Well, Jack, I've read the whole thing now and can give you an overall review of the piece, rather than picking away at details. In these last few exerpts there has been little to say since the writing has been sound and without error - most professional and well edited. My impression of the whole novella is that it's a tight and interesting story written with considerable panache and style. I must admit that I was surprised how quickly it ended once Borden had opted to agree to joining the company. It felt as though you spent a long time in setting up the tale, dealing with the introduction and painting a few scenes of his first impressions of the enterprise, then reached a tipping point where the action began, the pace quickened a great deal, and we rushed on to the ending. This leads to a slight imbalance in the book, two thirds being concerned with the intro and only a third with the actual story. I think this is necessary since the book is the first in a series - very little intro will be required in the following works and it is inevitable that the first must bear the weight of world creation. But I mention it because it places pressure upon you to get the other books done soon. It occurs to me that this may be just the spur you need to begin work on the next one - as it would be to me. The feeling is also the result of the case being pretty open and shut - once they begin work on it, it brings itself to a close very quickly. Future episodes will have to be more complex to continue the interest sparked in the reader by this one. I definitely feel that I want to read more of Borden's adventures having read this and just a little disappointed that it ended as quickly as it did. Perhaps that's in the nature of novellas - I haven't read a lot of 'em. Anyway, it's a wonderful achievement and I must congratulate you on your success in completing it so well and without major hiccup. You almost make me feel as though I want to write some of the books that have lurked in my head for so long. But it's too late for me and I shall stick with my silly little short stories written so that I can spend my last days in WDC. My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
|