Seriously though, the amount of details, allowing us to soak up Vienna in all its glory – it is a UNESCO World heritage Centre after all – paired with the intrigue as we follow Marie on her journey towards... murder, it's truly a film noir unfolding on page!
I just love what you did with that restack! :) Too funny (and kind).
Yes, Vienna - I mean some places just captivate me like this. Maybe any if you spend long enough in them. I could have just written about all the streets and interiors and hills but maybe it would be harder to follow along for the ride. (??) Sometimes I wish I were a filmmaker.
Love the descriptions of the paintings and her response to them. And the books - feel like I need to add them to my tbr list. Can’t wait to see what happens in Budapest!
Would love to be on that train and doing that journey, though not perhaps as Marija's apparent secretary/maid! Such great dialogue bringing these characters to life, Kate. I would enjoy sitting and talking with Finn about literature. ☺️
Also loved this description: "He had those kind of eyebrows that reach up and out into the sky like cat fur."
Thanks Nathan! I really love this tradition you seem to have started (?) of picking out favorite lines. I'm trying to do it more as well as I think it both helps the writer and is an interesting way to read.
Finn is like the literary pal we all want, isn't he? I think Marie wishes she could just stay there with him and his shelves...
Heh, wasn’t aware I started it, but it’s something I do in my physical reading with a pencil in hand, so I feel it’s worth doing online too, especially when the writing gets to know which passages resonate or make the reader smile or stop and think etc :)
"It made me feel like we were in that world of strange characters and unclear motivations." -- See, this is what I adore about your writing: you embark on these beautiful, emotion-drenched descriptions and then, every now and then, throw in a line like this that makes me think for an entire week. And the scene on the little train to Budapest is just precious. "An old man across from us began smoking by the mechanical open window. He gave a nod after taking off his hat, as if from another era. Rules I was used to seemed to be reinvented here." This was a great chapter, Kate.
This is such a gorgeous comment, Silvio, and it means so much coming from you. To make people think! That is what I strive for in the sense that I also don't have the answers and it's more about provocation. Thank you!
(Also, the train from Vienna to Budapest really is something precious. Not exactly like this, but something in that realm. Train stories...)
Yes, train stories! That might be a new series to start or at least think about. I'd love to explore it one day. Maybe it's something to consider collaborating on with other like-minded fiction writers like you, Nathan, and others. Just a thought I'm throwing out there. :)
Chapter 9 again beautifully captures the atmosphere of Vienna and the protagonist's deepening entanglement in intrigue. The rich, sensory descriptions of the city and the Belvedere Palace add a vivid backdrop to the narrative's suspenseful progression. This story continues to enthral, blending mystery with art and espionage in a compelling narrative.
Thanks so much, Jon! I appreciate this comment so much especially from a fellow mystery/spy writer. I like your newsletter writing so much and intrigued what your fiction will look like... :)
I'll concur, the detail about the Prada on the floor is sublime. And here's another intertextual reference, this time from the 1993 mini-series "Tales of the City" which itself borrowed shots from "Vertigo" - when Marie is sitting looking at the Klimt and feels the presence behind her, it tracks so well with Mary Ann's doing the same thing at the Legion of Honor, but with the camera and the audience as the presence at her back. It is absolutely taking on the mood of film noir, but I think I said that last time too ;)
It was so good - Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal... I'm afraid none of the subsequent productions quite captured the magic of that original, for me anyway.
“ One man walked directly into my space, as if I were a ghost, until I sidestepped into the street and a large puddle of water. He didn’t notice and carried on with the same cadence as if he, instead, were some kind of supernatural creature of the dark day.”
Vivid. All vivid. Even your description of Austria regaining independence is intriguing.
A great chapter, as others have said. I'm still catching up after my break. Good to see Thomas Bernhard putting in an appearance. One of my favourite writers.
Marie is doing a great job as 'a key player in some unknown mission'. As the story unfolds, and she is getting drawn into the drama, the reader is also becoming more invested in Marie's experience (and her safety). Great writing!
Dropping in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' works wonders in terms of illustration.
‘Don’t ever put that Prada on the floor,’
best line. 😅
Seriously though, the amount of details, allowing us to soak up Vienna in all its glory – it is a UNESCO World heritage Centre after all – paired with the intrigue as we follow Marie on her journey towards... murder, it's truly a film noir unfolding on page!
I just love what you did with that restack! :) Too funny (and kind).
Yes, Vienna - I mean some places just captivate me like this. Maybe any if you spend long enough in them. I could have just written about all the streets and interiors and hills but maybe it would be harder to follow along for the ride. (??) Sometimes I wish I were a filmmaker.
Hehe, it had to be done! Now only need to find that film noir director!
Between Paris and London, we should be able to find one!
Yes, indeed! Plus, it’s high time we had a cult film noir again! High time!
Love the descriptions of the paintings and her response to them. And the books - feel like I need to add them to my tbr list. Can’t wait to see what happens in Budapest!
Thanks Julie! I would love to know more Russian literature myself. :)
Would love to be on that train and doing that journey, though not perhaps as Marija's apparent secretary/maid! Such great dialogue bringing these characters to life, Kate. I would enjoy sitting and talking with Finn about literature. ☺️
Also loved this description: "He had those kind of eyebrows that reach up and out into the sky like cat fur."
Thanks Nathan! I really love this tradition you seem to have started (?) of picking out favorite lines. I'm trying to do it more as well as I think it both helps the writer and is an interesting way to read.
Finn is like the literary pal we all want, isn't he? I think Marie wishes she could just stay there with him and his shelves...
Heh, wasn’t aware I started it, but it’s something I do in my physical reading with a pencil in hand, so I feel it’s worth doing online too, especially when the writing gets to know which passages resonate or make the reader smile or stop and think etc :)
I dunno, but I like the way you do it!
"It made me feel like we were in that world of strange characters and unclear motivations." -- See, this is what I adore about your writing: you embark on these beautiful, emotion-drenched descriptions and then, every now and then, throw in a line like this that makes me think for an entire week. And the scene on the little train to Budapest is just precious. "An old man across from us began smoking by the mechanical open window. He gave a nod after taking off his hat, as if from another era. Rules I was used to seemed to be reinvented here." This was a great chapter, Kate.
This is such a gorgeous comment, Silvio, and it means so much coming from you. To make people think! That is what I strive for in the sense that I also don't have the answers and it's more about provocation. Thank you!
(Also, the train from Vienna to Budapest really is something precious. Not exactly like this, but something in that realm. Train stories...)
Yes, train stories! That might be a new series to start or at least think about. I'd love to explore it one day. Maybe it's something to consider collaborating on with other like-minded fiction writers like you, Nathan, and others. Just a thought I'm throwing out there. :)
Oh I like it. Nathan posted something he had written on a train, I seem to remember. Let’s think about it!
Indeed!
Very much agree, Silvio. Those were some of my favourite moments, too.
🙏💙
Chapter 9 again beautifully captures the atmosphere of Vienna and the protagonist's deepening entanglement in intrigue. The rich, sensory descriptions of the city and the Belvedere Palace add a vivid backdrop to the narrative's suspenseful progression. This story continues to enthral, blending mystery with art and espionage in a compelling narrative.
Thanks so much, Jon! I appreciate this comment so much especially from a fellow mystery/spy writer. I like your newsletter writing so much and intrigued what your fiction will look like... :)
I'll concur, the detail about the Prada on the floor is sublime. And here's another intertextual reference, this time from the 1993 mini-series "Tales of the City" which itself borrowed shots from "Vertigo" - when Marie is sitting looking at the Klimt and feels the presence behind her, it tracks so well with Mary Ann's doing the same thing at the Legion of Honor, but with the camera and the audience as the presence at her back. It is absolutely taking on the mood of film noir, but I think I said that last time too ;)
Love this, Troy! Thanks so much, I'm honored for my novel to be a part of noir film and fiction. :)
I don't know the mini series. You're giving me so many new ideas with your film references.
It was so good - Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal... I'm afraid none of the subsequent productions quite captured the magic of that original, for me anyway.
So happy to come upon your beautiful prose. And as a fellow serializer, I admire your Substack layout very much. Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks for the kind words, Ben!
Loved this vivid trip to the Belvedere with you and Marie! 💙
Thank you, Michael! It’s such a strange and beautiful place.
Hey Kate
This was a blast! Plot and layering of detail and atmosphere and major and minor players all doing their thing. Cool.
Thanks so much, Nicolas ☺️
“ One man walked directly into my space, as if I were a ghost, until I sidestepped into the street and a large puddle of water. He didn’t notice and carried on with the same cadence as if he, instead, were some kind of supernatural creature of the dark day.”
Vivid. All vivid. Even your description of Austria regaining independence is intriguing.
She has to carry her bag... hmm... curious how this relationship will unfold.
A great chapter, as others have said. I'm still catching up after my break. Good to see Thomas Bernhard putting in an appearance. One of my favourite writers.
Marie is doing a great job as 'a key player in some unknown mission'. As the story unfolds, and she is getting drawn into the drama, the reader is also becoming more invested in Marie's experience (and her safety). Great writing!
Dropping in 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' works wonders in terms of illustration.
Thanks so much, Nadia! What great feedback. yes poor Finn…he is the guy I would love to just chat with for hours though.