The Heir Apparent
Viewing comments for Chapter 16 "A Talk with Charlie"A family learns their father is a serial killer
26 total reviews
Comment from Showboat
LOL, Sasha, we must be reading the same research books! Excellent presentation of the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths, as well as a nice listing of examples. To me, the scariest of all was the Night Stalker, aka Richard Rameriez. The dude looked like the devil incarnate, although Ted Bundy, when out of control, was reminiscent of Jack Nicholson's expression when he screamed 'Here's Johnny!'
Great job, my friend.
Hugs,
Gayle
PS, almost forgot. Go ahead and make use of contractions whenever possible, imho!
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2012
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LOL, Sasha, we must be reading the same research books! Excellent presentation of the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths, as well as a nice listing of examples. To me, the scariest of all was the Night Stalker, aka Richard Rameriez. The dude looked like the devil incarnate, although Ted Bundy, when out of control, was reminiscent of Jack Nicholson's expression when he screamed 'Here's Johnny!'
Great job, my friend.
Hugs,
Gayle
PS, almost forgot. Go ahead and make use of contractions whenever possible, imho!
Comment Written 01-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2012
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I found Ramirez terrifying. Bundy looked perfectly normal until his last days on death row. That was when he physically fell apart and the world finally saw the monster he was.
Comment from Alaskastory
'A Talk with Charlie' is a chapter that proves beyond anything that James is a genius. It is so full of information that it made me feel truly informed. Thanks, Sasha. You manage to present all these facts and theories in a good way that enhances the story. Marie
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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'A Talk with Charlie' is a chapter that proves beyond anything that James is a genius. It is so full of information that it made me feel truly informed. Thanks, Sasha. You manage to present all these facts and theories in a good way that enhances the story. Marie
Comment Written 28-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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I am so pleased you enjoyed this chapter. Some felt it was too technical.
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I don't think it's too technical since you have a character capable of explaining terms in a complete way. Seems appropriate in this case!
Comment from hyway94
I think I missed one or two of the chapters. I'll go back and check if I did. This one is one of the best where we get to really see how smart James is. Oh and also you. A couple of mistakes and very good word flow. Might take a look at "He said (hewas) an only child so we (dodn't) have any aunts or uncles to talk to.
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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I think I missed one or two of the chapters. I'll go back and check if I did. This one is one of the best where we get to really see how smart James is. Oh and also you. A couple of mistakes and very good word flow. Might take a look at "He said (hewas) an only child so we (dodn't) have any aunts or uncles to talk to.
Comment Written 28-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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Thanks for catching the spags. I am pleased you continue to enjoy this.
Comment from Cranial Thinker
This draws me into it every time I read another chapter wanting so badly to have the complete book so I can keep on
reading until I find out the finish of the mental blow out
of the family having to handle the absolute craziness their
father literally threw them into....I wish I had another six
to give you on this as it truly is so deserving....Cranial Thinker
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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This draws me into it every time I read another chapter wanting so badly to have the complete book so I can keep on
reading until I find out the finish of the mental blow out
of the family having to handle the absolute craziness their
father literally threw them into....I wish I had another six
to give you on this as it truly is so deserving....Cranial Thinker
Comment Written 28-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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Thanks you so much. I am pleased you are enjoying this.
Comment from emmaysavage
James is lecturing a little bit too much in this chapter. I guess you need to get that information out there, and you do a good job with conversation, but there is just a little too much teaching here.
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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James is lecturing a little bit too much in this chapter. I guess you need to get that information out there, and you do a good job with conversation, but there is just a little too much teaching here.
Comment Written 27-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2012
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You are probably right. James has a photographic memory and has a tendency to go on and on when he's talking.
Comment from Halfree
Going to review this and then go back to previous. This chapter is needed to give the reader an insight into the mind of the father. My first take was that it was an overload of information. Then I asked myself how I would get this information to the reader...could not think of a better way. Maybe a few more interruptions by Charlie. Just a thought. You are framing this story very well. It is a good read and I enjoyed it very much.
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2012
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Going to review this and then go back to previous. This chapter is needed to give the reader an insight into the mind of the father. My first take was that it was an overload of information. Then I asked myself how I would get this information to the reader...could not think of a better way. Maybe a few more interruptions by Charlie. Just a thought. You are framing this story very well. It is a good read and I enjoyed it very much.
Comment Written 27-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2012
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James has a a tendency to babble when talking. He gives everyone far more information than they are looking for. I guess in some ways, he goes on autopilot when presenting info he has read.
Comment from psalmist
I appreciate when an author has obviously done a lot of research. I'm not sure I would have the patience to write a book and do the necessary research to make it believable and creditable. I found this chapter interesting and was not put off by the information, especially since it fit in well with James' personality. Linda
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2012
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I appreciate when an author has obviously done a lot of research. I'm not sure I would have the patience to write a book and do the necessary research to make it believable and creditable. I found this chapter interesting and was not put off by the information, especially since it fit in well with James' personality. Linda
Comment Written 27-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2012
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I man have already mentioned this but I grew up in Washington State known for having the most serial killers in the country. I recall reading newspaper articles and watching the news. I was horrified and fascinated by the terrible way the media and public wanted to crucify the families assuming they HAD to know the truth. I spent considerable time researching why people feel the need to blame the family...it is almost an obsession with them. It seemed the more I read, the more sympathy I felt for the families.
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Well, I really like how you are giving the family's POV. Most of the time, these stories focus on the killer and victims.
Comment from RebelRose
Another great job on this chapter. That was so cruel of the old man to mention Mary Ellen and give James even more to worry about. Thank goodness, she was okay. It shows that you are really up to speed on sociopaths, etc. You are teaching us a thing or two in the process. Still, I am sure it a depressing form of research.
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2012
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Another great job on this chapter. That was so cruel of the old man to mention Mary Ellen and give James even more to worry about. Thank goodness, she was okay. It shows that you are really up to speed on sociopaths, etc. You are teaching us a thing or two in the process. Still, I am sure it a depressing form of research.
Comment Written 27-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2012
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Yes, it certainly was depressing but I must admit it was also fascinating. I am pleased you enjoyed this chapter.
Comment from cheyennewy
Hi Smurph,
You have obviously read a lot about serial killers to be able to write about it so well. I took a psychology class in college and your facts are as good as the text book I had on the subject. Poor Charlie, thinking he has his father's genes and will become a serial killer too. I too think it odd that no one in the family asked James about the meeting with his father. Maybe they are too afraid to know and who could blame them. Another excellent chapter! I wanted to give you six stars but the site won't let me...gerrr. Blessings, chey
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2012
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Hi Smurph,
You have obviously read a lot about serial killers to be able to write about it so well. I took a psychology class in college and your facts are as good as the text book I had on the subject. Poor Charlie, thinking he has his father's genes and will become a serial killer too. I too think it odd that no one in the family asked James about the meeting with his father. Maybe they are too afraid to know and who could blame them. Another excellent chapter! I wanted to give you six stars but the site won't let me...gerrr. Blessings, chey
Comment Written 26-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2012
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Just knowing you enjoyed this chapter is worth far more than 6 stars.
Comment from CALLAHANMR
Hi Valerie:)
After your last pst I bought into James' concern about Mary Ellen's well fare. I rememer in the first version of your book, Mary Ellen was a babysitter that the Mathew's family used from time to time. Unlike James' girlfriend, the baby sitter dissappearer onlyy to be found as one of Dad's victims. I like this version better, especially the way you used it as a powerful cliffhanger. Dad may have mentioned Mary Ellen to feel some control over James with a bizarre new mind game.
I like the visit between James and Charlie. As you may know I am a biochemist. I studied the biochemistry of in graduate school and noted some of he deficiencies that were later found in gentic behavioral tendencies. my research was quite crude as it took place at least thirty years before the 'warrior gene' was identified. One thing that I studied in particular was that the same chemical changes found with schizophrenia also occurred with drunkenness. In particular the similarities were strongest when the subjects exhibited a strong tendency toward violence.
All Charley needed to know was that only behavioral tendencies are inherited and none of them indicate any likelihood of causing a decendant to become a serial killer. I think the environmental factors are more likely to contribute to serial killing.
Excellent chapter to temporise the high drama from James ' visit to his fatheRoger.
Love and Irish hugs, dear friend,
Roger
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2012
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Hi Valerie:)
After your last pst I bought into James' concern about Mary Ellen's well fare. I rememer in the first version of your book, Mary Ellen was a babysitter that the Mathew's family used from time to time. Unlike James' girlfriend, the baby sitter dissappearer onlyy to be found as one of Dad's victims. I like this version better, especially the way you used it as a powerful cliffhanger. Dad may have mentioned Mary Ellen to feel some control over James with a bizarre new mind game.
I like the visit between James and Charlie. As you may know I am a biochemist. I studied the biochemistry of in graduate school and noted some of he deficiencies that were later found in gentic behavioral tendencies. my research was quite crude as it took place at least thirty years before the 'warrior gene' was identified. One thing that I studied in particular was that the same chemical changes found with schizophrenia also occurred with drunkenness. In particular the similarities were strongest when the subjects exhibited a strong tendency toward violence.
All Charley needed to know was that only behavioral tendencies are inherited and none of them indicate any likelihood of causing a decendant to become a serial killer. I think the environmental factors are more likely to contribute to serial killing.
Excellent chapter to temporise the high drama from James ' visit to his fatheRoger.
Love and Irish hugs, dear friend,
Roger
Comment Written 26-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2012
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Thanks so much for the information. It is very helpful.
