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
‘London Tales’ by Tim Walker
My Review (4 stars out of 5) This is another collection of stories from Tim Walker, with eleven tales taken from various points along London’s timeline. Subjects range from legendary Iceni queen, Boudica (seen from the point of view of the Romans), to more modern stories set in the twentieth century, such as a tale…
‘Shamus Dust’ by Janet Roger
My Review (5 stars out of 5) A Christmas crib. A nurse lighting candles in a church. A dead body. In snowy post-war London, City Police has a murder to deal with, and a frightened councillor hires investigator Newman to look into the killing. But Newman soon finds he has more on his plate than…
‘The Raven’s Mark’ by Christie J Newport
My Review (5 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) A brutal murder heralds the start of a cat-and-mouse game for Detective Chief Inspector Beth Fellows as she faces a case that could change her career – or bring it to a crashing end. Realising the killing could be linked to an earlier attack, gives Beth a…
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…
‘Cruel and Unusual’ by Patricia Cornwell
My Review (5 stars out of 5) When convicted murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell dies in the electric chair, Dr Kay Scarpetta doesn’t expect his fingerprints to turn up at a time scene. And why does that particular crime scene – the death of a young lad – seem to mirror Waddell’s modus operandi? Together with…
‘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…
‘Follow Me Down’ by Shelby Foote
My Review (5 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) God-fearing farmer Luther Eustis gets himself into trouble when he runs off with a young woman. Following a few weeks of bliss, he decides to return to his family but knowing his paramour will chase him back home, he kills her. Like many readers I first became…
‘Actress’ by Keith Dixon
My Review (5 stars out of 5) Following her success in a long-running TV show, young actress Mai Rose is in rehearsal on a new stage play, but when the opportunity to star in a major fantasy movie comes up it seems the role is made for her. Trouble is, Mai will be in competition…
‘Before the Fall’ by Orna Ross
My Review (5 stars out of 5) In 1995, pregnant Jo Devereux is still living in Ireland. Caught between her relationship with former lover Rory and the desire to return home to San Francisco, Jo battles with the past and its possible impact on her future, as she unravels her family’s possible involvement in the…