The Village to the Left of Sagamore Hill

I am so glad I came across this book again. I remember reading it ages ago and just loving it. You've got a great book here and it immediately draws the reader in. I hope things are going well for you and this book.

Missy

Matt

I have read the first four chapters and enjoyed the beginings of this superbly written thriller.The descriptions and dialogue are second to none. From the first chapter I was engrossed , pulled into the story by the imagery that you create and your talent for putting it into words.

Highly recommended.


Jane

'Breath in the Dark'

Matthew,
I read all four chapters,and I will give 'Village' six stars and eventually shelve this. With this new system, shelving may take a while. I'm very impressed Matthew, and humbled by your compliments to Summer Rose. You know what your doing. What struck me the most is the structure of your story. It's innovative, fresh, and a terrific set up, and your development of Tom and Johnnie is very good. Tom, with his anger and love toward Johnnie is so real. He's humble and very human--a great hero. I would buy 'Village.' It's spooky, yet real. Reminds me a little of Stephen King. I read it and suspect somehting unnatural lurks there,but I believe every word you write.(Oh, I like your sense of humor, too.)
Best of luck.
Caroline
Summer Rose

I'm sorry that it took so long to get to this. Both for you and for me. This is brilliantly written. The opening is gripping and sad at times. Then Tom is given a chance to gain forgiveness from the father he never got to apologise to so the sadness turns to light. And then there's danger! So much happens in the first three chapters that you can't help but want to read more. At first I thought that Tom gave in to the task too quickly, accepted his mission too fast. But then we see his reluctance and his fear and it feels more real. Good work and I love the unexpected action at the end of chapter three. You paint the picture very well.

Overall, a great read and I plan to read more when I get the chance.

Lacey

THE VILLAGE TO THE LEFT OF SAGAMORE HILL by Matt Thomas.

Matt - Your 10 Chapters held my attention from beginning to end. The authorial device of forming a story from a letter, left to be read only after the death of the writer, has prompted great stories from great writers. Yours is no exception. Tom's reaction on its discovery, determines a fate that he cannot shie from and you weave a thrilling dark tale combining mystery and horror with consumate ease. Consistent sinister tension is maintained throughout with remarkable economy and control with an absence of adjectival padding. All the essential ingredients of the genre are harmoniously blended and indicate what promises to be a quite marketable book. Backed.

Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

Interesting story. I like the writing and the pace. Good job.

I read the prologue and chapter one. Felt the prologue was too rushed, needed more depth -- especially some beats around the dialogue. Chapter one was great, slow and with beautiful imagry. I love the idea of the snow falling over the condemned garage and his wanting it to fall on his father. I felt like I knew the character and the setting. The dialogue too is much better in chapter one, interspersed with beats and layers of descriptions. I can certainly support this for a while, if only to remember to come back to read more.

backed AS PROMISED!!!!!!!!

Got msg and added this to our WL again which means you WILL make our shelf in the next (+3) round of backings (its 11pm for us). Check our comments trail if u want to confirm this and do feel free to chase at ANY TIME to know exactly how long till ur going up...

thanks Matt! Added u to our watchlist which will mean you get on our shelf too! (we're a few days behind coz of the site lockdowns last wknd n yesterday. Only just realised we were able to access again! so check in in about 3/4 days.) Peace out!

Ch 4 Too much non-essential detail which makes the chapters too long. Also some of the writing is sophisticated and some not so much. Sounds like the author is just starting the story but has nowhere to go with it.

Ch 3 First, the premise of the story is interesting, the treasure huntis also intriguing. Secondly, the chapter is way too long and should be broken up. It's also a bitunrealistic and the writing is a little stiff asif the writer were trying too hard to write 'striking' descriptions instead of realistic descriptions. With a some editing this actually could a be a decent chapter.

Ch2 Interesting start. A bit baren of emotionality and the interaction between father and son could be filled in, but overall itsan intriguing start.

I am so glad I came across this book again. I remember reading it ages ago and just loving it. You've got a great book here and it immediately draws the reader in. I hope things are going well for you and this book.

Missy

Johnny's attempts to drive courage and caution into his young son only result in fear and bitterness, and a crack in their relationship, which the mother's death widens into a chasm. No atonement is possible before Johnny dies, and instead of words of love or forgiveness, the letter left to Tom places a new burden on him - and starts a very strange and disturbing adventure.

There's some clever writing here, Matt, once it gets going: 'the corpses were visible and slightly fresher', 'racing towards death and away from forgiveness'. The plot is both intriguing and original. Tom, the protagonist, is a complex character carrying around some unwanted baggage, and picking up even more as he goes. This is a damn good read which I'll give a high rating to and put on my backing shortlist, which is running at about 2 weeks at the moment.

Possible nits: 'the casket sunk [sank] into'. 'wind crashed ... causing swirls ... still crystals', having problems bringing those images together. Did you try to write chapter 1 from a child's point of view? It felt very simple and staccato. If it's deliberate, can I suggest it might be a mistake as the junior reader at an agency is most likely to assume that's the style throughout and not read on. If it isn't a deliberate ploy, try to make 1 read as smoothly as the rest.

Hi Matt, I have read the first chapters and couldn't stop and love this! Starred and watch-listed and backed when space opens on my shelf! Terrific. K x

I read all of the chapters on here and I was very impressed. It's very dark, mysterious & original which is my kind of thing. The pitches grabbed my attention and really appealed to me as something I would like. The plot and your style of writing is really good. I think a little more editing will make it even better, although already it's really enjoyable to read. I noticed that sometimes you tell the reader that a character said something instead of having the dialogue. I think it would be better if this came from the character every time. Overall though this story really pulled me in and I'm interested in the dircetion it's going. Backed.
Tim
VITALITY

Matt
I've read the first two chapters. I like the flow and lilt of your wiritng and the story quickly grabbed me. I hope you'll be posting the whole book.
regards
Jenny
PS Thank you for your comments and backing of 'The Girl with the Tarragon Stew'

Matt.

THE VILLAGE TO THE LEFT OF SAGAMORE HILL is well written. These characters began to take shape from the opening lines as we're dropped right into a dramatic event in their lives.

It seemed a little counter intuitive to me to have the dad be Johnny and the small child be Tom. One would think the child would be Tommy and the father would be John. Or the father would be Tom and the child Johnny. Maybe it's just me. Regardless, I look forward to reading more.

Best,

Rob
(Aralen Dreams)

Matt, I read what you've posted. Good start. Jim

Matt

I have read the first four chapters and enjoyed the beginings of this superbly written thriller.The descriptions and dialogue are second to none. From the first chapter I was engrossed , pulled into the story by the imagery that you create and your talent for putting it into words.

Highly recommended.


Jane

'Breath in the Dark'

Matthew,
I read all four chapters,and I will give 'Village' six stars and eventually shelve this. With this new system, shelving may take a while. I'm very impressed Matthew, and humbled by your compliments to Summer Rose. You know what your doing. What struck me the most is the structure of your story. It's innovative, fresh, and a terrific set up, and your development of Tom and Johnnie is very good. Tom, with his anger and love toward Johnnie is so real. He's humble and very human--a great hero. I would buy 'Village.' It's spooky, yet real. Reminds me a little of Stephen King. I read it and suspect somehting unnatural lurks there,but I believe every word you write.(Oh, I like your sense of humor, too.)
Best of luck.
Caroline
Summer Rose

An engaging first chapter, filled with the innocence and questions of a child attending his first funeral. I'm sure it's a memory we all share (I got sick on the sugarcubes meant for coffee). One thing trouble me, the relationship between father and son. If the story is told from Tom's point of view, at that point in his life he should still be thinking "Dad", or some other descriptor. I found the relationship ambiguous.

In the second chapter we fast forward to Tom's father's death, and again the descriptions and emotions are spot on, and if Tom and Johnny had a distant relationship, I could more readily see him thinking of his father as 'Johnny'. Just my opinion.

Great read, and a nice hook at the end of the second chapter, relating to Jennifer.

Craig Ellis
The Sun and the Saber

Mystery surrounds the abduction of Jennifer Poe, Tom's only living relative, so using his fathers old F.B.I indentification badge, he starts on a quest to find her, starting with the former boyfriend. Do old F.B.I agents become members of the legion of the damned, hated by their own sons and betrayed by their ex partners. Tom may have entered a surreal world where nothing is what it actually pretends to be, a sort of double life his father may have been living. But then Tom is no slouch at pretence either, as he assumes his fathers identity by using his badge.
Could be a title for an X file episode 'The Village To The left Of Sagamore Hill' but as far as depth and intrigue are concerned this story could beat the X files any day. What is inferred is all very vague and not very revealing, Toms hatred of his father, Davis's interrogation methods, the village shutting itself off.
Great story
Backed with pleasure
Daniel Manning
No Compatibility.

Hi, Matt, thanks for backing my book. That's quite a writing resume you have. I've published nothing, except in newspapers as a writer/editor. But I've enjoyed writing my book whether it sees the light of day or not. I will take a look at your book as soon as I get a chance and will message you back if I can think of anything useful to contribute.

I love what you've written and have high hopes that you will post more! Your descriptive writing paints a picture that the average person, me, has no trouble seeing. I look forward to reading the rest...with great anticipation!
Backed

Gripping and engaging. A powerfully dramatic contemporary fantasy. Plausable characters. Excellent character development. Great blend of action, dialogue and narrative. Awesome plot. Impressive writing. My only nit is: "Come on Tom." Comma after 'on.' When you address someone in dialogue, offset their name or title with commas. There are more cases of this type of problem. Other than that, this is a riveting read. Backed.

Matt,
I am really enjoying your book. Very descriptive powerful writing with twists and turns that capture the imagination of the reader.
All the best
Marcia

The Village to the Left of Sagamore Hill

Matt Thomas

Reading your pitches made me think of that 2004 film called "The Village" (William Hurt, Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard) which was secluded and almost unknown to the rest of the world, inhabited by grownups carrying many dark secrets. In yours the residents would do anything to protect a haunting secret - similar to that film. Anyway, I enjoyed what I read so far and thought the writing competent. Backed about two weeks ago and glad to have done so. Best of luck.

Your description of the child's funeral was very moving and powerful. Backed, with pleasure.

Carol

I like the narrator’s voice. You do a fair amount of showing and your dialogue moves the story along. The first two chapters develop the story at a steady pace and the characters are brought in a timely manner.
Chapter 3 is just a little too much “telling,” maybe some more internal dialogue could increase the tension (just an idea).
Ch 4 and the pace’s back where’s supposed to be. What a difference dialogue makes.
Remember that readers expect tension (if not action) on every page.
I did enjoy your wordsmithing and you’ve got my vote.
Dan
PS, Maybe you could look up mine.

Spooky with bags of mystery, I easily read through the four chapters posted - you've got a nice way with words and a great ability to build a mood - Backed!
Diane
Good Blood

This has the pace and action of a well-crafted thriller, along with a truly mysterious fantasy element. Genre spanning doesn't always work, but this does, and does it with style. I would buy this. Backed with pleasure.

This is a new genre for me and I enjoyed the intriacies of plot. There is some good writing and I am happy to back
Lara
Good fgor Him

I know this says fantasy and that really is not my bag but so far this is one hellva read. The first chapter is chilling and so emotional as Tom is forced to attend the murdered boys grave. It’s so well written. We go on to the father’s death and the fact that Tom witnesses his last throws. Again you hammer in the emotion. You are very talented it takes a good writer to evoke such feelings in his reader and I salute you for the excellent work
Wilma1
Knowing Liam Riley – I hope you can spare a moment to take a look

Dear Matt,
A very strong writing style and imaginative story line is producing a winner in your book. Nicely done!

BACKED
Elizabeth Wolfe (MEMORIES OF GLORY)

Here is your chance to get a double backing. My friend, homewriter, and I have similar taste in writing and trust each other's judgment. Back my book and leave it on your bookshelf. Then do the same for his, "The Harpist of Madrid." Once the backings register, he will give you a return backing guaranteed. Just let him know in an email that you've backed my book as well as his. You might have to be a bit patient as we're 6 time zones apart. But you'll have two backings guaranteed on your excellent book. Of course, comments are always welcome too!

Well written and very involving from the off. Tom makes for a very engaging MC and we follow his progress with great interest. Tension mounts nicely and you are building this up very well, pages are turning at a quicker and quicker pace.
Jim Darcy
The Firelord's Crown

I've already backed this but wanted to leave a comment. i think the prose style, pace and general tone of the piece are all great. it reads very well and is an intriguing premise. The only thing I would say is th eletter from his father was a little confusing. The timeline of when Jenn went there and why and when his dad worked there and where was Tom at the time felt a bit muddled. The father worked there after the mother died (so obviously Tom was alive). i assume this was years ago. Jenn went there a few months ago but the place has changed now, although the father was too ill to go there, so how did he know about the screaming and the change in the place? I couldn't quite get it all straight in my head.

Other than that it's a very accomplished piece, very engaging and a pleasure to read and back. Sorry it's taken me so long to get this done.

I'm sorry that it took so long to get to this. Both for you and for me. This is brilliantly written. The opening is gripping and sad at times. Then Tom is given a chance to gain forgiveness from the father he never got to apologise to so the sadness turns to light. And then there's danger! So much happens in the first three chapters that you can't help but want to read more. At first I thought that Tom gave in to the task too quickly, accepted his mission too fast. But then we see his reluctance and his fear and it feels more real. Good work and I love the unexpected action at the end of chapter three. You paint the picture very well.

Overall, a great read and I plan to read more when I get the chance.

Lacey

Dear Matt --

The Village to the Left of Sagamore Hill is a good, chilling thriller, filled with mysteries and driven by the broken relationship of Tom and Johnny -- and complicated further when Tommy discovers his half-sister's existence. We felt sympathy toward Tommy from the start, receiving the phone call at school about his fatehr's imminent passing, yet you clue us in that Tommy is not fully sympathetic by the hard words he gave to his father after his mother's passing. The anbiguities in his character helped keep our interest; well done. Our only suggestion at this point: consider a hard edit to clean up issues with punctuation and dialogue tags, as the mistakes are a little distracting. This is an easy fix, however, to help a compelling story become even more readable. BACKED. -- Delhui, The Long Black Veil

I really enjoyed your writing. I thought the first chapter did a great job of showing how disconnected the father is from his son. The account of Johnny's death in the second chapter was very moving and continued the same theme, especially when Tom states his parents were 'too old' to have him.

Tracy Buchanan
The Candyfloss Room

Love the opening, the words of the father to son. It is inspired and emotional on a different level.
Definitely a page turner. Well written, paced evenly and characters you can comfortably wrap yourself around.
I will walk away remembering the first chapter of this book.

Magnificent and backed!

AmyR
Trust Me

Great opening...it pulled me into the story from the start.

Lockjaw

The prose is excellent. Some suggestions are to highlight various portions of the text as "attention getters" using BOLD font mixed with italics. A BRIEF Prologue might intensify the current presentation of mystery and intrigue developing for readers. For example, "He was only five.....(ending with) Please?" -- nothing more nothing less; let'em guess who "he" will be in the storyline to follow. A few paragraphs begin with indentations, many paragraphs are left margin justified--not a big deal but it but might distract the nit-pick set (obviously I'm a charter member of the set). This work is well worth backing as I did previously. Good luck with it. Chuck

The pitch is good, and the premise (with the letter as a trigger) works well - hints rather than blatant telling, the suggestions teasing the reader to carry on turning the pages. That, in part, is also due to the style you've chosen - sometimes stripped down to the bone a la Noir style, but always bringing the reader back again.

A very pleasant read - and I'm assuming the comment in the pitch means you've now completed the beast.

Read and enjoyed - backed with pleasure. Best of luck!

The Village to the left of Sagamore Hill:

Very interesting. Held my attention. Pulled out of Chapter one right into two and stopped only due to a prior committment that I have to attend to. I like the style. I like the imagery. I think you've done a good job and I have had you on my shelf now for about a week. Removing only for space for others. Good luck. It was a pleasure to read your writing.

Hi Matt, The relationship between Tom and Johnny pulled me in and was developed soon. I didn’t quite understand the second to last line of Chap 1 – “Who chased Tom into a deep grave of red and black." The letter he receives gives a dark sense of obligation and the synopsis sounds very intriguing. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Excellent premise and the execution of the story is captivating. I thought you begin very nicely with the funeral and the many 'hidden' mesages and lessons Johnny tries to convey to Tom. It will definitely keep the readers on edge trying to figure out what Johnny exactly means. Tom is portrayed appropriatly as a 8 year old, terrified and anxious of what lies ahead. The story is filled with adventure, lots of mystery and danger and plenty of tension to keep the reader intrigued.
Backed earlier.
Rakhi (Sir William...)

Hi Matt
This is really compelling and I was engrossed immediately. You have a knack for telling the reader just enough to keep them interested. You also skip to different time periods without any confusion. Some great descriptive narrative, yet not overly wordy holding up the flow. Loved it.
DP Walker
Five Dares

I just had to read the story after the amazing pitch. It's truly a unique story with interesting characters. I have added "The Village to the Left of Sagamore Hill" to my watchlist as I want to follow the book until it's complete. Also, amazing title, it really does draw in the reader.

Thanks for uploading, Gavin.

Very interesting pitch and opening chapter that drew me right in. Best of luck to you!

Backed on creativity and your writing style (which is very enjoyable!)
Marissa
Eternal Flame

Matt -

The Village to the Left of Sagamore Hill - A well drawn, haunting relationship between a father and his son. The style of writing adds to the mystery of loose ends. At the beginning - the boy's tombstone - it seems you put it there to explain Tom's later aversion to headstones, but aren't they usually commissioned after a funeral? The scene at mother's death-bed seemed a little unclear, first Tom's dad was there and then he wasn't. Just needs a tweak, I think. The letter is shocking, says a lot about the father. I would put the letter into italics to make it stand out from the text. You chapter-endings made me turn the page. It's a story full of small surprises, brilliant observations, a book I would read.

Backed recently, Pia (Course of Mirrors)

Wow, seriously gripping and stunning stuff. Excellent format and you bring this into an incredible world of its own with your strong style and firm skill. I'm torn between being deeply disturbed and wanting more.

Backed with pleasure.
Abi xxx

"Tom Gareth must find an unnamed village that no one returns from." An ominous pitch to say the least. Find that village and never be able to return. Anyway, this starts with Tom at age eight having to attend a funeral of the boy whose killer was caught by Tom's father. That experience produced bad dreams and "he never told his father about the nightmares." The next chapter starts with the death of Tom's father many years later. He made it, but the father was already in comatose state and never revived. Later, he reads a letter left by the father about the existence of a half sister and a request to bring her back from a safe-haven called, The Village.

This book is full of twists and turns. I want to come back and a little more when I can. Backed for now.

hullo Matt. what I situation for a college student to have to face. the FBI stuff was interesting as well as the process followed by the MC in his early discoveries. Very good. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421