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| Murder Most Foul by Larner | 91 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 11/20/2011 |
| It's too bad that the Elves can't send a different healer. That one sounds annoying and difficult to work with. How very like Aragorn to ensure that the injured woman doesn't have to worry about her family while she is in hospital. Another great chapter! Author Reply: Harolfileg will get along well enough, you'll learn. But it's not easy for the isolated Elves of Mirkwood to deal easily with mortals, after all. And I do think Aragorn would always wish to make certain someone who's been incapacitated for a time doesn't have to worry about simple things such as whether nor not the family will get its dinner today! Heh! | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 11/20/2011 |
| It's not a good sign that the archivest knows at first glance that some of the evidence is false. Sending the Elven healer and the battle surgeon--the forensic experts of the day--is a nice touch. Author Reply: Well, it's been through the examination of evidence by truly competent forensic scientists that the real-world case was finally turned upside down for many who had believed that the real Damien, Jason, and Jessie were guilty; it seemed realistic to think that Aragorn would wish to send people who knew what they were looking at to examine what evidence might be available, or to review what had been testified to in order to test its validity. | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/20/2011 |
| Hmm, I think you are a little unfair to Denethor. There is no indication that Denethor wasn't a fair and conscientious ruler. I love the idea of the bogus "Book of Shadows." The Necronomicon of MiddleEarth! I recall that Tolkien started writing a sequel to the LOTR that was about cults of evil-worshippers, but he quickly abandoned it. Your story is fascinating! Author Reply: Oh, you'll find I was nowhere as unfair to Denethor as it might now appear, once you reach the end of the story. I'd love to see some of the early drafts for what Tolkien was working on. It could be fascinating to see where he was seeing the story taken next. | |
| Branwyn | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 11/20/2011 |
| I commend you for writing the story you needed to write (which is bound to repel some readers). Chilling yet beautifully written. I have to admit that I was unaware of the real-world criminal case until this summer. Author Reply: Oh, the story has repelled a few readers, mostly people who have been discussing the real-world case for years, it's proved. And the first chapter isn't an easy one to get through, I know. It wasn't easy to write, either. But if we don't wish such stories as this to remain all too frequent, we need to examine ourselves to make certain we aren't making rushes to judgment in order to tidy up cases swiftly and neatly and in doing so making terrible mistakes. I've followed the case since about 1999; one friend was a court reporter and was present at the initial trials. She was aware from the start that there was something rotten in West Memphis, Arkansas; now she wishes to see the real killer properly identified and prosecuted. Thanks so, Branwyn. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/28/2011 |
| I always suspected that it was a Uruk-hai that killed the childred. Too bad Denethor didn't have a chance to follow thru on his findings. It would have spared so many such unneccesay grief. Danárion will serve Minis Tirith well. Author Reply: Oh, I do agree about how bad it was that Denethor didn't follow through on his own understanding of the case. And I am certain Danarion would do very well indeed by the realm and its new King. Thanks so, Tari. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 10/12/2011 |
| This is the most powerful chapter I have read thus far (it took me three lunch breaks to finish it). The three victums have proven to be far more intelligent than they were given credit for. I am totally on Danárion's side and can't wait to see what happens to him next. I am sure the Lord Aragorn will find a good trade for him. Author Reply: I'm so glad you followed this through to the end, and regret I've been so tardy in responding. Life has been far too full for the past few months, I've found. Today Damien Echols and his wife are in New Zealand as the guest of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, and I wouldn't be in the least surprised to find he and Lorri were included in some of the scenes of the Hobbit movie. PJ and Fran have been staunch and generous supporters for these three young men, and I hope they realize how much those of us who've followed the case seeking real justice for years appreciate what they did to help free Damien, Jason, and Jessie, and their insistence on seeing the investigation properly funded to learn who truly killed Michael, Christopher, and Steve. Thanks so very much, Tari! | |
| JennieM | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 9/30/2011 |
| I have greatly enjoyed this long and complex story, Larner. Both the narrative and the characters were developed well, so I became very much involved with them.In fact, I started to burn with the injustice of it all, the condemnation of three young men because of who and what they are, not because the evidence showed their guilt. I was even more horrified to discover that it was based on a real case, and that three young men had served long jail sentences because of bias and an inadequate investigation. I'm glad that they are out of jail now, but feel that American justice ought to be ashamed of itself for not allowing proper reviews of the 'evidence' and quashing these sentences. Still, I was on the edge of my seat for the time it took to read each chapter, and felt truly disappointed when I logged on and found out that there was no update. Still, I must admit to being greedy for such well-written work, as many of my friends know to their sorrow. Thank you once again for giving me so much pleasure. Author Reply: And thank you. I've spent much of the last decade and longer following the West Memphis Three case, and it was with mixed joy and frustration that we saw Damien, Jason, and Jessie freed from prison after eighteen years there for a crime that didn't even happen as presented by police and prosecutors. Thanks so for the warm review--and for being greedy for more. I have a feeling that Anorgil will appear in other stories soon enough. | |
| Ainariel | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 9/21/2011 |
| I really enjoyed this story (not for the content, but that it was so well written). I intended to read only about 5 chapters last night and instead ended up finishing it - much to my horror it was nearly 2am when I left my computer. It made for a VERY long day at work today, I must say! You found that fine line with just enough detail to capture the seriousness of the situation without going overboard, and I believe you handled the subject as tastefully as can be done - it is a compelling read. It makes one think about how easily some folk can be swayed and how persuasive others can be - and in the worst of cases how much evil can potentially come of it. I'd heard reports off & on of the West Memphis 3, but hadn't followed the story regularly. It is good to know that those men now have a chance at a somewhat normal life. The true horror in all of this, to my way of thinking, is that the person responsible is still out there...and has had plenty of time to repeat the offense. How many other innocents have suffered because there was a legal system in place that was too full of itself to admit a mistake and try to remedy it? Too much time was wasted trying to hide the facts, and too little spent searching for true leads...and for this, a monster still walks free. Author Reply: I thank you for the reassurance that I did manage to write this without overwhelming others with the horrible, often grisly details. That was a great temptation, I found, as I wrote it, to let things perhaps become too graphic. Of all cases of injustice I've become aware of, this is one of the most blatant. It was such a joy to see the three of them walk free at last, and we do hope that prosecutor Scott Ellington and Governor Beebe meant it when they have assured us that if sufficient evidence is submitted to them they will see the case reopened and the true killer prosecuted. And to learn that my own writing has proved so compelling to you that you'd read it all in one go--I'm greatly honored! Thank you so for telling me! | |
| Armariel | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/19/2011 |
| Oh.......I was hesitant to read this at first...the original crime having taken place far too close to home. But finally I decided to take the plunge...and now I don't want to come out! Gotta see what happens next.... Who would have thought to set it in Middle Earth? A daring venture...but I'm hooked! ~~~~~~{~@ Author Reply: I hope that setting it as I did within Middle Earth helps you appreciate it better without causing too much grief or pain. And I'll be glad to see how you respond to it. Thanks so, Armariel! | |
| Szepilona10 | Reviewed Chapter: 999999 on 9/18/2011 |
| I just wanted to tell you thanks for writing this amazing story! God Bless! ~Szepilona10~ Author Reply: And thank you as well for reading it, Szepilona! It was an honor to write it. | |