In my previous posts on the topic of being a crap writer, I’ve looked at identifying those among us who are not literary greats, as well as the kinds of silly writing mistakes many authors make. This time around, I’d like to share my thoughts on more subjects that irritate me, and spoil books that…
Category: dialogue tags
Book Reviews and the Coming of Wisdom
Having always been an avid reader, it wasn’t until I started publishing my own books that I realised the importance of having them reviewed on sites like Amazon and Smashwords. When I started writing reviews of the books I read, the early ones were either books I’d wanted to read for a while, or those…
Dialogue Tags and Other Irritations
I’m sure most writers work hard at their craft, constantly finding ways to improve their writing, to make their work better, more appealing, and more fun to read. From my very first novel – a children’s adventure titled The Devil’s Porridge Gang – I did my best to make the novel like one I would…
‘The Vesuvius Club’ by Mark Gatiss
My Review (4 stars out of 5) When several British scientists turn up dead, Edwardian painter and secret agent Lucifer Box sets off across Europe to track down those responsible. Leaving his residence at 9 Downing Street, Box delves into all things seedy and debauched as he follows the clues and the dead bodies to…
‘Longstone’ by LJ Ross
My Review (4 stars out of 5) Local historian Doctor Anna Taylor is called in to help with cataloguing after the discovery of Viking treasure off the northeast coast, but when the body of a diver is washed up, it’s time for Anna’s detective husband to step in. DCI Ryan has his work cut out…
‘Body of Evidence’ by Patricia Cornwell
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Following the death of a writer, Kay Scarpetta is drawn into the search for her murderer. With a valuable manuscript missing and a mystery surrounding why the dead woman appears to have let the killer into her house, Scarpetta discovers someone from her own past may be involved…
‘Postmortem’ by Patricia Cornwell
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Richmond, Virginia. A serial killer has murdered three women in their own bedrooms. With no obvious connection between the victims, the police are baffled. Chief Medical Officer Dr Kay Scarpetta is called in when a fourth body is discovered. With few clues and lots of unanswered questions, Scarpetta…
‘Neverwhere’ by Neil Gaiman
***** (Audiobook) Beneath London lies a different kind of city – one filled with monsters and angels, villains and rat-talkers. When businessman Richard Mayhew finds a young woman hurt and bleeding on the streets, he takes her back to his flat and soon discovers she is not all she seems. But if he is to…
Mr Picky Reader (Critical, Fussy or Just Plain Choosy?)
Alright, alright, I admit it – I’m a picky reader. To be clear, I’m not talking about the term ‘picky reader’ as applied to kids who can be hard to please bookwise or those who really don’t want to open a book in the first place. No. What I mean is the change I’ve noticed…
Colin Garrow 