Please use this page to leave a comment on the Acer Sansom books, or read some from readers who have enjoyed them.
Oliver Tidy
Crime and Thriller Fiction
Please use this page to leave a comment on the Acer Sansom books, or read some from readers who have enjoyed them.
Oliver Tidy 
Excellent read
thank you
Thanks for your positive comment. Regards.
Hi, I’ve just finished reading the second Acer Sansom book, what an excellent read! I started reading your R&M books on holiday in September and thoroughly enjoyed them. Looking for more, I tried the Acer books, what a change of direction! Even better, I can’t wait for Acer’s next exploits, I like the way you have left yourself an opening to expand on this character.
When is your next book available?
Have you finished with R&M?
Thanks for five great books.
Stewy
Hi Stewy
Many thanks for getting in touch to let me know you enjoyed the books. As a new self-publisher it’s the best sort of message I can receive. Thanks too for your great comments on Amazon. All much appreciated.
Definitely left myself at least on more book in this series, but why did I pick Iran? I don’t know anything about Iran. Oh we’ll, homework for me.
I have another book in another series that Is in the editing stage. It’s called Bad Sons and should be out by Christmas on Kindle.
Right now I’m writing the fourth Romney and Marsh and then I’ll be back to Acer, I hope.
Thanks again for your support and kind words.
Best wishes.
My first free e-book’ a damm good read’ I will read your other books, and perhaps one day see your books on the box, well done
Many thanks, Phill. I appreciate you taking the time to comment here. Regards.
I’ve just read Smoke and Mirrors, I enjoyed the Captain Philips bit, another’s excellent read, when’s the next one?
Thanks, Phill. Good to know that you enjoyed this one, too. I’m working on Romney and Marsh #5 at the moment. After that I’m getting back to Acer.
Best wishes.
Have just finished Rope Enough and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Good pace, believable dialogue and excellent plot. I will recommend this book whenever I can.
Having exhausted the Rebus and Inspector Banks series I will certainly purchase your other two books. Thanks also for the list other crime writers that you dropped into the Romney/Marsh conversation in the pub.
Well done
Hello Glen
Thanks for your time and trouble to leave a great comment. I’m very pleased to learn that you enjoyed the read. Thanks also for your future purchases when you get around to them. Please let me know how you fınd them, too.
Regarding that conversation: I do wish that I’d given that a little more thought. So many brilliant names that I left out. Maybe ın the next edit I can fix that.
All the best
Oliver
Hi not sure if anyone will see this as never tweeted, or whatever I’m doing, before, but thought your books were great. Have read all three and looking forward to the fourth. Hope you have not killed of Romney, Mr. Rankin nearly did that with Rebus and just think of that loss, Romney would be the same. Read some of your blog and I am sorry if my grammar etc is not correct!!!
Hello Jackie
I really enjoyed your message and admire your bravery if it’s not something that you have done often or at all before.
When I wrote the Romney and Marsh books I had no idea if they would be well received or not and so I gave myself a chance to leave it at three with the ending of the third. But I have decided that Inspector Romney is not dead ( I will have to think of something to get him out of it. Maybe he just fainted. That would serve him right for being such a misery in the last book.)
I didn’t know that Rebus was almost killed off. That would indeed have been a loss to crime fiction. There I can now brag that I have something in common with Ian Rankin as an author. Thanks.
No apologies necessary for anything to do with English. Look at some of my mistakes.
Finally, I thank you for your purchases of the last two books, oh and I nearly forgot to say that I’m really pleased that you enjoyed them. I had a lot of fun writing them. I hope to start the fourth sometime in the summer when I have finished my current writing project.
All the best
Oliver
Hi just to say I did find it!!!! Jackie
🙂
Just read all three books – first the Kindle freebie then quickly purchased and read the other two.. thoroughly enjoyed them all and cant wait for the next one…great pace and dialogue.. Romney as you say in an earlier comment was a tad grumpy in the last book but then his little problem can do that to you, so I am told! The GP scene had me in stitches..
Wouldn’t want him getting too petty however desiring the kudos and glory over his team or too bitter with his amorous intentions but then when he begins to, you have put him firmly back in his place…reading between the lines my thoughts would be that his parents Algarve adventure was the fib as opposed to you know what (don’t want to give to much away) and he was bluffing to save face….my point is you have given the characters depth and believability hence so long as you continue in the same vein I will be buying them book on book….so Rebus, Banks or even Scarpetta, Shugak… (well in the 20’s in each series) watch out as Romney and Marsh (love the pun!) have a great foundation and legs to match…..
Hello Angela
Really enjoyed your comment. Thanks very much for it.
I think that what pleases me as much as anything is when people say that they get my humour and it’s worked for them.
I had so much fun writing the third book, especially the GP scene – not from personal experience, I hasten to add.
As for the Algarve comment, I prefer your interpretation of it to mine, so I’m adopting it. It fits much better.
I’m also glad that you like the pun of the names. Not everyone seems to be so ready to accept them as a bit of fun.
My big regret is that I haven’t started a fourth yet. I will, but I’m embroiled in another project at the moment. I have many more plot ideas for my Dover crime fighters.
Finally, thanks for getting in touch and for your purchases.
Best wishes
Oliver
Just finished rope enough couldn’t put it down a brilliant read and already downloaded the next in the series.For anyone doubting that a free book will be rubbish think again Oliver Tidy gives you an engrossing read.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for a great comment that put a smile on my face. I hope that you enjoy Making a Killing as much.
Best wishes.
Hi,just finished reading rope enough,absolutely enjoyed it.Lots of different twists and turns that I didn’t expect.brilliant read for a freebie.Thank you.
Hazel,
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to get in touch and let me know that you enjoyed Rope Enough. It’s always encouraging to know.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver
Just a note to say I really enjoy your books (I ave read all three)…they are the perfect mix of a great detective series and humour and reminds me a bit of New Tricks. When trying to imagine what Grimes looks like I often think of Alun Armstrongs character Brian! Keep up the great work!
Forgot to ask…if the books were ever made into a series which actor would best be suited to playing Romney?
Hi Kathryn
Many thanks for getting in touch over the books. And thanks too for your lovely comments and your purchases. All much appreciated.
Now you’ve mentioned it, I can absolutely see a resemblance between Grimes and Armstrong’s character. I can hear him saying some of Grimes’ lines. That’s tickled me.
Of course, I am no different to any other author and I fantasise about seeing the books on the small screen. For a while I rather fancied Daniel Craig for Romney. But I’m not sure now. It seems that whenever I see a male actor of the right age who I think would play him well, he has already played a TV copper. I’m open to suggestions! Any ideas, let me know.
Best wishes and thanks for your support.
Wow! Fantastic story – thank you!
Liz
Many thanks for your positive and encouraging comment. Much appreciated.
Best wishes.
Have just read the first two Acer Sansom books. Really enjoyed them. I didn`t want them to end. Well done and look forward to more. Regards Janie.
Janie
That’s great news. Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to let me know. I’ll definitely be writing more in the series.
Best wishes.
Hi, Oliver! Have finished reading the Acer Sansom books now. I was wary having been a Romney and Marsh fan, that I wouldn’t warm to anyone new! I was wrong! Loved the books, got really involved in the story and was so disappointed when I realised I had finished Loose Ends and there was no more Acer for a while!! I am now completely torn between whether I prefer R&M or AS!! Why you haven’t been published defeats me. When I think of some of the dross that I have read in the past which has made it into print, I despair! Really looking forward to the next books. Kind regards, Deb from Hythe!!
Hi Deb
What a truly lovely way for me to start a rainy working day in Istanbul. I am so glad that you have read them and approved. Your message has cheered me up no end.
I am really quite anxious regarding the concerns you expressed – being a R&M reader who enjoyed those and then tries the Acers, which are quite different. So it’s really good to know that they worked for you too.
You are really too kind with your comments about being published. Of course, it’s every author’s dream but I’m very happy doing what I’m doing at the moment.
Best wishes and thanks again for letting me know.
PS Just gone over to my Amazon page and seen your fantastic comments there. Many thanks. It really helps. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed your books so far, Roney & Marsh & now Acer. Liked them a lot. Please keep going !!
Sean
Thanks very much for getting in touch to let me know you’re enjoying my books. Really good to know. Thanks, too, for your purchases.
Best wishes.
I must say, I enjoyed the R&M books but you’ve taken your writing skills to a new level with the Acer story. Well researched, exiting and a definite page turner. The way the story unfolds and grips the reader reminded me of some of the early Wilbur Smith books. I also couldn’t help thinking that this would make a great film.
Hello Paul
Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to get in touch. It’s very pleasing for me to learn that you have enjoyed both series of books. Thanks, too, for your purchases.
I read a lot of Wilbur Smith a long time ago and really enjoyed them. He’s one of the best and I take your comparison as a great compliment. I can definitely see the Acers on the big screen. I just wish someone like Ridley-Scott could.
Best wishes and thanks again.
Oliver I was wondering, when you write a story with as many twists and turns as the Acer books, do you know exactly what is going to happen and how it will end or is there an element of ‘making it up as you go’?
Hi Paul
I certainly don’t plan ahead. I don’t have walls of Post-it notes and diagrams. If I’m involved in a project I can’t help thinking about it and if something should occur to me when I’m out and about then I’ll make a note for later. A friend of mine once asked me the same thing and I rather pompously replied that I think through my fingers. He said, ‘So you just make it up as you go along.’ He was right.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver – just finished the two AS books an absolutely incredible read! Acer made me think of Jack Reacher but better, the fast pacing storyline, the tension oh my goodness I couldn’t put my kindle down! Please tell me, this isn’t the end of Acer? I mean, he’s on his way to Iran, he’s got to find out what happened to Eda and that nasty character Smith can’t remain at large surely?!!
I have to say you’re an amazing author and I will be downloading all your books! I’ve already gone on about you to my husband and friends and really this should be made into a film!
Hi Liz
Good to hear from you again. Thanks very much for taking a chance on the new writing project and for getting in touch to let me know you enjoyed it. It really means a great deal to me.
It’s definitely not the end of Acer. I’ve got a couple more ideas after the Iran story and, as you say, there are Loose Ends to tie up. Smith must be found and dealt with. Will Acer return to Turkey to find out what happened to Eda? Perhaps.
Thanks for spreading the word about my books. Much appreciated. I’ve got another one coming out with new characters in a few weeks. You can get a flavour of that from the task bar at the top of the page under Booker and Cash Stories.
Thanks again and best wishes.
EXCELLENT READ STRONG NARRATIVE BUT WHY SO MANY CHARACTERS NAMES STARTING WITH THE LETTER “S”,
Hi Hilary
Many thanks for your time and trouble to let me know you enjoyed the read. Until you mentioned it, I wasn’t really aware of the number of names beginning with ‘s’. I looked back on the character list file and you are right. Totally unconscious of that. How odd.
Best wishes.
Please can we have another Acer thriller!! Is there another in the pipeline?
Hi Olive
Glad you enjoyed them. Certainly there will be more in this series. I’m working on another writing project at the moment and then I hope to start on the third Acer sometime in the new year. I wish I had more time to write.
Best wishes.
Oliver – now on the Acer series! Well done again (and well done Martin – his efforts really showed). A good read, kept me reading and wanting more. What else could one want from a book, electronic or otherwise?
Hi Paul
It’s great to learn that you are enjoying the Acer books. Thank you for letting me know and for your support in giving something else of mine a try. I really appreciate it. I have alerted Martin to his mention and I know he will be chuffed for it.
Best wishes.
More please, Acer’s brilliant.
Thanks, Sam. The third is on my to-do list.
Best wishes.
Hi , just read all five of your books in the last couple of weeks … thoroughly enjoyed them all , great fun – keep ’em coming and the best of luck to you .
Hi Tony
That’s great to learn. Thanks very much. And thanks for your purchases. Glad you enjoyed them.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver
Over the last year I’ve probably downloaded about 20 books, and I have to say your 2 Acer Sansom books have been just about the best and most readable of all. In fact I read both within a week – well done. Like others before me I love the JR books , and the Acer Sansom books are in similar vein
Incidentally, sad person that I am – I tend to spot typos like sore thumbs – and only spotted one in both books – Loose Ends Chapter 26 – “Sansom had to assume that Crouch (k)new…”
Anyway – I look forward to the next Acer Sansom edition and thank you for some excellent books
Happy Christmas
Hi Alan
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post such an encouraging and positive message. Naturally, I’m very pleased to learn that you enjoyed the books. And having Acer compared favourably to Jack is a real compliment.
As for the typo, thanks for letting me know. Even with proper help there are always going to be a couple, I suppose. I’m grateful that you mentioned it so that I can fix it.
I’m looking forward to writing more Acers in 2014.
Compliments of the season to you, too.
Best wishes.
What a terrific read, esp the first one. Cant wait for more. I read the first Acer on the plane home from Sharm el Sheik and it passed the time wonderfully. Also like the Romney&Marsh – would like to see a bit more info on their lives and loves, esp Marsh. What secrets in her background?
Both series would make terrific tv – have you looked into writing them as scripts?
Gordon
Thanks for getting in touch. Glad you enjoyed the books. Flying a couple of times a year I know how important it is to have something engaging for a few hours in the air.
First draft of the fourth Romney and Marsh is finished. I’ve listened to readers’ suggestions and there is more of Marsh’s personal life in it.
Nothing would make me happier than for a production company to be interested in doing something with any of my books for the small screen. But until that time comes I think I’d be better off writing new stuff. Besides, there’s so much to write and so little time!
Best wishes
Hi Oliver, just finished the first Acer book, brilliant!! Downloaded the second, can’t wait. Only been to bodrum once but Istanbul sounds very interesting. Keep up the good work, I loved the Romney and marsh books. Best wishes for 2014. Kind regards, stella byfield
Hi Stella
Many and sincere thanks for getting in touch with such a positive message.
It’s very good to learn that you enjoyed Acer after R&M. I really appreciate you letting me know. And thanks for your continued purchases of my writing.
It might interest you to know that I have finished the fourth R&M in a first draft form. It should be out in a few months. I like it a lot (but then I would say that, wouldn’t I?)
Best wishes for 2014 to you too and thanks again.
I’ve now read all your R+M books and the 2 Acer Sansom books (in about 2 weeks, I was that gripped). You are definitely my kind of author, quick moving and interesting books. I have loved all of them. You are very talented and I guess the biggest compliment I can pay you is that I would pay, happily, to read your books if I picked them up in Waterstones. Glad to hear that you are doing Acer Sansom 3, desperate to hear how the situation with Acer’ s daughter and Mrs Botha will turn out. I really enjoy reading your books, thank you for sharing them!!
Hi Ben
Many thanks for giving my books a go and then for taking the time and trouble to post such an encouraging comment here. Much appreciated as are your purchases.
As a self-publisher, I can’t ask for more positive feedback than that which you’ve provided. It’s really motivating to learn that the books are being enjoyed. Thank you.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck into to Acer #3. Sometime this year, I hope.
Best wishes.
Oliver, we do the easy stuff, which is read your wonderful books. You are the guy who puts in all the hard work. I am really interested in your inspiration and motivation for the Acer books as it is quite a dark back story. I laughed at your earlier comment about Iran and wonder if that was always in your plan or did it just follow the story. I was up til midnight last night finishing Acer 2!!!
You’re too kind, Ben.
Dirty Business was the first book I ever wrote. I’d been living in Istanbul for about a year (maybe a bit longer) and the urge to start writing really gripped me. I’d always wanted to but never really found the time in the UK. I had loads of time on my hands out here. As I was living here, I thought I’d set some of the story in Istanbul. Then I had a holiday in Akyarlar, in Bodrum, and thought I might as well use that experience too.
I’m sitting here scratching my head trying to remember where the idea for the over-arching story came from…and I can’t. I must be getting old. All I can really say is that what works for me with story writing is having an idea for a start and then sitting down and getting on with it. It just grows. I make it up as I go along and that works for me. When I started Dirty Business, I’m not even sure that I was thinking of another book in the series.
I must admit to the odd wry smile when I think of how I’m going to cope with the third book. I mean, as I said – Iran? What was I thinking? I can only say that it seemed a good idea at the time. Seriously, I still think that it is and Iran is, as you probably know, still very newsworthy regarding their nuclear development programme. It could work, but I need to do some homework for a change. I’ve also got those other ‘loose ends’ to try to tie up.
It is my intention to write several more books involving Acer. My biggest problem as a writer is lack of time and too many ideas for writing projects (that’s two problems). I really need to be in the mood for a certain set of characters. At the moment it’s Booker and Cash. I’ve started the second in that series and it’s going well.
Thanks again for your contact.
Best wishes.
Excellent books, have read them all, looking fwd to the next Acer Sansom and how he gets on in Iran ??
Mike
Many thanks for getting in touch. Glad you enjoyed the books. I’m looking forward to seeing how Acer gets on too – when I have the faintest idea, which I don’t at the moment. It’ll come.
Best wishes.
Finished “Loose Ends” at half past midnight – what a cracker! No doubt everyone who reads Acer 1 and 2 will be composing plots for Acer 3 in their heads. Will just have to be patient. I really appreciate the excellence of the proof reading, so often to the detriment in others’ writings. Just one point – ever the pedant – I take it that the “voice tape” at location 4267 was a video tape?
Now to start on “Bad Sons” ………
Hi Bill
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it. If you have any great ideas for the plot of book three, please pass them on. Why oh why did I say Iran and not somewhere like Romney Marsh, which I know quite well? Maybe because Romney Marsh isn’t yet a nuclear threat to the world, I suppose. (Wait until that power station starts to go wrong.) And thanks for the suggestion. I shall open up my document and make the necessary changes. I look forward to seeing what you think of Bad Sons.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver, just started bad sons, it’s brilliant. I used to go to new beach holiday centre every year when I was a child. Have very fond memories of dymchurch, to use it as a backdrop for a crime is ingenious, not going to b able to put it down.THANK YOU. Kind regards Stella Byfield
Hi Stella
Thanks for taking a chance on Bad Sons. Good to see that you are enjoying it. I look forward to learning how it works for you, especially with your knowledge of the area. I know New Beach well.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver
I’ve just finished the first Sansom book, excellent read, more late nights for me but so worth tired mornings. Just glad i’m retired! The
ending was superb. Have just bought the 2nd: Sansom book, will write again soon.
Penny
ending of the book was great, Iimmediately went on line and bought the second book
the second book, have only read a few pages and have had a surprise
Hi Penny
Great to hear from you again. Many thanks for giving Acer a try. I’m so pleased that you liked it. Thanks for your continued support for my writing.
Please let me know what you think of Loose Ends.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver,
I’ve finally got around to finishing the first Acer Samson book, it didn’t take so long because I wasn’t enjoying it, on the contrary, I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s because I’ve had a hectic social scene in my short trip back to England. There were a couple of incidents in the book that I may have written differently, easy to say, because I could never have written the book.
I’m not sure why the handbag is mentioned as being left in Eda’s car, which we assume Acer saw on the back seat when he returned to the car. I assume you want us guessing who took Eda at this point? Well I doubted that the police would have smashed the window and they wouldn’t leave the bag in the car. Later Acer and Tallis leave the bag over night in the car with a smashed window. Why? It makes them both look a bit dumb, to say the least. Next morning they could just catch the police checking out the car with it’s broken window as the handbag has no further significance.
Also, as Smith has given Acer a significant budget, why didn’t he give the unrecognized Tallis money to rent a car instead of driving around in the highly obvious big black Audi? Maybe you intentionally wanted your characters to be lucky rather than smart?
Please don’t smart at my isolated criticism, I’m aware that it’s much easier to nitpick than to write an otherwise excellent novel.
Cheers, Russell
Hi Russell,
A social life? I’ve quite forgotten what one of those looks like.
Glad to learn that you enjoyed the first Acer.
On the points you raise: I think I can defend my position on the first. We’re talking about the Turkish police here. And a parochial branch of it at that. They have a reputation for corruption and dirty deeds. They are improved from recent years, but I hear things about the way they conduct themselves out here even now. I would not put anything past them and you don’t need to be particularly well-educated to join up. And that’s reality! Give me a splash of artistic licence and I reckon they got off lightly.
Point two: Acer is definitely luckier than he is smart. I think he wanted to surprise Tallis with something special and don’t forget it was early o’clock in Bodrum (you should try renting a car down there before ten in the morning) and time was of the essence. Acer had access to wheels and he was going to use them. 🙂 (How am I doing?) Seriously, I like it when a reader wants to discuss something about a book. I dread the day that I can’t worm my way out of it though.
Best wishes.
Hmm OK then, so why did Acer and Tallis leave the bag in the car? I know, they caught a dose of Turkish police syndrome…Never mind me, I’m never up early enough to catch a worm, so you’ve wiggled free. Cheers Russell 😉
Worming part two: They were tired. It was late. They were worried for Eda. Distracted. Not thinking straight. The bag was on the back seat (Acer dumped it there when he gave Stan a ride). It was dark. They’re men; they don’t think about handbags….
OMG! Why on earth did I think of that Damn handbag???
Hi Oliver, as I have already told on another thread, I really enjoyed Loose Ends very much indeed. If I may make only one suggestion, it would be simply to remove the word other in Loc 4644 ….hundreds of miles away from any populated landmass….would read better I believe.
I’m a happy chap, I’ve just returned to Switzerland from the UK and my dear wife has found me some 500cl bottles of Spitfire in Vevey at a local supermarket. It’s not so bad here after all.
Russell.
500cl? No wonder I was up peeing half the night! Of course I meant 500ml. Goodness knows how you write a whole book with so few mistakes, when I struggle with a paragraph.
haha that made me laugh. I hadn’t even noticed.
Suggestion noted, thanks for it. I have a few such to include in my next edit when I find the time for it.
I have to wonder how much Spitfire is in Switzerland?
A 50cl bottle of Spitfire in Switzerland, is Chf4.50, in Manor, which is a similar shop to a Waitrose, at today’s exchange rate that’s approx £3.20 for a pint, which is a bit less than most pubs in the South East of England charge these days. However, you’d buy it in supermarkets at home for about half the pub price. The wife knows I’m worth it. Crikey though, it does make your books look good value for money.
Interesting. But I still don’t think I could bring myself to pay pub prices for bottled beer from a supermarket even if Turkey did sell the stuff.
My books always look better after a few pints. 🙂
This is second of three of your books lve down loaded.absolutely great reads. Keep them coming .
Robert,
Many thanks for getting touch with your positive and encouraging message. Much appreciated. I’m glad you’re enjoying them.
Best wishes.
Acer Samsung ‘Rubbish :-(‘ !!!!!!!
Hey Oliver, regarding the comments on Amazon you mention on your blog……I read shed loads of books of all descriptions and for what it is worth, you are one of only a handful of authors who I watch for new publications.
Don’t let negative and wasteful comments get to you and keep up the good work.
That said, I’m looking for a cheap place to stay in Turkey for the summer………….
Paul,
haha…me too, but I have a feeling I’ll be back in UK for the summer this year. 😦
Many thanks for your thoughts on this post. And thank you for those kind words for my writing. Much appreciated. It’ll take more than a few negative reviews to keep me down.
Best wishes
Enjoyed the book enough rope but can you tell me why the gun became so important as it could not be identified in any possible way as the gun that was used in the rapes. It was never fired so no ballistics, it was never even identified as a real gun never mind the manufacturer or caliber, it was just A gun, no way to tie it to the rapes.
Hi John
Thanks for getting in touch. Glad you enjoyed the read.
I always get a bit sweaty when readers ask me about plot threads of my books. I instantly start to worry if I’ve made a blunder. It’s happened.
The points you raise regarding the gun are quite valid and I’ll do my best to deal with them. (I’m prickling with perspiration.)
The difficulty I have answering your question is that I haven’t read RE for such a long time that I’m struggling to remember with absolute clarity why the gun was so important in the case? Bearing that in mind I’m going to say that in Romney’s thinking if Park went for it then it would prove that Park knew where it was. And if Park knew where it was then it would lend weight to Romney’s solid belief that he was involved in the crimes (and yes I take your point that the gun was never fired etc but a gun being used in a crime would be a rare thing in Dover. No argument in court, of course.).
In Romney’s thinking Park going for the weapon would be another nail in the coffin of Park’s guilt and the weight of damning ‘evidence’ would combine to create something that would benefit the investigation. You are right, forensically the gun wouldn’t have helped the police but it was all about mind games. I think that the gun became important for Romney because Romney understood what kind of a person Park was and he believed that if he could unsettle Park with what he had, perhaps Park would snap and react in the way that he did. As it turned out, Romney was right, Park lost his head, confessed to everything and then tried to use the gun.
I think that Romney understood that Park was going to be a difficult criminal to convict with the ‘evidence’ they had. He couldn’t have been certain of a conviction so he had to push the envelope, so to speak, and play a bit outside the rule book. And hope that Park didn’t let him down, which he didn’t.
Given your thoughts that sparked your contact I’ll fully appreciate if you remain sceptical about what I’ve said. Perhaps you would be right to. But you’ve made me think about my writing and for that I’m genuinely grateful. Who knows, I might be asked that question in a radio interview one day and now I’ll have some waffle for them.
Best wishes.
I have just read 7 books back to back. Started with Acer Sansom onto Romney & Marsh and then Brooker & Cash. I have enjoyed every one of them and looking forward to more. Thank you.
Hi Susan
Wow! That’s great. Thanks for your interest and support and your downloads of the books. Really good to know that you enjoyed them. Thanks for getting in touch to let me know. Acer#3 sometime in the summer.
Best wishes.
I was looking for a new read having exhausted all the usual thriller writers. Wandering about the Amazon Kindle store, I decided to download the free copy of the first Romney & Marsh book.
As you readily acknowledge, there were some issues with the proof reading. However, the story was really enjoyable – an easy to read book and a welcome escape from the stresses of modern life.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much, that I bought the other books! Then I attacked the Acer Samson books and am now about to buy the Booker and Cash books!
As an ex military man, there were some ‘creative’ touches regarding the Acer books! But like the ex CID gentleman’s comments regarding the Romney & Marsh series, still a good read!
Is there a tongue in cheek theme in the titles? Romney Marsh, Booker Cash (and Carry)? 😉
What is really interesting is the decision to publish exclusively in electronic format. It has given me the thought to publish my own (non-fiction) book to help small businesses with building a robust IT system!
Looking forward to the obvious Acer in Iran book!
Hi Paul
Sorry for the delay in my reply. I was away for the weekend without Internet. I felt like someone who’d left their life support machine at home.
Many thanks for getting in touch to let me know you’re enjoying the books. Much appreciated, as are your downloads.
I sometimes wonder why I write police procedural novels and ‘thrillers’ involving someone who is ex-military. I have no experience of either outside of my own reading diet and the cinema. I suppose it’s just my escapism from the daily grind.
I was born on Romney Marsh. Originally, these characters were called something different and then one day I was watching something on the news about the US presidential race and Mitt Romney was featured. I thought, Romney sounds like a strong name. Whenever I hear Romney I can’t help linking Marsh with it. Of course, the idea hit me to name my characters after the place and then I was never going to change my mind. I have no regrets, although not all readers have enjoyed the play on words.
As for Booker & Cash. Well, when you’ve read Bad Sons, you’ll understand why I had to use the name Booker. As for Cash, it’s my mum’s maiden name. I liked Jo Cash as a name. It never occurred to me to associate the names with Bookers cash and carry. A couple of readers have since pointed it out. It’s given me a laugh.
I could, of course, link to Amazons physical book publishing facility, but I’m holding off for a while. I’ll probably have to get around to it one day, same with audio books.
If you have a book, I have no hesitation in suggesting that you self-publish it. It’s very easy and highly emotionally rewarding. My blog charts my self-publishing history. I mention this because you might get some helpful tips by looking at some of my previous entries. Good luck with it if you decide to go ahead.
Best wishes and thanks again.
Hi Oliver, I am 90 years old and an avid reader of adventure and mystery stories for the past 80 years. My first adventures were with ” The Shadow” and”The Green Hornet” and a book called “The Flower Gang”. Since then I have read every thing I could get my hands on. I have just finished two Acer Books. They may be not quite as smooth as those coming out of a major Publisher but Oliver you can tell one heck of a story. I loved them and can hardly wait for Acer in Iran. Congratulations—you are a winner.
My best wishes always——-Erling
Hi Erling
I’m sitting in a bar in Istanbul watching the World Cup match between Holland and Mexico. I’m enjoying the beer; I’m enjoying game, but not half as much as I enjoyed your comment.
To know that my Acer books can impress a reader with such a wealth of reading experience is something special for me to know and very encouraging.
My sincere thanks for getting in touch and making my day.
Best wishes.
Hi. I just came across this book on Amazon and thought I would give it a go. Am I glad I did! It was a brilliant read. One of my favourite characters from other books is Jack REACHER, well welcome Acer Sansom!! This book really had me glued to it. I loved the unexpected way the story evolved. Just going to buy book two. I hope this series goes on and on and you find other plots for Acer to get involved in. Well done just does not cover it.
Hi Sue
Many thanks for getting in touch to let me know you enjoyed the first Acer Sansom. I hope you enjoy the second as much. For what it’s worth, I think the second is better. I look forward to your opinion on that.
I read ‘The Affair’ a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. Slick writing. To have Acer mentioned in the the same sentence as JR is praise indeed. Thank you.
I’m working on book three, which I hope to have out in a month or two.
Best wishes and do let me know how you find Loose Ends.
Oliver. I have just now finished a 4 day marathon of all your self-published e-reader books. Wonderful. I’m an older reader and an old-fashioned secretary who appreciates good writing and good punctuation and grammar. Reading has been my favourite hobby since I was 3 y.o. starting with the Rupert Bear Annuals. The eldest of our three daughters (32 y.o.) was a senior manager and editor at Macmillan Publishing (now where did she get that idea from)? Something to do with our home being jam-packed with books. We have never met face-to-face, largely because a book was hiding my features. (Joke). She has now moved over to the “dark side” to write and produce on-line real-time in-house (my, what a lot of hyphens), OH&S and various other programs for large organisations. Plus the pay is better than in publishing, especially once a large mortgage comes along. She is also completing her Masters in Multimedia & Digital Publishing. Do I sound like a proud parent? Love your books, congratulations. I too live near a lovely beach; look for Chelsea in Melbourne Victoria Australia next time you are on Google Maps.
Kind regards,
Sharon
p.s. our younger daughters are avid readers too, I think because they were brought up in a book-loving and loving family. Our mIddle daughter (30 y.o.) is a Pediatric ICU Nurse, but somewhat burnt-out; youngest daughter (19 y.o.) is completing a Science Degree. Your son is gorgeous.
Enjoy reading the comments from readers–You are loved. When is a new book coming out ? I have read them all to date and am hungry for more.—-My 90th B.D. in 10 days.—-Best always —–Erling
Hi Erling
Loved your comment. Thank you. I feel very fortunate to have wonderfully supportive readers of my books. I value the comments pages on the blog as highly as any of the books. As I often have cause to reflect, writers are nothing without readers.
Thanks for your support and for your downloads of my books to date. Glad you’re enjoying them. Acer #3 ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ will be next out. It’s still in the proofreading stage. I hope to have it available in a month or two. (I start a new job on Monday that will inevitably take its toll on my writing time.)
And finally, many congratulations on your approaching 90th. You could be my most senior reader. Read my blog this week (I’m going to write it today) for a mention. I like to think that if my dad had made it to ninety he’d be keeping up with technology, like you.
Best wishes.
Hello Sharon,
Many thanks for getting in touch to let me know that you’ve enjoyed my books. That and your downloads are much appreciated. All in four days could be some kind of a record!
I love hearing from readers who like the books, and I get a special kick out of thinking that they are being read as far away as Melbourne. (I did Google Chelsea and the sea and beach look stunning. The images of the infrastructure of the area reminded me a lot of areas of New Zealand, somewhere I visited years ago. I must admit to feeling a little nostalgic.)
Your daughters seem to be doing very well for themselves. Congratulations. I hope that having a house full of books will have a positive impact on my little boy’s subconscious. He’s heavily into Thomas the tank engine at the moment, which we both enjoy reading, thankfully. Maybe he’ll end up driving a train on the RHDR. (Now there’s something for you to Google.) 🙂
Thanks again for your message and kind words for my writing.
Best wishes.
Loose Ends – OH MY GOODNESS!!! I have to say that this is the first book in a great many years of reading that has made me put my hand to my mouth and gasp!! The sudden turn in the story had me rereading it twice to make sure I had read it correctly and that I had not misunderstood! This book kept me enthralled with its twists and turns. Can not wait for book three in the series. I really hope that you can find many more trials for Acer. Am I glad that I came across book one!!
Hi Sue (Wong ?)
How extraordinarily spooky that you should get in touch on my blog. But I’m so glad that you have. Let me explain.
Two days ago I got back from a six week Internetless holiday. Most of yesterday I was on Amazon.co.uk responding to all the comments my books had received while I was away. (I like to comment on reader comments.) I reckon I must have answered over fifty on the seven books I have available. And the one that really stood out for me was a comment by ‘Wong’. (Must be you, right?) I’ve even thought about it today.
The reaction that you describe having to a particular scene is such a thrill (yes, really) for me as the author. I’ve had a similar experience as a reader only once and I very nearly wrote about it in my comment on your comment, but I thought that would just be a bit much on that forum. I’ll tell it now: it was a book by Mo Hader called ‘The Devil of Nanking’. Something happens in the book that literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. And I thought, my God! How could the author do that to me with just words on a page.
I hope I’m not sounding too weird here. I’ve had lots of comments from readers who’ve said they’ve laughed out loud at something, which I love to learn because in the R&M Files the humour has become important to me, but yours is the first comment of its nature. Thank you. There’s hope for my writing yet!
I’m also pleased that you enjoyed the book. Number three is with my proofreading friend at the moment. I hope to have it available for download in a month or two.
Thanks again for getting in touch.
Best wishes.
PS I meant to ask what the scene was but I wouldn’t want you to have to write something that might spoil the read for others. Maybe you could give me a hint. 🙂
Hi, What a nice policeman Stan Tallis is.
I have started to read the Romney and Marsh books now while waiting for the next Acer book. Really enjoying them on my third one in the series now. I know what your readers mean about laughing out loud. I am not sure you think that there is hope for your writing as I think your writing is already great, I can not put the books down. I am reading them in my lunch break in work, waiting to be picked up by my husband, first thing in the morning last thing at night and every opportunity in between!! Now that I am on annual leave for two weeks I will be able to read even more!
I am so glad that I came across your books, you have a faithful reader for as long as you keep writing.
thanks again
Sue Owadally
ps oh and yes I am ‘wong’. comes from a nickname that my Mother used to call me ‘SusieWong’
And a good man. 🙂
Glad you saw my reply and got back in touch.
So pleased to learn that you are giving the R&M Files a try and enjoying them. The humour element of the series has become increasingly important to me the further I get into it. I hope you continue to enjoy them. Thanks for your support. I really appreciate it and your kind words for my writing.
Best wishes.
You really are damaging the edge of my seat Oliver! Having read most of your previous novels, I am so delighted with this New character (to me). Acer is a real step away from the norm of Police characters, but a refreshing one. You have your audience waiting with breath baited. So much so that having read no.1, I immediately downloaded no.2 and read it the day after finishing the first.
Acer does not fall into the genre of a super spy, having the frailties of the normal human being, albeit with a very tough core. His association with the two girls – Ed a and Susan – and his attraction to both with the feelings of guilt about those associations make him all the more believable.
Cannot wait for Smoke and Mirrors Oliver!
Hello John
Thanks for getting in touch. I sincerely appreciate your time and trouble to leave such positive feedback on the Acer novels. (Loved your edge of the seat remark.)
Just recently I received a comment on Amazon for Dirty Business. Its was positive with reservations. This for example: ‘Kinda thought Acer was a little off kilter, not as sharp in what to avoid doing, not anticipating what the enemy could or might do.’ And I couldn’t help feeling that the reader had missed something about Acer (or I hadn’t done a good enough job with the writing.) I only mention this because I’m so encouraged to see that you fully understand Acer’s character, the way I want him to be perceived. You’ve summed him up perfectly for me and I thank you for it. He’s no super hero.
Smoke & Mirrors is under construction. I’ll be posting news on the blog nearer publication day.
Best wishes and thanks again for your support of my writing.
Enjoyed both Acer books when next one due??
Steve,
Thanks for getting in touch and for your interest in Acer #3. It’s with the gent who does the difficult job of proofreading my books. He’s particularly busy with life at the moment so I just have to hang on until he has some time. Hopefully a month, or two at the most. Of course, I’ll be making announcements here on the blog when I have news.
Best wishes.
Thanks Oliver looking forward to it
Pleasure. Looking forward to getting it out there.
Cheers.
I’ve just started the Romney and marsh books just finished the first book starting 2nd now really enjoyed it good stories always leave you guessing where some questions are left open hope they’re cleared up during the next editions
Good to know. Thanks for giving the R&M Files a whirl. Appreciate it. I look forward to seeing what you make of them. DI Romney is probably my favourite character.
Best wishes.
Just read two Sansom and four R&M novels and greatly enjoyed them. Sansom worked particularly well for me when it was in pure Hannay mode (the 13 year old’s mobile phone scene was just how Buchan would have written it), though at time there were also echoes of above ground Rogue Male. Congratulations, on writing something so different in R&M. The humour is distinctive.
Hi Richard
Many thanks for getting in touch to let me know you’ve enjoyed the books. The biggest boost I get with my writing is hearing from readers who’ve liked them.
I take your Buchan and Household comments as high compliments indeed. Thank you for them. And it’s always good to know that the ‘humour’ in the R&M Files hits the mark with a reader now and again. I had a lot of fun writing those books.
Thanks again for your encouraging message. Much appreciated.
Best wishes.
I am over half way through “Smoke and mirrors” and don’t want to put it down. I love the twists in the plot and can’t wait for the who what where and how. I must say it makes me think of the early Alistair MacLean thrillers
Judy
Thanks for letting me know. Glad you picked on up and that you”re enjoying it so far. I hope it holds you to the end. Alistair MacLean was a great writer. His books are still great reads today. That”s the test.
Best wishes for 2015.