Kindle British Mystery Book Club discussion

Hi there.
I'm flattered one of my books has been chosen as one of your group reads.I'll check back every so often if anyone has any questions, alternatively, as David said, just drop me a message.
Otherwise I'll leave you to it and hope you enjoy the story. (Nervously biting finger nails)

Thanks again
Dave

Well, David, we're all excited to read it.

I am very excited to have the author at hand to interact with!

Thanks, Kathy. Ask me anything you like!

I just finished the book. I very much enjoyed it! I have some questions, but I am not sure I should ask until others have had a chance to finish. I am looking forward to the discussion though!

Just finished the book and enjoyed it. I loved the imagery of Cornwall. My only request, Dave, is that you write an epilogue to bring a satisfying end to the book and provide closure about all the characters including the villain. I'd like to know that the victims' stories were brought to light. Otherwise, well done.

Thanks for the comments, Mary. I'm really pleased you, Michelle and David enjoyed reading it.

That's an interesting idea about the epilogue. When I finished writing it, I hadn't decided whether I wanted to leave the door open for them to get involved in another adventure. I still haven't! I wanted to leave every available option available to determine what happens to them next.
Although I'm writing books in a different genre at the moment, I may still return to Joe and May in the future.

I hope you pursue a series. I like that Joe is an ex-cop because he brings a professional perspective to an investigation.

Thanks, Mary, that's really great to hear. Perhaps I will in the future!

Make it soon, David, you know I'd love a sequel (better, a series), too

I wish there were just a few more hours to each day, Lynda. Although I wouldn't want those hours to be work hours, just writing hours. Perhaps then I might be able to write a few more books and maybe another mystery.

Don't I know that feeling - and I am at home all day. I've just bought a book, by Rachel Aaron, to help me up my word count (touch wood, it's working so far).

2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love

Hopefully, the next Verity Long comedy whodunit will be out in record time!

OK here goes ....
1) the Cornwall setting was GREAT! I found myself "Google-ing" images of the area. It made me want to visit
2) I still feel like I do not know much about May. What is her backstory?
3)I actually had assumed that it was investigated ...
4) I liked the characters, just wish I knew more about them
5) I loved the plot!
6) Too fast.
7) I am going to be a tough grader and give it a 3+, just because in my opinion it all developed too quickly without much background on the characters.
8) I would really enjoy more books with these characters! I want to see where they go and how their relationship develops.
9) Again YES, I think this author has real talent!

My take:

1) Was the setting in Cornwall a good one? Yes. I haven't visited there, and now I want to.
2) How did you find May to start with? Did she seem like a journalist? I found May a bit judgmental, but perhaps that's not unusual for a journalist. She terribly underestimated David.
3) Did the lack of much of any Police investigation into the swimmers death seem odd? I assumed that because the death was deemed an accident initially, it would not have been investigated much.
4) What did we like or not like about the characters in the book? I liked the characters overall for a cozy mystery. Normally the mysteries I read have characters with a bit more depth and flaws to them that keep me guessing about their actions. May and Joe didn't make me guess about anything but again I feel that is in keeping with a cozy mystery.
5) Was the plot good and did the pace develop at a good pace? Good plot, good pace. It was a good read for warm spring weekend.
6) How was the ending? The book ended too abruptly. I was left feeling there was something missing. There was no closure about the old woman's death and there should have been something about David being locked away and what happened to the mine shares.
7) Rate the book as per goodreads 1-5. I give it a 3.5/4.
8) Would you read another book with the main characters in again. Yes.
9) Would you read another book by this author? Yes.

I hope it's okay for me to post. I really don't want to cramp the discussion!
I agree with the comments from both Michelle and Mary. Looking back, I think there should've been more character development, especially with May. In the first draft, I wrote about her background and her family. Unfortunately it ended up sounding too cliche, so I cut it!

Regarding the ending. Neither of you are the first to suggest it felt too rushed. I really hope it didn't ruin the story for you. I appreciate the feedback and I love hearing how you felt about it. I'll continue trying to develop my style and who knows, maybe I'll fill in some gaps in the future!

Thank you for your positive comments, they're very encouraging.

Hi Dave,

It's wonderful to be able to discuss a book with its author! Thanks for listening to some suggestions but really, the book was a great read. I think as an author you can go crazy listening to every reviewer. When I read reviews on Amazon or Goodreads, I'm amazed at the differing opinions. I recently finished The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald and was flabbergasted that people didn't like this book, but there were certainly harsh criticisms when it was published in the 1920s and today. So I imagine you really have to be careful when you read reviews so that you don't lose your unique voice.

I feel fortunate my book was chosen and that people have actually read it. It's wonderful!
Books mean so much to people for differing reasons and each experience is unique. All the points you and others have raised are weaknesses I knew existed but I'm learning and if course, getting reviews is part of that process.
Thank you to everyone for this opportunity.

Hi Dave,
Don't get down, the book was a great read! I a, hopeful that you will write another with the same characters. I loved loved loved the Cornwall setting. I live is a similar coastal area in the middle of California and now I want to visit Cornwall well I take my trip to the UK next year!

Cornwall is beautiful, Michelle! If the weather is good, there aren't many finer places on earth, in my opinion. And if the weather is bad, its a powerful place to be. I envy anyone who lives near the coast. I live in landlocked Derbyshire, which is spectacular in parts, but it's not the coast.
I'm not down about it. I'm loving the discussion. As I said, I'm learning and this is a fantastic opportunity for me.

Was the setting in Cornwall a good one? Yes, I loved it. I agree with the other reviewers, the book's setting gave the story more depth.

How did you find May to start with? Did she seem like a journalist? Here I agree with the others, I didn't know much about her but I did like the interaction between May and the writer.

Was the plot good and did the pace develop at a good pace? I loved the ending. The story of the miners, especially after I found out it was based on fact, was amazing. I can't believe it happened. The scene in the mine at the end had me on the edge of my seat. You're a great thriller writer, David.

I would love to read your next book, David.

Thank you, Clarissa, that's wonderful to read!

Thanks Ann, really pleased you enjoyed it!
I suppose I was trying to illustrate that David had gone so far and had more or less lost his mind. The casual way he despatched her was just that to him - casual, just another loose thread to get rid of.

I know this thread will close shortly but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who read my book and gave me this opportunity.

Maybe I'll talk to you all again someday!

Thank you
Dave

Oh right, great stuff. I'll keep my eye on it just in case anyone has any more questions for me.

Have you decided to write another May and Joe book? I would love to read another Cornwall-based mystery.

It's not on the cards at the moment, Mary. This year at least, I'm continuing with my Victorian 'chillers' which have proved reasonably popular. However, I am visiting Cornwall again this Summer, to the same place this story was set, so you never know what may crop up! It's a very inspiring place and I'll be taking a notebook with me.

I was slow in getting started on the Swimmer, so here I am. I just finished it. I loved the relationship between May and Joe.
The Cornwall setting was fantastic. I like the set up of this generations-old crime, the old journal, the clergyman, the old lady, and all of it. I do wish that David had been made to face the village with the crimes of his family and that we had found out whether or not mine would reopen, causing the community to prosper. In the NEXT book, hint, hint, May must learn to trust her feelings about people. She knew David was "off" and she should have listened to that intuition. I hope May and Joe can solve more crimes, and that Joe can get beyond what happened to him in the past.

Thank you for those wonderful comments, Kathy! You never know, if I get another one off the ground it may tie up a few of the loose ends!