Comment from TheStoryMan

Excellent

I wonder where that painting is. I think Brockenhurst may have it if Arnoux doesn't. I love a good mystery. All the questions that can't be answered yet. I love trying to figure it out. This is a great mystery story.

 Comment Written 23-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks, StoryMan. It looks, at this stage, as if the painting may be at the heart of the mystery. All the best, Tony

reply by TheStoryMan on 24-Feb-2019

It certainly seems that way.

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

I enjoyed your chapter, Tony. It is interesting about the painting. I always thought there would be something hidden behind the canvas. I liked this chapter with less about Madame Durand. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to the next chapter. Jan

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks for this review, Jan. It does seem, at this stage, as though the painting is at the heart of the matter. All the best, Tony

Comment from SLMorrical

Excellent

This is very good. I was able to follow it and I haven't read your other chapters. I could follow the dialogue, and who was saying what. This is a good story and it keeps the reader wanting to know more. This is very good. Keep writing.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks for this review, SLM. Glad you were able to make some sense of this as a stand-alone piece. It can be difficult coming in two-thirds of the way through a story. All the best, Tony

Comment from shaffer40

Exceptional

This is impeccably written and looks like part of an intriguing novel. The dialogue is snappy and realistic. I especially like the line, "It's a relief to know that you were out getting sloshed." Great phrases: "disembodied voice." Great imagery: "I swung my tits at him" and "Her face froze and became a pixilated blur." Well done: The writing -- and the three hens in your real life with the charming names.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks for this review, scaffer40. I very much appreciate your kind words and the award of a sixth star.
Sadly, we had a terrifyingly hot day a few weeks ago - the hottest here since records began. My neighbour measured 120F in the shade under his carport. It was too much for Ethel, Beryl, and Ermintrude. Despite our best efforts, they all died of heat exhaustion. All the best, Tony

reply by shaffer40 on 23-Feb-2019

I'm so sorry. I didn't realize they could die from heat that way. Poor hens. Take care.

Comment from Pam (respa)

Exceptional

-The image is a good one, Tony,
and the discussion between Kayla
and Charles fills us in with more information.
-It is a good transition chapter, as well.
-Their conversation is very natural
with no indication of any sarcasm, etc.,
as Helen or Jeanne might have done.
-Kayla fills Charles in on her chat with Alain.
-Kayla's reaction to Brockenhurst would
have been interesting if the internet
connection hadn't been lost.
-But, it gives Charles more time to enjoy
the quiet of his cottage and surroundings.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks, Pam. As always, I appreciate your detailed comments and the sixth star. Best wishes, Tony

reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks, Pam. As always, I appreciate your detailed comments and the sixth star. Best wishes, Tony

reply by Pam (respa) on 23-Feb-2019

You are very welcome and deserving, Tony. I have a feeling after this calm interlude, Charles will be back in the middle of things pretty soon!

Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter in the mystery of the letter and the painting.
It good to have a refresher of details of previous meeting with Alain,
seems like a long time ago.
The Facetime conversation is well done.
It was suspiciously convenient to have the connection lost
just as Brockenhurst was about to be mentioned.
The internet can be friend or foe.
Well done.
Robert

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks, Robert. I appreciate your comments and the sixth star. The internet is definitely being my foe this morning! All the best, Tony

reply by the author on 23-Feb-2019

Thanks, Robert. I appreciate your comments and the sixth star. The internet is definitely being my foe this morning! All the best, Tony

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written chapter and quite a lot that happened. It seems the internet always have a weird time to simply disconnect when we are in the middle of something.

 Comment Written 21-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2019

Many thanks, Sandra. I very much appreciate your comments. All the best, Tony

Comment from estory

Excellent

All these people working their way through the web of intrigue and mystery seem to weave around each other in this chapter. We see Charles and Kayla putting two and two together, and Alain maneuvering to find out how Charles is involved in this whole thing. The conversation is crisp and a little heightened, a little inflamed. The tensions roiling under the surface keep bubbling up. estory

 Comment Written 21-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2019

Thanks, estory. I'm trying to tie up a few loose ends here, before going forward. I appreciate your encouragement. All the best, Tony

Comment from Treischel

Excellent

The moth is quite an unusual explanatioin. I'll have to remember that one.
In American, getting pissed would be getting angry, not drunk. I enjoyed the verbal sparing with Kayla.
Squillions, now that's quite a number. Enjoyed the Facetime hijinx - face down on floor, pixilating, broken connection. Good read.

 Comment Written 21-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2019

Thanks, Tom. I'm trying to tie up a few loose ends here, before going forward. I appreciate your encouragement. Several people have commented about 'pissed'. Usually in British English, we'd say 'pissed off' for 'angry'. Nonetheless, I've changed it to 'sloshed', to clear up any confusion. All the best, Tony

Comment from krys123

Excellent

Cheers, Tony;
>I hear say that Charles is complaining about lack of cell service when here in Monterey, where I live, that there are too many cell towers being raised up!
< the whole context of this chapter, to me anyway, seems to be that Charles' deductions Or put into full gear when he got a visual cell phone call from Kayla.
< A lot of things are going on with Gaston's intervention of the art world with paintings that have something to do with people who post them and now these paintings are being sold for millions. Apparently the artist's subjects are quite perturbed about it.
> I really enjoyed this chapter is it ties in the bottom of the loose ends of and it also prepares the reader for what Charles is going to do when he goes to Paris.
< Keep coming, Tony, as I'm really entertained and enjoy reading them.
> Take care and have a good one.
Alx

 Comment Written 21-Feb-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2019

Thanks, Alx. As you so rightly say, I'm trying to tie up a few loose ends here, before going forward. I appreciate your encouragement. All the best, Tony