Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where readers post the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book that they are reading or plan to read.
The Lonely Witness; William Boyle
Pegasus Books - 2018
1
"When Mrs. Epifanio opens the door, Amy can tell right away that something's wrong. Monsignor Ricciardo had told her a few months ago, when she started doing this, that Mrs. Epifanio was prone to fits of dementia, that some days she'd probably seem very confused about where she was and what year it was and who was dead or alive. But Amy's only seen that side of Mrs. Epifanio once or twice. She's usually cheery and bright-eyed in the morning, so lively for a ninety-year-old, standing with her shoulders hunched, her bobby-pinned, rose colored hair wild, her taped on-the-bridge-of-the-nose glasses hanging restlessly around her neck."
What do you think about this first paragraph? (I just started this one and, am really enjoying the writing so far.)
Glad you like it, it seems to ramble to me.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI'm curious enough that I'd likely read some more, just to see what the setup is.
ReplyDeleteIt turns out the intro has very little to do with the rest of the story.
DeleteI'd continue reading.
ReplyDeleteIt's a quick read, good but not great IMO.
DeleteI'd keep going. I need to know about the 90-year-old lady and what she might think is going on.
ReplyDeleteKay, as it turns out the intro has very little to do with the rest of the story.
DeleteThe opening lines pulled me right in. Now I must know what is going on with Mrs. Epifanio! Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteTurns out she is a very minor character.
DeleteWhat great writing this is. I want to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI liked it well enough but did't love this one.
DeleteThe opening doesn't say much, but it may be one of those books that starts slow and closes with a bang. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is one book that wasn't what I expected -- good but not great.
DeleteI'm hooked! This sounds really good. I hadn't heard of this novel yet - will have to look for it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSue
Book By Book
Sue, it wasn't what I was expecting. The intro has very little to do with the rest of the story.
DeleteI like the descriptive opening. I'd read more.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fast read, just okay overall.
DeleteI am intrigued and want to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteFast read, held my interest, good - not great.
DeleteIt's different.
ReplyDeleteA good scene setter but this: "her taped on-the-bridge-of-the-nose glasses hanging restlessly around her neck." Cringe! I just checked out the author, he is an award winning crime writer. Didn't you read his earlier one? Gravesend?
ReplyDeleteThis definitely sounds like something I would keep reading.
ReplyDelete