COLLEEN’s Book Reviews – “The Three Things Serial Story: A Little 1920’s Story,” By Author, Teagan Geneviene

Posted on December 15, 2016 by

41 Comments

  • Title:  The Three Things Serial Story: A Little 1920’s Story
  • Author: Teagan Geneviene
  • File Size: 507 KB
  • Print Length: 95 Pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  • Publication Date: November 28, 2016
  • Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B01MRRC0B2
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Amateur Sleuths


“The Three Things Serial Story was a spontaneously written (“pantser”) story. Everything in it — characters, setting, plot, was driven by “things” left by readers of the blog Teagan’s Books, episode by episode.

It quickly became a 1920s Mystery with armature sleuth, Pip, telling the story. Pip is determined to be a modern woman, a flapper.

Each week readers left three more things. The story evolved according to what those random things inspired. The serial began with an oscillating fan, which brought me the vision of the 1920s setting. The era and narrator continued in two more serials that followed.

While it was not great literature, it sure was a fun ride! Many readers asked me to provide the serial as a book, and that’s what I’ve done with this novella. So, sit back and enjoy the Three Things Serial.”

Are you ready to step back into the 1920’s to join Paisley Idelle Peabody, in solving a mystery? Hurry up and dig your best suit out of the attic and grab your sequined flapper dress because you are in for a fun time. It’s the real cat’s meow!

This was my first time reading a Teagan Geneviene serial novella. What a unique and novel idea! What I enjoyed most was the randomness of the words chosen at the beginning of each chapter. This required some writing skill because she had to structure each chapter in such a way as to use the selected words from her readers. And, the author had no idea how the story was going to evolve. I found some insight into the writing of the story on her blog, Teagan’s Books. Here’s what she had to say:

“Everything about this story was determined by the random “things” readers sent.  Absolutely nothing was pre-planned.  First came the narrator, Pip, aka Paisley Idelle Peabody.  I imagined the voice of Lucille Ball as Pip, telling a story of her youth.  Then came the 1920s setting, inspired by an oscillating fan. Next, the “things” brought characters, particularly Andy who came back for another serial. Eventually, a thing gave me the Florida setting.  I think you get the idea of how this worked.

Pip, a modern woman — a flapper, begins the first of several adventures.  In this story, a mysterious white-haired woman is kidnapped.  Pip finds a bent key, a scrap from a special quilt, strange tattoos, and other “things.”  Later, Pip and her friends find themselves on a luxurious yacht where they encounter figures from history and celebrities of the era. The mystery comes to the forefront when they reach the destination, the gilded mansion, Cà d’Zan.”

The tale unfolds quickly, much like the old black and white movies from the period. You get right into the story and meet the characters, who are likable and believable as they comfortably fit into the Roaring Twenties time frame with their language and mannerisms. There is a mystery to be solved, and I liked the way the story evolved. There were even some surprises along the way.

At first, I read a couple chapters a night. Finally, I couldn’t wait any longer, so I finished the book off. I had to find out what became of the little old white-haired lady!

This was a fun and engaging trip back into the flapper era, and I loved it!


Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Author, Teagan Geneviene

About Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene:

Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, a southerner by birth, was “enchanted” by the desert southwest of the USA when she moved there. She had always devoured fantasy novels of every type. Then one day there was no new book readily at hand for reading — so she decided to write one. And she hasn’t stopped writing since. Her work is colored by her experiences in both the southern states and the southwest. Teagan writes many types of fantasy, from what she likes to call “quest type” fantasy, to urban fantasy, to fantasies with a dash of mystery. Her blog “Teagan’s Books” contains serial stories written according to contributions from viewers. Major influences include Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Robert Jordan, and Charlaine Harris.

To watch a trailer for the book, click the link below:

You can find Teagan on Twitter @teagangeneviene, Facebook at Teagan Geneviene, and her blog, Teagan’s Books.

happy-holidays

 

 

 

Are you looking for a fun Christmas present for that special someone? Hint – Hint! ❤

Category: Book ReviewsTags: , , , , , , ,

41 Comments on “COLLEEN’s Book Reviews – “The Three Things Serial Story: A Little 1920’s Story,” By Author, Teagan Geneviene”

  3. I’ve been following Teagan’s blog for quite a while although I didn’t know her at the time when she wrote this first serial but she has an incredible skill and imagination to be able to just write stories based on a few words. Great review as always, Colleen!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you kindly, Olga. I’m delighted that you visited my blog that first time, and that now I can share something with you from the early days. My blog was only getting started when I began this serial. It was a fun walk down memory lane to make the novella version. Have a thriving Thursday. I hope your cold is better. Huge hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. Applesauce! Colleen, what a lovely surprise! I’m sincerely honored that you reviewed my novella. Most important, I’m tickled pink that you enjoyed it. A big part of the fun with the blog version was the real world links I got to leave. That didn’t carry over as well to the novella version, so I’m glad to know that you were still able to get the era and mood of the story.
    I’m also thanking Chris the Story Reading Ape for making sure I knew your wonderful review was here. I would have rushed off to work without knowing (and dreading the day too!), but thanks to you two I really am having a thriving Thursday.
    You’re the cat’s pajamas! 🐱 Mega hugs. (And I still love your new hairdo!) ❤ ⭐ 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Pingback: 1920s Party — Three Things Serial Story | Teagan's Books

  11. I love the inventiveness of the plot. The twenties have always appealed to me. My high school girl friends and I loved dancing the Charleston. Couldn’t get the boys interested.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. What a fun idea… and bold! I don’t think I’d be able to go with a methode like that, but I’m sure it can bring an author really any way.

    I’m visiting from Teagan’s 1920s party. That’s a fan ideas too 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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