The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 107 "Snakes Alive!"A Novel
21 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
That is a very interesting story. I knew Jeanne couldn't be trusted. I don't understand why anybody would even want her around. I do feel Kayla will be in great danger again, as they attempt to rescue Helen
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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That is a very interesting story. I knew Jeanne couldn't be trusted. I don't understand why anybody would even want her around. I do feel Kayla will be in great danger again, as they attempt to rescue Helen
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Barbara. Jeanne certainly does seem to be the villain of the piece. I suppose one thing in her favour, though, is that she is fighting in the war against drugs.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-This is an excellent chapter, Tony, that moves
the story along by having Kayla fill
Charles in with background information.
-It flows well with good description and dialogue.
-The inclusion of the pear was a good way to
connect to the earlier chapters with Bamforth.
-Kayla tells her story well, and Charles is a good listener.
-I like the way he gently encourages her
to continue but keep focused on Jeanne.
-Kayla shows how Jeanne really has her
own agenda and doesn't give a thought to
anyone else and what might happen to them.
-That has seemed to be the case all along with her.
-I think the snake is an apt symbol for her, too!
-The description of the brawl was done very well.
-I hope Kayla is not going to be the scapegoat for
the whole situation, but somehow, it looks like that
may be the case. That would be very sad, though.
-I like the description of Ash at the end; it is
also a good way to move the story forward.
-Well done!
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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-This is an excellent chapter, Tony, that moves
the story along by having Kayla fill
Charles in with background information.
-It flows well with good description and dialogue.
-The inclusion of the pear was a good way to
connect to the earlier chapters with Bamforth.
-Kayla tells her story well, and Charles is a good listener.
-I like the way he gently encourages her
to continue but keep focused on Jeanne.
-Kayla shows how Jeanne really has her
own agenda and doesn't give a thought to
anyone else and what might happen to them.
-That has seemed to be the case all along with her.
-I think the snake is an apt symbol for her, too!
-The description of the brawl was done very well.
-I hope Kayla is not going to be the scapegoat for
the whole situation, but somehow, it looks like that
may be the case. That would be very sad, though.
-I like the description of Ash at the end; it is
also a good way to move the story forward.
-Well done!
Comment Written 18-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Thanks very much for your review and detailed observations, Pam. You'll be pleased to hear that I think I've now got the ending worked out - more or less! LOL As always, I very much appreciate the sixth star. Best wishes, Tony
p.s. We had real rain here last night, the first in many months. Anna, too. Her water tanks are full, their dam is also beginning to fill again, and they have a plague of cane toads!
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You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Tony. I heard from the grapevine that I have been reading a lot of words:) I am glad to hear you are piecing together the end. That is an important step.
I am also very glad to hear about the rain and dams and water tanks filling. Great news. I don't know what a cane toad is, but I could probably do without them, but I think at this point you take whatever, as long as there is rain and water!
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Cane toads are an introduced species that have no natural enemies in Australia. They have bred in their millions throughout the tropical areas and are a real menace, having poison glands on their necks that can kill a small child or a pet that might lick one. It?s an interesting but macabre tale if you care to look it up in the internet.
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Thanks for sharing, Tony, but I will leave the "macabre tale" to you! I'm not sure introduced species are such a good idea.
Comment from Cindy Warren
If I were Charles, I wouldn't know who to trust. This Jeanne sounds like she has her own agenda. Kayla's desire for revenge could be dangerous. But Charles can't manage on his own, can he? I guess he has to take a chance.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2020
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If I were Charles, I wouldn't know who to trust. This Jeanne sounds like she has her own agenda. Kayla's desire for revenge could be dangerous. But Charles can't manage on his own, can he? I guess he has to take a chance.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2020
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Thanks for your comments, Cindy. Charles seems to find problems, no matter which way he turns.
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Jeanne seems to be the cog that keeps all the wheels turning.
threw the remains of the pear against the trunk of a tree. Its flesh caught in the bark like a bug smashed against a windscreen. - great description Tony really shows Charles emotions. Enjoying the drama of these chapters, and the build up of tension - will Helen get back to Charles? does she want too? interesting.
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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Jeanne seems to be the cog that keeps all the wheels turning.
threw the remains of the pear against the trunk of a tree. Its flesh caught in the bark like a bug smashed against a windscreen. - great description Tony really shows Charles emotions. Enjoying the drama of these chapters, and the build up of tension - will Helen get back to Charles? does she want too? interesting.
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 16-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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I appreciate your comments, Valda. Not far from the climax now! Thanks very much for the sixth star. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter that fills in some of the details alluded to earlier in the story. It seems there are villains everywhere, though some may be well disguised and turn out to be good guys. Good element with the viper and rat references, too.
It seems you may be preparing the reader for some bad ending for Kayla, just when I was beginning to feel sympathy for her situation. In fact, I rather like her character.
Your descriptions and dialogue are excellent.
The final countdown is drawing near.
We'll see who is holding a pear (or is that a pair) in the end.
Well done
Robert
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter that fills in some of the details alluded to earlier in the story. It seems there are villains everywhere, though some may be well disguised and turn out to be good guys. Good element with the viper and rat references, too.
It seems you may be preparing the reader for some bad ending for Kayla, just when I was beginning to feel sympathy for her situation. In fact, I rather like her character.
Your descriptions and dialogue are excellent.
The final countdown is drawing near.
We'll see who is holding a pear (or is that a pair) in the end.
Well done
Robert
Comment Written 16-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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I'm getting quite attached to Kayla, too. A bit mixed up, but her heart's in the right place. As you say, the story is now drawing towards its climax. Thank God! At last! Some Draconian editing lies ahead to cut it back to a more reasonable length. Thanks for yet another six-star award. All good wishes, Tony
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I'm not sure how long your book is, but I think the average is 250 to 300 pages. Many novels I read are between 500 and 1000 pages.
The longer, the more it costs to print, but it should be as long as it needs to be to have a good story.
Obviously, the size of the font and dimensions of the book will effect the number of pages.
May depend on the publisher, too.
Best wishes.
Robert
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I'm told that 60 000 to 80 000 words is around the standard, and that most publishers won't look at anything from a first time author that is over 120 000.
I'm running at 125 000 words at the moment with a little way to go yet. However, there are quite a few parts that don't contribute much to the main plot. One option might be to split into two separate books, one following the French letter mystery and the other dealing with the recruitment to MI6 and subsequent shenanigans.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. A snake is definitely not a toy to play with, we never know how venomous they can be. One of my neighbors caught a dangerous snake on his premises, the snake did not survive.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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A very well-written chapter. A snake is definitely not a toy to play with, we never know how venomous they can be. One of my neighbors caught a dangerous snake on his premises, the snake did not survive.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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Thank you for your review, Sandra. We have quite a few venomous snakes on our property. I generally leave them alone unless they are close to the house. In those cases, I get my shotgun out.
Comment from lyenochka
Seems like Kayla outsmarted Jeanne. It's good to get this back story about her. I especially liked the play with the sensuality of the pear. (In one of Vonnegut's books, an alien shows the main character a shockingly dirty film and it's of a man eating a pear.) Great drama with the sudden snake appearance and Kayla teasing Charles asking him if he's a rat.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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Seems like Kayla outsmarted Jeanne. It's good to get this back story about her. I especially liked the play with the sensuality of the pear. (In one of Vonnegut's books, an alien shows the main character a shockingly dirty film and it's of a man eating a pear.) Great drama with the sudden snake appearance and Kayla teasing Charles asking him if he's a rat.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Helen. I'm just trying to gather together a few loose ends before the final chapters. I was interested in your comment about Vonnegut. I've been reading a bit about him lately, but have never read any of his books. Maybe I should give one a go.
Comment from w.j.debi
It good to get a bit more backstory Kayla. She is an interesting character. Charles' reaction to the snake was interesting. It seems snakes make a home just about everywhere. And now Ash returns. Hmm.
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2020
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It good to get a bit more backstory Kayla. She is an interesting character. Charles' reaction to the snake was interesting. It seems snakes make a home just about everywhere. And now Ash returns. Hmm.
Comment Written 15-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Debi. Just trying to tie a few loose ends in before the final chapters. I appreciate your review. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from juliaSjames
Interesting back story. I'm not sure what role it will play in the great scheme of things. But no doubt I'll find out in due course.
I admire your vivid writing, Tony. The pear, the viper, Kayla vamping Charles. Well done.
Blessings Julia
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2020
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Interesting back story. I'm not sure what role it will play in the great scheme of things. But no doubt I'll find out in due course.
I admire your vivid writing, Tony. The pear, the viper, Kayla vamping Charles. Well done.
Blessings Julia
Comment Written 15-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Julia. Just trying to tie a few loose ends in before the final chapters. I appreciate your review and supportive comments. All good wishes, Tony
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You're welcome, Tony.
Comment from Bill Pinder
Another excellent chapter in your book as the team prepares to rescue Helen hopefully. Good job with the playful banter between the characters. You mean spies still blush?
Bill
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2020
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Another excellent chapter in your book as the team prepares to rescue Helen hopefully. Good job with the playful banter between the characters. You mean spies still blush?
Bill
Comment Written 15-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Bill. Just trying to tie a few loose ends in before the final chapters. I appreciate your review and supportive comments. I don't think Charles has that element of spy training under his belt yet! All good wishes, Tony
