Review: A For Effort
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 01 30, 2013
This is one of those times where I wish we could score 1/2 stars, I would give 1 1/2 here.The author really tried, and as someone who has been trying to finish his own murder mystery, I applaud him for his work.However, the writing was so clumsy and awkward.I felt like I was reading a letter (and a poorly written one at that).  "He said....and then she said....and I told them."Show, don't tell - the primary rule of fiction writing - is what's missing here.  I feel like I was told a story and not shown one.The characters all have potential, but I did not feel like I got to know them because the clunky first person narrative (which switched to third a few times without warning) did not flesh them out.I love a good murder mystery series, but sadly, I can't bring myself to read anything more in this series.As for the mystery itself, the author pretty much handed the killer over to the reader without a lot of suspense.  No red herrings, nothing that made me second guess myself.  There was an interesting twist at the end, which I did enjoy.I love ebooks because they give everyone a chance to have their stories heard and I appreciate the effort, but this just did not work for me.