The Missing Boatman

Wow, this is a very intense thriller! For a book written primarily in narrative, it really has punch.

I'm just starting to read this and am blown away by the style. Some of the images--the long tongue of highway deep into winter's throat (!) are incredible. I think there's a danger of too much imagery and detail. The bit about loud music to keep him awake goes on too long (a few words would have gotten the point across) and I think it could do with some serious editing in that regard. Your story premise is great and I look forward to reading more...right now!
Kat Day
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

The Missing Boatman was recommended by CC Brown author of Dark Side. I have read and enjoyed the the first 2 chapters. I have also backed and rated your book. Hope you have time to read and shelf their book. Thanks.
Sue50

Of course, your novel is like a thriller. It penetrates into mysteries. It is actually heading a reader to the world of anxiety and inspires him to search for reasons of mysteries. This novel is not only a train of mysteries incidents, but an inspiring writing style to look into the reasons and finally we are walking after its hero. What a jist. Only writers having high volume of visulaizing power can write such a novel.

Joy J. Kaimaparamban
The Wildfire

I've just backed your book. I was wrong, it's not the same genre as my Crying Madonna, but it did sound like it, what with all the "miracles", but I'm glad I read it, you are an incredible writer. I see nothing amiss in your story, but I would change one thing. Update the year it takes place from 2008 to present day, to keep your story current and fresh. I would even set it in 2011 or 2012 for when it gets published. And I believe it will get published.

Good opening. As if the crash wasn't bad enough, the nutcase with the tyre iron was. If the book has the same consistency all the way through, I'm sure it will be an interesting read. Backed.

If you get a chance check out Boundary Limit. I don't ask for auto backing, if you like it say so, and if you don't then don't worry about it.

Xavier,
Boundary Limit

The Missing Boatman - I wasn't sure at first. The first sentence is a little long. The reference to some kind of food chain was lost on me as I am in Europe. But then I was hooked. Not sure why. I'm not really into mindless violence but your writing flowed and I wanted to read more. Just off to Amazon to get the Kindle copy. Good luck.
Kristen Stone
Kianda Mala - The Monkey Man

Love the pitch, will defo check this out and leave a review as soon as i can

Fantastic pitch. Made me check out the book. Your prose is sharp and well written. And frightening. This is on my WL and I will star rate it now. Tons of luck. This should make it.

Joanna

Hi Keith,

LOVE your hook / short pitch. It really does its job. I've read the first 3 chapters and will certainly read more as I'm really enjoying it so far. It's on my shelf :)

Katie Young
The Boy Who Lost Heart

Enjoying this enormously. I don't really read 'horror' - a lot of it is nothing but shlock, but this is intelligent horror. I love the conversational tone of the writing. The characters voice comes through so clearly. In chapter 1, by the time he was being beaten by the tyre iron, I really cared about the poor guy. You'd managed to tell me a lot about him and make me feel for him, without laboured infodump. He was very real and human - and how many accidents happen due to doughnut reaching?

Couple of comments for chapter 1` - would it be success 'rate' rather than ration. You give a percentage, where a ratio usually has a comparison 3:2 for eg. You have three 'meetings' close together with caught me a little, and I found the 'homemade chocolate' reference though funny, to be out of place, since it was a far from funny situation. You also repeat the 'sense of... mortality' when you could mention it maybe once. Those are small things that I noted while reading, which you can ignore if you like.

I found it readable, well written and page turning, and I'm still turning the pages now. I shall give this a spin on my shelf with pleasure, in a day or two.
Cariad
STONES.

I was about to fall asleep on the highway ... how'd you do that? Definitely a strange turn of events.

(Toward the end of ch1 - polices for policies.)

Through ch3. intend to read more as time allows.

Wow, not my normal genre. But wow. This definitely caught my attention, from the short pitch and onwards. I didn't want to stop reading, even though I was at work and shouldn't have been on here at all... I'm putting this on my shelf for a stretch. The story is great, characters engaging and the overall book is polished and ready for publishing!

Shayla.
I Had to Fall

Very intersting story. You start it off right away, grabs the reader. Makes them want to read on to find out what's going to happen.

Some of your sentences tell more then show but others have great vivid discriptions. I would pick this book off a shelf.

Jill

Not generally my kind of reading, but I must say you write a very compelling story here. Things happening every other line and paragraph keep the reader glued to the content of your book. I really hope this does well for you Keith. Good Luck. Backed.
Norman.

30 September 2010
There have been several occasions when I have actually envied the ability of
the author of the book I am reviewing -- actual, green-eyed, spitting envy.
The Missing Boatman has lumbered me with another bout. I freely admit I
can offer no constructive criticism for improvement. The first chapter is
brilliantly written; descriptive, graphic, tightening up the tension torque
with consummate skill then presenting the reader with the conundrum of the
'saviour'. I'll bet the rest of this book is just as nauseatingly good.
BACKED. Robert Davidson. The Tuzla Run

The first chapter is compelling. How could anyone put it down before finding out what is happening?

Francene. Still Rock Water. (Please look at mine.)

So professional, we can all learn from this. I found it impossible to put down and I was entranced by the tale you weave so effortlessly. An incredible piece of work and a pleasure to read. Patrick Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

I nearly pooped me own pants when I read the description of the crash! And then a ruddy lunatic turns up! Love this, will try and read more. Excellent stuff! Ceeds

Such an incredible pitch. Riveting! Will definitely keep an eye on something this unique! Backed.

Joshua Hernandez
"The Blood of a Savage"
"Just Before Dawn"

Very strong writing techniques. An intelligent piece of work which I found it to be compelling, with strong characters and great dialogue. Backed. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Love your pitch and the promised juxtaposition, had me thinking a little of Heroes. The reality is far grittier, though. I read your first three Chapters. I like the grizzly goings on (particularly the guy with the pipe). There're a couple unnecessary repetitions (mainly Barbara's Chapter, constant she thought, she found etc), but on the whole I'm really enjoying this so far. This reads like almost like a dark comic book (think Frank Miller) and I'll definitely be back for more. Notes underneath.
1.
I like the details of the crash.
Ditto for the unexpected attack. All in all, very cool first Chapter.
Couple of things:
Small typo: Oh no, the little sugar shits had drop to the floor.
...he had let go enough homemade... of enough?
...'unbuckling his belt, he eased himself onto his roof.' A little later, Sam is reaching for his cell phone in the glove compartment and he stays inside until the stranger 'helps' him out. Maybe roof needs to be rephrased?
2.
Got a little confused in this Chapter with all the talk of Zombies and the italicized 'he's'. At first I though the Zombies were Barbara's name for people (I still kind of do), but then you have the bus driver running over Barbara's body and you state that there are no zombies around, so maybe I'm wrong. If she was dead, he must have used thought about the lack of zombies. I like the dark ending, though.
The two kittens she had found two weeks ago... I don't think the repetition of two is necessary. Maybe: The two kittens she had found a fortnight ago...
3.
He glanced at he cellphone watc h
Stickman would have probably been hard to stop once the blood started flowing... Stickman isn't in this scene is he? Badger and the terminator, yes. Badger's only mentioned Stickman in passing up to now, so I don't get why he does here.

It's those darn Timbits. The pack of 20 for $2.99 how can you go wrong. Did he get double double too? That's why you wait the blizzard out before heading onto the road. Not because of Timbits. I must say I didn't expect this killer or whatever he's suppose to be. Nah, just don't see that happening. Especially how he came out all friendly and helpful. But this guy must've targeted Sam. Oh, make this crazy individual a QPP cop on patrol. Or a poser. I think that would make it so much on the edge.

I liked what I read. The story pulled me in. Very descriptive. Great story line. I backed it.
Craig13

Ever been in a car crash and survived? That's the way I feel after reading this...this is powerful stuff! There are some language issues to be sorted out but they're few and far between...well done!
Best wishes
Stewart

Like it! Backed ....

Glenn (Darkling Child)

Strongly written and with some tilt toward the literary effects of the hard bitten detective stories of old. The dialogue notches the tension up and the purposefully uni-dimensional characterisations all add up to a tough horror novel.

BACKED

Strongly written and with some tilt toward the literary effects of the hard bitten detective stories of old. The dialogue notches the tension up and the purposefully uni-dimensional characterisations all add up to a tough horror novel.

BACKED

after a brief read l can see the potential of this book. great narrative makes this very enjoyable...on my watchlist...
read SEASONS...

Wow- this is an amazing piece. You sucked me in with your vibrant writing right off the bat, but you held me with the incredible storyline. Whew-- I don't think I was even breathing there at the end of chapter one. I have read through chapter four and am loving it. You have a true gift.

I am backing this one with Pleasure!

Best,
Cori
"Princess"

Dear Keith

I have started to read your writing and must say that it is compelling. very well crafted and totally original, which is refreshing. Animated and quite addictive really. I feel strongly to back your book now. I do wish to be part of your climb to the top on this site. CONGRATS and I will comment more as I read more

Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK also

The VERY best of luck to you

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Denise
The Letter

This sounds really good. There's a lot of good books on here which I wish I could just sit and read. Unfortunatly I don't have a comp at home and only get to read bits and pieces. But good job and I hope everything goes well for u! ;) Feel free to check out my "butterflies"!

I had a crash similar like the one that Sam had and survived as well. Granted I wasn't going that fast. Glad I didn't shit myself. "Again. And again. And again." Miracles, miracles, miracles. Ah, but it's a great life. No doubt, though, things will not stay this was. The shit's about to hit. I'll come back to read more when I get the time. I like the pacing of this. Backed for now.

You are simply an amazing writer!

Liz
The Cheech Room
A Fine Pickle

You are simply an amazing writer!

Liz
The Cheech Room
A Fine Pickle

THE MISSING BOATMAN
Straight pitch and immediate lead-in to chapter 1. This is fast action with gripping detail, graphic scenes and language enough to make your hair curl. Spooky in parts and very readable. Susie says it reminds her of Ground Hog day - I think it is very similar to a more modern film (the title of which escapes me; it begins in the desert?)
Anyway I digress, this is a good read and an excellent example of its genre. Backed
Faith
THE ASSASSINS VILLAGE

Dear Keith, Well, here I am reading & commenting on your 6th book. :) This one reminds me of "Groundhog Day" with the same morning repeating each day. :) I love your ingenious inventive mind :) - very creative in fantasy. :) Great write. :) Love, Suise :) p.s. I've already backed this & you've already backed mine. :) Thanks. :)