Review: BREAKING NEWS: An author invites readers to collaborate in the Strangeville series (really strange)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 25, 2012
Strangeville takes the reader into another world...not a sci-fi place, but a world where you wonder if it could really happen the way the story unfolds. Author Ken Tingle shakes it up with the release of his new dark comedy fiction book, Strangeville, Part 1. He invites readers to submit their comments about what should happen in Part 2.Have you ever read a published book that was delivered in parts but depended on the author's readership to inject their thoughts about the characters and what should happen in Part 2? I know I've read books where I'm hollering out loud, "No, no, don't make him do that!" So if you want an opportunity to tell the author what the characters should do next, here's your chance.The story begins with what might appear as a grim but powerful opening line, and I wasn't quite sure where he'd go next. Then came the all-too-human injection of dark humor (and a few curse words), and then you realize that you're already onboard for learning if the strangeness could be real.This is a quick read, not because of the page count, but because you'll want to find out what happens next. If this was a feature film, you wouldn't be leaving for popcorn in the middle of the first act. Some scenes are way out-there and strange (I don't want to give it away by alerting you), but I found myself cheering for the dude caught up somewhere in time with his predicament and the weird characters and their dialects. I did enjoy a warm shower when I finished reading Part 1 (too funny)!Here are my comments to consider, Ken Tingle, when you write Part 2:All good writing mentors tell their authors that if you show the audience a gun in the beginning of the story, you'd better figure out a way to use the gun before the story ends. In this case, too much time has elapsed (for me) since we learned about the desperate plea from his aunt. We need to know what's going on.The "snitch" - what's his story and did he sabotage our hero on purpose? I'd like to see him plotting and scheming with other people in the town so we know if we should trust him or fear him. Last, when it looks like he's not going to escape, give him something else to fall in love with but don't make it predictable. Let it catch us off guard and reveal another layer to this strange story (shouldn't be difficult).CandaceP.S. Ken, your story made me wonder how you ever conjured up such a concept and the characters, but then I used to wonder the same thing about all the Steven King and Dean Koontz stories (not dark comedy). Can't wait until August to read Part 2. Good luck!