Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Oh my goodness, Tony, what now? What has Helen seen? After a quiet morning filled with pleasant readings of the great grandfather someting is definitely afoot. But what? I can't wait for the continuation. I've got no sixes left. I love the contrast of the scenes. You do that very well. All best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 14-Jun-2019

Whatever it is, it certainly seems to have given her a nasty shock.

Comment from Mastery

Excellent

A good follow-up to part one, Tony. It ssort of borders on the supernatural and fantasy does it not? I like the imagery, as usual, particularly here:

I paused at this point as I could see Bisto returning from his walk, with wisps of breath trailing behind him."

Bravo! Bob

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2019

You are right - this is beginning to move in a different direction, but there's an underlying purpose in that. Thanks for your comment on the imagery.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Exceptional

You left a fantastic hook. I can't wait for more.

I wasn't sure if the hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach was caused by a yet to be defined sixth sense or by the imminent prospect of a hearty English breakfast. (This makes the reader wonder what else is to come.)

It found him, hours later, suffering from exhaustion and exposure, and soaked in blood from the trophy clutched to his breast. (I read this as 'They found him'.)

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2019

Many thanks for this review, Barbara, and for the sixth star. Very much appreciated, as always. Thanks, too, for your kind words and suggestion. All the best, Tony

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written chapter. The slaying of the Markhor did not end without consequences for the hunter, whose last hunting trip was sealed with losing his toes and a finger due to frostbite.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2019

Thanks very much, Sandra, for your comments on this latest chapter of the book. I appreciate your continued interest. All the best, Tony

Comment from JudyE

Excellent

intriguinger and intriguinger! :) And now I have to wait for the next chapter. Sigh

I picked up one small point:
His misted breath swirled, transforming itself into fragile winged spirit - should this be 'a fragile winged spirit?

And should 'yet to be defined' be hyphenated?

Cheers
Judy

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019

Thanks, Judy.
I've added the missing 'a'.
I wasn't sure about yet-to-be-defined so looked it up. As far as I can see, it is usually written without hyphenation.

reply by JudyE on 13-Jun-2019

No problem. I should have looked it up myself but time is a bit short at the moment. Have a great day.

Comment from giraffmang

Exceptional

Hi Tony,

Another great instalment. I love the colloquialisms throughout the book, always makes me chuckle. Reminds me of the time i used the word balaclava and some folk had a meltdown...lol


Brass monkey weather out there, - always loved this expression. lol

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019

I remember my mum knitting her little darling a balaclava to keep him warm when tobogganing. No doubt, these days it's compulsory to wear a crash helmet.
I get queries from across the Atlantic from time to time - gooseberry being a recent case in point.
Many thanks for the sixth star. Appreciated.

Comment from Sankey

Excellent

I remember seeing an old movie about David Livingston where the party that was out searching for him got deserted by the carriers. Some good actors well kno9wn in that movie as well. Good chapter once again.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019

Thanks for your review and comments, Geoffrey. Appreciated. I think I saw that movie, too. Perhaps it was in the back of my mind. Best wishes, Tony

reply by Sankey on 14-Jun-2019

One of the main actors that played Stanley I thin k was in Evelyn with Pierce Brosnan story about irish Dad fighting for custody of his kids when his wife walked out. True story I think that changed the law (bound up in Catholic dominance in 50's possibly) in the Republic that did not allow Dad's to have custody of their kids if the wife/mother left them.

Comment from Tootsie55

Excellent

Another very detailed chapter about Bisto's forbears. I thought I found a spag but I looked up the word and it was ok. Animism is rife amongst the more traditional PNG population in rural areas of New Guinea. I have a story about it if interested.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019

Thanks, Louise. I suppose that animism is at the heart of most primitive religions.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Oh, poor Helen! Did she see the markhor's head where Bisto hid it?
Great job with using a diary to tell the story of Bisto's great-grandfather. I also like how you echo the fanciful tales with things that Charles has experienced. Great use of foreshadowing.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019

I hope it a wasn't the markhor's head. Surely not. I don't think Bisto would have lugged it upstairs. Still, you never know.

Comment from juliaSjames

Excellent

So at last the tale of the slain markhor is told. It's menacing and otherworldly. The reader wonders who exactly the sisters are. Has Charles got in over his head? How does this backstory fit into the unfolding of this exciting novel?

A powerful chapter.

Blessings, Julia

 Comment Written 12-Jun-2019

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reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019

I appreciate your comments about the atmosphere created in this excerpt from the journal. The two sisters, Helen and Kayla, have both featured as major characters throughout the book. When their parents were gunned down by extremists in Northern Pakistan, they fled to Bangkok where they fell on hard times and had to make quite a few compromises to survive.

reply by juliaSjames on 13-Jun-2019

I have some more chapters to read
.