I actually got way too fond of all my characters and didn't want it to be any of them, either. Enter Joe Shmuck, the mysterious stranger who's orchestrated all the killing... I suppose I should warn you that the Queen novels often have upsetting solutions, too.
OMG, you know, for me the important thing was not who did it, but the growth of mature love for Laurie and his accepting more of Ralph's love and generosity. Ralph's shyness in this situation always charms me.
But what a sad thing for the Damsons - both siblings in love with the same person - who killed for one of them. I wonder if they will ever want to associate with Laurie and Ralph again?
The ending of the mystery makes me sad, too. Which is ridiculous, but there you are. I wanted their friendships to go on, and I kept going back and adding more of that rather than working on the ending, which was painful for me.
Fortunately, Hanarobi made me re-work it to give the Ralph-Laurie story equal time, so to speak, and have the development there that you point out. And that was a delight to write.
Thanks so much, Julia. I'm so relieved that everyone doesn't hate me for what I've done to these people! Killing off their mother, sticking them in jail, busting up romances -- boy, makes what I do to Frodo seem nice. :)
Omigosh, when they handcuffed Susan I thought I was going to have to drive to Chicago and have a discussion with you! And to think that before I was so afraid it was Henry, and he was insane or good friend Robert, because I knew it couldn't be Jack... silly me. You made us care for all of them - even old Enid, a bit at the end, for her being such a irascible impossible old dame, that it was hard to think of any of them as being the murderer. Which, of course, is your job ; ) Well done
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This was really such an enjoyable read, even though it had its painful moments. I was already resigned to the fact that the murderer would be someone lovable- either Susan, Henry or Jack- but the denouement was still a bit upsetting.
I did love you closing this chapter with Ralph and Laurie in front of the fire- such wonderful memories!
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But what a sad thing for the Damsons - both siblings in love with the same person - who killed for one of them. I wonder if they will ever want to associate with Laurie and Ralph again?
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Fortunately, Hanarobi made me re-work it to give the Ralph-Laurie story equal time, so to speak, and have the development there that you point out. And that was a delight to write.
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Thank you so much for pushing me to post this and for all your lovely encouraging comments, B. *smooches you* I'm very glad it was fun for you.
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I did love you closing this chapter with Ralph and Laurie in front of the fire- such wonderful memories!
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Yep, committing murder was easy but blaming someone -- that was hard. :)
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