound and you can certainly tell a story. You need a decent cover to get noticed, your book deserves a great cover. I'll read (much) more of this, but have seen enough to know this is going on my shelf.
BACKED!
Jared (Mummy's Boy)

Hi Cyrus
This is great - the prologue raises lots of questions that makes me want to read on to find out the answers to. Then from chapter one the tension is mounting - fab!

Your strong observational narrative, mixed with the realistic dialogue, keeps the story moving on. I found your characters particularly well drawn, and you show the complexity of their relationships and inner desires artfully. This reminds me a little of Jeff Abbott's books - which I mean as a compliment as i'm a huge fan! This is professional writing, and i'd certainly buy this book.

Shelved :-)

Best wishes
Lorelli (The Man Whisperer)

This is a stunning piece of very professional writing.
No nit-picks at all!
Thye prose flows well, the dialogue is good and the characterisations are excellent.
Shelved without hesitation
Best

A brilliant read. The red herrings are excellent and you are left guessing till the last minute.

Cyrus,

This reads like a novel that has already been published or should be. It should do well here.

Shelved with pleasure.
Rodney

Hi Cyrus,

Welcome to Authonomy.

Your premise is intriguing and will encourage anyone to read the book.

Your prose is tight. Good, precise sentence structure and a compelling story. Good characterisation and dialogue. I was pulled in right from the start. This is a good addition to the site and is bound to go far. Some good vivid descriptions that gave a sense of place.

Chap 2.

‘Hello(,) sweetness.’ Always use a comma when directly addressing someone. E.g. ‘Hello(,) Mum.’

‘Don’t forget to notice Mum(’)s new shoes,’

Your writing styles smooth and easy to read. I think you have a promising book here and I’ve enjoyed reading the first three chapters.

Shelved!

Shinzy :)

Welcome to Authonomy!
Firstly, for someone who isn't a fan of murder mysteries, your pitch intrigued me so i started to read...then your plot compelled me on!
Secondly, Your writing is supurb and highly polished. This could be a published book judging by the quality of your writing.
Backed and best of luck here!