A thought-provoking review

[John Dean]

Reviews are part of a writer’s life and most reviewers are positive; even if they do not like the book (I am fortunate in that the vast majority of Amazon reviewers do like my work) they try to be constructive and explain why. I respect that and my view is that if the reviewer makes a valid point a writer can learn from it.

Some reviews pose thought-provoking  questions. A recent review of The Long Dead said that DCI John Blizzard got on the reviewer’s nerves. Interesting point; Blizzard is the main character in the Blizzard series and I do not set out to make him likeable. He is irascible, can be judgemental and has a sharp tongue. However, there is much to like about him as well; loyalty, unexpected shows of affection, dedication to locking up the bad guys and gals.

Will I, as the reviewer suggests, give him a ‘character upgrade’? Only in the sense that he evolves as a human being as the series progresses and he gets older but in a funny way, if the character irritates a reviewer perhaps it shows that I have created someone real? Job done?

You can buy The Long Dead at https://www.amazon.co.uk/LONG-DEAD-gripping-detective-Blizzard-eboo...