tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post4610158103871123514..comments2024-03-29T10:25:17.813-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Critic Oline H. Cogdill on Mystery Reviews — the Good, the Bad, and the UglyJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31136534626211445982014-03-30T07:14:17.105-04:002014-03-30T07:14:17.105-04:00Came across a raving review today written by both ...Came across a raving review today written by both author's spouse. Nothing but praise. Might I also point out that the novel was a cleverly disguised self-published. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2131955263087763322014-03-29T11:57:01.826-04:002014-03-29T11:57:01.826-04:00Thank heavens for professional reviewers with stan...Thank heavens for professional reviewers with standards. Too "reviews" on Amazon are snarky and unprofessional. I wish Amazon and other review sites would follow your rules.<br />But what do you do when the books you're getting all seems to be alike" A problem that plagues other genre reviewers.Elaine Vietshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00852336097671356410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44800904061996714922014-03-28T14:10:12.029-04:002014-03-28T14:10:12.029-04:00I'm not a hobby reviewer, nor am I paid. What ...I'm not a hobby reviewer, nor am I paid. What I am, is a writer who loves audiobooks and has found a way to get more for less. I write reviews for several companies in exchange for free audiobooks. <br />Writing an honest review can be hard if I've found a lot of things about the book I disliked, or the book needed another run through. Although I attempt to pick books I'll like, one cannot always tell from the blurb if you will like it. What I'm always careful to do when I have negative things to say about a book is that this is MY opinion and there may be others out there who will thoroughly enjoy the book. <br />My reviews include an overall opinion of the books plot, authors writing, the narrators portion and if the book translated well to an audiobook. <br />As for having the author contact me after I've written a review? I have had several who have thanked me and offered me another of their books to review. I've made some friends that way. One book I gave a less than stellar review, the author contacted me and we discussed why I thought what I did. It was productive from both sides I believe. <br />Mostly I post reviews on the publishers site, my site and a small review on large book sites like Amazon and Barnes & Nobels with a link to the full review on my site. <br />Your rules rock by the way. Lori Fetters Lopezhttp://www.lorifetterslopez.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56348955047250141542014-03-27T08:32:19.184-04:002014-03-27T08:32:19.184-04:00Thanks for the terrific insights, Oline. I love to...Thanks for the terrific insights, Oline. I love to read professional book reviews. The best give you a sense of whether this is an author that you want to 'meet'--by dipping into their books. That's how I use reviews--mostly to find new authors. That said, sometimes even a favorite author will sometimes miss the mark and I think it's fair for a reviewer to point that out. It doesn't mean I would stop reading an author, or even that particular book. After all, as numerous commentators have pointed out, mystery fiction can be GREAT fiction, and those are the series I love the most--the ones that leave me thinking about the characters, the plot, human behavior, long after I finish a story. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59491702765938934362014-03-26T18:55:05.093-04:002014-03-26T18:55:05.093-04:00Thanks to all who commented and asked questions to...Thanks to all who commented and asked questions today. Google my name and the reviews will often pop up. <br /><br />Happy reading to allAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09235070363897190058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69954257213935260602014-03-26T18:44:46.995-04:002014-03-26T18:44:46.995-04:00Writing a review on goodreads is really tough! Re...Writing a review on goodreads is really tough! Really appreciate the rules about writing a review. <br /><br />~DianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19268832226807973692014-03-26T17:51:51.179-04:002014-03-26T17:51:51.179-04:00Laura Lippman was terrific at Sleuthfest (what a f...Laura Lippman was terrific at Sleuthfest (what a fabulous convention!), talking about "transcending the genre." Why say that? she wondered. It means "most mysteries aren't good but this one, gasp, actually is."<br /><br />Like Oline, she was enthusiastic about embracing the crime fiction genre--who needs to "transcend" something that's already wonderful?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23183985831674676462014-03-26T17:48:00.848-04:002014-03-26T17:48:00.848-04:00I love Cogdillo! It's a very good last name f...I love Cogdillo! It's a very good last name for a character.... :-)Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37763173690121312792014-03-26T16:58:08.006-04:002014-03-26T16:58:08.006-04:00So, so agreeing with Oline on "transcends the...So, so agreeing with Oline on "transcends the genre." No. Some of the best fiction being written today is in the mystery genre. <br /><br />As to Amazon versus actual critics, I approach it as I would when a new movie is opening at the local cinema. I'll ask friends and acquaintances what they think. That's the Amazon review in this analogy. Before I plunk down my hard earned money, I read the professional critics (usually on Rotten Tomatoes, a great aggregator of movie criticism.<br /><br />So thanks for carrying on the long tradition of serious literary criticism, Oline. Oh, and thanks for calling my series "engrossing"... ;-)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66915997594275320452014-03-26T16:44:21.868-04:002014-03-26T16:44:21.868-04:00Let's talk about negative reviews.
Yes, I do ...Let's talk about negative reviews.<br /><br />Yes, I do them....I PREFER to do a posibive review for several reasons, one of them selfish...I would rather spend the time ENJOYING myself than feel I am held captive by a bad book.<br /><br />I also would rather tell a reader what TO READ than what NOT TO READ.<br /><br />Negative reviews show a balance to a critic's work. I admit I try to review books I think I will like but sometimes I need to review a certain book and it doesnt work. <br /><br />And I have to be honestAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09235070363897190058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69512752017664294202014-03-26T16:41:43.921-04:002014-03-26T16:41:43.921-04:00I think I am tougher on best selling authors as th...I think I am tougher on best selling authors as they have perhaps set a standard while others may be trying to achieve that standard.<br /><br />I can forgive stuff in a debut novel if it works overall.<br /><br />that said, I often don't review those authors who are always on the best sellers list.<br /><br />for one thing, some authors are review proof. They will sell anyway.<br /><br />Secondly, I would rather introduce a new author or one who has a few books out but is still making a name for him/herselfAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09235070363897190058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80301070898297894142014-03-26T16:19:33.265-04:002014-03-26T16:19:33.265-04:00As a reader, though, I don't want my time wast...As a reader, though, I don't want my time wasted by negative reviews. If a review is going that way in a legit newspaper or magazine, I tend to skip it. <br /><br />On the other hand, there's a certain joy in following particular reviewers through both positive and negative reviews. For example, I love David Denby in the New Yorker, but I never agree with him. What he loves I hate and vice versa. But he writes so well that I'm always interested see what he has to say each week.Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79807380495775903762014-03-26T16:14:40.125-04:002014-03-26T16:14:40.125-04:00Debs, never in my wildest dreams would I think tha...Debs, never in my wildest dreams would I think that you don't appreciate your readers and fans and their reviews or comments. You are one of the most gracious authors it's been my pleasure to meet. Just because I post reviews on Goodreads and Amazon doesn't mean I am invested in their popularity or author readership. Goodreads is fun because I know other readers on there whose opinions I've come to value. I only recently started posting reviews on Amazon, and that was because several authors asked me to. I don't necessarily trust Amazon reviews like I do Goodreads. I know the Goodreads reviewers I read, not so with Amazon.<br /><br />I would think that it could indeed be a nightmarishly tangled web to read many reviews as an author. That should definitely be someone else's job to do. <br /><br />And, please, please, Debs, don't focus on anything but Gemma and Duncan. LOL!Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76338351779102458152014-03-26T15:25:26.724-04:002014-03-26T15:25:26.724-04:00Hi Oline, welcome to JRW. Things happen fast aroun...Hi Oline, welcome to JRW. Things happen fast around here. So, I have a question, which really applies more to the industry than specifically to you. It seems there's a tendency for reviewers to relax the standards for bestselling authors. Do you agree that there is a tendency to allow the advance hype to influence the professional reviews?Terry Ambrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14859532145979982213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13585552165376382132014-03-26T14:15:25.241-04:002014-03-26T14:15:25.241-04:00I don't know if I am a professional reviewer, ...I don't know if I am a professional reviewer, but I am a former longtime journalist and write occasional reviews of mystery novels for pay in newspapers. (I now make my living as an editor of fiction manuscripts.)<br /><br />I'm a big believer in negative reviews — that is, reviews that painstaking explain why a novel doesn't work and why I think it isn't worth the money of the discriminating mystery reader. I don't mind reading bad books, as they help me better understand why good books work and help me dodge errors of craft in my own fiction-writing efforts. <br /><br />In hewing to that ethic, I think I'm doing more of a service to the reader than the person who writes largely positive reviews and just avoids or downplays books that might inspire negative reviews. <br /><br />I think there's tremendous value in helping readers understand that not every book that has passed through a professional editor and a marketing team at a publishing house is a good book. In fact, two of my recent reviews of books from Big Five imprints pointed out a similar problem — that the novels didn't receive strong developmental editing. That the prose was soggy with dependent clauses, that plot points often contradicted one another, that characters were poorly introduced and developed, that excess exposition early on slowed the storytelling to the point that any reasonable reader's patience would be tested beyond the breaking point. In short, things I see from my own author clients. Which is why they hire me to straighten out their work. <br /><br />There's a lot of dreck out there. And when it floods the market under familiar names, it especially needs to be called out. Every name-brand author puts a clunker out there from time to time, and not even hardcore loyalty to a series can overcome the problems of a phoned-in manuscript. <br /><br />I understand that mystery is a community, and that we all want to make friends and build relationships and cultivate goodwill. But the best friends a person can have are the people who call them out when they come up short. <br /><br />And it works. I've made many friends among authors who have responded to my thoughtful negative reviews, made their cases, asked for further perspective, and stayed in touch. I may not be the first person they invite over for a backyard barbecue to celebrate a new release, but I know they trust me. I'll take that. <br /><br /><br /><br />Jim Thomsennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74235120091188260562014-03-26T13:59:38.865-04:002014-03-26T13:59:38.865-04:00Kathy Reel, I didn't mean to imply that I don&...Kathy Reel, I didn't mean to imply that I don't appreciate good, well thought out reviews of my books on Amazon or Goodreads. I love that readers make the time and effort to post something, and good reviews on Amazon and Goodreads do make a difference in our sales. Our publishers look at the number of reviews, by the way. BUT... It's hard to read just one review, and once you start you never know what you are going to get into. Soon you will be focused on what other people think about your books rather than the book you SHOULD be writing, and that's a very dangerous thing. Not to mention that if you read the 4 and 5 star reviews, it's really, really hard to resist the temptation to read the 1 star review(s). And that can be deadly. A really hateful review can shoot my confidence down for weeks and interfere with my work--even though I know that person had an agenda of some sort. For me as a writer, it's just better not to go there.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73916474876422054092014-03-26T13:53:34.166-04:002014-03-26T13:53:34.166-04:00Kristopher, I love the term "book advocate.&q...Kristopher, I love the term "book advocate." That definitely describes my purpose, too. Oh, and Mark, Susan, and Ramona, you are all most clever to grab onto Oline's post transcending the genre. There are so many interesting comments here on the Jungle Reds to go with the daily posts.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68337096220954215692014-03-26T13:51:15.940-04:002014-03-26T13:51:15.940-04:00Hi Oline!! (I love Cogdillo, by the way:-)) So gr...Hi Oline!! (I love Cogdillo, by the way:-)) So great to see you here, and so interesting to read your guidelines. I look forward to your reviews (when I know they're yours) as I think they will be honest and informed--and won't have dreaded spoilers...<br /><br />I don't read Amazon reviews, of my books or other writers. Nor do I post reviews, either on Amazon or Goodreads. I'm just very uncomfortable with the idea of authors reviewing other authors. I wouldn't post a negative review under any circumstances (waste of my time and the readers) and positive reviews in that sort of forum can lead to all sorts of complicated cronyism issues.<br /><br />I will, however, advocate (thanks for the term, Kristopher)for books I love, usually on Facebook. But this is as a READER, for other READERS. I want to share the joy of finding something I feel is special. <br /><br />In fact, today I'm going to write about Alan Furst's Mission to Paris, which I just finished last night and thought was brilliant. I don't know Alan Furst, and have no agenda other than appreciating exceptionally fine writing.<br /><br />Oh, and Oline, it's nice to know that it's not a breach of etiquette to thank a review for reviewing your book. I've never been sure about that.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91287519474634510672014-03-26T13:29:11.248-04:002014-03-26T13:29:11.248-04:00Oline, it is indeed a treat to hear from a profess...Oline, it is indeed a treat to hear from a professional reviewer. I want to be you when I grow up, and at 60, I should probably be doing that soon. I am a hobby reviewer, as Mark put it, and I write a blog, The Reading Room, in which I discuss reading, as well as offer reviews. Reviewing and writing about reading events and topics is something at which I work hard. I also have a FB book page, Bookaholics, and review on Goodreads and Amazon. I am attending more book events these days, with my favorite being Bouchercon. Mysteries are my first love.<br /><br />I make a concerted effort to never place spoilers in my reviews. I approach a review from the perspective of a reader who wants to know what a book is about, but who deserves the pleasure of discovering the book's essence for him/herself. Sometimes it's more challenging than others to avoid a reveal, but I always err on the side of caution.<br /><br />Negative reviews aren't really an issue for me, as I seem to gravitate toward books that I want to read and most usually enjoy. The ARCs I receive are authors that I already read or ones that I have requested, so I have seemed to set up a pleasant reading experience in advance. Of course, not all books are created equal, and I do occasionally read a less than stellar novel. However, I will have to say that my reading life appears to be aptly blessed by the reading gods. <br /><br />One aspect of reviewing that I keep in mind, whether the book is mystery (most of my reading) or other, is what the book is trying to achieve or who the target audience is. Thus, I can easily give a "cozy" mystery a five star rating next to a complex, layered mystery's five star if they both achieve the purpose to which their forms aspire. After all, it is the reader for whom I am ultimately writing the review, and the reader wants to know if the book is at the top of its particular form, not if I think a layered novel is better than a "cozy." <br /><br />And, while I do write reviews for other readers, to share with them books that I was happy to spend time reading, I am pleased to give a shout out to authors who deliver these amazing tales. To think that an author of a beloved book might benefit from my review is a sweet bonus for me. <br /><br />I can hardly wait to start looking for your reviews, Oline. I may have to add Mystery Scene Magazine to my reading now. Your rules are great, and, like Hallie, I may be printing those out. 50 t0 100 books a week? You must be a highly organized person to select from that number. Thank you for sharing today on Jungle Reds. Now, I am going to go back and read your post again.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45848781196861162042014-03-26T13:23:27.559-04:002014-03-26T13:23:27.559-04:00Christopher - LOVE the dramatic reading idea. I mi...Christopher - LOVE the dramatic reading idea. I might have to steal it ...Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-77829788430656622782014-03-26T13:06:13.017-04:002014-03-26T13:06:13.017-04:00So wonderful to see you here at JRW's, Online....So wonderful to see you here at JRW's, Online. As you know, I am a huge fan of your work. <br /><br />I love your list of rules, not the least, because I try to follow the same strict guideline. <br /><br />My reviews are for readers, to help them determine what books to spend their money on. My BOLO posts each Monday list 3-4 books coming out that week which I feel are worth getting attention (some because I have read them, some because of the pre-pub buzz). I really use that space to talk about books that are not guaranteed bestsellers, those books get enough attention.<br /><br />Recently, I have taken to referring to myself more as a book advocate than a reviewer. (NB. I think the first place I saw this word used was by Erin Mitchell, so all credit to her.) Since I don't do negative reviews - I just don't like being negative - I only post on the blog about books I love. But I read so many other books, people just don't realize it. This is also why I will turn down a review request if I know from the description that I probably won't enjoy it. <br /><br />So, what I am doing is advocating for books I love, trying to get people to read and helping to promote a genre that means the world to me. I agree that crime novels are the social novels of today.<br /><br />I agree that readers should find reviewers they trust, reviewers with similar opinions, and follow them (their work, not them literally - that's called stalking). An extended "relationship" of that type can lead to many book discoveries that one might not have experienced otherwise. Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12963061509832053972014-03-26T13:00:05.523-04:002014-03-26T13:00:05.523-04:00The comment about amazon readers often having an a...The comment about amazon readers often having an agenda is so true. I often do dramatic readings of my one-star amazon reviews when I do author appearances; for one thing, I almost always get great laughs, and owning these reviews (almost always either anti-gay or anti-"left-wing") is, frankly, part of my truth and my own agenda for writing what I do. The haters will always hate.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275718725422568789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58925721705576842712014-03-26T12:17:44.195-04:002014-03-26T12:17:44.195-04:00Took a while for me to get back here...I actually ...Took a while for me to get back here...I actually am trying to write two reviews. <br /><br />A couple of people wanted to know how I choose the books. <br /><br />And that is a complicated answer.<br /><br />Keep in mind I will get 50 to 100 books a week...A WEEK..some will be arcs, paperbacks, finished books etc., and from all different publishers<br /><br />How's how it works<br /><br />1)For the Sun Sentinel, I am only focused on authors who are local or coming into the area. Cutbacks on freelance now require this. And fortunately, Florida has an active book scene<br /><br />2) Publishers Weekly, books are assigned to me by an editor. I can refuse, of course, but never have,or request. I actually find it interesting to be given a book I may not have read or may have been forced to skip or is outside what I normally review. Authors are not supposed to know which reviews are mine.<br /><br />3) Mystery Scene, again, a terrific review editor assigns me the books. Again, I can refuse but seldom do. Only time I turn down a book is if I have already reviewed it for PW or the Sun Sentinel<br /><br />4) often I also will blog about a book or a part in a book or a trend for the Mystery Scene blog (mysteryscenemag.com) which allows me to give more attention to a book, etc<br /><br />5) Associated Press, a list is circulated and we can choose which ones we would like to review. <br /><br />6) McClatchy Tribune Features Wire, sometimes I do reviews just for MCT and these are of my own choosing. MCT reviews, which also include those I do for the Sun Sentinel, are distributed worldwide. Generally, about 200 to 350 newspapers and sites will pick up my reviews..US, UK, Canada and several other foreign countries. <br /><br />In all cases, I am looking for variety, new authors, a new approach....I have and still do read maybe 10 first chapters before deciding which to review.<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09235070363897190058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54854523629210933212014-03-26T12:17:41.531-04:002014-03-26T12:17:41.531-04:00Sorry, Susan and Ramona. I beat you both.Sorry, Susan and Ramona. I beat you both.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89259647092606254202014-03-26T11:19:20.316-04:002014-03-26T11:19:20.316-04:00Good morning, Oline.
I really appreciate honest, t...Good morning, Oline.<br />I really appreciate honest, thoughtful reviews like yours...and that you don't give away surprises. I get so mad when a reviewer reveals a main plot twist. And as for Amazon...don't get me started.Rhys Bowennoreply@blogger.com