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Thoughts 51-60

Tom McFarland t_m@unl.edu Mon Jan 12 12:01:17 EST 1998

I have just started my first Julian Kestral novel, The Devil in Music. It had been recommened by several on DorothyL, so I decided to try it. I'm only 150 pages into it, but I am extremely impressed with the writing.

christy macdonald christy.macdonald@carswell.com Mon Jan 12 13:20:28 EST 1998

I love your books. I have only read the first three so far, and am anxiously awaiting the fourth to be available at my library. Please continue the Julian Kestrel series. I'm sure you have millions of fans lke me.

Christy MacDonald Editor Carswell Publishing, Toronto Age 26

Donald Weightman weightmands@radix.net Tue Jan 13 11:37:27 EST 1998

Just finished THE DEVIL IN MUSIC and I liked it pretty much. I'd have liked it more if there had been more opera house and less transposition-of-English-country-house/locked-room--mystery into 19th C. Italy.

As an opera lover, I found the victim's "falling in love with voices" _entirely_ credible. I know a lot of opera queens like that -- most, but not all, of them gay men. Is there any thought of taking the opera mise en scene back to London? Have you read Chorley?

As a lawyer, I was intrigued by the investigating Italian functionary. What _was_ the legal sytem in those parts of Italy? I thought that Italy uses an examining magistrate a la Napoeonic Code. Did that wait until the Rissorgimento, or have I just got my facts wrong? Any sources to recommend on post-Restoration criminal law in Italy?

Finally, with all respect, I think you might have included Charterhouse of Parma among your acknowledgments.

cheers

Don Weightman

Raymond M. Rose RRose32557@AOL.COM Sun Jan 18 02:47:19 EST 1998

I've just started reading Cut to the Quick and have read your short story in the Crime Through Time collection and let me say that I am thoroughly impressed. You historical detail is wonderful and your characters are fantastic. They play with each other and interact so truthfully yet you do not sacrifice the thrill of the mystery for that fact. Instead you set up an excellent plot and I'm enthralled to follow it to the end. I'm wrting a historical mystery myslef and picked you and Anne Perry's first William Monk book up to see how you both do it - a sort of example and lesson at the same time. I read the first page of her book then set it down and then picked up yours, read the first page, and haven't put it down yet. As I said I am impressed. You are an inspiration in that good writing and a good mystery can prevail in today's publishing industry. Write on, Kate.

Enthusiastically, Raymond M. Rose

Margot A. Plummer Psytomic@aol.com Mon Jan 26 22:31:08 EST 1998

You must use a very small computer to make every story fit so perfect. A precision writer holding very close tolerances. :-) You are wonderful. Margot A. Plummer

Mary Collette List Kalamary@yahoo.com Mon Feb 2 12:45:11 EST 1998

Dear Kate, I hope you might remember me we met at Deadly Passions in Kalamazoo in September.I have just started "Devil in Music"as our library got it in.This past Saturday on Bravo they showed an- other version of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" called "The Elusive Pimpernel"with David Niven.I thought of the discussion of the Dandy when he used the line "Sink me". Thanks lots, Mary Collette List

Mary Pat Mann mannm@exchange.oucom.ohiou.edu Thu Feb 5 11:18:41 EST 1998

Greetings, and thanks for your excellent and fun books... I'm in the throes of plotting a Regency mystery short story with a character I hope will go on to star in a series of novels. Mine is a woman, and I want to use an earlier Regency setting, probably 1810 onward. Would you be interested and/or willing to correspond with a total neophyte?? If so, I would love the opportunity to share resources, ideas, whatever and benefit from any advice you'd care to share. I hope you're getting over whatever has you under the weather; best wishes... Mary Pat Mann

Anne Holland aholland@phillips.com Thu Feb 19 18:22:29 EST 1998

Kate,

Don't worry about emailing me back.

I just wanted to express my thanks for your fun books.

I first found them at the public library, and then went out and bought my own copies. It's good fun to have a bit of wit in a book (there's far too little in real life.) I would, though, like to hear more about Julian's clothes, as this is what makes him so famous in his day. It's also nice when you add in bits of classic greek, etc. After six years of latin, it is hard to find places to use it!

Thanks again

Anne

Megan Bryant mpbryant@aol.com Thu Feb 26 13:57:22 EST 1998

Ms. Ross:

I was recently browsing in a bookstore when The Devil in Music caught my eye. As an opera fan and someone who has always enjoyed novels set in the Regency period, I decided I just had to read it - but I had to read the other three in the series first (never one to do things our of order). I was enthralled within two pages of Cut To The Quick. I read all four books within a two week span and enjoyed them all tremendously. I must say that The Devil in Music is my favorite (and I was quite proud of myself for correctly guessing early on just who was Orfeo). I am enchanted with the character of Julian Kestrel and am enjoying all the little mysteries about his background and upbringing. But now that I've finished the books, I find myself wanting more... I've loaned my copies to a friend, and as soon as she returns them I will be reading them again. I guess my question is, are you working on any more books in the series, and if so, when do you expect they might be published?

Congratulations - and thank you! - on such a wonderful character and series!

Megan Bryant Dallas, Texas

Maryellen Approvato mapprova@rvcc.raritanval.edu Mon Mar 9 18:33:15 EST 1998

Dear Kate,

Thank you so much for the Julian Kestrel mystery novels. I think I have fallen in love with Julian Kestrel. The fact that he is an imaginary character only adds a certain charm to the whole thing. I really love your books because I learn so much about Regency England (and with The Devil In Music, Austrian occupied Italy) all the while being entertained and intrigued with your fine writing.

I can hardly wait for the next Julian Kestrel novel. I fear I have become addicted. But I understand why. Julian is all that is admirable in a person, and I really love his sense of humor. His compassion moves my heart. And he strikes me as being so attractive. I know I am going on and on about this, but I so love the human interactions in your novels, how Julian and his Valet, Dipper get on, the relationship between Dr. Macgregor and Julian and all the other characters. I feel as if these are real people, as real as myself, and more real than many people I see on a day to day basis. This may sound rather pathetic, but it's true.

I'm sure I have probably written more than I should. Let me just add that I like to imagine "The Devil In Music" being made into a movie. This is definately not because I find the book lacking. But I like to think about who would be a good choice to play Julian. I think, maybe a lighter, more free Ralp Fiennes, or maybe someone unknown who could do justice to this wonderful character. And Ralph Fiennes doesn't have the right coloring, of course!

Am I wrong in thinking that Julian and Phillipa Fontclair are going to make a match of it someday? One of the great benefits of your novels is how surprising the endings always are, so I daresay I'm probably quite off the mark. And I can never figure out who the murderer is until it is explicitly revealed. Julian turning out to be Orfeo was wonderful! Brilliant! Superb! (I'm really very glad he didn't end up with Beatrice. But maybe this is just jealousy rearing its ugly head). Julian is wonderful, and as a woman I sure would like to meet someone with his traits (not to mention he seems physcially quite apealing too). But as a person, I think his humaneness is something anyone can emulate. And should try to, as I will. Thankyou, thankyou so extremly much. Please keep writing. Sincerley, Maryellen Approvato