The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 55 "Hung Out to Dry"A Novel
29 total reviews
Comment from bob cullen
I don't think I've read any of your work previously, I intend to now rectify that. This was good, very good in fact. Once I started reading I was swept along with the characters. Your writing is most professional and I'd have no hesitation in selecting a book bearing your name.
reply by the author on 03-May-2019
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I don't think I've read any of your work previously, I intend to now rectify that. This was good, very good in fact. Once I started reading I was swept along with the characters. Your writing is most professional and I'd have no hesitation in selecting a book bearing your name.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 03-May-2019
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Thanks, Bob, for this most supportive review of 'Hung Out to Dry '. I appreciate your time and interest. Very generous of you to award the chapter a sixth star. Thank you. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from TheStoryMan
What a fascinating chapter. Charles certainly has a mystery on his hands. I think it was extremely rude of Helen to run out like that but not at all surprising.
reply by the author on 03-May-2019
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What a fascinating chapter. Charles certainly has a mystery on his hands. I think it was extremely rude of Helen to run out like that but not at all surprising.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 03-May-2019
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Many thanks for your review of 'Hung Out to Dry '. Charles and Helen seem to have a fairly volatile relationship. Faults on both sides perhaps.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A good chapter, Tony, that
flows well from beginning to end.
-Good use of description, from a
simple thing like a shirt to a
mysterious man at the cafe.
-In between, you lighten things a
bit with the sales clerk as
Charles chooses a sweater.
-Charles continues to take
the initiative, and sits down
with the man who had been
tailing him from before.
-It will "be fascinating" to
find out why this man is
now pursuing Kayla, and
where Helen disappeared to.
-Perhaps a connection there?!
-Only time will tell!
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2019
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-A good chapter, Tony, that
flows well from beginning to end.
-Good use of description, from a
simple thing like a shirt to a
mysterious man at the cafe.
-In between, you lighten things a
bit with the sales clerk as
Charles chooses a sweater.
-Charles continues to take
the initiative, and sits down
with the man who had been
tailing him from before.
-It will "be fascinating" to
find out why this man is
now pursuing Kayla, and
where Helen disappeared to.
-Perhaps a connection there?!
-Only time will tell!
Comment Written 29-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2019
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Many thanks, Pam. I appreciate your comments and award of a sixth star. Most affirming. Best wishes, Tony
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You are very welcome and deserving, Tony. A very good job with the chapter; now I need to read the next one!
Comment from JudyE
Your writing is consistently engaging with appropriate descriptions. I like the short pieces of French thrown in and the paraphrasing is very natural.
I've made a few suggestions below:
It said, "Gone out. Back soon." - I might have put 'It read,...'
I parted with 120 euros - 120 euros seems a lot for an op shop purchase. Would it be better to call it a consignment shop?
Plenty of time to tell me all about your trip to England." - maybe 'for you to tell me .....'. I was expecting her to tell him something.
A thin mist was also beginning to form, hanging like gossamer over low lying areas near the river. - I think low-lying should be hyphenated.
Kind regards. Judy
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2019
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Your writing is consistently engaging with appropriate descriptions. I like the short pieces of French thrown in and the paraphrasing is very natural.
I've made a few suggestions below:
It said, "Gone out. Back soon." - I might have put 'It read,...'
I parted with 120 euros - 120 euros seems a lot for an op shop purchase. Would it be better to call it a consignment shop?
Plenty of time to tell me all about your trip to England." - maybe 'for you to tell me .....'. I was expecting her to tell him something.
A thin mist was also beginning to form, hanging like gossamer over low lying areas near the river. - I think low-lying should be hyphenated.
Kind regards. Judy
Comment Written 29-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2019
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Some very helpful comments and suggestions here, Judy. Thanks very much for them and for the sixth star.
I didn't use the term 'consignment shop' because it's not one that I'm familiar with. It sounds as though that is exactly what I had in mind - a high-end fashion consignment store. Thanks for that.
All the best, Tony
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I'm more used to 'op shops' too but Americans don't seem to know the term. I think in this case 'consignment shop' is spot-on.
Comment from Gail Denham
sounds like an interesting story of intrigue. I really like the dialog in this story - better than a simple narration. It's realistic and believeable and smooth. Good job.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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sounds like an interesting story of intrigue. I really like the dialog in this story - better than a simple narration. It's realistic and believeable and smooth. Good job.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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Thanks for the review, Gail. Appreciated. Not sure I'd trust her either! All the best, Tony
Comment from LIJ Red
One begins to suspect that every character is grinding some axe of their own, with mischief in mind, which is appropriate for a story of mystery and intrigue. Excellent chapter.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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One begins to suspect that every character is grinding some axe of their own, with mischief in mind, which is appropriate for a story of mystery and intrigue. Excellent chapter.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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There are enough axes being ground to keep a team of lumberjacks going for years. I'm beginning to wonder which will strike the decisive blow that brings down the tree.
Comment from krys123
Cheers, Tony;
>Ah yes, let's go to the apartment and when you go to the bathroom I'll slip out washer certainly view out to dry. Chuckle! That's what it sounds Helen did to Charles. They have been together for more than a minute in the room and she disappears.
> Going to be a long road to Pakistan.
> I like this particular chapters like a race about to happen in the two heavily powered engines revving up ready to take off only until everything is right in the green light is go.
> I don't know what you call that that's what I felt like when I read this chapter,
> Our few errors with, and I don't know if you use them a lot, but some minute issues Of remembering to use a comma before the word 'but' unless the continued thought is relatively the same.
> Really enjoyed it Tony and continue to do so.
>Take care and have a good one, Tony and may the Lord engulf you all with peace and happiness and blessings upon your family.
Alx
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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Cheers, Tony;
>Ah yes, let's go to the apartment and when you go to the bathroom I'll slip out washer certainly view out to dry. Chuckle! That's what it sounds Helen did to Charles. They have been together for more than a minute in the room and she disappears.
> Going to be a long road to Pakistan.
> I like this particular chapters like a race about to happen in the two heavily powered engines revving up ready to take off only until everything is right in the green light is go.
> I don't know what you call that that's what I felt like when I read this chapter,
> Our few errors with, and I don't know if you use them a lot, but some minute issues Of remembering to use a comma before the word 'but' unless the continued thought is relatively the same.
> Really enjoyed it Tony and continue to do so.
>Take care and have a good one, Tony and may the Lord engulf you all with peace and happiness and blessings upon your family.
Alx
Comment Written 28-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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As always, an entertaining review, Alx. Much appreciated. Thanks for the heads-up about comma usage. I'll have another look at that.
All the best to you and yours, Tony
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I have known, Tony, that the Oxford dictionary offers the option of using a comma before the word AND, and were the English dictionary does not. There are other things I've been reading like "S's being used instead of th "Z" letter and multiple other variations between the Oxford English grammar and punctuation dictionaries.
>Just maybe the Oxford dictionary doesn't use a comma before "BUT", however, ,I haven't found that out, yet.
> Take care and have a good one Tony.
Alx
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Thank you Johnny and take care.
Alx
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I am just as shocked as Charles was that Helen left. No way on Earth did I expect that to happen. I understand that characters take a life on of their own and I am guessing Helen is doing that. LOL Great job.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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I am just as shocked as Charles was that Helen left. No way on Earth did I expect that to happen. I understand that characters take a life on of their own and I am guessing Helen is doing that. LOL Great job.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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I'm wondering about Helen's sudden departure, too - and whether Charles has read too much into it, but I couldn't just leave him there doing nothing until she returned! LOL
Comment from estory
The lighthearted amorous attitude of Charles as he flirts with Helen and Kayla contrasts with the feeling that they are linked somehow to more sinister operations, and there is an unsettling air about the upbeat atmosphere of buying a stylish shirt and heading out to the café in Paris. Charles seems truly physically attracted, but also curious about the darker side of them, as he slowly tip toes into the spider's web of what's going on here. There is a feeling that the trap is about to spring. lots of building suspense here, I liked the sinister air to the seemingly tranquil, innocuous scene. estory
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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The lighthearted amorous attitude of Charles as he flirts with Helen and Kayla contrasts with the feeling that they are linked somehow to more sinister operations, and there is an unsettling air about the upbeat atmosphere of buying a stylish shirt and heading out to the café in Paris. Charles seems truly physically attracted, but also curious about the darker side of them, as he slowly tip toes into the spider's web of what's going on here. There is a feeling that the trap is about to spring. lots of building suspense here, I liked the sinister air to the seemingly tranquil, innocuous scene. estory
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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Thanks, estory. I'm a bit uncertain about how the mixture of levity and drama is working. I may have one or two second thoughts when it comes time for the final edit.
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Tony This chapter seems a bit more lively than some others. But still all excellent writing in any event.
Your humor is more evident and laced through the entire piece, like: "I scowled at the damp shirt. It looked limp and dejected. I found myself in a similar condition. We had both been hung out to dry."
And: "Her tone suggested the way she'd really like to help me was out through the door."
Your imagery is wonderful as always, Like: " The sun was low in the sky, casting a soft light over the city spread below. It threw taller buildings such as the Pompidou Centre into sharp relief. A thin mist was also beginning to form, hanging like gossamer over low lying areas near the river."
Good job, my friend. I will be done after this weeks installment so you should be able to zip right up to the top in the novelist rankings after that. God bless you, my friend and good luck with the rest of your book. Bob
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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Hi, Tony This chapter seems a bit more lively than some others. But still all excellent writing in any event.
Your humor is more evident and laced through the entire piece, like: "I scowled at the damp shirt. It looked limp and dejected. I found myself in a similar condition. We had both been hung out to dry."
And: "Her tone suggested the way she'd really like to help me was out through the door."
Your imagery is wonderful as always, Like: " The sun was low in the sky, casting a soft light over the city spread below. It threw taller buildings such as the Pompidou Centre into sharp relief. A thin mist was also beginning to form, hanging like gossamer over low lying areas near the river."
Good job, my friend. I will be done after this weeks installment so you should be able to zip right up to the top in the novelist rankings after that. God bless you, my friend and good luck with the rest of your book. Bob
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
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Thanks for your review and kind words, Bob. I've appreciated your support. I bought a copy of Strunk's Elements of Style last week. As you suggested, it is a useful reference.
I'll look forward to your return later in the year for the next book in your Cleve saga.
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Thanks, Tony. I appreciate all of your support along the way. I will be around to see some more of your French Letter, my friend. Bob :)