The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 61 "Well, I'll be bugged!"A Novel
25 total reviews
Comment from djsaxon
Again, the attention to detail an minutiae never gets in the way of the "yarn". always enhancing the characters. I fell behind but I am really enjoying the catch up. DJ
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Again, the attention to detail an minutiae never gets in the way of the "yarn". always enhancing the characters. I fell behind but I am really enjoying the catch up. DJ
Comment Written 07-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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I'm glad that you think I'm keeping a reasonable balance between detail and plot movement. Some of the American reviewers keep urging me on to a faster pace, which doesn't fit the story at all well.
Comment from JudyE
I'm a bit behind but looking forward to reading a few chapters in a row which is always a good thing.
I picked up one missing letter. Well, I couldn't pick it up if it wasn't there but I'm sure you know what I mean.
'I imagined it a fig leaf that oncealed from Helen the nakedness of my intent.' - should be 'concealed'
This is a very readable story. Cheers. Judy
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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I'm a bit behind but looking forward to reading a few chapters in a row which is always a good thing.
I picked up one missing letter. Well, I couldn't pick it up if it wasn't there but I'm sure you know what I mean.
'I imagined it a fig leaf that oncealed from Helen the nakedness of my intent.' - should be 'concealed'
This is a very readable story. Cheers. Judy
Comment Written 31-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Judy. I appreciate the sixth star and your discovery of the concealed 'c'! All the best, Tony
Comment from giraffmang
Very nice instalment once again.
Absurd! What was this woman thinking.- this may need something stronger at the end. Perhaps a question mark or exclamation mark. If using the latter, I would suggest moving the one from after absurd to the end.
There's a nice juxtaposition set up with the tense conversation between Jeanne & Charles and the lovely descriptions from outside. It underscores the spiral of Charles's life since those early chapters.
On a snot-rag of lies?- brilliant expression.
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Very nice instalment once again.
Absurd! What was this woman thinking.- this may need something stronger at the end. Perhaps a question mark or exclamation mark. If using the latter, I would suggest moving the one from after absurd to the end.
There's a nice juxtaposition set up with the tense conversation between Jeanne & Charles and the lovely descriptions from outside. It underscores the spiral of Charles's life since those early chapters.
On a snot-rag of lies?- brilliant expression.
Comment Written 24-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, G. I appreciate the comments. The snot-rag of lies is particularly appropriate at the moment as I'm lying in bed recovering from a severe attack of bronchitis.
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Not nice. Take it easy and get well soon. G
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Great chapter Tony, and I love the amusing and varied thoughts wafting through Charles mind, good humour scattered throughout this chapter in particular -Perverted bastards. Oh, well - at least it wasn't video. I hope they were more amused by my grunting and snorting than Helen was.
After all Jeanne's planning he's being whisked back home again.
Story is going well,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Great chapter Tony, and I love the amusing and varied thoughts wafting through Charles mind, good humour scattered throughout this chapter in particular -Perverted bastards. Oh, well - at least it wasn't video. I hope they were more amused by my grunting and snorting than Helen was.
After all Jeanne's planning he's being whisked back home again.
Story is going well,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 24-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Valda. Glad you are enjoying the leavening of humour! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Janilou
This sounds like a very interesting story, and here I am coming in at Chapter 60! I found no errors or edits needed in this chapter. Although it was a little difficult to figure out what was going on, this was only because of the advanced chapter, not because of the writing. I enjoyed the dialogue and fabulous descriptions. For example this paragraph:
A gentle breeze disturbed the plane trees and blew a jaundiced leaf onto the table. I imagined it a fig leaf concealing from Helen the nakedness of my intent. I imagined it a parachutist wafting towards the foothills of Tirich Mir. Then, after examining the intricacy of its contours and veins, I crushed it and cast it aside.
Brilliant writing there!
All the best,
Jan
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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This sounds like a very interesting story, and here I am coming in at Chapter 60! I found no errors or edits needed in this chapter. Although it was a little difficult to figure out what was going on, this was only because of the advanced chapter, not because of the writing. I enjoyed the dialogue and fabulous descriptions. For example this paragraph:
A gentle breeze disturbed the plane trees and blew a jaundiced leaf onto the table. I imagined it a fig leaf concealing from Helen the nakedness of my intent. I imagined it a parachutist wafting towards the foothills of Tirich Mir. Then, after examining the intricacy of its contours and veins, I crushed it and cast it aside.
Brilliant writing there!
All the best,
Jan
Comment Written 23-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Jan. I appreciate your generous comments about this chapter. Thanks for dropping by. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A good chapter, Tony, as the suspense
continues with Jeanne and Charles.
-Charles shows his indignation,
and rightfully so, that he marry
Helen for convenience.
-It makes me wonder if everything
she is telling Charles is the truth.
-She also evades his questions,
stating "it is not my job!"
-She leaves him to figure out where
the bugs are; ironic that she
actually tells him to do this.
-A good change of scenery
when Charles goes to the cafe
where the sun is shining brightly.
-Just as he is settled and enjoying this,
he gets the unfortunate call from Bisto.
-Poor Charles can't seem to get a break,
but he is a good friend and intends to be
there for him in this difficult time
of having lost his wife.
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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-A good chapter, Tony, as the suspense
continues with Jeanne and Charles.
-Charles shows his indignation,
and rightfully so, that he marry
Helen for convenience.
-It makes me wonder if everything
she is telling Charles is the truth.
-She also evades his questions,
stating "it is not my job!"
-She leaves him to figure out where
the bugs are; ironic that she
actually tells him to do this.
-A good change of scenery
when Charles goes to the cafe
where the sun is shining brightly.
-Just as he is settled and enjoying this,
he gets the unfortunate call from Bisto.
-Poor Charles can't seem to get a break,
but he is a good friend and intends to be
there for him in this difficult time
of having lost his wife.
Comment Written 22-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for your comments and the sixth star, Pam - also for your help in editing this chapter. Always much appreciated. All the best, Tony
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You are very welcome and deserving, Tony.
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter in the Pakistani intrigue,
I think your readers will just as interested as Charles
in the nature of this M-16 mission.
Jeanne remains firmly entrenched in character;
a rather strange joke with a loaded gun.
Once again, excellent description of the setting and atmosphere,
as in the Café Gabrielle scene.
Bit of a surprise to see Bisto re-enter the entanglement. Makes one a little curious about what will follow.
You're story's got more hooks than Ahab had harpoons.
Well done.
Robert
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter in the Pakistani intrigue,
I think your readers will just as interested as Charles
in the nature of this M-16 mission.
Jeanne remains firmly entrenched in character;
a rather strange joke with a loaded gun.
Once again, excellent description of the setting and atmosphere,
as in the Café Gabrielle scene.
Bit of a surprise to see Bisto re-enter the entanglement. Makes one a little curious about what will follow.
You're story's got more hooks than Ahab had harpoons.
Well done.
Robert
Comment Written 22-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Robert. As always, I appreciate your comments and the sixth star. I find I'm having to tread more and more carefully to avoid snagging myself on all these hooks! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from lyenochka
Oh-oh - our hero is being called away on a personal mission but what will happen with the intrigue that he's supposed to enact with Helen. That Mme Durand is such a humorless soul. Hope her real motives are revealed soon!
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Oh-oh - our hero is being called away on a personal mission but what will happen with the intrigue that he's supposed to enact with Helen. That Mme Durand is such a humorless soul. Hope her real motives are revealed soon!
Comment Written 21-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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There's not much to like about Madame Durand, is there? Perhaps there is more to her than meets the eye - but, if so, it is well hidden at the moment!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Well, now going back to help his friend. What will that do with the plan for Charles to marry Helen and the M16 issue. You are weaving a tangled web of intrigue and I love it.
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Well, now going back to help his friend. What will that do with the plan for Charles to marry Helen and the M16 issue. You are weaving a tangled web of intrigue and I love it.
Comment Written 21-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Barbara. I have some catching up to do with your story, I'm afraid. I've been travelling for most of the past three weeks and not much time for reviewing. However, I hope to get back into the swing of it soon. All the best, Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
This has to be a virtual six, Tony, I didn't realise I'd used them all, they go so quickly. This part is an eyeopener, fancy bugging the bedroom! You could almost imagine those shadowed faces leering as they listened in. I'm not sure I'll ever trust Jeanne, but it sounds like a good plan if it will take Helen away from her and in Charles's arms. But I can't see it being that easy. Well done, my friend. :) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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This has to be a virtual six, Tony, I didn't realise I'd used them all, they go so quickly. This part is an eyeopener, fancy bugging the bedroom! You could almost imagine those shadowed faces leering as they listened in. I'm not sure I'll ever trust Jeanne, but it sounds like a good plan if it will take Helen away from her and in Charles's arms. But I can't see it being that easy. Well done, my friend. :) Sandra xx
Comment Written 21-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks for your continued support and encouragement, Sandra. Always appreciated! Tony
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You are very welcome, Tony. I'm waiting until tomorrow to give you my review on the next part, as I want to give it a six. I love this story. xx