Murder They Said

Wonderful humor throughout. Well written. Although it takes a while to get to the murder, the interaction of the characters before the murder is important to see why they react the way they do. Shelved soon!

Bloody marvellous. The first chapter has had me laughing loudly into my screen so much I have to get the wipes out! So reminiscent of parts dear old Gloucestershire. On the shelf - classic British humour. MHM

Very nice indeed. Beautifully written in a sort of relaxed, laid back kind of way. Mrs Devine is a great invention.

Sad to say I've just finished reading the final chapter - when will you finish writing the sequel? I can't imagine anyone not wanting to read to the end of this book, but to save busy readers' time I hope you don't mind me revealing whodunit?
It was... Aaaagghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Looking forward to more Devine and Acres mysteries. I greatly enjoyed the final scenes where they are competing over whose house the killer will be unmasked at!

David,
I see you have a comic murder mystery, and so do I. I love the sub genre. However, as you have not been online for a very long time, i wanted to check if you are interested in comments before I read. Just send me a message if you are.
Regards,
Maeve

Very funny!

Thank you so much for being so positive about the book. It's really given me a lift this cold season to know someone appreciates it.

All the best,

David

A very appealing, light-hearted romp. Just right for beating the winter blues. I also would have liked to get to the murder earlier but it didn't spoil my enjoyment. The characters are pure comedy.

Finally had a chance to read some of MURDER THEY SAID. Very clever blend of character building and humor, combined with a well structured plot, guaranteed to please the most critical of readers. IMHO. I liked this one so much, I have given it the ultimate promotion. I have placed it on my author bio page as only the third Authonomy book I've chosen to permanently be recommended, long after I have removed it from my shelf.

My very best to you, and good luck with this novel.

Sincerely,

Emmett
(E M Delaney)
-THE VIRUS

Coming Soon:
MIRACLE IN THE SWAMP

A charming read. Humourous, witty and utterly English!
Alison Butler

Clever and creative. Very quaint characters. I only got through ch4 thus far but I will read more later tonight.

I had already backed it after scanning as I knew it would be a good read.

Good luck

Emmett
(E M Delaney)
-THE VIRUS

Comiong Soon:
MIRACLE IN THE SWAMP

Clever, humorous and quaint.

Very droll. I liked the guide book horning in every once in a while. It reminded me of little Britain. All up, a good humorous story.
Backed and starred.

A humerous concept, well written. Reminiscent of the wonderful works of E.F. Benson. Backed.

Dear David. A wonderful concept here - two competing female detectives let loose in a traditional English murder mystery. It made me laugh and kept me entertained the whole way through. What more could anyone ask for?

Hi David,

Anyone who comes up with such a scrumptious location as 'Dodsbury on the Sodd' deserves closer scrutiny! I shall back your book and put it in my watchlist for further perusal when I have the time. I'm a writer of comedy myself, and it's refreshing to stumble upon a writer of genuine wit. A body in the Bring and Buy tombola is a terrific way to start things off!

'Murder They Said' shows the money in the opening segment in italics. Subdued but nonetheless brim-full of wit. This homage to Agatha, Mortimer and others is achieved without one iota of plagiarism and gives double billing to two sleuths of dogged perseverance and with an air of low key comedy that delights. BACKED Robert Davidson. The Tuzla Run

Hi David, nice, interesting story. Appreciate the way you string your sentences together, logically one to the other.

blessings,
jim
jack & charmian london

Talented writing and an intriguing storyline make this easy to back.

Liz
The Cheech Room
A Fine Pickle

This is terrific. I love everything about it. Backed.

You have written a very interesting, humourous and unique storyline, which I do like, and created a most memorable main character in Mrs. Devine. The dialogue is realistic and well written and the pace of your story flows well. All of this along with your descriptive writing makes your work a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

I can see a great talent at work here. I am very fond of this type of murder mystery. Very well written and backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Dear David

I would like to commend you on the skill you have and the imagination and the talent in writing this work of art of yours. I wish I had half of your talent. Where does one get such original work like this, such a gift. I feel sure you feel like me that it is your baby and you so want to see it succeed. I do wish you all the best in rising and also getting this book of your published

.
Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK also

The VERY best of luck to you

BACKED FOR SURE BY ME
Denise
The Letter

Dear David, I love your murder mystery :) - it reminds me of Angela Lansbury's tv series. :) Charming, even though there are murders :) - the rivalry to solve is great. :) Chapter 23 is something else already. :) Your pitch enticed me to read your story & your crisp dialogue & paragraphs moved your story right along. :) I'm backing your book :) - could you please take a moment to back my memoir book? :) Thanks so very much. :) Love, Susie :)

Mrs Bradley versus an arsenic version of Miss Marple, coupled with a touch of Dangerous Davies;
Midsomer Murders would have a field day with this one . . .(although I believe they go in for slightly higher body counts :D)
Huge fun, a comfortable read, hope this is with an agent/publisher . . .backed enthusiastically.

Very witty and humorous! A cozy murder mystery like the incomperable Miss Marple. Backed, of course!

Give mine a read, and back it if you feel it's worthy.
Best,
Robert James Glider
Golden Conspiracy

Your description of "St. Dod" as a martyr is classic! I was rolling! Excellent dark humor! Backed!

Teric Darken

(K - I - L - L FM 100 / U-Turn Killur)

Absolutely my kind of book from the first paragraph through the first three chapters I'm laughing and engrossed in your writing! So so glad it is all here so I can return to this tonight! BACKED with pleasure and a chuckle of course!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Hi David -- Very, very funny. Backed with tears and painful ribs,
Best wishes, Barry
(Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

This is a very enjoyable book. Your pitch is full of interest and amusement. Jessica Fletcher (or perhaps Mrs Pargeter?) meets Miss Marple, from the sound of it, and what could be better? Add the setting of a pretty, peaceful English village where the murders happen every hour on the hour, and you have everything needed for an excellent book. You begin beautifully, with some very funny quotes from Mrs Devine's guidebook to set both the mood and the scene, and as you move on you go from strength to strength. Mr Davis's embarrassment when he offers to help Coombs is marvellous, for instance. You introduce a range of entertaining and individual characters, while keeping them different enough for there to be no fear of us getting mixed up. Your style is full of a pleasant irony, and is smooth and readable. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Once again not a book I would normally read, and again, I am glad I did. I have just finished reading chapter 6, the bit that really struck me near the end of the chapter, was the mistake of thinking a bed bottle to be a vase, and a china one at that! Great stuff and good writing. Good Luck David. Backed.
Norman. The Witch of Hambone Bk.3. And Muddedydo.

Delightful. Very Agatha Christie like.
Krystiana
Surviving the Earthquake

Hi David,

Many thanks for backing "The Doctor of Summitville" and for remining me of your book. I remember commenting, and my notes say, "Back this one for a promising read in the cozy tradition, with fine characterization, clear action, and subtle humor." But did I follow through and shelve it? Not sure, so I'll do so now.

All the best, Bill

ARISE, AUTHONOMY GHOST!

Ease those weary, withered limbs from your coffin. Push away the stone from the mouth of the tomb.

You have one last task to perform. One last, sacred shelf to confer.

Whether you were plugger, spammer, gusher or troll, whether you flirted or fought in the forum or beavered away in the shadows, now is the time for your resurrection.

One last time. Marshall your strength, muster the last vestiges of your power and carry out your final Authonomy act:

Back my book, MIRROR IN THE SKY.

Then, only then, you may rest easy in your Authonomy grave.

Nick Poole2 (formerly known as NickP)

Very polished writing, that was extremely entertaining to read.

One little nit I found, 2nd para from the end of chap one, she mused with disdain that it was unlikely that that fabric could take a decent boil wash. Should that be, that the fabric?

Good luck with it.

Melxx
Impeding Justice

Hi David,

I'm so glad I came across MURDER THEY SAID. As my profile states, I'm a big fan of Agatha Christe, and your book is both a nifty satire of Miss Marples (and the non-Agatha Christie creation, whose name escapes me now, the bored 1920s socialite, Mrs. Someone, whom Diana Rigg used to play on TV), as well as being a fun whodunit in and of itself.

I'm happy to back your book, and wish you much success with it.

And if you do have time, I'd appreciate if you could take a look at my book, A TASTE OF VOODOO.

Best wishes,
Douglas Braverman

Very good opening, witty, charming I especially liked the "sod!" he cried part and Mrs Devine's reaction, she does seem quite pompous, in a charming way. Excellent writing and very funny. Already shelved.

Sandie
The Crown of Crysaldor

Hello David, This is a truly enjoyable read. I could see this as a TV comedy series - I can't seem to get Lady Penelope out of my mind!! Love the line 'Coombe don't flirt on my time.' I can picture the scene. This is English writing at its best - country lanes and a Rolls gliding along the road. I wish to read more when I have time, but until then, I am backing it. SHELVED.

Phyllis Burton (Would you like to read my story - very English and Scottish!)
A Passing Storm

David, superb, very British humour, and I love the details of the countryside,the cricket whites versus the blood-smeared matador, (great MC emerging here) and the King's Elbow had me hysterical as my local haunt when in England is the King's Arms - so this is both a fun read an a gorgeous piss-take of all things English, but done with love. Backed with pleasure.

This really is good stuff, David. On my shelf.

I haven't looked at your bio but I wouldn't be at all surprised if you've already got a good track record of publication?? The opening chapter is just so smooth. The prose is polished with a relaxed, elegant, almost timeless quality - just right for this type of book. Convincing and often very funny dialogue (I esp liked Mrs D's scolds to Coombs - close that window, don't flirt etc - says so much about their relationship) The humour is nicely judged. It's dry and quite restrained but never prim (I loved Coombs' line about what was pleasure for him was business for her and Mrs D's observations on foreplay!!) The guidebook inserts work really well (loved the Betjeman quote and so want it to be true!) The plot sounds well thought-out and, esp with your clever use of humour, should appeal to a broad cross-section of readers.

There aren't many books on the site I can see being published, David. This is definitely one. Thanks and best of luck.

Observations on Ch1:
Maybe have ref to the car in opening para. I assumed she was on a train??

How old is Mrs Devine? I pictured someone in her sixties/seventies but her ref to her 'wonderful figure' threw me??

I don't think I quite believe that Coombs would not be wearing underpants or that he'd undo his trousers like that in the car??

When is this set? VPL is a very modern 'concept'. Even if it is modern, I don't think Mrs D would be aware of the phrase??

'telephone in advance'

'Ladies' Night'

'occasionally puts'

'when its lawn mower' [also lawnmower not lawn mower]

'as gracefully as he could manage' - wandering POV??

I think, by the end of ch1, I would have liked to know a little bit more about Mrs D. Is she married, divorced, widowed? Children? Just a bit more to flesh out her character.

Amusing and amazing at the same time. I enjoyed this very much. On my shelf.

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

A smooth read, very professional, original, polished.
Frank

Hi David,

Very nice writing, with just the right touch of satire and excellent description, viewed through the eyes of Mrs Devine, Coombs, and Miss Acres. I see the characters clearly, and foresee the conflict to come. "This was going to be a good, peaceful summer" assures us that it won't be.

After long years of editing, however, minor flaws tend to jump out at me. If you don't mind, I'd like to mention a few:

--In your title, I'd put a comma after "Murder." I believe one appeared in "Murder, She Wrote," and your paraphrase should be faithful as well as grammatical.

--Delete the hyphen in "smartly-dressed chauffeur." (Standard in forming an adjective with an -ly adverb.)

--Insert a comma in "Nothing Coombs."

--Insert a comma before "since" in "mistake again since . . . ," where "since" means "because."

--"trug" is not in my Webster and won't work in the U.S.

--Change "which" to "that" in "her keen eye which." Though "which" is not incorrect, most grammarians prefer "that" in restrictive use.

--Insert a comma after "painting" in "painting she thought."

--Insert a comma after "driving" in "After two hours of driving his blood supply . . ."

--I stumbled over "stood the lady dismissed by Mrs. Devine," wondering whether it meant "discharged." Consider: "stood Miss Acres, dismissed by Mrs. Devine as . . ." I think it would also aid the shift in POV.

--Delete the redundant "from the car."

--To avoid "that that," I'd prefer "that the."

I've made room on my shelf for "Murder, They Said." I hope you'll take a look at my rural love story "The Doctor of Summitville."

Good luck, Bill

David, this is completely charming. I love an English type mystery, and this one has delicious humor.
Congratulations on a fine job of writing! Best of luck with this! Jedward (Brünnhilde)

David
Short Pitch
I cant think of too many small villages in England that are used to coping with murder ? That statement confused me.

Chapter 1
*how it got its unusual name......I'd say....How it came to be named....

*chauffeur got out of the car as gracefully as he could manage......(I cant see this) the chauffeur stepped smartly from the car........

*her eyes weren't what they were................(her eyes are what they are),,, you mean, they weren't as sharp as they used to be....

I was concious of the word 'got' popping up frequently.

This reminded me of the young Angela Langsberry in a smart skirt...

......I think the guide book reflection should be short and snappy....It's not guidebook speak, (I used to edit holiday brochures)......You've written the guide book text in the same style as your narration.....It should sound as though crafted by a different author.....

That said, this is an enjoyable read...Characterization is your speciality...

Shelved.

Dear David,

Mrs. Devine is divine ... Coombs, don't flirt on my time.
This is an immensly enjoyable quirky crime-comedy complexified by competing ladies, characters you'd only ever find in good old England.
Backed with pleasure.

Pia (Course of Mirrors)

I backed this in the last bookshelf go around and forgot to comment. It is a delightful book.
I found it and was so glad to read it. I enjoyed the book and have nothing negative to say about it.

David,

Judging from the comments previously posted and your profile, looks like you've taken a break perhaps to do some editing. I also see that you've updated it today.

I didn't read any of the previous versions, but I sure do like what's posted now. From the pitches to the writing, this is a well crafted piece of work. The humor just gives it some extra "flavor.".

Shelved
Rodney

This story has everything right: good voice, humor, character and plot development.

A nice spoof on the classic whodunit which, besides being spot-on with its parodying, is also shaping up to be a good mystery in its own right - with a generous dollop of social satire thrown in for good measure. This is consistently chucklesome and laugh-out-loud funny in many places.

I think that, in order to succesfully parody a genre, you have to have a genuine affection for your subject, and you display that in spades. An intricate plot, a glorious array of quirky village characters with all their hidden resentments and enmities, and what is shaping up to be a battle royal between Devine and Acres, with the hapless Inspector Tiny caught in the middle.

Happy to back this!

Murder They Said is a real gem - a very accomplished piece of work. I like the unhurried pace before the murders, to give us time to have a giggle about your characters, who you paint for us very vividly. A very British novel, told in a laid-back style, and it's impossible not to back an author who spills the beans about the Great Mole Invasion of 1944!

David,
This is the kind of very British story that I adore. I am sure this would be perfect for a film. Shelved.
Nillan
Blue-eyed in Luhya-land

I love whodunnit's and this one is no exception filled with suspense and intrigue. well written with a good pace. It's nice to see a woman sleuth. Angela Lansbury 'eat your heart out!' This is well done. Alice. castell Brenin.

Okay. I admit it. I scanned. But as soon as I read...her French farmhouse turned out to have an actual farm attached...catastrophe! yep, I've met Mrs Devine (many times). I'm gonna love this. On my shelf. Good luck.