Reviews, I’m ready (I think)
Picture of A Murder for Miss Hortense with Bulla Cake
It’s been about six months since proofs (early uncorrected versions) of my book have been in circulation. Proofs of the book, so not the final copy, for book reviewers and influencers to read and review.
What’s my experience been so far?
So, in an earlier blog, I said that I wasn’t sure if I was going to read them.
Well, I’ve got a confession to make, I’ve been reading them…..all of them. I’m actually quite obsessed. I know I need to stop. And I will…..
My experience is that you can kind of go on a journey with book reviews. The first few are nerve racking because you’re not sure what the reception will be - will it be one star, two stars, is zero stars possible, and then I’ll be found out? Then you see the general trend (not one star or two stars or no stars) even though there might be the odd interesting outliers. Those might be the reviews that get under your skin…
Firstly, at a basic level, it’s great to know and remember that no matter the review people are just reading your book (that just existed in your head)!!!
The outliers might not make much sense to you but then there are the reviews that just make you smile or knock you completely off your feet.
There have been reviews that have made me want to cry - happy tears - that have created more magic moments. A number of reviews I have had to take pictures of and circulate to friends and family.
And did you see that someone has baked Miss Hortense’s Bulla Cake recipe - BULLA CAKE!! I mean WHAT!!!
I should say that in the subsequent discussions of that post, the Bulla Cakes went from being described as Bulla Cakes, to cookies, to biscuits 😀.
And then there are the reviews by fellow authors
In no particular order: Sir Lenny Henry - he read my book!! I remember watching Danny and the Human Zoo, and watching the actor, Cecila Noble, who played his mother, walking through the market - that vision so familiar, has stayed with me.
Alexander McCall Smith, the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency!!! His books are full of warmth and humour - and Jill Scott, Jill Scott, JILL SCOTT played Mma Precious Ramotswe.
Nadine Matheson - I listen to Nadine’s podcast regularly. I reached out to Nadine at a crime writing festival last year, “Hi my name’s Mel, I’m going to this crime writing festival, and I don’t know anyone….” and Nadine was so lovely. One of my bucket list things is to be interviewed for Nadine’s podcast. Nadine is a trailblazer.
Jenny Godfrey is phenomenal - I remember seeing a tweet a couple of years ago from her, “On way back from a meeting with publishers, it’s very top secret but something amazing is going to happen ..” And boy did it! I’m paraphrasing but it’s been so exciting to watch her phenomenal success.
Louise Hare!!!- I read Louise’s book Miss Alridge Regrets when I was just beginning to engage with my agent. It’s so good!
Janice Hallet - Janice is the queen of puzzles. I read Janice’s wonderful book, the Appeal, when I was writing my debut.
Jessica Bull - I met Jessica at the Women’s Prize last year. Jessica is a huge fan of Jane Austen and her mystery books are great. Jessica has a really unique way of writing that just gets you right into that space.
Kate Kemp - Kate is a fellow debut 2025 novelist. Her book, The Grapevine, oh my goodness. Please see the review in my next newsletter.
Kristen Perrin - Kristen’s book How to Solve your own Murder, is based on such a fun and unique premise. I detailed Kristen’s book in my first newsletter.
Jessica George - Can you believe that my book has been read by this titan New York Times bestselling author?
I guess the take away for me, as I write this, is that the world is small and whatever spaces you choose to be in or put your energy in, that investment will come back to you in a way that you may never have fathomed. For example, watching Danny and the Human Zoo in 2015, in my front room, with my cup of tea beside me, I’d never have imagined that Lenny Henry would be reading my book ten years later.
Things I’m taking from reviewers comments:
The Jamaican dialogue - comments have ranged from genius to the fact readers have had to adjust to it. I think the overall consensus (save for a few outliers…) is that it adds texture to the novel. I’d go as far as to say it’s integral.
That there are lots of characters (there are!) and there were even more before the editing process!
That Miss Hortense isn’t easy! She really isn’t. And that’s a huge compliment to Miss Hortense!
That readers want to see more (yippee).
