Thank you. So pleased you enjoyed it. There is much to tell! Everyone has a back story in this piece. I have something else in mind for next months shorter piece but will return with the next one in August.

Great story. A slightly creepy premise in the beginning as the MC comes to life again and we are unsure how which is great. I enjoyed how his new persona gradually seemed to surface slowly taking over his old way of doing things until he makes the final change. Well done.

This was a brilliant read. So sad how cycles of abuse are repeated again and again. You told so clearly the hum drum of her life, joy less and with little expectations of improvement. As a reader her committing of murder is hardly surprising at all as you slowly built the suspense to a moment that things have to change. Will she withstand the…[Read more]

Wow. A lot going on here. You definitely amped up the tension but lost me a little near the end with the different ANA’s as I was not always sure who was speaking. However I do like how this moved on and all the details in the examining room, I wonder if coloured pens would be hi-tech enough for use in this environment? But understand you used…[Read more]

Wonderful story with a few themes running through. The doctor dealing with her own life and issues, then the same old tale of wondering husband. She has obviously just stalled the inevitable or halted one in a procession, a wonderful feeling never the less. One can’t help but think he has a lot to do with the pressure and crisis of health…[Read more]

Hi Seyi
Yes, I forget living in SA how nuanced everything is! Very clever to add a glossary in the comments, I have done one in the story using the 50 words over but as you mentioned in some cases this would just not be enough.
I agree the story did seem to slow down drastically midway, funny as the writer the story for me was always about…[Read more]

Hi Nicole
Thank you for taking the time and lovely comments. I am so glad you were drawn in and everything seemed to fit into place. Always the thing when we post these things as to others will see them! Very grateful for these comments.
Thanks again.

Oh but this was too good! Can not tell you how much I loved this. I laughed out loud so many times. These mad characters are enough to lift anyone’s spirit. So detailed and evocative I was drawn to another place and time.
Thank you!

Hi Seyi
I enjoyed your likeable/unlikeable MC. Deviousness in his behavior but you can’t help rooting for him. I loved this world of characters and places you pulled me into! A snapshot of travel and culture many of us are missing right now.
The line “I learned a valuable lesson there, never to judge a book-keeper by his bowtie.” was one of my…[Read more]

A lovely read Nicole. A perfect replacement in her life.
The line “I’d like a mature, stable man in my life.” made me laugh out loud.
You have an easy way with words, light and not over heavy.
Your little hints about Kent built nicely until we met the extremely unlikable, self absorbed man! As I always find with chick lit, there is so much…[Read more]

Oh Anusuya.
So beautiful. You always manage to get so many layers in and subtlety in a few words. So many familiar strains that any family who has gone through this recognises. The swing of emotions from frustration, exhaustion to guilt and sadness.
The line ‘These were the hands that fed me’, she mused, ‘and this was the lap in which I lay,…[Read more]

Thank you Anusuya. Such clever, thoughtful comments as usual. The Elizabeth George Lynley series is one of my escapist pleasures, I did not even see the link! You are so right.
You are correct a weaving of back stories would have read better, I suppose I chose the easier way and also introduced the Brigadier into the story. I think my fixation on…[Read more]

Thank you so much Kim. I did a bit of research re-the heirarchy of the police force as this very removed from my real life and I so wanted it to read true. I am so glad it was believable without been to over the top. I am glad you got the deflection with Zaks too. Yes, it was tricky getting both current story and back round in but I quail to…[Read more]

Thank you so much Amrita. This was a real leap for me, I too love these sleuth detective stories, if anything because they are so removed from my everyday life. Pure brainy escapism. I think I have been inspired by your series and thought I would have a bash at my own. Your comments keep me going.

Thank you Anthony. I agree more information about the case seems to be the consensus. I must admit I was hooked on giving back round to the two detectives which took up a lot of story telling.

Hi. Reading this I realise there is quite a lot of subtext that South African readers will recognise instantly so a glossary of sorts would definitely be necessary for an international audience.
I will give a very, broad overview to give greater context. For those who are unaware SA has eleven official languages. This is a large cultural melting…[Read more]

Oh, I loved this! Really made me laugh! For some reason the more I read the sad dystopian Russian tale the more amused I was. As usual you touched on subtle human themes. The dark story the MC is writing as she knows her audience will love the sadness and misery. The world of bloggers and a type of competitive baking, a lock down who does it best…[Read more]