The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 50 "An Unexpected Visitor"A Novel
28 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Well it seems Madame Durand is a woman with many sides to her.
Charles's unease with the footsteps on the stairs and the knock on the door are well written, great scene followed by interesting dialogue between Madame Durand and himself. Interesting times. Well told Tony,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2019
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Well it seems Madame Durand is a woman with many sides to her.
Charles's unease with the footsteps on the stairs and the knock on the door are well written, great scene followed by interesting dialogue between Madame Durand and himself. Interesting times. Well told Tony,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 15-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2019
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Yes, there's more to Madame Durand than meets the idea. Thanks for your comments.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-This is an excellent chapter, Tony.
-I would have never guessed Jeanne
would appear, the female Bond villain,
as I now like to call her!
-You really show her true colors, as they say.
-She is out to get what she wants,
how she wants it, and when!
-Poor Charles not only has
to worry about her, but also Helen,
and the proposed "professional
relationship," and assignment.
-Blackmail is Jeanne's trump card,
and she plays it masterfully.
-You lighten the situation a little
with Charles's retort: "Even a fairground
coconut would have known..."
-You get extra stars for making this
reader dislike Jeanne immensely,
but every good mystery must have
a good villain, and you have
accomplished that!
-Now, who could play her
in the movie version-maybe Nicole Kidman?!
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2019
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-This is an excellent chapter, Tony.
-I would have never guessed Jeanne
would appear, the female Bond villain,
as I now like to call her!
-You really show her true colors, as they say.
-She is out to get what she wants,
how she wants it, and when!
-Poor Charles not only has
to worry about her, but also Helen,
and the proposed "professional
relationship," and assignment.
-Blackmail is Jeanne's trump card,
and she plays it masterfully.
-You lighten the situation a little
with Charles's retort: "Even a fairground
coconut would have known..."
-You get extra stars for making this
reader dislike Jeanne immensely,
but every good mystery must have
a good villain, and you have
accomplished that!
-Now, who could play her
in the movie version-maybe Nicole Kidman?!
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2019
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Thanks very much for your review of Chapter 50, The Worm Turns. I read it a few days ago on the run and wasn't able to respond at the time. Better late than never! Thanks for your supportive comments and for the sixth star. I shall ensure that you get complimentary tickets to the film premiere with Nicole Kidman! LOL
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You are very welcome and deserving, Tony. I appreciate the reply, and I am really looking forward to the complimentary tickets for the premier! I think Nicole would kill that part, ha, ha.
Comment from Gail Denham
While I appreciate this is a chapter in a longer story, at the first of the chapter I thought he was holding a copy of a painting and how did he hide it from the woman who came? and did he steal it - was there a murder.
Ahhh - these questions can only be answered with more of the chapters I'm sure.
This held my interest. It was well written - I like where there is plenty of dialog mixed in with the action. That' s a good thing.
A cliff-hanger for sure.
Good job.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2019
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While I appreciate this is a chapter in a longer story, at the first of the chapter I thought he was holding a copy of a painting and how did he hide it from the woman who came? and did he steal it - was there a murder.
Ahhh - these questions can only be answered with more of the chapters I'm sure.
This held my interest. It was well written - I like where there is plenty of dialog mixed in with the action. That' s a good thing.
A cliff-hanger for sure.
Good job.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2019
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Many thanks for your review of Chapter 50 An Unexpected Visitor. I appreciate your kind comments. It's always difficult to pick up the threads of a story when coming in halfway through. Most of your questions are answered in previous chapters. Wishing you a happy Easter. All the best, Tony
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Happy Easter
Comment from S.M.E.Schultz
I am really enjoying this story. Telling it in the first person is very effective ...he is just as confused and out of the loop as the readers and it makes the protagonist a much more sympathetic character!
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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I am really enjoying this story. Telling it in the first person is very effective ...he is just as confused and out of the loop as the readers and it makes the protagonist a much more sympathetic character!
Comment Written 11-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Thanks very much for your review and for the sixth star. Much appreciated. I?m glad you?re finding the 1st Person narrative is working OK. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from RGstar
You have settled in nicely Tony. There is always a difference to carry over from writing poetry to this kind of prose, and we sometimes forget to lose the flowery and concentrate on the periphery and details of narrative as well holding on to the red thread where the silent visual of moving images , almost film-like quality of narration is different from the immediate imagery of poetry.
You have found the balance nicely.
Good reading.
My best wishes.
RG
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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You have settled in nicely Tony. There is always a difference to carry over from writing poetry to this kind of prose, and we sometimes forget to lose the flowery and concentrate on the periphery and details of narrative as well holding on to the red thread where the silent visual of moving images , almost film-like quality of narration is different from the immediate imagery of poetry.
You have found the balance nicely.
Good reading.
My best wishes.
RG
Comment Written 11-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2019
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Thanks, Roy. It can sometimes be a difficult balance. The best advice I ever had was to reread the following day and see what's left when I cut out all the bits I was most proud of!
I appreciate the sixth star. Very much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Ah, the return of Madame Durand, who seems to be in charge
of this whirlwind of events.
Now Charles is to be blackmailed into further complicity and reunited with Helen. At least that's one seemingly good thing.
The dialogue is smooth, the mystery still under wraps,
but the new Air Attaché meeting should be interesting.
Looks like Charles will be traveling.
Excellent chapter in the mystery,
that diary may yet have a clue,
or maybe not.
Robert
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Hello Tony,
Ah, the return of Madame Durand, who seems to be in charge
of this whirlwind of events.
Now Charles is to be blackmailed into further complicity and reunited with Helen. At least that's one seemingly good thing.
The dialogue is smooth, the mystery still under wraps,
but the new Air Attaché meeting should be interesting.
Looks like Charles will be traveling.
Excellent chapter in the mystery,
that diary may yet have a clue,
or maybe not.
Robert
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Thanks for the sixer, Robert. That and your comments appreciated, as always. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. Some people has the ability to keep on coming back in a person's life, especially when we do not want them to be part of our lives.
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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A very well-written chapter. Some people has the ability to keep on coming back in a person's life, especially when we do not want them to be part of our lives.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Thanks, Sandra. I don't think Charles would have been too thrilled to meet up with Madame Durand again, especially in these circumstances.
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Tony. Glad to see another brilliant chapter in The French letter.
I love your use of images as always, like here:
"I slipped the chain off to let her in. Her smart tweed suit - lavender and lovat green - exuded an air of efficiency. Her hair was tied in a bun, fastened by a pewter bobble, with an oval amethyst at its centre. Its metallic quality matched her eyes as she regarded me with sardonic amusement.
And here: " My fist clenched and unclenched as I absent-mindedly crumpled the photos."
Suggestions: Drop this: "My blood ran cold. Actually, it didn't but my reaction was a strange etc etc"
And: I am assuming this is a thought because it is in italics, Tony: "What on earth was the woman talking about? Professional basis? Next assignment? She must be stark, raving mad." As a thought you wouldn't say "What WAS the woman talking about, would you? Rather you would think "What IS she talking about?"
Also: Eliminate last two words of this sentence: "My head was in a whirl as I processed what she was saying to me." (to me) Not needed.
Good job as always, my friend. Bob
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
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Hi, Tony. Glad to see another brilliant chapter in The French letter.
I love your use of images as always, like here:
"I slipped the chain off to let her in. Her smart tweed suit - lavender and lovat green - exuded an air of efficiency. Her hair was tied in a bun, fastened by a pewter bobble, with an oval amethyst at its centre. Its metallic quality matched her eyes as she regarded me with sardonic amusement.
And here: " My fist clenched and unclenched as I absent-mindedly crumpled the photos."
Suggestions: Drop this: "My blood ran cold. Actually, it didn't but my reaction was a strange etc etc"
And: I am assuming this is a thought because it is in italics, Tony: "What on earth was the woman talking about? Professional basis? Next assignment? She must be stark, raving mad." As a thought you wouldn't say "What WAS the woman talking about, would you? Rather you would think "What IS she talking about?"
Also: Eliminate last two words of this sentence: "My head was in a whirl as I processed what she was saying to me." (to me) Not needed.
Good job as always, my friend. Bob
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
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Thanks very much, Bob. Some useful suggestions here. Much appreciated, as always. Tony
Comment from Aiona
Oo! I'm just coming into this blind, but just from the text in this piece I can already infer what may have transpired prior to this scene. Lots of intrigue in this piece. And multiple twists and reveals. I didn't see any typos.
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Oo! I'm just coming into this blind, but just from the text in this piece I can already infer what may have transpired prior to this scene. Lots of intrigue in this piece. And multiple twists and reveals. I didn't see any typos.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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I appreciate you dropping by to review this chapter, Aiona, and am delighted that you thought it worth six stars. Thank you very much! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from krys123
Cheers, Tony;
> Set up? Helen and now, Charles? I been reading for the last three months and it's a MI-6 government ploy to enroll them Into their services. How cheeky!
> Now, I wonder what the operation is in the agenda?
> I just wonder also, Tony, whether or not you thought this out before whatever happened, but of course you did? Chuckle! But I'll never know.
> Fantastic my friend and for writing like this they don't allow many sixes a week.
> Take care my friend and have a good one.
Alx
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Cheers, Tony;
> Set up? Helen and now, Charles? I been reading for the last three months and it's a MI-6 government ploy to enroll them Into their services. How cheeky!
> Now, I wonder what the operation is in the agenda?
> I just wonder also, Tony, whether or not you thought this out before whatever happened, but of course you did? Chuckle! But I'll never know.
> Fantastic my friend and for writing like this they don't allow many sixes a week.
> Take care my friend and have a good one.
Alx
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2019
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Thanks for your review, Alx. In answer to your question, I did have a rough plot outline in my head when I started, but the story has taken a few twists and turns that I hadn't initially envisaged. All the best, Tony
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Those twists and turns of fun I think Tony? it's like it takes on a life of its own and that's where it gets very interesting! Good luck my friend and just hang on.
Alx