Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 11 "The Shadow of Darkness"
A Novel

29 total reviews 
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Very descriptive opening paragraph Tony, love the -disembodied wail of a demon -A realistic scene in the church, well told and easy to imagine. Like the musically described comfort embrace as Helen told her story. Great chapter Tony,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 06-Oct-2018


reply by the author on 07-Oct-2018
    Thanks, Valda. I very much appreciate your reviews. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent
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Whoa what an assault on the ears on this one, Tony. Yes, I can imagine explosions are terribly painful and frightening for many obvious reasons and less obvious the hearing.

And your story has taken such a jump it seems to your reader that the Le Rendez-Vous was just hours ago.

Oh and what an awe-inspiring ending with the highest mountains in the world.

Superb story telling and a pleasure to read.

gloria




 Comment Written 18-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 18-Sep-2018
    Thanks for your continued interest in my story, Gloria, and for your encouraging comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Wabigoon
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Tony--
Although I do not have a handle on your plot here this is well done, vivid. Hard to escape terror. It seems endemic here though without the particular Islamic axe to grind. I was kind of hoping for the nightmare that left Helen so upset -- but the real world nightmare's enough.

I noticed this, it is minor, probably others have pointed it out:
shoulder ()nd our father was slumped over the pew obviously and

Sorry to be slow with the review,
Best
Jeff

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 15-Sep-2018
    Thanks for your review, Jeff, and for picking up the typo. I appreciate your comments, and the affirmation of the sixth star. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from heart of Lou
Excellent
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Helen's story is fascinating! You describe the shooting scene in the church in just enough detail to get the feeling of horror, without going into too many gory details. And then the frenzied escape is heart pounding as well.

 Comment Written 11-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, Lou. I appreciate your comments. All the best, Tony
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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So, the plot is gathering momentum, obviously Helen was involved in a shocking incident in Pakistan, where jidahdists, attacked a Catholic Church in which herself, her sister, and parents were attending. The parents were killed, she and her sister, Kayla, escaped but later she was parted from sister in Thailand, and obviously is looking for her. Great episode in which the plot is coming together. Well done Tony, blessings, Roy
Typo : Downtown area of (Kata) Kuta?

 Comment Written 11-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, Roy. I appreciate your comments, and picking up the typo. All the best, Tony
reply by royowen on 12-Sep-2018
    Most welcome Tony,
Comment from rspoet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Tony,
This is an excellent visceral, chapter that helps establish Helen's background.
"I could feel the warm pulse of her blood spreading across my back, [strongly at first.]
I'd drop the last three words as unnecessary.
(Maybe, even the entire line)
It will be interesting to see how this all relates to the theme of the book.
Assuming this is all true, Helen has become a much more sympathetic character,
but there are many unknowns and Charles still has suspicions.
Well done.
Robert

 Comment Written 11-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, Robert. I appreciate your comments. I think you are right. The description is stronger and less melodramatic with that line removed. Thanks, too, for the six stars. All the best, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-A good image for your chapter, Tony.
-You tell the story of Helen and her
sister very well as she recounted
those tragic scenes from their past.
-It explains a lot about her character,
and I am sure she has been impacted
by the scars that she wants to forget.
-It also has to be unsettling that
she doesn't know what happened
to her sister.
-You make good use of the mountain
and "The Shadow of Darkness" at the
end to foreshadow what more
the sisters would be likely to face,
and how that will impact Helen in the present.

 Comment Written 11-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, Pam. I appreciate your comments and continued help. Thanks, too, for the six stars. All the best, Tony
reply by Pam (respa) on 12-Sep-2018
    You are very welcome and deserving, Tony.
Comment from estory
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is quite a jump from the romance and mystery of Paris, to this action packed murder at the hand of Jihadists in Thailand. But the action is intense, the descriptions of the attack and the murder of the faithful in the church is spot on. I particularily liked that image of the incense smoke wafting in the air. It's going in another direction from trying to find about the mystery of the dead woman who is buried in the Paris cemetery. estory

 Comment Written 11-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, estory. I appreciate your comments. I'm hoping that the two parallel stories will come together satisfactorily as things develop. All the best, Tony
Comment from BeasPeas
Excellent
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This is riveting and very well written, Tony. Your described scenes bring the reader right into it. To know that these types of events do go on is the worst part. Marilyn

 Comment Written 10-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, Marilyn. I appreciate your comments. All the best, Tony
Comment from Debbie Pope
Excellent
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Congratulations for the well deserved honors that you are receiving for this story. This chapter is certainly more exciting than others. The humor is missing as it should be. It is a very good chapter. You answer many questions that I have been curious about, and your story telling skills are superb
I look forward to the next chapter..

 Comment Written 10-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018
    Many thanks, Debbie. I appreciate your comments. All the best, Tony