The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 38 "A Matter of Moolah"A Novel
32 total reviews
Comment from Shirley E Kennedy
Hi Tony,
Charles has much to ponder it seems as his life seems to be constantly intertwined with intrigue and a sense of the unknown.
His connection to the letter remains a constant and his intrigue, interest and burning desire to solve all its' mysteries still flickers.
Blessings
Shirley
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Hi Tony,
Charles has much to ponder it seems as his life seems to be constantly intertwined with intrigue and a sense of the unknown.
His connection to the letter remains a constant and his intrigue, interest and burning desire to solve all its' mysteries still flickers.
Blessings
Shirley
Comment Written 26-May-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Shirley. I feel honoured that you should be interested enough in this tale of mine to follow it so closely. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Spitfire
I perused the past two chapters. Although this is well-written and I enjoy the references to places I've seen, it's moving too slow for me.
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2019
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I perused the past two chapters. Although this is well-written and I enjoy the references to places I've seen, it's moving too slow for me.
Comment Written 31-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2019
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Thanks for that, Shari. Looks as though I'll need to inject a bit more action soon, and maybe think of pruning or abbreviating some of these slower scenes. I need to do that in the context of the whole story though, as part of a final edit.
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony.
It looks like Charles is being set up, just as Helen was by Jeane.
Stolen canvases, or perhaps illegally seized in WWII, or something else?
Those must be very small paintings for two of them to fit in Charles' suitcase.
I like the way you've returned to the original mystery of the French Letter
and the characters involved it.
On FS we only read a chapter a week, so memory of events becomes a little hazy.
If I'd just bought the book, I would likely read the entire novel in several days.
"Ith there anything elseI can get you, dearie?" elseI, perhaps a space "else I"
Well done
Robert
PS Brindled Words just arrive. I look forward to reading some poetry again.
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2019
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Hello Tony.
It looks like Charles is being set up, just as Helen was by Jeane.
Stolen canvases, or perhaps illegally seized in WWII, or something else?
Those must be very small paintings for two of them to fit in Charles' suitcase.
I like the way you've returned to the original mystery of the French Letter
and the characters involved it.
On FS we only read a chapter a week, so memory of events becomes a little hazy.
If I'd just bought the book, I would likely read the entire novel in several days.
"Ith there anything elseI can get you, dearie?" elseI, perhaps a space "else I"
Well done
Robert
PS Brindled Words just arrive. I look forward to reading some poetry again.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2019
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I hope you enjoy Brindled Words - all are poems written in 2017 or earlier - a mixed bag.
Thanks for the heads up on 'elseI'. I changed that part quite a bit but forgot to save part of the edit.
Many thanks for your comments and the accolade of stars. Appreciated, as always.
I suspect that when I go back over the whole novel, I'll need to make quite a few changes, adjusting the pacing and the chapter breaks.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-This is another excellent chapter, Tony.
-There is a lot hanging in the balance-
the letter, Suzanne, the colonel, and
David's proposition.
-You have used some very
vivid imagery in a few of the scenes.
-Charles agrees to David's proposal, but is
there an ulterior motive on David's part?
-I am glad Charles was a gentleman to the waitress.
-Based on all that has happened, I think Charles
is deserving of some solitude; the question is
will it stay that way?!
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2019
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-This is another excellent chapter, Tony.
-There is a lot hanging in the balance-
the letter, Suzanne, the colonel, and
David's proposition.
-You have used some very
vivid imagery in a few of the scenes.
-Charles agrees to David's proposal, but is
there an ulterior motive on David's part?
-I am glad Charles was a gentleman to the waitress.
-Based on all that has happened, I think Charles
is deserving of some solitude; the question is
will it stay that way?!
Comment Written 30-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Pam. I appreciate your comments and the extra star. I'm not sure how much solitude to allow the poor man. Complaints are beginning to roll in about the lack of action!
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You are very welcome for the stars and review, Tony. Well, you've got the whole issue with Alain, etc. and David. Maybe he is a set up for Charles! I have wondered about how to pronounce Alain-like Alan or with a long a sound [Alane]?
Comment from Brigitte Elko
This is quite an interesting tale. Unfortunately, I have not read the previous Chapeters but could still enjoy this one in isolation. It is well told and love the dialects.
One little typo: "Ith there anything elseI can get you, dearie?"
Thanks for sharing on Fan Story.
Have a great evening.
Brigitte
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2019
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This is quite an interesting tale. Unfortunately, I have not read the previous Chapeters but could still enjoy this one in isolation. It is well told and love the dialects.
One little typo: "Ith there anything elseI can get you, dearie?"
Thanks for sharing on Fan Story.
Have a great evening.
Brigitte
Comment Written 30-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Brigitte. I thought I?d put that right, but must have forgotten to save. Thanks for alerting me to it. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Adri7enne
Tony doesn't seem very careful for a world travelers. There must be many ways to trick a guy when you convince him to carry things across borders for you. I sure wouldn't do it today. Moving on, Tony.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2019
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Tony doesn't seem very careful for a world travelers. There must be many ways to trick a guy when you convince him to carry things across borders for you. I sure wouldn't do it today. Moving on, Tony.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Adrienne. There?s not actually a customs border between UK and Europe, so no problem for Charles from that point of view. That could all change after Brexit though.
Comment from LIJ Red
I expect complications could result from carrying valuable assets from the isles to the main without paperwork, possibly from the dark regions of society as well...the story strides onward...well written
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2019
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I expect complications could result from carrying valuable assets from the isles to the main without paperwork, possibly from the dark regions of society as well...the story strides onward...well written
Comment Written 30-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Red. I don?t think that there?s any restriction at the moment but that might change after Brexit. Thanks for the review. Tony.
Comment from kiwijenny
Yay, Brandon has a reason to go back to Paris. And is Gaston related to the monster of a colonel Arnoux? I like how you capture characters with dialogue. David seems shallow and pompous and very English
God bless
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2019
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Yay, Brandon has a reason to go back to Paris. And is Gaston related to the monster of a colonel Arnoux? I like how you capture characters with dialogue. David seems shallow and pompous and very English
God bless
Comment Written 29-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Jenny. Glad you are enjoying the characterisation. All the best, Tony
Comment from krys123
Cheers, Tony;
>
>"Bright lights have blinded many a young girl to the darkness and depravity concealed, like a rotting corpse, beneath the veneer." This is a whole other story but basically the underlying reasons why many of women have done what they've done, in and around Paris, when the money runs out they turn to prostitution and just to stay in the limelight, but until the lights go out completely!
>"Yes, please, thweetie. I'd like a double brandy - and bring me the bill." I thought this was out of character for Charles. Under little pressure and stress from his own troubblesome investigation of another matter and now is acting a wiseguy. I just wanted out of character little bit, for him, I understand that under the stress of the investigation and his situation showed his weakness in character.
>"...he been following me,". A little paranoia setting in and Brandon, due to his alienation from France in its investigation into the letter and the aura and human improprieties surrounding the high life in Paris and Helen and Jeanne.
>""Yes, please, thweetie. I'd like a double brandy - and bring me the bill."" I thought Brandon's character slipped, a little, here, because I thought he always was a very proper gentleman without any bit of prejudicial attitude and his body. Nut this lipping out, shows he may be under stress.
>Any does need that quiet country's side calm to settle his nerves which I think are fraying at this point.
> Thanks for a very entertaining read, Tony, and for care and have a good one.
Alx
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2019
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Cheers, Tony;
>
>"Bright lights have blinded many a young girl to the darkness and depravity concealed, like a rotting corpse, beneath the veneer." This is a whole other story but basically the underlying reasons why many of women have done what they've done, in and around Paris, when the money runs out they turn to prostitution and just to stay in the limelight, but until the lights go out completely!
>"Yes, please, thweetie. I'd like a double brandy - and bring me the bill." I thought this was out of character for Charles. Under little pressure and stress from his own troubblesome investigation of another matter and now is acting a wiseguy. I just wanted out of character little bit, for him, I understand that under the stress of the investigation and his situation showed his weakness in character.
>"...he been following me,". A little paranoia setting in and Brandon, due to his alienation from France in its investigation into the letter and the aura and human improprieties surrounding the high life in Paris and Helen and Jeanne.
>""Yes, please, thweetie. I'd like a double brandy - and bring me the bill."" I thought Brandon's character slipped, a little, here, because I thought he always was a very proper gentleman without any bit of prejudicial attitude and his body. Nut this lipping out, shows he may be under stress.
>Any does need that quiet country's side calm to settle his nerves which I think are fraying at this point.
> Thanks for a very entertaining read, Tony, and for care and have a good one.
Alx
Comment Written 29-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2019
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I particularly appreciate this review, Alx, and your comments about Charles. I agree with you about his behaviour being out of character. Fortunately, unlike in real life, I have been able to allow him to withdraw his remarks. I have removed all reference to the lisp. In fact, the waitress has been miraculously cured of it! LOL
Comment from kiwisteveh
Hi, Tony. I don't venture over this side of the aisle much, so I had no idea you were writing a book. Do you have grand plans for publication, I wonder.
In any case I enjoyed this chapter, but no doubt I should backtrack to get more of the preceding events. Your character list is intriguing in itself - prostitutes and denizens of the Parisian underworld rubbing shoulders with artists, vicars and vets!
is it fair to say that it has a slightly old-fashioned style, or maybe it's just the setting that conveys that impression?
I will definitely be taking a further peek.
Steve
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2019
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Hi, Tony. I don't venture over this side of the aisle much, so I had no idea you were writing a book. Do you have grand plans for publication, I wonder.
In any case I enjoyed this chapter, but no doubt I should backtrack to get more of the preceding events. Your character list is intriguing in itself - prostitutes and denizens of the Parisian underworld rubbing shoulders with artists, vicars and vets!
is it fair to say that it has a slightly old-fashioned style, or maybe it's just the setting that conveys that impression?
I will definitely be taking a further peek.
Steve
Comment Written 28-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2019
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I appreciate your dropping by, Steve. Publication would be a long shot indeed. I may put it out there to see how many rejection slips I can collect! More likely, I?ll just self-publish a few print on demand copies for family and friends I?m writing mainly for my own entertainment, and to give myself the challenge of doing something I?ve always regarded as being beyond me.