Tags
cover, financial crime, formatting, Samuel Plank, Susan Grossey, The Man in the Canary Waistcoat, writing
I’ve had another go at this blurb, in response to some comments – what do you think?
“In this new mystery, Constable Sam Plank’s financial curiosity is once again awakened as he struggles to find the link between a suicide, an embezzler, an arsonist and a thief. No corner of Regency London is untouched by these crimes, as he travels from the aristocratic mansions of St James Park back to his own boyhood haunts among the dank alleyways of Wapping. But with his steadfast wife becoming involved in his investigations, and a keen young police officer under his command, is Sam leading them all into a confrontation with something far more ruthless and brutal – and familiar – than even he realises?”
I thought I would also add some reviews, like you see on the back cover of paperbacks, so how about these (of course I don’t have any reviews of “The Man in the Canary Waistcoat”, so I have chosen general ones from “Fatal Forgery” – or is the second one damning with faint praise?):
“The Regency period is brought vividly to live through picturesque descriptions and believable dialogue; I could almost hear and smell London.” (The Kindle Book Review)
“Susan Grossey weaves a tale of mystery and suspense through what could be a very dry subject.” (Historical Novel Society)
Susan Grossey 
Dear Susan
Your second draft sounds excellent too although, if the aim is to get people’s interest early on, I think I’d take out the initial bit about financial curiosity being awakened. I also prefer the hint of mystery in the concluding paragraph of the first draft.
How about a mix of the two as follows …..
“In this new mystery, Constable Sam Plank struggles to find the link between a suicide, an embezzler, an arsonist and a thief. No corner of Regency London is untouched by these crimes, as he travels from the aristocratic mansions of St James Park back to his own boyhood haunts among the dank alleyways of Wapping.
As his steadfast wife becomes involved in his investigations, and a keen young police officer now under his command, Sam may be leading them all into a confrontation with some ruthless and brutal adversaries – one of whom he had hoped never to see again.”
On the review front, I agree that the second of the reviews does not come across so well and I wouldn’t include it myself.
I hope that helps and I’m very much looking forward to Publication Day on 31st October.
Best Wishes
Graham
Graham, I don’t know what to say – except that you may have missed your calling! I don’t know what they call people who write blurbs for a living, but it’s obviously something you should be doing! Thank you so much.
Best wishes from Susan
Dear Susan
My absolute pleasure. It’s nice to know that I can fall back on a career in “blurbing”, if and when the current one in auditing comes to a close !
Best Wishes
Graham