John Dean – Crime Writer

I am constantly gratified that so many readers take the time to write reviews of my books and I read the positive ones but also those from readers who do not appreciate the stories. All I ask is that they be honest and fair and, thankfully, they are, for the most part

I am pleased to say that I receive a lot of positive reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and one of the things that particularly pleases me is when readers write about my characters as if they are real – for me, that’s a sign that they have truly to come life.

I also very much appreciate those reviews that praise the pace with which the stories are written because, although pace should look effortless, it actually requires every word to be tested as to its right to be on the page.

Another big theme of the books which pleases me when reviewers mention it, is the way the plots twist and turn. Plotting is a complex business, requiring a high degree of planning, and there is a danger that it can confuse the reader so when readers say they enjoyed the storyline it means that, complicated or not, I managed to take them with me.

There are lots of other elements that reviewers enjoy (and some they don’t, you can’t please all the readers all the time, sometimes they just don’t like the characters, as happens in the real world) but, all in all, a positive review boosts this author as he sets at his desk and struggles with the latest novel.