Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Wow, Tony, this is moving on fast. Now Brandon has been employed by the MI6. He's become a spy and is dispatched back to Paris. What an intriguing story. I'm fascinated and I love it. Please do tell me that you're publishing this. I'm a buyer. Can't wait to be reading on. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2019

Thanks, Ulla, for your review of 'Babylon-on-Thames', and for your comments. Much appreciated, as always. I'll certainly see if I can get this published - or, if that's not possible, at least self-published. All the best, Tony

Comment from damommy

Excellent

The thick plottens. So the girls might be Jihadists. What an intricate story you have going here. All the ins and outs are fascinating. Poor Charles is in way over his head. I just hope he survives it safely.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2019

Thanks, Yvonne, for your review of 'Babylon-on-Thames', and for your comments. Much appreciated, as always. I'm still smiling over the thick plottens! I guess that at this stage, I'm the only one who can save Charles from drowning. All the best, Tony

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

There are many John Smith's in my family history and I can appreciate having the plainest name In the world and wanting to be known as Carruthers-Smith.

You have created quite a stir here with this chapter and I am going to guess that Madame Durand is six feet under! I appreciate the timely message of Islamic extremism in your writing and it seems to be a travesty all over the place today but in the Christian and Muslim Faith. I hope you don't get political push back from this as it is a story of your telling penned in our modern times.
All my best, dear Tony! Masterfully done!
Sal :+)

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2019

Thanks, Sal, for your review of 'Babylon-on-Thames', and for your comments. Much appreciated, as always. No adverse comments about the Jihadist angle so far!
It would certainly be convenient if Madame Durand could be written out of the story, but I guess that we'll have to wait until Charles gets back to Paris before we find out.
All the best, Tony

Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

Navy enlistment required six references. One of mine came to call on my pop, saying "What has that boy done? There was an FBI man going around and asking all kinds of questions about him." My whole life in one tiny town got me the fastest top secret clearance ever, and some courier duties between school commands that made me uneasy....all diddly shit as I determined later...excellent chapter.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

Interesting observations. I needed top secret clearance for my tour in NATO's Plans and Policy Department - forty years ago...

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Way to ramp up the action...Jihadists...What?!?!?!? and the girls could be Jihad ?!?!?! What is the feminine of Jihasdist? Jihadia? Sounds like a terrible illness or complaint.
An d what happen s when a person becomes a difficulty? Hmmm
God bless

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

Thanks, Jenny. I've been wondering how to finish the book. Perhaps I should get all the characters together and have them blown up by Jihadists. On the other hand, I also rather like your suggestion of a deadly plague of Jihadia wiping them out. The end. (Maybe I should keep one alive for the sequel!)

reply by kiwijenny on 24-Mar-2019

I think you better ji-had keep one alive . I?d love a sequel or two

Comment from giraffmang

Excellent

Another excellent instalment in this fascinating and absorbing story.

couple of little thing-

Actually, it isn't. I think they load the office coffee machine with crushed acorns. It's warm and wet though. The way I like my women." - need opening speech marks here.

I though his attempt at humour unnecessarily coarse - thought.

you reach Paris but ,if you run into difficulties, you can contact the Embassy - spacing after but and the comma.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

Thanks for picking up all the various typos, etc. Appreciated. All the best, Tony

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

This was a really interesting chapter. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding all of the 'spy' things. The James Bond references were great and fit in nicely, too. The info in this chapter is indeed a great help in pulling the storyline together while setting up further chapters. Good job and thanks for sharing. Jan

you reach Paris but ,if you run ( Paris, if you run)

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

Thanks for your comments, Jan - and for picking up the typo. Appreciated. All the best, Tony

Comment from Treischel

Excellent

You present a fairly sanguine portrait of the Intelligence Service, but the Tower of Babel metaphor is most apropos. You build up the intrigue well.
Loved the fish in trawl net simile. I smiled again at the James Bond references.
Nice touch of humor with "Carruthers."
Hah! I like my women that way too.
The story is revealing like a peeled onion. We are now wrapped in a tale of Jihad and murder. How intriguing. Indeed, it is all moving quite fast. A surprising chapter.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

Thanks, Tom. As one reviewer put it, the thick plottens. The question now is how to wrap up the loose ends. Perhaps I can get the Jihadists to blow up all the characters and call it a day.

Comment from Pantygynt

Excellent

I sense a move towards a climax perhaps, maytbe not immediately, but appearing on the horizon. I think the building at Babylon on Thames acrually does vaguely resemble some of the artist's impressions I have seen of Babylon. Quite a tribute to the architect that, considering there isn't a single plant in view.

I was just about to take you to task over 'Carruthers' (is there really anyone with that moniker?) when 'he' came clean over his name.

This chapter ups the pace again.

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 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

I think you may be right about a climax approaching. Not quite sure what it is yet, but it must be getting close to the time to wrap this all up and call it a day.

reply by Pantygynt on 24-Mar-2019

I think you are very brave to post this as you go, my fantasies are all complete before I start to post.

Comment from Bill Pinder

Excellent

I like that phrase, "the entrails of the underground." The story is very interesting and keeps the readers interest. The plot of the story seems to be moving at a good pace.

I like the metaphor of feeling like a fish that was doomed for capture.

I believe you meant "thought his attempt."

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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 19-Mar-2019

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2019

Thanks, Bill. It's always interesting to know what parts appeal to different people. It helps to guide future directions. I appreciate the typo alert, too. Best wishes, Tony