Hello, amazing fellow creatives! Here’s to more fun perusing the library’s new releases to see what strikes our fancy. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve retitled Story Cuppings to better fit the premise of the podcast.
As writers, we hear all the time that we’ve got to hook readers in just the first few pages or else. We’ve got to hook agents in the first few pages or else.
Whether you’re looking to get published or just hoping to hook your reader, first impressions are vital. Compelling opening scenes are the key to catching an agent or editor’s attention, and are crucial for keeping your reader engaged.
JEFF GERKE, THE FIRST 50 PAGES
Well then, let’s study those first few pages in other people’s stories, shall we?
Today I snagged from the New Release shelf:
The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni
Being a fan of John le Carre’, I immediately found myself drawn to this particular book. Cloak and dagger “espionage writing,” as the Providence Journal blurb puts it, is a lovely branch of mystery writing when done right. What will you, fellow creatives, make of these first five pages? Let’s find out!
If you do not see the audio player above, you can access the podcast here.
The first pages of The Silent Sisters by Robert Dugoni transport us immediately into dangerous, bloody territory. Who is really on the meathook–the enemy, or the ally? We do not know. While I do have a minor niggle about the pacing, this prologue definitely promises a taut thriller for all the espionage-lovers out there.
As always, I love hearing what’s on the shelves of your own libraries. Libraries Rock!
Read on, share on, and write on, my friends!
Jean Lee's World 
I might recommend this to my book club.
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I think you’d all enjoy it! x
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I totally agree with what you say about this opening, Jean. It’s a compelling start… come round and read the rest to me… 🙂
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Hee hee! Honestly, I have wondered about getting into audio reading more. I do so love the sound of prose aloud…
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You should. Seriously!
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Hmm….maybe I could up my mic and up my game…hmmmmmmmmmm….
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Chris said what I was thinking. I could really listen to you read entire books to me. You should think about it. The book sounds really good. xxxxx
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HELLO! Oh, I’ve been wondering about how you’ve been doing with exams and such! There are wicked looking hawks circling our teeny tiny farming town, and they always make me think of your son and how he’d speak to them. xxxxxxxx
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Oh Jean, you make the prelude to the prelude sound exciting!
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Thanks! It was an exciting read! 🙂
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🤩
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