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I was wondering the whole time who the narrator is. What a surprising and unusual twist!. Great story!

From: Lissy Jones | Created on: 5/9/2012 3:24:01 PM

The quality of this story is shown by the fact that I want to know what happens next. I got so wrapped up in the characters that I need to know if Mr. Gilroy gets accused, I'd love to read about a trial and possibly even a tragic conviction. Another well written short from Hickory Cole that definitely has the depth to be expanded into a longer piece.

From: Joe Niewierski — AuthorStand Founder | Created on: 2/17/2012 9:46:16 AM

Excellent story, a tell tale heart feel to it. Detail and character dialog all have a very natural flow and feel. Well written Mr. Cook, most deserving a read by anyone who likes to turn the page. Your attention to detail as you spin your story is quite impressive.

From: M.S. Martens | Created on: 12/6/2011 5:42:36 PM

Compelling little story that had me more and more curious as I read - whose voice was the storyteller's?  That little hint of intrigue had me speeding towards the end. Well done.

From: Pauline Creighton | Created on: 11/28/2011 7:43:20 PM

I think it is a truly gifted writer who can write a short story complete with plot, dialog and great character development.  Mr. Cook has this gift.  The death of Emily Pritchett is one of those stories that you read and forget you are reading; rather you actually believe you are in the story.  I could see the characters, hear their dialog and feel the terror of the events at the end.  Very clever twist to wrap everything up.  Well done Mr. Cook!

From: Sydney Elizabeth | Created on: 9/7/2011 7:12:14 PM

This is an interesting piece, innocent and straight-forward, that leaves a lot that can yet be told.  By that, I mean Mr. Gilroy is going to have a lot of explaining to do when Emily is discovered.  There aren't any witnesses (except the one through whom the story is told - and you can never get good testimony from his type), Gilroy's prints are on the chest, and Emily - loved by all - is the only child of a very important family...In a word, whoa!  This date will be one Gilroy remembers for a long, long time.

Gary, I hope you add to this beginning, and make it into a thriller, or chiller.  I like your style.  You note details well, and the flow of your writing is smooth, very natural.  You can take this piece in many directions, so keep developing it.  Though innocent and clueless, Mr. Gilroy is just a day or two away from being in some real hot water.

That's how I see things from my vantage point, anyway...and I think the narrator would agree with me.

From: Ralph Myers | Created on: 8/1/2011 2:30:05 PM

At first one might picture Cary Grant coming on strong to a hot hollywood startlet, but the end conjures up alfred hitchcock suspense.  I do wish it were a lot longer.  Would be a good novella.  In my opinion.  Thanks for writing this one.

From: Jesse Jamison | Created on: 7/30/2011 12:56:35 AM

Fascinating story. A tale told by a ... upon reflection, I won't give any hints about the ending for those who read the reviews before the story.

I think this story will be red meat to sci/fi fantasy lovers.

Once again, the writing reminds me of Ayn Rand, but this time has overtones of the great nineteenth century English novelists. The latter probably derives from the setting and the interactions of the characters, which are reminiscent of those writers.

This story needs copy editing. Starting the story with "She's is..." gets it off to a bad start.

From: Bill Hylton | Created on: 5/29/2011 11:08:29 AM

An interesting viewpoint. A tale told by .... Upon reflection, I won't give away the ending to readers who might read the reviews before they read the story, because the ending is what makes the story.

I think this story is red meat for sci fi/fantasy fans. The fantastic ending is foreshadowed enough to be believable (under the willing suspension of belief premise).

This writing is again somewhat reminiscent to me of Ayn Rand, but it also has overtones of the 19th century giants of English literature. I think part of that is the setting. Another part is the way the characters speak and interact. Just as would the characters of those writers.

Copy editing needs to be emphasized here. Starting a story of with "She's is..." gets the reader off to a slow start.  And "here say" is not a good stand-in for hearsay.

From: Bill Hylton | Created on: 5/27/2011 12:19:16 PM