I forced myself through the improbable scenarios of a Dan Brown novel and was left thinking, “impossible plot development.” Now, I’m not being critical of Dan’s work – it’s a novel he’s writing after all – but the plot was too implausible for my liking. Others might enjoy Dan’s approach, just as they love the swashbuckling rodeo ride of a James Bond movie. I try hard to check my locations to see if they are accurate. For example, in 3 WISE MEN, I describe a visit to a perfume shop in Florence – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. I used details gleaned from the internet and my earlier visits to the city. However, I had never been to the historic shop before. My wife and I finally had the opportunity to step inside the store after 3 WISE MEN had been published. When we found the unobtrusive entrance and walked the long corridor, I was anticipating the need to re-write the relevant section in my novel. The displays were wonderful and we enjoyed afternoon tea from an amazing selection and, after a tour of the perfume-making studio, we returned to our accommodation. I quickly leafed through my copy of the 3 WISE MENl and discovered to my delight that there was no need to change anything. That doesn’t mean to say that sometimes a first-hand knowledge is required. I do hope that readers of MUTINY find all the locations real and relevant to the plot, with descriptions that have enough detail to propel the action and anchor the reader to the page. Dan Brown failed to do so, but his style, and intent, is totally different.
Dan Brown
My Greatest Satisfaction
“My greatest satisfaction is to think of a story and write it as I want to see it in my mind’s eye.” [Somerset Maugham]
Maugham has an uncanny ability to both shock the reader and put them at ease at the same time—what I call “comfort in conflict.”
It intrigues me that Maugham could visualize his stories, then put that vision onto paper to share with others; something that even well-known authors fail to do. I remember scanning a small library aboard a cruise ship and finally choosing a Dan Brown novel. After a few chapters I was ready to throw it overboard because it was too fanciful. Although I finished the book, I decided to never read Dan Brown again. Yet, I was thankful to Dan Brown for helping me decide to never write a novel that was saturated with conjecture and full of impossibilities. For the record, I am not a fan of Maugham, but admire his concise writing. He never wastes words (see my previous post) and, therefore, gets through “a lot” in a few pages, taking the reader on an adventure. This, for Maugham, was the perfect formula for his short stories. Let me finish with a crisp Maugham quote:
“Only a mediocre person is always at his best. ”
Review has 3 WISE MEN readers on the edge of their seats
Another great review of 3 WISE MEN – this time in the Weekender by Rachel Canning.
Rave Review from Books Monthly (UK)
In 3 Wise Men James Hayden takes a formula that’s been tried and tested by Dan Brown, turns it on its head and brings in an edge of seat thriller based on fact and markedly better than any of Brown’s thin and insubstantial efforts. This is a classic thriller with fairly short chapters, which is always good, punchy, gritty realism, gloriously exotic locations and chapter endings that leave you hanging, another tried and tested formula that began with Edgar Rice Burroughs back at the turn of the last century. Thrillers don’t come much better than this – huge fun and very entertaining!
from: booksmonthlyreviews