THE
DELILAH CASE was an Amazon/Penguin Contest quarterfinalist, from 5000 to
250. Below are comments on my
three-chapter excerpt.
Editorial
Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
I would
really love to read more of this novel.
I have so many questions already.
When I first read the pitch, I was alarmed at how ambitious it was, and
was certain it would be very difficult to pull off with skill. So far, I am surprised to say the
excerpt was very well written, easy to follow, and set up a novel which could
be thrilling. Even though the
character and time period changes.
The story seems unapologetically dark. There are already a lot of exciting elements that
differentiate the work in a good way (voodoo, mythology, references
spirituality). So far, this is a
very unique thriller with lots of potential. I think the author really has something here.
2 of 2
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Lyrical
and Intriguing,
April 3, 2012
By
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
Mickie
Turk's 2012 ABNA entry, The Delilah Case, is beautifully written. She's
captured the cadence and rhythm of Louisiana in her prose, creating images and
a world full of heat and mystery. Her characters are fully formed individuals
that caught my attention in the first sentence. I loved Little Niqui and
Darnell, felt their bond and feared for their future. I also loved the twist in
the first chapter -- taking us beyond a major event and showing us the tension
and conflict it generated, before taking us back in time to watch the event
unfold. I can't wait to read the whole book!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
4.0 out
of 5 stars
A
book off to a great start, April 15, 2012
By
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
What I
like best about the early pages I read of Mickie Turk's novel, The Delilah
Case, is the style of her prose. It's intelligent, fast-moving, engaging, and
it pulls you in to her characters. The books starts with the main character as
a seven-year-old girl in New Orleans about 30 years ago, a very believable kid,
full of energy and a strong attraction to a nine-year-old boy from a lower
class. Then the novel jumps forward to her professionally successful adulthood
as a psychiatrist, and suddenly, she's murdered, a surprising development
pulling me into the plot. This book clearly starts out with a lot going for it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Liked
The Delilah Case,
April 12, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
Beautifully
written. Mickie Turk draws you in with her description of New Orleans so you
feel you're right there. I visited New Orleans for the first time two years ago
and she totally captures the atmosphere. Much of what is communicated about the
characters comes through inference rather than leading you step by step through
the relationships she is introducing. I'm interested in how this story will
unfold. How/why did she die? What about her relationship with the boy who was
so important to her when she was little? It was a very easy read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Caught
me up by surprised!,
April 8, 2012
By
YeYe
(Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
I don't
normally read this genre of writing, so I was caught by surprised at how much I
liked this excerpt! I was easily hooked after the first page, the children, the
voodoo theme hanging around the edges of the story; and the energy...I couldn't
shy away from the burst of energy that grabbed me and invited me to follow, and
keep up! After reading the Prologue, I couldn't NOT read the next chapters!
Ms.
Turk's writing style has a flavor of early Alice Walker and just a touch of
very, very early Toni Morrison. The author has managed to work issues of race,
education, religion, social & class into a very captivating story! I love
this style of writing!
Without
a doubt, Ms. Turk is a talented writer. I can not wait to read more from this
author!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Compelling
from the start,
April 7, 2012
By
Christine
Husom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
Mickie
Turk has woven together an intriguing and compelling tale which promises to
take her readers on a suspense filled ride. In the first pages we get a look at
Dominique's childhood where things are anything but normal, then fast forward
to her life as an accomplished professional where it seems her innovative idea
for a new system of incarceration has resulted in her murder. And how does her
death fit in with the Delilah file the local sheriff is studying? Turk has a
gift for placing us in and around New Orleans, right alongside her characters.
A very well-written winner!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
4.0 out
of 5 stars
A
creative take on fashioning a mystery, April 5, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
There's
some poetic and lyrical writing in this sample, while at the same time not
neglecting the real world of pain and suffering, a tricky balance and aptly
handled!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
A
Good Read, April
5, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
As an
avid mystery reader and suspense junkie, I am always searching for the next
good read. It's an added thrill when I come across something a bit different
and out of the ordinary. "The Delilah Case" fits the bill. It's well
written with memorable characters and a unique storyline.I look forward to
reading the entire novel.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out
of 5 stars
I
like it!, April
4, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
If I
had the writing skills of this author, (or any writing skills for that matter)
I would be able to say I like it with a bouquet of praise and compliments. I'm
not a fan of mystery or suspense or fiction books in general. That was until
now. M.Turk captures the language and the heart and soul of all that is New
Orleans. And everyone who's spent time there will totally agree. They even may
swear they been to those places and met those people that she so eloquently
describes.
I look
forward to finishing it. It reminds me of what New Orleans was.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Smashing
NewThriller,
April 4, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
The
author has, in a few short pages, managed to captivate the reader's imagination
and create enough suspense to guarantee that the reader will want to
continue
and find out what happens next! Great character development along with
beautifully written prose makes this novel a must read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
want
more of this book,
April 4, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
i have
to be gripped right away to want to read a book, and ms turk certainly did
that. she made the characters come alive for me, and also made me feel like i
wanted to go to new orleans! this is some of the best writing i have read in a
long time. thank you for this excerpt, and i can hardly wait to read the rest.
ms turk certainly deserves to win this award. thank you.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1
of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Can't
Wait for the Rest!,
April 2, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
An
unexpected mix of intelligence, social change and political maneuvering with
voodoo and fear. I was drawn in from the beginning and held captive through
out. I was left wanting more, now! Well written without being pretentious, this
book has you puzzling while feeling you heart pulled in an unusual way. Through
just a brief introduction, I found characters I could feel for and wanted to
know about them. This tidbit gives you a snapshot of the beginning of the
story, the ending and leaves you eager to find out what the heck happened in
between!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Intrigue
and mystery abound,
April 2, 2012
By
Jessie
Chandler "Author of Bingo Barge Murder" (Midwest, USA)
- See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
I was
fortunate enough to take a writing class years back with Mickie Turk. She was
good then, and the intervening years have only sharpened her pen. This exerpt
from The Delilah Case weaves three stories seamlessly together, and the key is
finding out exactly how they connect. Suspense, intrigue, and Louisiana combine
into a potent tale. Turk vividly paints the places, and sets the scenes with a
deft touch, and I can't wait to get my hands on the entire manuscript.
Jessie
Chandler, author of Bingo Barge Murder, book 1 in the Shay O'Hanlon Caper
Series; and available June 2012 -- Hide and Snake Murder, book 2 in the Shay
O'Hanlon Caper Series
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
2 of 2
people found the following review helpful
4.0 out
of 5 stars
More
please.....,
April 2, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
Mickie
Turk's words are often so lyrical and delicious, that you want to ingest every
sight and smell of sultry New Orleans. She vividly creates characters who are
powerfully engaging, sets an enticing sense of place and exudes a rhythm in her
language that is truly unique and often stunning. In this respect she is a
powerful writer.
Where I
have a problem is in the "believeability" of the story line.
Benevolent Black Panthers, a group of murderers being allowed free access to
the community, and a heroine who has helped end civil discord in Haiti and
tribal strife in India, is for me personally, a bit of a stretch.
That
said, there are many books that fall short in the credibility realm for me and
none are as well written or the prose as beautifully canvased as in these
pages.
Her
talent is absolutely unquestionable.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
2 of 2
people found the following review helpful
4.0 out
of 5 stars
the
delilah case, mickie turk, April 1, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
As a
reader of mostly historical romances - this book was a refreshing change of
pace - Interesting characters and great setting "New Orleans" - Can't
wait to read more!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Don't
stop now.....,
March 31, 2012
By
Laurie A
Krominga (Minnetonka, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
Everything
about this makes me want to know more. Definitely a future read for me! All the
makings of a "Breakthrough Novel"!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Tighten
your seatbelt!,
March 31, 2012
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
The
sampler prologue and two chapters captivated my curiosity of what lurks in the
chapters to come. There are so many intriguing possibilities. If the precocious
and gifted Dominique is not spared here then what other ambushes lie in wait
ahead? Like the Mississippi's swirls and undercurrents, the setting in a small
parish near New Orleans provides a backdrop for dramas to unfold. What role
does voodoo play in unraveling this case? And what about Delilah -- where does
she fit in? Will the Black Panther's sponsorship of Dominique re-emerge to further
enlighten the reader? The author has whetted my appetite for more with a fast
paced introduction that promises a panoply of twists and turns. Hold on tight!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Intriguing
story, March 31,
2012
By
Italia Mama
(Minneapolis) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
Even
though we are just given a short glimpse of Dominique's life, I'm hooked. In a
short period of time, I've already grown exceedingly interested in this little
girl and want to read more about her life. Only a small slice of her life is in
the piece and yet I already love her. I also love the mysticism of the story
that evokes a rich spiritual life in New Orleans where voodoo is a part of the
landscape and where the community is in your business in both a good and a bad
way. The addition of the little girl having the Black Panthers as protectors
kicks it over the top for me. I wonder if they get involved later in life when
she is murdered. Great writing, unique and original plot with just the right
amount of suspense to keep you whipping through the pages. Well done. Can't
wait to read more one day.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
3 of 4
people found the following review helpful
5.0 out
of 5 stars
Compelling
beginning, just wish I could continue reading., March 23, 2012
By
L. R.
Dana-kirby "Leslie Dana Kirby" (Goodyear, Arizona
United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
As a
ABNA contestant eliminated in the second round, it is my goal to review as many
ABNA entries as possible for both the benefit of potential readers and for the
benefit (hopefully) of the author (whom I do not know and have never met).
For the
reader:
This is
an outstanding excerpt. When I purchased the excerpt based on the product
description, it sounded interesting enough but I didn't predict that I would
fully love it. I was quite wrong. This excerpt was expertly crafted and really
sucked me in. The author has done an outstanding job of creating curiosity
about what happens next, allowing the reader to wonder without filling in the
blanks too quickly.
The
author has created a teriffic sense of place for Louisiana. I only wish I could
pull up a plate of jambalaya and red beans and rice and keep reading. I'm
definitely left wanting more!
For the
author:
Superb
job. I was so disappointed to be cut in the second round, but reading quality
excerpts like this one takes the sting out. I found the excerpt fascinating
from nearly the first page and would definitely love to keep reading at this
point. I wish you well in your endeavors to get this gem published.
One
constructive criticism . . . I might not have purchased the whole book based on
the product description alone, finding the description not nearly as compelling
as the excerpt. You may want to consider how you can beef up the
"flapjacket" before it hits bookstores nation-wide (wink).
I have
include a few minor wordsmithing recommendations below. Obviously, these are
from my perspetive only and you can take 'em or leave 'em, but I thought I
woudl at least bring them to your attention.
I hope
my review has been helpful because it is truly my only intention to offer
constructive feedback and support to the ABNA contestants. Please provide
feedback on this review by marking it helpful or unhelpful. All the best!
Awkward
sentence: "She taught her that once you understood them, the spirits would
always be there for her." I take this to mean that Miss Marta taught Niqui
that once Niqui understood the spirits, the spirits would always be there for
Niqui. However, the switch between the pronouns of "She,"
"her," and "you" make this sentence hard to follow.
Awkward/unclear:
"Now they would have to add two more to the roll.
The
one, they were still calling a homicide." Sorry, but does that mean there
were two recent killings but they were only calling one a homicide. The second
sentence here doesn't make sense to me.
Minor
misspelling: "One of them would say later that they hear her whisper, . .
." heard instead of hear.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
TURK
PROVIDES TICKET TO SUSPENSE, April 25, 2012
By
This review is from: The Delilah Case - 2012 ABNA Entry (Kindle Edition)
'THE
DELILAH STORY' captured my attention immediately as the first chapter
transported me to NEW ORLEANS--a city of voodoo and memorable characters. The
gifted mind of Mickie Turk has created a novel that has already lifted me from
my ordinary world to a world of of danger and suspense. I am not sure I want to
live in that world, but I am absolutely intrigued by the prospect of a a
thrilling and fascinating trip as I read the rest of her novel. I most
certainly want a ticket!!
No comments:
Post a Comment