Angela’s answer to “Don't you think that the heroine's background and her character isn't something new?” > Likes and Comments

With so many books being released every month, I as a reader like to discover new authors who can bring something new to the table : both in terms of plot and characters.

Having read more than my share of mysteries over the years, I maybe someone or part of a segment of readers a new author wouldn't like to focus on.

I am happy , though that you are happy with your creation and have already developed a good following .

Cheers!

I also read a lot of books mainly Thrillers and I have also read Silent Scream and Evil Games and I loved them I feel Kim is a very realistic character. As a mother of twins I can relate to the relationship between twins and it would have been traumatic enough to be the victim of the abuse Kim suffered but to watch her twin die after protecting him all her life would damage her for life. I think Angela has Kim's character spot on and the small snapshots of her very big heart creeping through occasionally is, I feel, very realistic. I haven't come across a character like Kim previously I am aware that many readers like a 'happy ending' but life isn't like that. Keep going as you are Angela (if you could write a bit faster lol cant wait for the next book)

You know that one of my friends didn't even know about Hercule Poirot despite being a voracious reader himself? Go figure!

A character maybe highly cliche'd and stereotypical but still likable as some people can associate with him/her at many different levels and may sometimes see themselves in them.

For instance, I like Jack Reacher a lot for his no nonsense attitude and ability to shrug the bad things off and move on......many people find him hard to understand.

But, as a human I would also equally associate myself with a normal everyday person like Armand Gamache , who has a family and is living happily and is still a tough cop.

My aim is at the general ideological and creative bankruptcy when it comes to police characters and specially a tough female cop....with a character like Kim Stone (ball-breaker, bad at man-management and having a general lack of diplomatic skills and empathy).

Why does a female cop have to be tough as nuts and have a rough upbringing? With your experience as a reader, how many female cops can you single out not having a tough childhood?

But like I said to Angela, I am so so happy that you liked Kim Stone and could so emotionally attach with her and thereby like the books .

Cheers and Happy reading!

Thank you for your comments. I would dispute your comment that the character lacks empathy as this is demonstrated many times throughout the book. I personally find Jack Reacher uninteresting and bland but that just shows how subjective taste in main characters can be. If this is a particular issue for you with authors in general maybe it would be better voiced in a different forum and not in a question to one particular author. Have a good day.

yes well Hercule Poirot is far too old fashioned for me my mum was an Agatha Christie fan but I think Hercule is a pompous twit I much prefer the 'modern day' thrillers especially female cops trying to make a difference in what is still a bit of a mans world :)

Writing about a passive and family oriented female character would be ground-breaking wouldn’t it!

Yes, Tim, because there are none of those about

I love Kim Angela just carry on as you are :)

I love Kim too! Just finished Evil Games. Alex was a bitch but such a great character. You must have done a lot of research for that book. I had to read the conversation with Ted and Kim twice when they were talking about sociopaths. It was so interesting.

Who said Kim doesn't lack empathy? Are you even reading the same books as the rest of us??? Kim Stone is an amazing protagonist who is multifaceted and displaying more with every book!