Angel Gear

Yours is a great plot. This may attract anyone.
Narrative and characterization is fine. This must reach market.
with best wishes
Ajay

Great pitch - maybe she could look after my Charlie - if she gets her own problems sorted out

This is an intriguing story. Angela is a good character. She certainly seems guilty when a body is found in her car; makes a reader want to keep turning pages to see how this will all turn out. I'm adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Angel Gear

Your characters make this book; anything that uses the slight humour to hide characters behind like people do in the real world has a touch of genius to me.
Such a very well written book, why this isn’t flying is probable more to do with politics then writing ability.

One of the best books on this site! Seriously Authonomy take notice - BACKED

Liz
The Cheech Room

Nice! :) Reading this was just so easy - it flowed off the page beautifully. For some reason that I can't quite pin down it reminded me of To Kill A Mockingbird, but I'm not sure in exactly what sense or in what way. The characters were pretty good but the dialogue was very good, something that very few writers achieve on this site I find. Well done and backed! :)

Hi Katja. Great pitch. Read a few chapters then skipped in a ways. Very nice. Writing is clean, clear and the story is well presented. Good flow nothing I can see to crit. Well worth backing. On my shelf and best of luck with it.

John Harold McCoy - Bramwell Valley

This is a very attractive book, full of interesting characters and events. Angela is a very well drawn character, natural and realistic, with that touch of humour in her thoughts and speech which make a book so much more enjoyable. The setting, in a Barristers' Chambers, reminiscent of Rumpole, is enjoyable in itself, and the cast of characters is varied and full of diversity. You clearly know your background. The first scene, in court, while both engrossing and funny, was also drawn with great attention to detail and accuracy. The situation in Chambers, with Angela being treated pretty unfairly, it seems, takes us into a position of partisanship, preparing us for the later need to feel supportive of her when she becomes a suspect in a murder case. The plot holds great promise of exciting developments. I like your writing style, slick, easy to read, and witty. This is an excellent example of the sort of book I really enjoy. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

The amateur sleuth genre always a favourite and Angel Gear does not disappoint. Intriguing, well thought out plot. A realism about the characters. Courtroom study as with several other aspects covered written knowingly.

Hi Katja, Immersing. When you mentioned the lovestruck jury members, you had me reading all the details of that trial – because they were presented with the trial’s impact. Angela’s other life with the horses was also a captivating panorama and the side issue of her father began to endear her as did her frustrations with law. The Philip thing came off so that it hangs there while she meets the detective. Written with strong character and good flow, all the while preparing the reader with subtle hints about Angela's work. A read-on! Shelved Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

The pitch is excellently written and the book itself has style, god pace and an excellent story line for a crime novel. Your characters are believable and well flashed out. i also always like to be in the courtroom in books for some reason. Well done, backed with pleasure, I'd buythis in a book shop.
Regards
Chris (inside out)
if you have any time would appreciate a glance at my book

Hi Katja,
A really strong pitch and procedurally this sounded really strong. I like courtroom dramas so this got my attention quickly. The dialogue was sharp and generally the writing, description and narrative worked well. A couple of minor points which I think affect the opening: I think there's a little too much 'telling' us what opposing counsel is doing and not always enough showing, i.e. lack of dialogue; and also in some places some of the emotions are told rather than shown, e.g. 'His honour was unimpressed' - in what way and how? That said, I did enjoy it and I don't think it would take much to make this even stronger. Miles.

The pitch pulled me in. SHELVED!

I could use your comments on my book when you get a chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Intriguing premise and quick dialogue make this a promising read!

Aloha
V
Hawaiian Orchid
Backed!

I loved this - an intriguing peek into the back-stabbing world of high-pressure law. I can't offer any criticisms as it was all so well done! Great opening and your characters are deep and believable. Happy to back!

Jonathan Watts
Jenvilno

Great way to introduce your MC, in the court room... and what she has to deal with.

You dialogue is crisp and realistic and your prose great for the genre.

My only suggestion would be to break up your pitch into short paragraphs makes it easier to read online. Same with some of your bulkier paragraphs. White space is good when reading online. :-)

Aside from this small suggestion I think you have a great solid story here.

Backed

Jo xx

Spoilt

Love your book. Extremely well-written and the type of mystery/crime book that I can't wait to finish! Please finish book and post the rest! I am shelving your book with the hopes the rest is as good as the first 20,000 words.
Jane Cooper, The Transformer.

I really like your voice and the fast-paced style with lots of realistic dialogue to move the plot along. Your heroine is very life-like, showing a barrister as a real person rather than a stuffy old lawyer. Will read more. Backed.
Tania, This Last Summer

'The higher the bible, the lower the truth'. This is a line that sets the tone for the nov. I have not completed the full eleven chapters so far but I've seen enough to become engrossed with the developing storyline. This book has much to commend and I've no reason to believe that later chapters will lessen its quality.
Frank

Great courtroom drama. If he hasn't already read it, get Charles Utley to read it.
Best wishes
Sue
A Boy Called George

Katja, loved this.The opening is elegant but hilarious, the sophisticated lawyer unable to be shocked anymore. Yours are the only court scenes I've ever read about without wanting them to end quickly. There are little hints of something minatory, though,which,when written in the first person,adds extra tension. Want to call out, 'It's behind you!' Very well done. Shelved.Lynn

I like the conversation, and the language is fitting for a courtroom setting. It seems a story told by a lawyer, from that perspective. I thought it was inriguiging and moved along at a good pace. You could have more character descriptions in there- in Ch 1 you mention the blue eyes of the client and his quivering lower lip- that sort of description is quite good for fleshing out the story and making it more vivid. Backed!

Nicely paced and economic writing that carries the tension in the plot well. I like crime fiction (as does my wife) and I think this to be better than some of the books we have picked up from the bookstore. If I had one area for you to look at, it would be some of the longer sentences. I find it easy to get lost amidst one, so you might like to think about chopping them in half where necessary. Best way to pick the ones that don't work to well is o read them out loud and see how natural they feel. Best of luck.

Andrew

Katja,

You are either a lawyer yourself, or have done your research thoroughly. The court scene is sharp and engaging and sets up a plethora of questions. Just what is needed for this genre. I did wonder about one of the jury being connected (though distantly) to the defendant, but maybe you have a reason for this.

I like the dry wit and the snappy colloquial dialogue. You do this very well. And you weave in a thread of menace with a touch of genius.

This promises to be a very good thriller, with the potential to appeal to a wide audience.

On my shelf.

Sheila (Pinpoint - a psychological legal thriller)

Good story, characters draw the reader in! Read chapters 1, 7, and 11.

Backed

Jill

This is a most engaging thriller, with a well-drafted storyline and strong characterisations. The plot is fast and furious and your descriptive passage lend an air of forboding and menace. I'm pleased to back this. Best wishes, Tony.

The story is strong right from the start. Strong scenes and narrative in perfect balance. I have no nits. You have taken something that can be very boring (court) and framed it in a witty and entertaining way. I'll put this on my shelf. Good luck. Connie

This is a book with a nice twist. I glanced at a few chapters and found them enjoyable. I am giving this a place on my shelf.

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

Katja

I read chapter one and six ....I am not generally a thriller/crime reader, so frankly feel free to ignore me....But wouldn't thriller readers expect your lawyer to be sharp to the point of terrifying....? I'm not telling I'm asking !!

Leaping forward to chapter 6 I could pick up on plot movement and the storyline to date, which is good...You craft your characters well.....Dialogue is your gift, but I did find the occasional lack of speech qualifiers meant I wasn't sure who was speaking.....

That said, it was a very enjoyable read.....B J WInters has a book on the site , The Ghost Writer, BJ opens with a court drama. You might want to cast your eyes over it....

Shelved with pleasure....

Your main character has a strong, smart voice that makes me want to read on. My only nitpick is the name (and title) which seems unlikely. Shelved.

Many thanks, Marion, much appreciated.
The title refers to the term for allowing a vehicle to coast in neutral, usually downhill of course. You save fuel but you haven't got much control - like my MC.

Katja,

This is a switch -- for once a court drama where the lawyer isn't spectacularly brilliant. Your mc is all the more interesting for her lack of skill at her job.

The pacing was excellent after the first few paragraphs and characterization is your strength. I did think there was a bit too much telling at first. Give us all the dialogue instead of telling us what it was, but other than that, I enjoyed your chapter.

On my shelf,

ML

Ooooooooooo
I like this, a lot.
The idea is there. The first person voice in the first chapter was engaging.
This does need work. people will talk about your speech tags, you have a lot of them, these aren't needed if your speech is good enough, and your dialogue is good enough.
If I were you I would keep an eye on the lengthy paragraphs, they could be cut down, parred back and easier on the readers eye and it would up your fluidity.
That said, this is a cracking start to the book.
Backed.
T.L Tyson-Seeking eleanor

Shelved. This took me in from the word go and
the suspense mounted from then on. Yo have
mastered the thriller and whodunnit technique.
All the best..........Mikey The Free

The style of the narrator (or your writing) seems to suit the legal setting of the book, as it is quite direct and to the point but also quite amusing in places. I liked the little asides and observations that are made, such as when she substitutes her original thoughts for something very polite and demure, which tells us a lot about the character. having read the pitch first I am waiting to see how the court scene has relevance to the story outlined, but would happily read on to find out as there is much here of interest.
Kendall Craig, The Halo (of Delight)

To think that before authonomy I'd never tried any chick-lit...and now I have to try some everyday.
This is well written and, I feel, more than just chick-lit.
Backed.

Katja, I'm a little confused by this book. I was initially attracted by the Long Pitch and launched into Ch.1 with enthusiasm. I found that you could write well, with naturalistic dialogue, and reproduce an authentic Court scene which held my attention. It all looked very promising. But there are some worrying faults:

(1) I read on, up to the start of Ch.8, and still no body in the boot. Now, your Long Pitch approximates to the blurb on the back (or inside cover, if you're lucky enough to be hard-backed) of your book and it's often the sole criterion for purchase. Any reader relishing a body in the boot and not finding one within a couple of chapters would be justified in feeling peeved and more than a little cheated at this.

(2) This is presented as a disenchanted-barrister-in-peril story. However, we are diverted (protesting, in my case) into equestrian avenues that seem to have no relevance to the story. This, again, is cheating the reader. Not only that, but it's padding. There should be nothing in your book that doesn't either lend characterisation or take the plot forward. By all means let your MC have a love of horses but don't let them gallop into your story.

(3) Your dialogue is refreshingly authentic but, again, a lot of it is padding. You make a neat point in the coffee shop about Mrs Dawlish -- "Twenty-five minutes early and she blames me for being late" -- and then, in essence, say the same thing to Roisin. And is it essential to your story that you record the offer of a second cup of tea to Mrs Dawlish, which is refused, and Raj thanked? No, of course not. It's padding and it ought to go.

Katja, I believe that if you cut away all the adipose tissue (the horses and superfluous dialogue), underneath there will be a lean and well-written thriller. Because of the book's potential, and the fact that you obviously have a flair for writing and should be encouraged, I am happy to give this a backing. But do, please, take my advice.

Richard Maitland
The Sex Stone of Agassia

I really like this work - well written

Backed

Kev(catherine wheel alley)

Angel Gear

Hi Katja,

This begins powerfully, a dip straight into the first person POV and after a little quite neat and tidy scene-setting we are into the story proper. You do the familiar court scene stuff really well, rich and engaging, helped enormously by the little asides to camera you weave into the narrative. The main character is intelligent, cheeky and world-weary, a really savvy operator. I was immediately engaged in the story and kept on reading for more chapters that I normally would. You have the perfect narrative voice for this kind of story, gritty, hard-nosed and taking no-nonsense from the world. The premise is great, a good hook and it twists and turns expertly, if this doesn’t make it with a publisher then there is little hope for the rest of us. If you have the time to peek at my book it would be so helpful at this stage in the game.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W
(Sanctuary’s Loss)

Well written and polished. Happliy shelved.
Jeanne (Dark Angel)

I read the pitch and wanted to read the book. The following comments are meant as constructive criticism and are from an amateur and unpublished writer.

The courtroom scene of the first chapter was good and written in a friendly almost comedic style that got this reader onside and rooting for Angela.

Moving on to Chapter 2 I found the style and pace completely different and some very hefty paragraphs made for heavy reading but,spurred on by the promise of the pitch I continued to Chapter 3. Here I was disappointed by the horses and felt that you were assuming the reader to be interested in them (I am afraid that this one isn't) and in my opinion you wrote too much about them.

Still spurred on by the promise of the pitch I read Chapter 4. Here the pace of the first chapter returned and I enjoyed it.

I have not read further but my problem with the book is that, whilst you are clearly a good writer and seem to know your courtroom stuff, we seem to be a long time getting to "dead colleague found in your car" which is the hook that got me reading.

I am sure that if you could get all the chapters to have the same appeal as the first and fourth you will be successful.

I don't know how long your finished novel is but feel that some trimming would help.

I am still happy to back for your ability to get me to read from the pitch alone and for your attractive writing style.

Good luck
John

This is a very well written book, the author must have a great knowledge of the workings of the law to be able to write so accurately. This book pulled me into this world of law courts and crime and held me to the last chapter, this is a winner. Glad it is on my shelf.

Nicely paced for the genre. Not a crime fiction fan myself, though it would be crime if i did not back this for some . The court room scene was a little different to what i usually read, and it actually drew me in a little deeper. On the whole i think i would read on, despite it not being my type of book. So...

BACKED

Nicely paced for the genre. Not a crime fiction fan myself, though it would be crime if i did not back this for some . The court room scene was a little different to what i usually read, and it actually drew me in a little deeper. On the whole i think i would read on, despite it not being my type of book. So...

BACKED

Thank you so much to everyone who has read and commented (and backed!). I am really thrilled that it is going down well, my aim is to write light and enjoyable books - I want to write the sort of books that I enjoy reading on planes and trains. Thanks too for the comments about style, I am on a very steep learning curve here! - I am trying to pre-edit my later chapters so I don't keep falling into the long and convoluted sentence hole, but a few are always to going to escape so I really, really appreciate having them rounded up for me! In fact I can see I have just written yet another one! - bit of a slow learner, obviously.
Just a few days into Authonomy and I am bowled over by the depth of talent here, and I'm also enjoying reading genres I rarely consider.

Katja, I'd been waiting for you to upload your book, but missed it until now as I've been away for a few days. Good cover, Short pitch works well, longer pitch as well, although a couple of very long sentences in there - perhaps short and snappy works better in a pitch? Just my opinion.
Crime fiction, very much in my comfort zone as a reader, and your opening chapter starts off with a highly plausible courtroom scene and excellent snappy dialogue. In your prose sections, you certainly favour the long drawn-out sentences and I wonder whether you could take a look at this aspect of your writing style. There's nothing wrong with a long sentence, certainly not where the punctuation is so correct, but having regard to the nature of the book, crime fiction, I'd be a little concerned that such long sentences interfere with the flow of the book. It's my opinion again, but I read a lot of crime fiction, write in the genre as well, and it is an area you may want to consider.
Good hook at the end of chapter 1, slightly underplayed if anything, and the story continues from here in. Most of chapter 1 has been by way of introducing Angela to the reader and doesn't help the ensuing story a great deal. I don't have a problem with that as you write with such authenticity about court procedure that it stands on its own as an introduction, but at some stage it may be pointed out that the real story begins in later chapters.
I loved the descriptions of Dhurry in chapter 3, "when she was asleep she looked, although certainly did not sound, exactly like a dead sheep," and, "she was not a morning person." You know about law and you know about dogs, a good mixture.
I've looked back at this before posting and am concerned that you'll think I'm picking holes in your book. That's certainly not my intention. I like the book very much; well written with a good depth of knowledge in specific areas. My only concerns are with style and as such are purely subjective, open to rejection/ridicule if you choose. I'm making suggestions in the hope that they will improve the perception of a reader towards your book. I wouldn't change a word, they're your words after all, but I'd consider thinking hard about sentence length and also the length of text passages. Purely in the interests of making the book easier to read and thus engage a reader more swiftly.
On my shelf with great pleasure.
Jared

Hi Katja!

Joyce (jawdds) sent me your way... She's my best friend and is here to help me, and now she's scouting new talent for me. And darnit if she isn't REALLY good at it!!!

Nice pitch, and your storyline is really compelling. My favorite thing about your first chapter is that it's jam-packed with dialogue that tells your story through your characters. Nice way to bring your characters to life without a huge information dump to set up the book!!! Reading on, but pausing briefly to shelf and leave a comment. Great job, and welcome!!!

Kim
Invisible Justice

The pitch pulled me in, and the first chapter kept me reading.
KC
The Mysterious Legend of Vladimir

Personally, and what else really, this ha a great premise, a rather breath-taking (in the sense I really had to gasp for breath at the long sentences :-) pitch (maybe put some full-stops in there) and extremely good writing. You obviously know your stuff, but I thought the court scene, and most of chapter one, to be honest, didn't really get us into the plot, even though it ended on a good hook. Prune, edit and keep up the great writing all at once and you've got a superb novel on this genre.

Sarah (A Midsummer Night's Secret)

Wonderful pitch-it drew me in right away! The writing is terrific; I can see in my mind's eye the Detective flirting with the juror number 4..."the higher the Bible, the lower the truth"--great writing. Absolutely wonderful. I cannot wait to sit and read more, but for now, you are on my shelf!

Joyce (jawdds)

I agree with the astute members who have already nacked you. You're on my shelf.

Rodney