Elizabeth’s answer to “Why did Helen have to die? It seemed the most perfect relationship two people could ever hope to ac…” > Likes and Comments
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The book where Helen dies remains one of the most memorable books I have ever read. I grieved as much as a person can for a fictional character. As much as that story line hurt, it was brilliant and set up the next volumes to be extraordinary. Extraordinary. I can only imagine how much that death must have hurt you to write.
As a reader, it taught me not to take anything for granted in your books, except that they will all be excellent. It adds an extra measure of suspense to realize that even major characters aren't invariably safe.
OMG yes it was...I remember being in a Waterstones in London, picking up the book and shrieking “WHAT?!?!?” (Other folks in the store probably wondered about the crazy American...🤣)
Most writers back away from the big things, like killing off a series character, and it's certainly anathema to some when that character is as popular as Helen was. I applaud you for doing so. I liked Helen; she was a likable person, but killing her off caught us, your readers off-guard, and it enriched your novels. It added a new dimension to Lynley. Not many writers would be bold enough or good enough to carry that off.
I cried buckets when Helen died! Didn’t help I was pregnant when I was reading it! When Lynley was in such grief in the next book I wondered how the series would keep going but your work shines brighter than ever!
Shortsighted and pessimistic, Elizabeth. Stories of best friends and couples collaborating are a joy and need no strife to be "open", ongoing, and riveting. Case in point: the most enthralling, gratifying, ORIGINAL genre to me is "non crime mystery"! Intelligent clue-solving without any negativity or villain would be breathtaking. Sad that your series felt "closed" to you - with Thomas, Helen, Jasper alive and happy.
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Sandra
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Oct 24, 2019 05:11PM
The book where Helen dies remains one of the most memorable books I have ever read. I grieved as much as a person can for a fictional character. As much as that story line hurt, it was brilliant and set up the next volumes to be extraordinary. Extraordinary. I can only imagine how much that death must have hurt you to write.
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As a reader, it taught me not to take anything for granted in your books, except that they will all be excellent. It adds an extra measure of suspense to realize that even major characters aren't invariably safe.
OMG yes it was...I remember being in a Waterstones in London, picking up the book and shrieking “WHAT?!?!?” (Other folks in the store probably wondered about the crazy American...🤣)
Most writers back away from the big things, like killing off a series character, and it's certainly anathema to some when that character is as popular as Helen was. I applaud you for doing so. I liked Helen; she was a likable person, but killing her off caught us, your readers off-guard, and it enriched your novels. It added a new dimension to Lynley. Not many writers would be bold enough or good enough to carry that off.
I cried buckets when Helen died! Didn’t help I was pregnant when I was reading it! When Lynley was in such grief in the next book I wondered how the series would keep going but your work shines brighter than ever!
Shortsighted and pessimistic, Elizabeth. Stories of best friends and couples collaborating are a joy and need no strife to be "open", ongoing, and riveting. Case in point: the most enthralling, gratifying, ORIGINAL genre to me is "non crime mystery"! Intelligent clue-solving without any negativity or villain would be breathtaking. Sad that your series felt "closed" to you - with Thomas, Helen, Jasper alive and happy.
