Willowtree A Bruce DelReno Mystery

Kaal, as you can probably see, I haven't visited authonomy in a while. I was happy to get your message today as I appreciate your keen observations and feedback. I see "Felicity" is still working its way to the top shelf. How near completion are you? I must find time to read more of it.
If you e-mail me through my website (www.mikebove.net) I will give you the code to get the book thru Smashwords.
Thanks for keeping in touch, Mike

Hi Mike and Happy New Year,

Thought I'd drop by for another chapter of your book before work. I'd really enjoyed chapter seven It's a sign of good writing when you've had a break from a novel and you come back and are immediately transported back into the voice of the character. I don't know which plotline has me more intrigued actually -the main murder mystery or the subplot plot involving the MC's wife! (Maybe there is nothing going on at all but you're certainly building up some quiet suspense!) I really liked the shape of the dialogue and the mini-characterisations of the the minor players like Doc.

One typo I spotted 'week-end' should be weekend.

Otherwise, another quiet charmer of a chapter!
I'll be back!

Best,
Kaal Kaczmarek

Hi Mike and Happy New Year,

Thought I'd drop by for another chapter of your book before work. I'd really enjoyed chapter seven It's a sign of good writing when you've had a break from a novel and you come back and are immediately transported back into the voice of the character. I don't know which plotline has me more intrigued actually -the main murder mystery or the subplot plot involving the MC's wife! (Maybe there is nothing going on at all but you're certainly building up some quiet suspense!) I really liked the shape of the dialogue and the mini-characterisations of the the minor players like Doc.

One typo I spotted 'week-end' should be weekend.

Otherwise, another quiet charmer of a chapter!
I'll be back!

Best,
Kaal Kaczmarek

Mike,
You certainly have written a stunning prologue to a cozy mystery. I tend to like this genre as long as there isn't excessive violence as so much is unraveled for the reader during a long-term reading experience which always keeps one in some state of suspense. I would feel like screaming if I witnessed the final sentence and it would compel me to want to read on. I would have if I wasn't at a computer with time constraints. You have accomplished something when I have to pull myself away and move on. Very well-crafted narrative.

Walden Carrington
Titanic: Rose Dawson's Story

This is like a soup: it takes time to cook - but the smell while its cooking and the taste is delicious!

Hi Mike,

Reading on to Chapter 6 in your book and the pot is starting to gently simmer away....I liked the scene when they found the body especially. I just wonder about the ordering of your descriptions at that point -I think the description of the body could be moved up and the "I backed away..." part coming afterwards.I really like the MC and the uniquely understated style you present him. The little details like the peanut butter sandwiches every day tell us much more than any adjectives would. I think keep building on these images and perhaps make these quirks important to the plot in some way. I also really like the subplot involving the MC and his wife -it's quietly intriguing -the reader can't help but wonder -is she really THAT busy? Does he really have no suspicions? It's bubbling away in the background beautifully and I say let it bubble! Don't give the game away! The only other area I would say you could consider is to give a little more detail and flavour to your minor characters eg Bill the Dr -I couldn't get an image of him in my head. You did this well with the 50 something pretty waitress who still turned heads ( see -easy to remember!) so a bit of brief, economic but evocative detail might add to the atmosphere of what you are building.

Still very much enjoying the read and happy to continue on.

Best,
Kaal

Hi Mike,

Your writing has a lot of charm. The style with the short sentences takes a little while to get used to but as we pick up the narrator's voice, it really works in terms of characterisation and small-town atmosphere. I really get tired of the big, overblown sentences and descriptions and to read this economic -but evocative writing actually really hooks me in because it is natural and not pretentious - the dialogue is great -really natural again and the images like the discussion in the shop are alive with imagery. I like how you bring out the character with quiet, subtle descriptions eg. his relationship with his wife "She worked part-time, seemed more like full time, for a nursing agency." Reading this reminded me of the classic Coen brothers film "Fargo." Your MC also has a wee dark underbelly emerging which is intriguing......

This is a quiet gem!
Highly rated and reading on.
Best,
Kaal Kaczmarek

I like cozies. No blood. No gore. No profanity. Who needs it? Anyway, highly rated for the pitch alone. Can't wait to crack it open and take a look-see! Cheers, JKinkade