Reviews from

The Aspen Grove Murders

Viewing comments for Chapter 30 "The Aspen Grove Murders #30"
A Tommy Thompson Mystery

24 total reviews 
Comment from Father Flaps
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Sally,
Well, love is the air...
https://youtu.be/4cIUylAUbwM
Maybe all this romance will scare those evil monsters away.
I feel sorry for Greyson Cole. What a way to learn that your daughter is dead... "Please let me know if you would like a burial or cremation."
I wonder what information Farnsworth will turn over to the detectives? Probably it will be enough so that Tommy and Sally can get to work rounding up others in the secret evil cult that's haunted Aspen Grove too long. Farnsworth's career and marital status are disappearing quickly. His pregnant wife announced that very morning that she is leaving him. What goes around, comes around.
I was hoping FEE would escape, but it doesn't seem like he will now.
Nicely penned, Sally!
Hugs,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 25-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 29-Jun-2023
    Dear Kim, Thank you for the wonderful review and glorious stars, my friend! I'm so blessed. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal XOs
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The plot thickens: "Once the doors were closed, Willa apprised the fallen defense attorney of his charges and rights" This was fun writing, alliteration, word play and a sensory visceral description...Jackpot! You got the coffee in...lol.
A+

 Comment Written 20-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jun-2023
    Dear Liz, thank you so much for the lovely review and generous six star rating. Both mean so much to me. I?m so glad you enjoyed this chapter in particular and thought it six worthy.. i?m so blessed, my friend. Sending along my very best to you and yours, as always, Sally XOs
reply by Liz O'Neill on 21-Jun-2023
    I especially loved the extra treat of your plethora of literary techniques
Comment from Ben Colder
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I find this write to be lengthy but good. I like the way you brought the father into the picture. So said for him to loose his daughter like this.

Best to you, Sal.

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 18-Jun-2023
    Thank you for the lovely review and generous super stars, my Friend! I am honored and blessed. Sending you and yours my best today as always.
    Sal :)) Xos
Comment from eliz100
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is another excellent chapter. You moved the story along nicely. The proposal scene was well done. I do not see any need for improvement. Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Dear Elizabeth, thank you so much for the lovely review an excellent rating. Blessings to you always, Sally.:))
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well done with the arrest scene of Farnsworth, Sally. I think some people get in over their heads and then find no way out. Just one suggestion -
Stunned by (the) news,
I promise to hold your hand through life, and never let you go--no matter what." A beautiful romantic scene between Betty Jo and Hank. And to cap it off with that unusual Solar eclipse photo. Well done on all counts Sally.
Cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Dear Valda, thank you so much for the lovely review and generous stars. Both mean the world to me. So glad you?re enjoying my book. Sending along my very best to you as always, Sally. XOs
Comment from estory
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You had some real lively, emotional dialogue in this chapter, the tension in the first part of it was great, but I liked the second scene best, when the man in the hotel room has his normal day interrupted by this startling and sad news that his daughter was murdered. We see him really falling apart there when he reads that telegram. estory

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much for the kind of you in my book chapter. It is most appreciated and needed. Sending along my very best to you and yours as always, Sally. :))
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

In this interesting chapter, we can snicker at Fitzgerald Elling and his attorney, Kenneth Farnsworth, firing each other before Fee goes to jail without bail and Tommy escorts Farnsworth into Judge Ana Petrovich's chamber as she had requested. There, Willa arrests him and recites his rights to him. Tommy lets him "marinate in his misery" long enough to consider turning state's evidence. Then Tommy tells Farnsworth about his murdered only daughter and shows her picture, then explains Fee's connection to the known culprits.

In Versailles, France, Greyson Cole feels cold and lonely during his after dinner walk, so he returns to his hotel (the Waldorf Astoria). Both the doorman and concierge greet him pleasantly, and the latter hands him a telegram, then offers to send him cookies and milk for comfort, prompting Cole to tell him how he enjoyed Thin Mint cookies and milk with his Girl Scout daughter. I like how you use dialog to prepare readers for Cole's reaction to the telegram about the demise of his cherished daughter, Victoria, caused by Fee, who has been held for trial, and that his grandson, Simon, had been notified. The telegram had no mention of Vickie's unborn child -- a compassionate act to reduce the inevitable shock that manifested when Cole opened the door and ironically found a box of Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies and two glasses of milk. (My own eyes misted at that moment.)

Back at the safe house, Betty Jo prepared a fine dinner to share with Candace, Simon, and Hank. Betty tells Candace and Simon that Detective Jackson Law will be there at dawn to transport them to another site, so they needed to go to bed early. I like that Simon does not hesitate to carry Daniel, as some men leave that task to a woman. (I carried mine.) That left Hank and Betty alone, so Hank got her to bundle up and go out to dance on the porch, for which the "Could I Have This Dance" video is relevant. Hank's proposal to Betty Jo is beautiful (as only you can write). The engagement ring Hank put on her finger matches the Diamond Ring Effect of the total solar eclipse you photographed on 21 August 2017.

Superb, effectively emotional, aptly illustrated, and accompanied by the well chosen video.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 13-Jun-2023
    Thank you for the superb review and matching stars, my friend. Both mean so much to me. I?m glad you enjoyed this meaty chapter, and the photo from the solar eclipse.
    Sending you my very best today as always. Sal :)))))
reply by WalkerMan on 13-Jun-2023
    You are most welcome, Sal. You are at your best in these chapters. Even readers who normally don't choose detective stories look at a chapter and then stay to see what happens next. Brava! :))))) --- Mike
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You're such a romantic, Sally! How sweet a proposal in spite of terrible conditions.

In spite of the warm scene, there is a suspense building around them. Things seem all wrapped up, but are they...?

You do a wonderful job of switching scenes and settings without losing continuity. In some ways, this helps build suspense.

I was so glad to find this jewel in my message box, even if it is a bit late at night...

XOXO,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Dear Rhonda, thank you so much for the lovely review, generous comments, and kind stars. This means the world to me. I?m so glad you?re enjoying the book and thought this chapter six worthy.. Sending you my best today, and love and blessings always,
    Sal XOs
reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 15-Jun-2023
    You are quite welcome! And who is the beautiful young lady in your profile picture? How fun!
Comment from Cindy Warren
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Of course I know what a romantic you are. It was easy to guess Hank and Betty Jo would be getting married. So sad for Victoria's father. I can barely imagine how awful that would be.

 Comment Written 12-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Dear Cindy, thank you for the excellent review and insightful comments. Both are so appreciated. I?m glad you?re enjoying it. Blessings, Sally.XOs
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
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An enjoyable chapter to read and a good continuation of the story. But I would remove the French as it is not correct. It is a word for word translation but not the way the French would say it.
Wendy

 Comment Written 12-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 13-Jun-2023
    Thank you, Wendy dear. Yes, I fixed that as that was not what I had intended. My voice translator doesn't get me sometimes with my southern accent. I made it simpler: "Oui, mon ami." Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal XOs