Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 104 "A Game of Chicken"
A Novel

25 total reviews 
Comment from Cindy Warren
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It would seem Ash doesn't trust Charles and Bistro very much. Which makes me wonder about him and Kayla. Good thing Charles wasn't in the boot. I think if he'd been in there curled up like a pretzel he'd have been so beat up they'd never have gotten him out.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Cindy. Appreciated, as always. I like 'curled up like a pretzel'! Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
Comment from royowen
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They journey out to meet Ash, who is a little tense, and they, all being strong willed people start to squabble, and Kayla, as is the propensity of the female to scold and berate the male of the species, tells them to cool it. This is a very exciting episode, and I anticipate more to follow, well done, Tony, blessings. Roy

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Roy. Appreciated, as always. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
reply by royowen on 21-Dec-2019
    You too Tony
Comment from juliaSjames
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"Then the aircraft ballooned back into the air again" - suggest you delete "again"

"- plans have changed - speech marks missing after "changed"

Another fine chapter, Tony. Ash didn't exactly cover himself with glory. But that's understandable given the tense situation plus the hair-raising landing. You described the squabbling men well. For once Charles kept a level head.

You're ratcheting up the excitement but I believe the visit to the aunt will offer the opportunity for some welcome back story.

Blessings Julia


 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Julia. Appreciated, as always. Thanks, too, for your suggestions and spag catches. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
reply by juliaSjames on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your good wishes, Tony. I love Christmas though I'm often away from family. All three of my grandchildren have January birthdays so I try to take leave then. Have a great one, my friend.

    Blessings Julia
Comment from sunnilicious
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Helen seemed like an imperative to the story. A lot of anxious feelings, but it's not like she's missing yet. Kayla is like a complete flake. You described turbulance very well. I don't think anybody likes that happening in air either. Nice narration. Good dialogue. A lot of details, but not sure where it's all leading to... I would suggest tightening this installment as a take it or leave it edit note. Still, good story.

Merry Christmas :)

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Alicia. Appreciated, as always. I think you may be right with your editing suggestion. I'll be starting the structural edit in the New Year. I'm anticipating having to cut the whole story by about 25%, so will have to be fairly ruthless. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
Comment from RShipp
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"don't spare the horses. Or the chickens," I liked his attempt humor.

"decisions of national security were unlikely to be influenced by the safety of an individual." The old 'needs of the many -vs- needs of the few'. Well put.

"loose-fitting trousers of Kayla's salwar kameez to flap against her legs" What a great detail. I never would have thought of using it. Well done!

I enjoyed this chapter. A good read.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, RShipp, and for your encouragement. Appreciated, as always. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
Comment from estory
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Well they're off to rescue Helen, but the last lines of the chapter as the guard talks of the bandits a couple of weeks ago raises an ominous flag. They could be walking into a trap. The squabbling between Charles and Ash also complicates things and could be a harbinger of trouble. estory

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, estory. Appreciated, as always. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
Comment from Ulla
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Hi Tony, as usual, this is high paced and you really get the feeling of great urgency. What I also liked was the passage about the flying. Knowing what I do, it made it very real. Well done. So what now? All best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Ulla. Appreciated, as always. Having watched student pilots at Flying Training School over the years, I've seen a few landings like that - even in calm conditions! LOL. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
reply by Ulla on 22-Dec-2019
    Merry Christmas to you and yours. I'm in Denmark spending the holiday with my family and my three small grandchildren.
    I do hope you're not too affected by the terrible fires!
Comment from Sankey
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Another great chapter and a nice bonus in extra reading and catching up. Only one possible spag this time around. Commission is [in] his gift,

Great expression...more bumps on me than a Jerusalem artichoke

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Geoffrey. Appreciated, as always. I think 'in his gift' is OK - a phrase meaning in the power of (someone) to award'. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
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So, maybe they are getting closer to solving the French Letter from the beginning, Tony. I always thought JDurand was a controlling biggie is this operation. I believe she has both Kayla and Helen in her pocket and maybe others. You did a good job with the descriptive words of this chapter. I could see the scenery and feel the tension of the meeting and the ride in the car. Things are about to explode, right? Thanks for sharing. Respectfully, Jan

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Jan. Appreciated, as always. Yes, things are building to a climax now. I'm hoping to have this finished by the New Year. All good wishes for Christmas, Tony.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
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That was really well written, Tony. Your description of the plane landing reminded me of a time my late husband and I were on Gurnsey and watching the little puddle hoppers trying to land in the winds, not nice when you knew you'd be in one the following day to go home. We made it though!! lol. This one had lots more intrigue going on, Ash wasn't exactly very friendly, was he? I want to know what he is so cagey about, only wanting to talk to Kayla. Another excellent chapter, my friend. Well done. :) Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019


reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019
    Thanks for your review, Sandra. Appreciated, as always. I remember watching quite a few landings like that at Flying Training School - some without the excuse of bad weather! LOL. All good wishes, Tony.