Susanna here. All week I’ve been remembering a vintage post I wrote nearly a dozen years ago, on my now retired Not-A-Blog. I called it, “Doing Murder”, and it went like this:
*****
“I’ve been taken to task several times now for killing off characters readers are fond of. Not in every book, but in enough of them that people sometimes comment on it, and it was the rare review for Every Secret Thing that didn’t make note of the body count.
In my defense, I have to say it’s not a thing I like to do. For starters, I’m the kind of person in my private life who rescues worms from rainy sidewalks, and who captures spiders in a cup and puts them back outdoors instead of squishing them (except the spiders who were always in my bathtub when I lived in Wales, but they were big enough to carry me outdoors, and I did warn them first…) So I’m as sad as anybody when I learn I have to kill a character.
Because I’m not an outliner, I usually don’t find this out until I’ve come to know them for a while. Only once have I ever created a character knowing that I’d have to kill him, and he turned out to be the most lovable person, and when the time came, I felt terrible. First I wrote slower and slower, avoiding the scene, and when that didn’t work I tried changing things so he’d be saved, but the simple fact was that, if he didn’t die, then my heroine wouldn’t have done what she needed to do. So I killed him and shouldered the guilt, and I still don’t blame readers who hate me for that one.
Sometimes it’s not murder. Sometimes, as happened with another favourite character who was already dying from disease, a person chooses death. I fought in that case, too, but in the end he dug his heels in stubbornly and chose his moment, and no matter how I tried rewriting that scene, he would not be moved.
My characters are often unpredictable, as life is unpredictable, so though I must plead guilty to the crime of doing murder on occasion, I can tell you that it’s never done without remorse. Not even to the spiders in the bathtub.”
*****
I wrote that in March of 2008. And the reason it’s been on my mind again this week is that I’ve just had to do murder again, in the novel I’m currently writing.
There wasn’t a way NOT to do it. He was a real character from history, and he actually died when he died, and as one of my own characters—Carrie, who's a writer, in my book The Winter Sea—tells her literary agent, “I can’t change what happens to real people…I can’t change history.”
But it’s always difficult to do, and as always, I found myself writing more slowly approaching that scene, as though by doing that I could somehow delay the inevitable. It didn't work, of course, and as with all the other times, it's left me Sad and Remorseful.
And wondering…for fellow readers, what characters’ deaths in books hit you the hardest?
And for the writers, what characters did you find hardest to kill?
(Can’t answer without spoilers, but not for anything recent.)
I think, in older children’s books, they killed people more routinely. So while I do remember sobbing when Dan dies in whichever of the Little Women books that is, or Ruby from the Anne of Green Gable books (or indeed Beth from Little Woman, and Walter from the Anne books) – they were the right sort of tears, and I almost enjoyed feeling the sadness.
The death that comes to mind that soured me on a series was from Margaret Maron’s Sigrid Harald books. When Sigrid fell for an artist, Oscar, I was only happy: I like a romantic subplot in a detective series. I think if he’d been killed quickly, I would have accepted that, but coming out of the blue, books later – I just stopped reading them.
(Didn’t Elizabeth George do something similar?)
(Can’t answer without spoilers, but not for anything recent.)
I think, in older children’s books, they killed people more routinely. So while I do remember sobbing when Dan dies in whichever of the Little Women books that is, or Ruby from the Anne of Green Gable books (or indeed Beth from Little Woman, and Walter from the Anne books) – they were the right sort of tears, and I almost enjoyed feeling the sadness.
The death that comes to mind that soured me on a series was from Margaret Maron’s Sigrid Harald books. When Sigrid fell for an artist, Oscar, I was only happy: I like a romantic subplot in a detective series. I think if he’d been killed quickly, I would have accepted that, but coming out of the blue, books later – I just stopped reading them.
(Didn’t Elizabeth George do something similar?)
(Can’t answer without spoilers, but not for anything recent.)
I think, in older children’s books, they killed people more routinely. So while I do remember sobbing when Dan dies in whichever of the Little Women books that is, or Ruby from the Anne of Green Gable books (or indeed Beth from Little Woman, and Walter from the Anne books) – they were the right sort of tears, and I almost enjoyed feeling the sadness.
The death that comes to mind that soured me on a series was from Margaret Maron’s Sigrid Harald books. When Sigrid fell for an artist, Oscar, I was only happy: I like a romantic subplot in a detective series. I think if he’d been killed quickly, I would have accepted that, but coming out of the blue, books later – I just stopped reading them.
(Didn’t Elizabeth George do something similar?)
(Can’t answer without spoilers, but not for anything recent.)
I think, in older children’s books, they killed people more routinely. So while I do remember sobbing when Dan dies in whichever of the Little Women books that is, or Ruby from the Anne of Green Gable books (or indeed Beth from Little Woman, and Walter from the Anne books) – they were the right sort of tears, and I almost enjoyed feeling the sadness.
The death that comes to mind that soured me on a series was from Margaret Maron’s Sigrid Harald books. When Sigrid fell for an artist, Oscar, I was only happy: I like a romantic subplot in a detective series. I think if he’d been killed quickly, I would have accepted that, but coming out of the blue, books later – I just stopped reading them.
(Didn’t Elizabeth George do something similar?)
(Can’t answer without spoilers, but not for anything recent.)
I think, in older children’s books, they killed people more routinely. So while I do remember sobbing when Dan dies in whichever of the Little Women books that is, or Ruby from the Anne of Green Gable books (or indeed Beth from Little Woman, and Walter from the Anne books) – they were the right sort of tears, and I almost enjoyed feeling the sadness.
The death that comes to mind that soured me on a series was from Margaret Maron’s Sigrid Harald books. When Sigrid fell for an artist, Oscar, I was only happy: I like a romantic subplot in a detective series. I think if he’d been killed quickly, I would have accepted that, but coming out of the blue, books later – I just stopped reading them.
(Didn’t Elizabeth George do something similar?)
*Little Women, not Little Woman. Sighs.
*Little Women, not Little Woman. Sighs.
*Little Women, not Little Woman. Sighs.
*Little Women, not Little Woman. Sighs.
*Little Women, not Little Woman. Sighs.
Theoden in Lord of the Rings. Book or movie. Every time. Every single time.
Theoden in Lord of the Rings. Book or movie. Every time. Every single time.
Theoden in Lord of the Rings. Book or movie. Every time. Every single time.
Theoden in Lord of the Rings. Book or movie. Every time. Every single time.
Theoden in Lord of the Rings. Book or movie. Every time. Every single time.
Dana Stabenow writes a wonderful mystery series starring Kate Shugak, a native American, as the heroine. They take place in Alaska and have a great bunch of recurring characters. She killed off Kate’s love interest and mentor and I stopped reading the series immediately. I have never forgiven Elizabeth George and have not read one of her books since. I know it does not make any difference to the authors to lose only one reader butit makes me feel better.
Dana Stabenow writes a wonderful mystery series starring Kate Shugak, a native American, as the heroine. They take place in Alaska and have a great bunch of recurring characters. She killed off Kate’s love interest and mentor and I stopped reading the series immediately. I have never forgiven Elizabeth George and have not read one of her books since. I know it does not make any difference to the authors to lose only one reader butit makes me feel better.
Dana Stabenow writes a wonderful mystery series starring Kate Shugak, a native American, as the heroine. They take place in Alaska and have a great bunch of recurring characters. She killed off Kate’s love interest and mentor and I stopped reading the series immediately. I have never forgiven Elizabeth George and have not read one of her books since. I know it does not make any difference to the authors to lose only one reader butit makes me feel better.
Dana Stabenow writes a wonderful mystery series starring Kate Shugak, a native American, as the heroine. They take place in Alaska and have a great bunch of recurring characters. She killed off Kate’s love interest and mentor and I stopped reading the series immediately. I have never forgiven Elizabeth George and have not read one of her books since. I know it does not make any difference to the authors to lose only one reader butit makes me feel better.
Dana Stabenow writes a wonderful mystery series starring Kate Shugak, a native American, as the heroine. They take place in Alaska and have a great bunch of recurring characters. She killed off Kate’s love interest and mentor and I stopped reading the series immediately. I have never forgiven Elizabeth George and have not read one of her books since. I know it does not make any difference to the authors to lose only one reader butit makes me feel better.
I’m soggy and sentimental, too, Susanna. I trap wasps in a glass against the window so I can let them out, and I HATE wasps. (I wouldn’t have been keen on the spiders in the bathtub, eiither!)
But while villains tend to fare badly in my stories, I’ve only once killed of a character I really liked, and I had no choice: the heroine’s stepfather in VEILS OF SILK. He was a great guy, but while he was alive, the heroine wasn’t in dire enough straits to accept an offer for a marriage of convenience. (As one does. *G*)
I’m soggy and sentimental, too, Susanna. I trap wasps in a glass against the window so I can let them out, and I HATE wasps. (I wouldn’t have been keen on the spiders in the bathtub, eiither!)
But while villains tend to fare badly in my stories, I’ve only once killed of a character I really liked, and I had no choice: the heroine’s stepfather in VEILS OF SILK. He was a great guy, but while he was alive, the heroine wasn’t in dire enough straits to accept an offer for a marriage of convenience. (As one does. *G*)
I’m soggy and sentimental, too, Susanna. I trap wasps in a glass against the window so I can let them out, and I HATE wasps. (I wouldn’t have been keen on the spiders in the bathtub, eiither!)
But while villains tend to fare badly in my stories, I’ve only once killed of a character I really liked, and I had no choice: the heroine’s stepfather in VEILS OF SILK. He was a great guy, but while he was alive, the heroine wasn’t in dire enough straits to accept an offer for a marriage of convenience. (As one does. *G*)
I’m soggy and sentimental, too, Susanna. I trap wasps in a glass against the window so I can let them out, and I HATE wasps. (I wouldn’t have been keen on the spiders in the bathtub, eiither!)
But while villains tend to fare badly in my stories, I’ve only once killed of a character I really liked, and I had no choice: the heroine’s stepfather in VEILS OF SILK. He was a great guy, but while he was alive, the heroine wasn’t in dire enough straits to accept an offer for a marriage of convenience. (As one does. *G*)
I’m soggy and sentimental, too, Susanna. I trap wasps in a glass against the window so I can let them out, and I HATE wasps. (I wouldn’t have been keen on the spiders in the bathtub, eiither!)
But while villains tend to fare badly in my stories, I’ve only once killed of a character I really liked, and I had no choice: the heroine’s stepfather in VEILS OF SILK. He was a great guy, but while he was alive, the heroine wasn’t in dire enough straits to accept an offer for a marriage of convenience. (As one does. *G*)
The first name that comes to my mind ALWAYS has already been mentioned: Beth in Little Women. I don’t every like it. BUT it had to happened, because Little Women is loosely based on the Alcott girls (sometimes VERY loosely) and the real Beth truly did die. But even now, some 80 years after my first reading, this really hits me hard.
The first name that comes to my mind ALWAYS has already been mentioned: Beth in Little Women. I don’t every like it. BUT it had to happened, because Little Women is loosely based on the Alcott girls (sometimes VERY loosely) and the real Beth truly did die. But even now, some 80 years after my first reading, this really hits me hard.
The first name that comes to my mind ALWAYS has already been mentioned: Beth in Little Women. I don’t every like it. BUT it had to happened, because Little Women is loosely based on the Alcott girls (sometimes VERY loosely) and the real Beth truly did die. But even now, some 80 years after my first reading, this really hits me hard.
The first name that comes to my mind ALWAYS has already been mentioned: Beth in Little Women. I don’t every like it. BUT it had to happened, because Little Women is loosely based on the Alcott girls (sometimes VERY loosely) and the real Beth truly did die. But even now, some 80 years after my first reading, this really hits me hard.
The first name that comes to my mind ALWAYS has already been mentioned: Beth in Little Women. I don’t every like it. BUT it had to happened, because Little Women is loosely based on the Alcott girls (sometimes VERY loosely) and the real Beth truly did die. But even now, some 80 years after my first reading, this really hits me hard.
I’ve never forgiven Elizabeth George, either, for killing off Helen. It just put me off reading any more of her books.
I’ve never forgiven Elizabeth George, either, for killing off Helen. It just put me off reading any more of her books.
I’ve never forgiven Elizabeth George, either, for killing off Helen. It just put me off reading any more of her books.
I’ve never forgiven Elizabeth George, either, for killing off Helen. It just put me off reading any more of her books.
I’ve never forgiven Elizabeth George, either, for killing off Helen. It just put me off reading any more of her books.
“The right sort of tears” is a good way to put it, Margaret (although I’ve never quite recovered from Walter’s passing, I have to admit…
And, like you, I tend to just stop reading a series when a beloved character is killed.
The only person who ever pulled this off to my satisfaction was Evelyn Anthony, in her Davina Graham series, because I really liked the way that one ended up, and I forgave her for killing the person she killed, and because it was only a limited series to begin with (it’s a quartet, so while each book stands alone, if you read them in sequence there’s an entire story that builds and closes in a beautiful, perfect and satisfying arc over the four books)I think it probably didn’t irritate me so much because I didn’t have time to get as attached to the person who died (and the guy Davina ended up with was there from the beginning, so I DID get attached to him, as well).
“The right sort of tears” is a good way to put it, Margaret (although I’ve never quite recovered from Walter’s passing, I have to admit…
And, like you, I tend to just stop reading a series when a beloved character is killed.
The only person who ever pulled this off to my satisfaction was Evelyn Anthony, in her Davina Graham series, because I really liked the way that one ended up, and I forgave her for killing the person she killed, and because it was only a limited series to begin with (it’s a quartet, so while each book stands alone, if you read them in sequence there’s an entire story that builds and closes in a beautiful, perfect and satisfying arc over the four books)I think it probably didn’t irritate me so much because I didn’t have time to get as attached to the person who died (and the guy Davina ended up with was there from the beginning, so I DID get attached to him, as well).
“The right sort of tears” is a good way to put it, Margaret (although I’ve never quite recovered from Walter’s passing, I have to admit…
And, like you, I tend to just stop reading a series when a beloved character is killed.
The only person who ever pulled this off to my satisfaction was Evelyn Anthony, in her Davina Graham series, because I really liked the way that one ended up, and I forgave her for killing the person she killed, and because it was only a limited series to begin with (it’s a quartet, so while each book stands alone, if you read them in sequence there’s an entire story that builds and closes in a beautiful, perfect and satisfying arc over the four books)I think it probably didn’t irritate me so much because I didn’t have time to get as attached to the person who died (and the guy Davina ended up with was there from the beginning, so I DID get attached to him, as well).
“The right sort of tears” is a good way to put it, Margaret (although I’ve never quite recovered from Walter’s passing, I have to admit…
And, like you, I tend to just stop reading a series when a beloved character is killed.
The only person who ever pulled this off to my satisfaction was Evelyn Anthony, in her Davina Graham series, because I really liked the way that one ended up, and I forgave her for killing the person she killed, and because it was only a limited series to begin with (it’s a quartet, so while each book stands alone, if you read them in sequence there’s an entire story that builds and closes in a beautiful, perfect and satisfying arc over the four books)I think it probably didn’t irritate me so much because I didn’t have time to get as attached to the person who died (and the guy Davina ended up with was there from the beginning, so I DID get attached to him, as well).
“The right sort of tears” is a good way to put it, Margaret (although I’ve never quite recovered from Walter’s passing, I have to admit…
And, like you, I tend to just stop reading a series when a beloved character is killed.
The only person who ever pulled this off to my satisfaction was Evelyn Anthony, in her Davina Graham series, because I really liked the way that one ended up, and I forgave her for killing the person she killed, and because it was only a limited series to begin with (it’s a quartet, so while each book stands alone, if you read them in sequence there’s an entire story that builds and closes in a beautiful, perfect and satisfying arc over the four books)I think it probably didn’t irritate me so much because I didn’t have time to get as attached to the person who died (and the guy Davina ended up with was there from the beginning, so I DID get attached to him, as well).
Oh, yes. Breaks my heart, as well. I was glad they did it as well as they did in the film, and that Théoden’s relationship with Éowyn was so wonderfully drawn.
Oh, yes. Breaks my heart, as well. I was glad they did it as well as they did in the film, and that Théoden’s relationship with Éowyn was so wonderfully drawn.
Oh, yes. Breaks my heart, as well. I was glad they did it as well as they did in the film, and that Théoden’s relationship with Éowyn was so wonderfully drawn.
Oh, yes. Breaks my heart, as well. I was glad they did it as well as they did in the film, and that Théoden’s relationship with Éowyn was so wonderfully drawn.
Oh, yes. Breaks my heart, as well. I was glad they did it as well as they did in the film, and that Théoden’s relationship with Éowyn was so wonderfully drawn.
You’re all making me very glad I’ve never read the Inspector Lynley books 🙂 I did consider starting them once, but that was just before she did The Thing, and then I decided I probably wouldn’t…
You’re all making me very glad I’ve never read the Inspector Lynley books 🙂 I did consider starting them once, but that was just before she did The Thing, and then I decided I probably wouldn’t…
You’re all making me very glad I’ve never read the Inspector Lynley books 🙂 I did consider starting them once, but that was just before she did The Thing, and then I decided I probably wouldn’t…
You’re all making me very glad I’ve never read the Inspector Lynley books 🙂 I did consider starting them once, but that was just before she did The Thing, and then I decided I probably wouldn’t…
You’re all making me very glad I’ve never read the Inspector Lynley books 🙂 I did consider starting them once, but that was just before she did The Thing, and then I decided I probably wouldn’t…
In ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes, the hero is a quadriplegic who eventually opts for euthanasia. It left me feeling sad, particularly for the heroine who had fallen in love with him. On the other hand I can think of a few baddy characters in Westerns and thrillers that I would happily have murdered myself.
On reflection I fancy that an author with a reverence for living creatures is really well placed to enter the psychological thriller market. That strong emotional connection could really amplify the tension!
In ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes, the hero is a quadriplegic who eventually opts for euthanasia. It left me feeling sad, particularly for the heroine who had fallen in love with him. On the other hand I can think of a few baddy characters in Westerns and thrillers that I would happily have murdered myself.
On reflection I fancy that an author with a reverence for living creatures is really well placed to enter the psychological thriller market. That strong emotional connection could really amplify the tension!
In ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes, the hero is a quadriplegic who eventually opts for euthanasia. It left me feeling sad, particularly for the heroine who had fallen in love with him. On the other hand I can think of a few baddy characters in Westerns and thrillers that I would happily have murdered myself.
On reflection I fancy that an author with a reverence for living creatures is really well placed to enter the psychological thriller market. That strong emotional connection could really amplify the tension!
In ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes, the hero is a quadriplegic who eventually opts for euthanasia. It left me feeling sad, particularly for the heroine who had fallen in love with him. On the other hand I can think of a few baddy characters in Westerns and thrillers that I would happily have murdered myself.
On reflection I fancy that an author with a reverence for living creatures is really well placed to enter the psychological thriller market. That strong emotional connection could really amplify the tension!
In ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes, the hero is a quadriplegic who eventually opts for euthanasia. It left me feeling sad, particularly for the heroine who had fallen in love with him. On the other hand I can think of a few baddy characters in Westerns and thrillers that I would happily have murdered myself.
On reflection I fancy that an author with a reverence for living creatures is really well placed to enter the psychological thriller market. That strong emotional connection could really amplify the tension!
Mary Jo, the spiders were the size of my fist, I kid you not. My landlord’s advice was, and I quote, “Just pick them up by the leg and throw them out the window.” I opted to whack them with my shoe, instead. Which made me feel guilty, but truly, I saw no alternative.
Google “Giant house spider UK”, and you’ll see what they look like.
As for killing a beloved character because the plot demands it, I definitely feel your pain.
Mary Jo, the spiders were the size of my fist, I kid you not. My landlord’s advice was, and I quote, “Just pick them up by the leg and throw them out the window.” I opted to whack them with my shoe, instead. Which made me feel guilty, but truly, I saw no alternative.
Google “Giant house spider UK”, and you’ll see what they look like.
As for killing a beloved character because the plot demands it, I definitely feel your pain.
Mary Jo, the spiders were the size of my fist, I kid you not. My landlord’s advice was, and I quote, “Just pick them up by the leg and throw them out the window.” I opted to whack them with my shoe, instead. Which made me feel guilty, but truly, I saw no alternative.
Google “Giant house spider UK”, and you’ll see what they look like.
As for killing a beloved character because the plot demands it, I definitely feel your pain.
Mary Jo, the spiders were the size of my fist, I kid you not. My landlord’s advice was, and I quote, “Just pick them up by the leg and throw them out the window.” I opted to whack them with my shoe, instead. Which made me feel guilty, but truly, I saw no alternative.
Google “Giant house spider UK”, and you’ll see what they look like.
As for killing a beloved character because the plot demands it, I definitely feel your pain.
Mary Jo, the spiders were the size of my fist, I kid you not. My landlord’s advice was, and I quote, “Just pick them up by the leg and throw them out the window.” I opted to whack them with my shoe, instead. Which made me feel guilty, but truly, I saw no alternative.
Google “Giant house spider UK”, and you’ll see what they look like.
As for killing a beloved character because the plot demands it, I definitely feel your pain.
Sue, I know. I don’t even want to go watch the new Little Women movie in public at the theatre, because I know I’ll be a sobbing mess at that part.
I DO get a giggle out of the way they played on this in the sitcom Friends, though, when Joey and Rachel swapped their favourite books, and Joey gave Rachel Stephen King’s The Shining to read, and Rachel gave Joey Little Women. In case you’ve never seen it, here’s a video clip (Joey had a habit of putting books in the freezer when he came to a part he found too scary to read): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgNjdg8-Wyc
Sue, I know. I don’t even want to go watch the new Little Women movie in public at the theatre, because I know I’ll be a sobbing mess at that part.
I DO get a giggle out of the way they played on this in the sitcom Friends, though, when Joey and Rachel swapped their favourite books, and Joey gave Rachel Stephen King’s The Shining to read, and Rachel gave Joey Little Women. In case you’ve never seen it, here’s a video clip (Joey had a habit of putting books in the freezer when he came to a part he found too scary to read): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgNjdg8-Wyc
Sue, I know. I don’t even want to go watch the new Little Women movie in public at the theatre, because I know I’ll be a sobbing mess at that part.
I DO get a giggle out of the way they played on this in the sitcom Friends, though, when Joey and Rachel swapped their favourite books, and Joey gave Rachel Stephen King’s The Shining to read, and Rachel gave Joey Little Women. In case you’ve never seen it, here’s a video clip (Joey had a habit of putting books in the freezer when he came to a part he found too scary to read): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgNjdg8-Wyc
Sue, I know. I don’t even want to go watch the new Little Women movie in public at the theatre, because I know I’ll be a sobbing mess at that part.
I DO get a giggle out of the way they played on this in the sitcom Friends, though, when Joey and Rachel swapped their favourite books, and Joey gave Rachel Stephen King’s The Shining to read, and Rachel gave Joey Little Women. In case you’ve never seen it, here’s a video clip (Joey had a habit of putting books in the freezer when he came to a part he found too scary to read): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgNjdg8-Wyc
Sue, I know. I don’t even want to go watch the new Little Women movie in public at the theatre, because I know I’ll be a sobbing mess at that part.
I DO get a giggle out of the way they played on this in the sitcom Friends, though, when Joey and Rachel swapped their favourite books, and Joey gave Rachel Stephen King’s The Shining to read, and Rachel gave Joey Little Women. In case you’ve never seen it, here’s a video clip (Joey had a habit of putting books in the freezer when he came to a part he found too scary to read): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgNjdg8-Wyc
Quantum, I do definitely tend to get emotionally connected to my characters! My family members know when they come home and find me sitting in front of my computer with tears on my face, they’ll have to cook their own suppers that night, because I’m putting a character through something terrible and I’ll be of no use to anyone for a while 🙂
Quantum, I do definitely tend to get emotionally connected to my characters! My family members know when they come home and find me sitting in front of my computer with tears on my face, they’ll have to cook their own suppers that night, because I’m putting a character through something terrible and I’ll be of no use to anyone for a while 🙂
Quantum, I do definitely tend to get emotionally connected to my characters! My family members know when they come home and find me sitting in front of my computer with tears on my face, they’ll have to cook their own suppers that night, because I’m putting a character through something terrible and I’ll be of no use to anyone for a while 🙂
Quantum, I do definitely tend to get emotionally connected to my characters! My family members know when they come home and find me sitting in front of my computer with tears on my face, they’ll have to cook their own suppers that night, because I’m putting a character through something terrible and I’ll be of no use to anyone for a while 🙂
Quantum, I do definitely tend to get emotionally connected to my characters! My family members know when they come home and find me sitting in front of my computer with tears on my face, they’ll have to cook their own suppers that night, because I’m putting a character through something terrible and I’ll be of no use to anyone for a while 🙂
The reason I was so mad at Elizabeth George and stopped reading the series was that Lynley and Helen went through so much and were finally happy and having a child, and then she was killed! Yea, I dropped the series. If she had been killed in one of the early books, I might not have minded as much.
I read some of Sharon Kay Penman’s books including some on Richard the Lionhearted. I was so sad when he and his sister Joanna died, and yet they were already dead for centuries!
The reason I was so mad at Elizabeth George and stopped reading the series was that Lynley and Helen went through so much and were finally happy and having a child, and then she was killed! Yea, I dropped the series. If she had been killed in one of the early books, I might not have minded as much.
I read some of Sharon Kay Penman’s books including some on Richard the Lionhearted. I was so sad when he and his sister Joanna died, and yet they were already dead for centuries!
The reason I was so mad at Elizabeth George and stopped reading the series was that Lynley and Helen went through so much and were finally happy and having a child, and then she was killed! Yea, I dropped the series. If she had been killed in one of the early books, I might not have minded as much.
I read some of Sharon Kay Penman’s books including some on Richard the Lionhearted. I was so sad when he and his sister Joanna died, and yet they were already dead for centuries!
The reason I was so mad at Elizabeth George and stopped reading the series was that Lynley and Helen went through so much and were finally happy and having a child, and then she was killed! Yea, I dropped the series. If she had been killed in one of the early books, I might not have minded as much.
I read some of Sharon Kay Penman’s books including some on Richard the Lionhearted. I was so sad when he and his sister Joanna died, and yet they were already dead for centuries!
The reason I was so mad at Elizabeth George and stopped reading the series was that Lynley and Helen went through so much and were finally happy and having a child, and then she was killed! Yea, I dropped the series. If she had been killed in one of the early books, I might not have minded as much.
I read some of Sharon Kay Penman’s books including some on Richard the Lionhearted. I was so sad when he and his sister Joanna died, and yet they were already dead for centuries!
I’m “killing” the grandmother in an upcoming book. It’s tricky … The story is about a granddaughter who cares for her in the later stages of her life, and I’m trying to find the right balance so the story doesn’t become a total downer …
I’m “killing” the grandmother in an upcoming book. It’s tricky … The story is about a granddaughter who cares for her in the later stages of her life, and I’m trying to find the right balance so the story doesn’t become a total downer …
I’m “killing” the grandmother in an upcoming book. It’s tricky … The story is about a granddaughter who cares for her in the later stages of her life, and I’m trying to find the right balance so the story doesn’t become a total downer …
I’m “killing” the grandmother in an upcoming book. It’s tricky … The story is about a granddaughter who cares for her in the later stages of her life, and I’m trying to find the right balance so the story doesn’t become a total downer …
I’m “killing” the grandmother in an upcoming book. It’s tricky … The story is about a granddaughter who cares for her in the later stages of her life, and I’m trying to find the right balance so the story doesn’t become a total downer …
I can’t pick out 1 specific character (except Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone With the Wind) where the death of a character really hurt. However, it always makes me sad when a book has a lovable character who is suffering from consumption, and you just know they’re going to die but still aren’t prepared when it happens! (tears)
I can’t pick out 1 specific character (except Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone With the Wind) where the death of a character really hurt. However, it always makes me sad when a book has a lovable character who is suffering from consumption, and you just know they’re going to die but still aren’t prepared when it happens! (tears)
I can’t pick out 1 specific character (except Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone With the Wind) where the death of a character really hurt. However, it always makes me sad when a book has a lovable character who is suffering from consumption, and you just know they’re going to die but still aren’t prepared when it happens! (tears)
I can’t pick out 1 specific character (except Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone With the Wind) where the death of a character really hurt. However, it always makes me sad when a book has a lovable character who is suffering from consumption, and you just know they’re going to die but still aren’t prepared when it happens! (tears)
I can’t pick out 1 specific character (except Bonnie Blue Butler in Gone With the Wind) where the death of a character really hurt. However, it always makes me sad when a book has a lovable character who is suffering from consumption, and you just know they’re going to die but still aren’t prepared when it happens! (tears)
I’m surprised Elizabeth George still sells books given how many of us feel the same way. I stopped when Helen was killed, threw the book out (!), and have never read another one. But I, too, Susanna, have gone into a story knowing one of my characters had to die, and I cried when I wrote it (and cried again when editing, re-editing, etc), but it had to happen. Then there were those awful deaths in the Harry Potter series (Dobby and Hedwig were particularly terrible), but I think I, like most readers, understood how those deaths were an integral part of the story. So we’re forgiving when we know it’s real, and eternally resentful when we feel we’re being manipulated!
I’m surprised Elizabeth George still sells books given how many of us feel the same way. I stopped when Helen was killed, threw the book out (!), and have never read another one. But I, too, Susanna, have gone into a story knowing one of my characters had to die, and I cried when I wrote it (and cried again when editing, re-editing, etc), but it had to happen. Then there were those awful deaths in the Harry Potter series (Dobby and Hedwig were particularly terrible), but I think I, like most readers, understood how those deaths were an integral part of the story. So we’re forgiving when we know it’s real, and eternally resentful when we feel we’re being manipulated!
I’m surprised Elizabeth George still sells books given how many of us feel the same way. I stopped when Helen was killed, threw the book out (!), and have never read another one. But I, too, Susanna, have gone into a story knowing one of my characters had to die, and I cried when I wrote it (and cried again when editing, re-editing, etc), but it had to happen. Then there were those awful deaths in the Harry Potter series (Dobby and Hedwig were particularly terrible), but I think I, like most readers, understood how those deaths were an integral part of the story. So we’re forgiving when we know it’s real, and eternally resentful when we feel we’re being manipulated!
I’m surprised Elizabeth George still sells books given how many of us feel the same way. I stopped when Helen was killed, threw the book out (!), and have never read another one. But I, too, Susanna, have gone into a story knowing one of my characters had to die, and I cried when I wrote it (and cried again when editing, re-editing, etc), but it had to happen. Then there were those awful deaths in the Harry Potter series (Dobby and Hedwig were particularly terrible), but I think I, like most readers, understood how those deaths were an integral part of the story. So we’re forgiving when we know it’s real, and eternally resentful when we feel we’re being manipulated!
I’m surprised Elizabeth George still sells books given how many of us feel the same way. I stopped when Helen was killed, threw the book out (!), and have never read another one. But I, too, Susanna, have gone into a story knowing one of my characters had to die, and I cried when I wrote it (and cried again when editing, re-editing, etc), but it had to happen. Then there were those awful deaths in the Harry Potter series (Dobby and Hedwig were particularly terrible), but I think I, like most readers, understood how those deaths were an integral part of the story. So we’re forgiving when we know it’s real, and eternally resentful when we feel we’re being manipulated!
Having been a nurse and been with many who died, I understand death and dying. If it is a “good death” and fits the story line well, then I can accept the loss and mourn them. But if it is unexpected and in a manner that is disturbing I do not like it.
When I first read Mary Jo Putney’s “One Perfect Rose”, I did not like reading how Stephen’s health got worse and worse. I did have to peek at the end to make sure he made it – otherwise I don’t think I would have wanted to finish it. (I would have read it all but would have been so sad to have lost him) I love that story.
Having been a nurse and been with many who died, I understand death and dying. If it is a “good death” and fits the story line well, then I can accept the loss and mourn them. But if it is unexpected and in a manner that is disturbing I do not like it.
When I first read Mary Jo Putney’s “One Perfect Rose”, I did not like reading how Stephen’s health got worse and worse. I did have to peek at the end to make sure he made it – otherwise I don’t think I would have wanted to finish it. (I would have read it all but would have been so sad to have lost him) I love that story.
Having been a nurse and been with many who died, I understand death and dying. If it is a “good death” and fits the story line well, then I can accept the loss and mourn them. But if it is unexpected and in a manner that is disturbing I do not like it.
When I first read Mary Jo Putney’s “One Perfect Rose”, I did not like reading how Stephen’s health got worse and worse. I did have to peek at the end to make sure he made it – otherwise I don’t think I would have wanted to finish it. (I would have read it all but would have been so sad to have lost him) I love that story.
Having been a nurse and been with many who died, I understand death and dying. If it is a “good death” and fits the story line well, then I can accept the loss and mourn them. But if it is unexpected and in a manner that is disturbing I do not like it.
When I first read Mary Jo Putney’s “One Perfect Rose”, I did not like reading how Stephen’s health got worse and worse. I did have to peek at the end to make sure he made it – otherwise I don’t think I would have wanted to finish it. (I would have read it all but would have been so sad to have lost him) I love that story.
Having been a nurse and been with many who died, I understand death and dying. If it is a “good death” and fits the story line well, then I can accept the loss and mourn them. But if it is unexpected and in a manner that is disturbing I do not like it.
When I first read Mary Jo Putney’s “One Perfect Rose”, I did not like reading how Stephen’s health got worse and worse. I did have to peek at the end to make sure he made it – otherwise I don’t think I would have wanted to finish it. (I would have read it all but would have been so sad to have lost him) I love that story.
Euwwww! I just googled “giant house spider uk” and think I would have given up bathing for the duration! As for grabbing one by the leg and tossing it out the window–
I’m another who gave up on the Elizabeth George books–she seemed to love keeping her characters in constant anguish. No. Not for me. EVER!
Euwwww! I just googled “giant house spider uk” and think I would have given up bathing for the duration! As for grabbing one by the leg and tossing it out the window–
I’m another who gave up on the Elizabeth George books–she seemed to love keeping her characters in constant anguish. No. Not for me. EVER!
Euwwww! I just googled “giant house spider uk” and think I would have given up bathing for the duration! As for grabbing one by the leg and tossing it out the window–
I’m another who gave up on the Elizabeth George books–she seemed to love keeping her characters in constant anguish. No. Not for me. EVER!
Euwwww! I just googled “giant house spider uk” and think I would have given up bathing for the duration! As for grabbing one by the leg and tossing it out the window–
I’m another who gave up on the Elizabeth George books–she seemed to love keeping her characters in constant anguish. No. Not for me. EVER!
Euwwww! I just googled “giant house spider uk” and think I would have given up bathing for the duration! As for grabbing one by the leg and tossing it out the window–
I’m another who gave up on the Elizabeth George books–she seemed to love keeping her characters in constant anguish. No. Not for me. EVER!
Margot, I would NEVER kill off one of the protagonists in one of my books, but I do understand checking the end of the story to be sure. *G*
Margot, I would NEVER kill off one of the protagonists in one of my books, but I do understand checking the end of the story to be sure. *G*
Margot, I would NEVER kill off one of the protagonists in one of my books, but I do understand checking the end of the story to be sure. *G*
Margot, I would NEVER kill off one of the protagonists in one of my books, but I do understand checking the end of the story to be sure. *G*
Margot, I would NEVER kill off one of the protagonists in one of my books, but I do understand checking the end of the story to be sure. *G*
This is a bit of a spoiler, so fair warning if you plan to read Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins private eye detective series. And you should, he is a masterful writer.
Anyway, after a dozen books, Mosley decided he was done with the series and had nothing more to say, so he killed off his main character. There was absolutely no forewarning, and when it happened at the end of that 12th book, I was totally gobsmacked, shell shocked and blind sided. I had grown to love Easy and I couldn’t believe it! What happens is, he drives his car off a cliff, and we are left to assume he is dead. But P.S. after taking a break with some other writing, Mosley decided to go back to the series after all, and we find out that the character didn’t actually die, but was in a coma for a while. However I still haven’t read those later books, because I had already gone through the grieving process, and I was at the acceptance stage, if that makes any sense. I still do recommend Walter Mosley to everyone, though. He’s also written a 2nd private eye series, some speculative fiction and non-fiction.
This is a bit of a spoiler, so fair warning if you plan to read Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins private eye detective series. And you should, he is a masterful writer.
Anyway, after a dozen books, Mosley decided he was done with the series and had nothing more to say, so he killed off his main character. There was absolutely no forewarning, and when it happened at the end of that 12th book, I was totally gobsmacked, shell shocked and blind sided. I had grown to love Easy and I couldn’t believe it! What happens is, he drives his car off a cliff, and we are left to assume he is dead. But P.S. after taking a break with some other writing, Mosley decided to go back to the series after all, and we find out that the character didn’t actually die, but was in a coma for a while. However I still haven’t read those later books, because I had already gone through the grieving process, and I was at the acceptance stage, if that makes any sense. I still do recommend Walter Mosley to everyone, though. He’s also written a 2nd private eye series, some speculative fiction and non-fiction.
This is a bit of a spoiler, so fair warning if you plan to read Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins private eye detective series. And you should, he is a masterful writer.
Anyway, after a dozen books, Mosley decided he was done with the series and had nothing more to say, so he killed off his main character. There was absolutely no forewarning, and when it happened at the end of that 12th book, I was totally gobsmacked, shell shocked and blind sided. I had grown to love Easy and I couldn’t believe it! What happens is, he drives his car off a cliff, and we are left to assume he is dead. But P.S. after taking a break with some other writing, Mosley decided to go back to the series after all, and we find out that the character didn’t actually die, but was in a coma for a while. However I still haven’t read those later books, because I had already gone through the grieving process, and I was at the acceptance stage, if that makes any sense. I still do recommend Walter Mosley to everyone, though. He’s also written a 2nd private eye series, some speculative fiction and non-fiction.
This is a bit of a spoiler, so fair warning if you plan to read Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins private eye detective series. And you should, he is a masterful writer.
Anyway, after a dozen books, Mosley decided he was done with the series and had nothing more to say, so he killed off his main character. There was absolutely no forewarning, and when it happened at the end of that 12th book, I was totally gobsmacked, shell shocked and blind sided. I had grown to love Easy and I couldn’t believe it! What happens is, he drives his car off a cliff, and we are left to assume he is dead. But P.S. after taking a break with some other writing, Mosley decided to go back to the series after all, and we find out that the character didn’t actually die, but was in a coma for a while. However I still haven’t read those later books, because I had already gone through the grieving process, and I was at the acceptance stage, if that makes any sense. I still do recommend Walter Mosley to everyone, though. He’s also written a 2nd private eye series, some speculative fiction and non-fiction.
This is a bit of a spoiler, so fair warning if you plan to read Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins private eye detective series. And you should, he is a masterful writer.
Anyway, after a dozen books, Mosley decided he was done with the series and had nothing more to say, so he killed off his main character. There was absolutely no forewarning, and when it happened at the end of that 12th book, I was totally gobsmacked, shell shocked and blind sided. I had grown to love Easy and I couldn’t believe it! What happens is, he drives his car off a cliff, and we are left to assume he is dead. But P.S. after taking a break with some other writing, Mosley decided to go back to the series after all, and we find out that the character didn’t actually die, but was in a coma for a while. However I still haven’t read those later books, because I had already gone through the grieving process, and I was at the acceptance stage, if that makes any sense. I still do recommend Walter Mosley to everyone, though. He’s also written a 2nd private eye series, some speculative fiction and non-fiction.
When I read Little Women, I was a very young. I did not realize the story was loosely based on reality. Beth’s death gave me a broken heart.
But, then I started reading books my father had gotten from the Book of the Month club. (a thing from a distant past). The books were about WWII and many were written by people who had been there. As cold and hard as it sounds, death became a normal part of what I was reading. At first it was emotional, then I began to see the war had taken many lives and it was a prime example of what I hated about it.
Yes, I was too young to read those books, but no one was paying any attention to what I was reading and the books were there…
Since then, there have been deaths in books which made me cry and I am not ashamed to say so. I generally get very attached to the characters in books I read.
One of the things I like about many mysteries, is the fact that many times the victims are people who generally deserve to be shot, stabbed or shoved off a cliff. Or maybe all three.
When I read Little Women, I was a very young. I did not realize the story was loosely based on reality. Beth’s death gave me a broken heart.
But, then I started reading books my father had gotten from the Book of the Month club. (a thing from a distant past). The books were about WWII and many were written by people who had been there. As cold and hard as it sounds, death became a normal part of what I was reading. At first it was emotional, then I began to see the war had taken many lives and it was a prime example of what I hated about it.
Yes, I was too young to read those books, but no one was paying any attention to what I was reading and the books were there…
Since then, there have been deaths in books which made me cry and I am not ashamed to say so. I generally get very attached to the characters in books I read.
One of the things I like about many mysteries, is the fact that many times the victims are people who generally deserve to be shot, stabbed or shoved off a cliff. Or maybe all three.
When I read Little Women, I was a very young. I did not realize the story was loosely based on reality. Beth’s death gave me a broken heart.
But, then I started reading books my father had gotten from the Book of the Month club. (a thing from a distant past). The books were about WWII and many were written by people who had been there. As cold and hard as it sounds, death became a normal part of what I was reading. At first it was emotional, then I began to see the war had taken many lives and it was a prime example of what I hated about it.
Yes, I was too young to read those books, but no one was paying any attention to what I was reading and the books were there…
Since then, there have been deaths in books which made me cry and I am not ashamed to say so. I generally get very attached to the characters in books I read.
One of the things I like about many mysteries, is the fact that many times the victims are people who generally deserve to be shot, stabbed or shoved off a cliff. Or maybe all three.
When I read Little Women, I was a very young. I did not realize the story was loosely based on reality. Beth’s death gave me a broken heart.
But, then I started reading books my father had gotten from the Book of the Month club. (a thing from a distant past). The books were about WWII and many were written by people who had been there. As cold and hard as it sounds, death became a normal part of what I was reading. At first it was emotional, then I began to see the war had taken many lives and it was a prime example of what I hated about it.
Yes, I was too young to read those books, but no one was paying any attention to what I was reading and the books were there…
Since then, there have been deaths in books which made me cry and I am not ashamed to say so. I generally get very attached to the characters in books I read.
One of the things I like about many mysteries, is the fact that many times the victims are people who generally deserve to be shot, stabbed or shoved off a cliff. Or maybe all three.
When I read Little Women, I was a very young. I did not realize the story was loosely based on reality. Beth’s death gave me a broken heart.
But, then I started reading books my father had gotten from the Book of the Month club. (a thing from a distant past). The books were about WWII and many were written by people who had been there. As cold and hard as it sounds, death became a normal part of what I was reading. At first it was emotional, then I began to see the war had taken many lives and it was a prime example of what I hated about it.
Yes, I was too young to read those books, but no one was paying any attention to what I was reading and the books were there…
Since then, there have been deaths in books which made me cry and I am not ashamed to say so. I generally get very attached to the characters in books I read.
One of the things I like about many mysteries, is the fact that many times the victims are people who generally deserve to be shot, stabbed or shoved off a cliff. Or maybe all three.
It’s interesting that the picture you posted was of King Arthur. He was actually the hardest character I ever had to ‘kill.’ The book was The Road to Avalon and I wrote it because I had always had a very very severe crush on King Arthur. It annoyed me no end that in all the books I read he was never the hero – it was Lancelot or Gawain or one of the women. So I wrote The Road to Avalon and if you’ve read it you know there is no doubt at all that Arthur is the hero. It was heartbreaking to have him die. I actually re read the book a few years ago (it came out quite a long time ago) and my heart broke once again. In fact I’m tearing up as I write this!
A note – I read Word Wenches all the time but this is the only time I have felt an urgent need to respond to an articleEE
It’s interesting that the picture you posted was of King Arthur. He was actually the hardest character I ever had to ‘kill.’ The book was The Road to Avalon and I wrote it because I had always had a very very severe crush on King Arthur. It annoyed me no end that in all the books I read he was never the hero – it was Lancelot or Gawain or one of the women. So I wrote The Road to Avalon and if you’ve read it you know there is no doubt at all that Arthur is the hero. It was heartbreaking to have him die. I actually re read the book a few years ago (it came out quite a long time ago) and my heart broke once again. In fact I’m tearing up as I write this!
A note – I read Word Wenches all the time but this is the only time I have felt an urgent need to respond to an articleEE
It’s interesting that the picture you posted was of King Arthur. He was actually the hardest character I ever had to ‘kill.’ The book was The Road to Avalon and I wrote it because I had always had a very very severe crush on King Arthur. It annoyed me no end that in all the books I read he was never the hero – it was Lancelot or Gawain or one of the women. So I wrote The Road to Avalon and if you’ve read it you know there is no doubt at all that Arthur is the hero. It was heartbreaking to have him die. I actually re read the book a few years ago (it came out quite a long time ago) and my heart broke once again. In fact I’m tearing up as I write this!
A note – I read Word Wenches all the time but this is the only time I have felt an urgent need to respond to an articleEE
It’s interesting that the picture you posted was of King Arthur. He was actually the hardest character I ever had to ‘kill.’ The book was The Road to Avalon and I wrote it because I had always had a very very severe crush on King Arthur. It annoyed me no end that in all the books I read he was never the hero – it was Lancelot or Gawain or one of the women. So I wrote The Road to Avalon and if you’ve read it you know there is no doubt at all that Arthur is the hero. It was heartbreaking to have him die. I actually re read the book a few years ago (it came out quite a long time ago) and my heart broke once again. In fact I’m tearing up as I write this!
A note – I read Word Wenches all the time but this is the only time I have felt an urgent need to respond to an articleEE
It’s interesting that the picture you posted was of King Arthur. He was actually the hardest character I ever had to ‘kill.’ The book was The Road to Avalon and I wrote it because I had always had a very very severe crush on King Arthur. It annoyed me no end that in all the books I read he was never the hero – it was Lancelot or Gawain or one of the women. So I wrote The Road to Avalon and if you’ve read it you know there is no doubt at all that Arthur is the hero. It was heartbreaking to have him die. I actually re read the book a few years ago (it came out quite a long time ago) and my heart broke once again. In fact I’m tearing up as I write this!
A note – I read Word Wenches all the time but this is the only time I have felt an urgent need to respond to an articleEE
I’m another one who dropped Elizabeth George like a hot rock when she killed off Helen. I actually never read that one because I had advance notice from a friend that she’d done it. The one that springs to mind is the protagonist in Sandra Brown’s historical who died in the sequel. Older generations do die in subsequent books; it was the way she did it that upset me. He was very sick, but he was getting better and THEN he died. I was wrecked for days, and she dropped off the auto-buy list. I also remember that Roberta Gellis stopped writing the Roselynde chronicles because Alinor was getting so old and Roberta couldn’t bear to write her death.
I’m another one who dropped Elizabeth George like a hot rock when she killed off Helen. I actually never read that one because I had advance notice from a friend that she’d done it. The one that springs to mind is the protagonist in Sandra Brown’s historical who died in the sequel. Older generations do die in subsequent books; it was the way she did it that upset me. He was very sick, but he was getting better and THEN he died. I was wrecked for days, and she dropped off the auto-buy list. I also remember that Roberta Gellis stopped writing the Roselynde chronicles because Alinor was getting so old and Roberta couldn’t bear to write her death.
I’m another one who dropped Elizabeth George like a hot rock when she killed off Helen. I actually never read that one because I had advance notice from a friend that she’d done it. The one that springs to mind is the protagonist in Sandra Brown’s historical who died in the sequel. Older generations do die in subsequent books; it was the way she did it that upset me. He was very sick, but he was getting better and THEN he died. I was wrecked for days, and she dropped off the auto-buy list. I also remember that Roberta Gellis stopped writing the Roselynde chronicles because Alinor was getting so old and Roberta couldn’t bear to write her death.
I’m another one who dropped Elizabeth George like a hot rock when she killed off Helen. I actually never read that one because I had advance notice from a friend that she’d done it. The one that springs to mind is the protagonist in Sandra Brown’s historical who died in the sequel. Older generations do die in subsequent books; it was the way she did it that upset me. He was very sick, but he was getting better and THEN he died. I was wrecked for days, and she dropped off the auto-buy list. I also remember that Roberta Gellis stopped writing the Roselynde chronicles because Alinor was getting so old and Roberta couldn’t bear to write her death.
I’m another one who dropped Elizabeth George like a hot rock when she killed off Helen. I actually never read that one because I had advance notice from a friend that she’d done it. The one that springs to mind is the protagonist in Sandra Brown’s historical who died in the sequel. Older generations do die in subsequent books; it was the way she did it that upset me. He was very sick, but he was getting better and THEN he died. I was wrecked for days, and she dropped off the auto-buy list. I also remember that Roberta Gellis stopped writing the Roselynde chronicles because Alinor was getting so old and Roberta couldn’t bear to write her death.
Elizabeth George ruined my Mother’s Day when she killed off Helen. All I could think of all day was – Helen is Dead, Helen is Dead, OMG Helen is dead!
Elizabeth George ruined my Mother’s Day when she killed off Helen. All I could think of all day was – Helen is Dead, Helen is Dead, OMG Helen is dead!
Elizabeth George ruined my Mother’s Day when she killed off Helen. All I could think of all day was – Helen is Dead, Helen is Dead, OMG Helen is dead!
Elizabeth George ruined my Mother’s Day when she killed off Helen. All I could think of all day was – Helen is Dead, Helen is Dead, OMG Helen is dead!
Elizabeth George ruined my Mother’s Day when she killed off Helen. All I could think of all day was – Helen is Dead, Helen is Dead, OMG Helen is dead!
I’ve not read Elizabeth George since she killed Helen and Lynley not only lost his wife but had to make a decision as to whether to try to save their unborn child. The whole episode was so painful, although George’s description of Lynley thinking about Helen’s last moments (the last time she laughed) and his new firsts (the first time in years he had to decide which tie to wear) was astonishingly poignant and made me cry. E George definitely has something about parents and children. Either the children are themselves the victims or they turn out to be monsters – either way they break their parents’ hearts.
Carolyn Jewel had an historical romance a few years back where the heroine’s brother was killed while trying to protect an abused woman. He was such a wonderful character that I couldn’t enjoy any of the romantic aspects after he died.
I’ve not read Elizabeth George since she killed Helen and Lynley not only lost his wife but had to make a decision as to whether to try to save their unborn child. The whole episode was so painful, although George’s description of Lynley thinking about Helen’s last moments (the last time she laughed) and his new firsts (the first time in years he had to decide which tie to wear) was astonishingly poignant and made me cry. E George definitely has something about parents and children. Either the children are themselves the victims or they turn out to be monsters – either way they break their parents’ hearts.
Carolyn Jewel had an historical romance a few years back where the heroine’s brother was killed while trying to protect an abused woman. He was such a wonderful character that I couldn’t enjoy any of the romantic aspects after he died.
I’ve not read Elizabeth George since she killed Helen and Lynley not only lost his wife but had to make a decision as to whether to try to save their unborn child. The whole episode was so painful, although George’s description of Lynley thinking about Helen’s last moments (the last time she laughed) and his new firsts (the first time in years he had to decide which tie to wear) was astonishingly poignant and made me cry. E George definitely has something about parents and children. Either the children are themselves the victims or they turn out to be monsters – either way they break their parents’ hearts.
Carolyn Jewel had an historical romance a few years back where the heroine’s brother was killed while trying to protect an abused woman. He was such a wonderful character that I couldn’t enjoy any of the romantic aspects after he died.
I’ve not read Elizabeth George since she killed Helen and Lynley not only lost his wife but had to make a decision as to whether to try to save their unborn child. The whole episode was so painful, although George’s description of Lynley thinking about Helen’s last moments (the last time she laughed) and his new firsts (the first time in years he had to decide which tie to wear) was astonishingly poignant and made me cry. E George definitely has something about parents and children. Either the children are themselves the victims or they turn out to be monsters – either way they break their parents’ hearts.
Carolyn Jewel had an historical romance a few years back where the heroine’s brother was killed while trying to protect an abused woman. He was such a wonderful character that I couldn’t enjoy any of the romantic aspects after he died.
I’ve not read Elizabeth George since she killed Helen and Lynley not only lost his wife but had to make a decision as to whether to try to save their unborn child. The whole episode was so painful, although George’s description of Lynley thinking about Helen’s last moments (the last time she laughed) and his new firsts (the first time in years he had to decide which tie to wear) was astonishingly poignant and made me cry. E George definitely has something about parents and children. Either the children are themselves the victims or they turn out to be monsters – either way they break their parents’ hearts.
Carolyn Jewel had an historical romance a few years back where the heroine’s brother was killed while trying to protect an abused woman. He was such a wonderful character that I couldn’t enjoy any of the romantic aspects after he died.