All That Glisters

Excellent pitches, "a crime thriller set in the dark underbelly of Leicester" is enough to entice any reader! The opening chapter is a strong introduction to the book and the first person narrative works well here. Strong characters and a nice pace keep the story ticking over.
I'm enjoying this. You write very well, made me want to know what happens next - essential in a thriller - and kept the story rattling along.
On my shelf for a spell.
Jared

Good story.
Enjoyed the opening.
Quick and to the point, with a rope around my neck pulling me into the following chapters.
In all, a great feel, and a book that is competently written.
I enjoyed the execution of the first chapter most.

BACKED

Thanks for the once over. I've not really been using Authonomy, due to the whole forum sycophancy thing, so it was a surprise to get the email. I'm very glad you didn't find it LOL funny, it's certainly not meant to be. Though I didn't want it as 'hard' as many crime novels are. I guess I was looking for something kind of Danny king/Kink Friedman with a dash of Chandler, if you're aware of those guys? The family stuff does come in quite noticeably, incidentally. the thing you said about the driver's side of the car. it's weird how 'into' the book you get when you're writing it. I was visualizing it in my head and had the guy down as being in a particular place in the city when that happened. It's a one way street, so he easilly pulled to the kerb and washed the footpath, right? Still, no one else is in my head, right? So I've made some amendments to that, for which I'm grateful. funnily enough, when I got this review I was actually in the middle of a rewrite of the opening chapters. Cheers again.

My first critique so bear with me. I wasn't sure about this in chapter 1 but here I am at chapter four after an easy read. The synopsis promises a humorous element which is there but not at LOL intensity (although I'm in no position to comment on rap-speak. This could be sidesplitting and I wouldn't know) Early on I got the feeling that it might be short of a good editor. There's too much made of the authentic Leicester connection. If he has "lived there all my life" and he is, what, about 35, I immediately want to know more family background. Projectile vomiting from the driver's side lands in the roadway, not the pavement.

My first critique so bear with me. I wasn't sure about this in chapter 1 but here I am at chapter four after an easy read. The synopsis promises a humorous element which is there but not at LOL intensity (although I'm in no position to comment on rap-speak. This could be sidesplitting and I wouldn't know) Early on I got the feeling that it might be short of a good editor. There's too much made of the authentic Leicester connection. If he has "lived there all my life" and he is, what, about 35, I immediately want to know more family background. Projectile vomiting from the driver's side lands in the roadway, not the pavement.

I really enjoyed reading this, the plot is fantastic! :) What I've missed, at least at the beginning, is the dialogue, you tell a lot, and you tell it well, but the showing is missing, at least IMO. But it picks up after the beginning and the characters are more than unique and won't leave my mind too quickly.
Good luck and take care. :)

loved this ! Move over Martina Cole.

I usually like to be able to offer something in the way of advice. But it looks like there’s pretty much nothing to add here. It’s a snappy conversational read. I also like that the story is based in Leicester, it makes a welcome change from London. I had a look at a couple of like for like novels on my bookshelf at home. I noticed that even with the ‘thrillers’ that lean toward a male audience often the writer still incorporates a ‘relationship’ for the mc. . . You may have specifically chosen not to, but I think if you were to send this to a literary agent, they might suggest you have a ‘likeable strumpet’ somewhere. A woman in Harry’s life to give him a good old ride to himself and drive him mad now and again, she may come into the story later, but I’d have liked a splash of her in the pitch.

I enjoyed this a lot, closure to C1 was a page turner to C2. I also thought the short chapters suited the narrative. It’s a good commute read. Best luck with it.

Wilma1
Knowing Liam Riley - I hope you enjoy it

You write present tense exceptionally well. I couldn't pull myself away from the story. THIS is what I think agents are looking for. It has voice and an IMMEDIATE situation, but you don't just toss some random buy into a situation. You give us a sense of character first. this is an easy read. you don't give away too much--just enough to keep us wondering and reading on. But I love the part where Dodgy walks in--the way you show his own though being interrupted. It made the story feel very alive.

This is a good story. It has so many comments already that I don't think I can add anything new. Just that I'm glad I stumbled onto this when I was looking for a crime story and I liked it a lot. And am adding it to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Hi I'm looking for writers to do swap reads with me. I've read and enjoyed your two first chapters. Will come back later for more as I've watchlisted it. Will you have a read of mine, and decide re backing? Ta.
MOD
Murder on the Menu.

haha...loved it, very well written...my type of story.

backed for sure.

Nigel Hotton - Fatal Disclosure if you are interested in a return read.

Rob, this is a brilliant story. It's really well-written with an authentic voice. It's tough and it's funny too, a difficult combination.
Two killer lines - 'a comb over that had its work cut out' and 'less battery power than a nun's vibrator in the morning'. hilarious.
Harry's world view is cynical and succinct. He's trying to earn an honest one, but they 'keep pulling him back' as michael corleone used to say (Godfather III I think).
BACKED of course it is! Could you take a look at mine? Chris1

Perfect set up for the Harry Fox series. I have read all that you uploaded and it is fabulous. Thanks so much for writng All That Glisters.

Very interesting story, straight in with the crime. Written in the first person gives it the feeling of authenticity. Very good beginning to a first chapter. I am going to back this as I think it has a lot going for it. Take a look at mine, Three Stayed Home a WW2 adventure and love story, different to yours but I hope you will feel exciting. JohnJ

Rob

I remember this....on my shelf....

All That Glisters comes out of the gate with a fast start, written in an excellent narrative voice, and grabs the reader's attention right from the opening chapter. There's no lagging along before getting into the action. So enjoyable, this is both shelved and Today's Pick I Like for 12/12/09: http://newandgoodreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/todays-pick-i-like-121209.html

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

Here is a thriller which has an excellent plot line, going by the pitch, which gets off to a fast moving start, and which is also written in a style full of laid back wit. Harry Fox - a good name - is a really likable guy, trying to go straight, but held back by his debts. He tells his story as the first person narrator, which always brings a character to life easily. He is a man with some moral feelings. He blames himself, for instance, for not stopping Dodgy's murder, although there wouldn't have been much he could do, except join Dodgy as a victim. But we can sympathise with his feelings of guilt, and he has us on his side right from the start. Smartie is a great character. His rapper language is very realistic. Your, or rather Harry's, narrative voice is excellent, too. Your writing flows, never losing the personal touch of the speaker. I'm enjoying this book a great deal. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

A very engaging voice, and a narrator whose side I was immediately on from the start. It's no wonder this made it as far as it did on it's initial run. Happy to back it and give a nudge back in the right direction.
--Daniel
Every Atom Belonging

Wow ! This has a strong voice, I can really hear your Harry Fox narrating his large and lairy misadventures among the colourful and dangerous underbelly of Leicester. Enough raw energy to light up a city too. This book, first of a series, has tv or film written all over it.
Great work, backed with pleasure.
.

Hi Rob,

My friend, Francesco, led me here and I like what I see. Will be happy to give it my backing if you'll have a look at Moonbeam Highway and do what you think is right by it.

LEICESTER!????...No wait, I see it now, Gary Lineker does look a bit dodgy and I bet the goods his dad sold on that market stall wern't all kosher...only joking mate, this is cracking!
Backed.

Rob, what a change to have the main character of a crime novel an ex-con instead of an eccentric policeman. Leicester, too, hasn't been overdone. It's classic and gutsy.
Shelved. Lynn

Hi Again Rob, this book is brilliant! I just love how you have captured the real essence of the street. The characters are so ingrained now I feel I know them (and aviod them) should I ever run into them. I have never been a fan of writing in the first person but you deliver your words so perfectly I forgot I was reading that style.
Excellent writing.

Backed with pleasure.
Frank

Rob. you have talent in abundence. This is absolute quality and your writing makes it so much more. Great Pace, clever beginning which grabs the reader instantly. I have just read the opening chapter and intend to read more. Will be back when I have soaked up more of the terrific atmosphere you have created.

Frank (Island 42)

This came up on my news thread as being backed by friends, so came over to take a look.
Great story! Your pitch is spot on and your dialogue is really authentic.
The story moves a good pace, and although we are introduced to a lot of characters very quickly you don’t feel as though you are bombarded with info.
Nicely done – backed
Cat
Judas Kiss

All That Glisters-

Great voice! Perfect for the genre and the style. Your stream of consciousness narrative is extremely engaging. Dare we think this small time burglar has a conscience?! He certainly pays attention to detail which makes his story all the richer for us. Great pitch too. I can see this going all the way. Very well done. -Brad (Larcenous Tendecnies I & II)

Very Interesting. I will continue,...
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort

Hi Rob, started reading All That Glisters( I must confess I don't know what that means). It's a great British crime caper, skipping along at a great pace, with a very authentic and believable voice, good elements of humour as Harry plots his way through the underworld. I don't know how a Leicester accent sounds so I keep hearing Michael Caine in my head as I read.
Paul

This stands in a class of its own.
What a wonderful read.
Seriously, found myself pulled right in and riding along at top notch.
This is something I would eventually put on my favorite reads page.
THe MC voice is perfect.
Backed.
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

Glad I SHELVED this last week. I can use your experience in my novel. I have something similar in vein. Gotta come back and read more. SHELVED yet again!

I can use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Wow, Rob, this is gritty, tight, fast-moving. You've a lovely knack for present tense and tension-building. And, oh, how those chapter endings keep me turning those virtual pages! Shelved. :-)

Cheers--
Gev

A great gritty crime story... one I could sink my teeth into.

Your writing flows well and suits the crime genre perfectly.

Backed

Jo xx

Spoilt

This is great, what a fast moving exciting first chapter, the voice is just right and being in the first person is a huge bonus. Love it, backing it now.
Badd

I love the tone of your hard-boiled hero, a fresh, likable rascal, a small-time thief with that damned annoying thing called a conscience. First person present tense works perfectly, and your sense of pace and vivid writing keep us reading and cheering him on. On my shelf, for the Chandler lovers of this world --Ruth (Amsterdam 2012)

Very well written hope you stay around long enough to end up on the ED's desk this time round.

Melxx
Impeding Justice

Chief Constables commendation for what?

Thanks for the read and the shelving. I'm not too sure about your observations. The murder takes place about half way down page one, so I'm not sure how you mean when you say 'If you read back through yourself, you'll see there are no real major events early on, no snappy prologue with a bloody dead body'

Cheers anyway

Rob

I read your loaded chapters one and two......It somehow didn't seem like a 'thriller' to me, I'm not overly taken with many thrillers.....They're all a bit too 9 millimeter shooters and flapping raincoats for my liking.....But I enjoyed this......How about Dick Lit as a new genre......

End of chapter one.....specifically told me.....he was specific.....how about,,,, he was precise, explicit. ?
specifically, specific sounded a bit repetitive to me...... No more nits.....you're a fine writer, probably one of the best on the site....(behind me of course).....

Shelved with pleasure.

Hi Rob,
I really enjoyed this. It's edgy, the first person narrative of Harry Fox is really strong (and I don't generally like first person POV!). I was also pleased to see a thriller that's not set in London or Manchester or New York for a change which is great. The writing is really sharp (it's clear that you're a writer by profession) and this has a real page-turning promise to it. I could see this being turned into a film, and it deserves to get back up the charts again! Good luck with this. Backed. Miles.

Oh this is a class act alright. Great cover, great pitch. No nonsense, no messing, straight into the action and then just keep going until we've all run out of breath....
I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the chatty, pally, 'reader as mate' style of first person narrative but a lot of people are and you do it ridiculously well. No nits, no stumbles in the three chapters I read, all far too smart for that...
Nice job and well backed
Jane
WALKER

Nice opening.
Taut writing.
Pacy plot.
One book to watch out for.
Worries: Too long?
Best,
Nans

Good fun and fast moving with a nice turn of phrase, and exactly right tone for the genre.

Lock Stock in spades and no doubt would make a film that Michael Caine would appear in!

Top drawer writing and a gritty no nonesense book.

Backed with pleasure.

Bob (Auctoratus)

This is dark, atmospheric and taut. I especially like two things: 1) the inner monologue you give Harry, which is gritty, detailed and properly expressing fear; and 2) some of the film noir lines. My favorite: "And the dead don't sweat so much."

You've also got style, which flows through the sentence structure and chapter. And it is consistent, not spotty. I can see why these Harry Fox books will be a series. Kind of reminds me of the American TV series, The Rockford Files with James Garner, only much grittier and more realistic. An improvement on that series, I would say. And that is quite a compliment.

Shelved.

A very interesting idea.
I've enjoyed what I've read so far.

Christopher Couture
(Superhated)

Excellent pitches, "a crime thriller set in the dark underbelly of Leicester" is enough to entice any reader! The opening chapter is a strong introduction to the book and the first person narrative works well here. Strong characters and a nice pace keep the story ticking over.
I'm enjoying this. You write very well, made me want to know what happens next - essential in a thriller - and kept the story rattling along.
On my shelf for a spell.
Jared

A great opening, full of action, with a believable MC. Tightly written, I didn't see any problems. Backed.

Excellent. I guess Harry understands that old term honor among thieves. At least he seems like an honorable thief to me. And a very likeable one too. This rollicking tale pulled me in from the start and I went willingly. So much fun. All the best. Connie

That's a lot of very nice stuff you said Frank, thanks a whole heap. I've popped Artistic Licence on to my watchlist for a look over during the next week.

Cheers again
Rob

Rob
This is first class writing. You quickly establish the narrator's character through his jaunty devil-may-care tone, then deftly introduce more characters and hint at where the story is going. Your dialogue is realistic and speech-like. You tell us where it is happening (Leicester, a warehouse.. slipped in) and I am led to feel I care about the character (he is interesting, in other words, not boring) because he is emotionally honest. The title is brilliant. I am a fan. Love it. This needs to be published.
Frank

Rob
This is first class writing. You quickly establish the narrator's character through his jaunty devil-may-care tone, then deftly introduce more characters and hint at where the story is going. Your dialogue is realistic and speech-like. You tell us where it is happening (Leicester, a warehouse.. slipped in) and I am led to feel I care about the character (he is interesting, in other words, not boring) because he is emotionally honest. The title is brilliant. I am a fan. Love it. This needs to be published.
Frank

Thanks very much Kim, appreciate it.
Rob

Thanks Sue, the first person voice is always my preferred style. I've put 'George' on my watchlist for this week's reading.
Cheers again

Thanks Sue, the first person voice is always my preferred style. I've put 'George' on my watchlist for this week's reading.
Cheers again

I love this. I had five pubs in London and these seemed like a few I've met before. I like the style, it must have been hard to talk your way through 100, odd thousand words, but it looks as if you made it. Have you got a sore throat now? Hope you have better luck this time Rob. Happy to have you sitting on my shelf
Best wishes
Sue
A Boy Called George (hope you'll take a look sometime)

Hi Rob!

This is definitely a good read. Gritty storyline, edgy dialogue and characters that are worth reading about. Your writing delivers at a nice pace, and your short, choppy sections and authentic dialogue keep the story moving. Great job - backed!

Kim
Invisible Justice

I love this. I had five pubs in London and these seemed like a few I've met before. I like the style, it must have been hard to talk your way through 100, odd thousand words, but it looks as if you made it. Have you got a sore throat now? Hope you have better luck this time Rob. Happy to have you sitting on my shelf
Best wishes
Sue
A Boy Called George (hope you'll take a look sometime)