tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post6522178372035134125..comments2024-03-12T09:44:18.874-07:00Comments on Howling Frog Books: James-A-Day: Martin's CloseJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14247515387599954817noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817835476996956670.post-15503778758553914752012-10-15T10:17:02.061-07:002012-10-15T10:17:02.061-07:00I think MRJ just liked reading the trial reports o...I think MRJ just liked reading the trial reports of the notorious hanging judge, Lord Jeffreys, and thought he would try his hand at writing one of his ghost stories in that format. I like the way he captures the language and style of an 17th century courtroom under a severe and irascible judge.<br /><br />I think he done it. I wondered a bit about the way Martin asks for the transcript of another trial, and complains about how his name is misspelled, but I think this is just MRJ throwing in some verisimilitude. <br /><br />Why did the other girl break off the engagement? Either she thinks Martin's treatment of Ann shows a lack of moral character (which it does) or else the talk about his behavior has gotten back to her and she feels he is touched with scandal. Or maybe both. After all, he is leading this poor simple-minded young woman on, and that's not very nice. Then when he realizes that his little joke is having social and financial consequences to himself, he gets rid of her. And he probably thinks no one will notice or care. But in an MRJ story, there are always consequences. Nancy Leekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05011355504937848225noreply@blogger.com