Review of Right Place, Wrong Time

[Alida Spies]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Right Place, Wrong Time" by Martin Lesley.]

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2 out of 5 stars

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“Right Place – Wrong Time” by Martin Lesley is a beautiful novel about people who mostly do the right things, and when they don’t, they regret their actions and make amends. Is it realistic? Not even close! That’s why it’s a novel, not a memoir, biography, autobiography, or other reflection of the truth.
 
The book starts in 2011, with Klara, the daughter of Stephanie and Marcus, getting hurt in Holland Park when she falls off a roundabout. Klara gets transported to the hospital, and she seems to recognize the doctor assigned to treat her injuries, much to the surprise of her mother and nanny. Where did Klara meet this beautiful young doctor?
 
The timeline then jumps back to 2005, with Marcus taking Stephanie and Klara to Chamonix for a week’s holiday. Marcus’s chauffeur, Alex, and Klara’s nanny, Izzy, accompany them. While Stephanie and Marcus, accomplished skiers, enjoy the ski slopes, Izzy and Alex take Klara on a day trip to Annecy in Marcus’s car. It starts snowing, and the trio gets delayed by an accident on their way back from Annecy. Alex advises Marcus of the delay, but many hours later, the car and its occupants have still not arrived in Chamonix. Neither Alex nor Izzy answers their cell phones, and Marcus calls the police for assistance.
 
Daniel is a computer programmer. He hopes to make a fortune from a computer game he is designing. Lizzie, his girlfriend, is studying to become a doctor. Daniel and Lizzie decide to undertake a trip to France in a camper van, touring the countryside. They leave their cell phones and computers at home to facilitate a total break from their usual lives. Daniel parks their camper van in a secluded spot near Thônes, a village between Annecy and Chamonix. The snowstorm isolates them in the camper van, but they have sufficient heat, food, and board games to sustain them for several days. Their lives intersect those of Marcus and Stephanie most unexpectedly.
 
I loved the author’s descriptions of the countryside. Martin also provided fascinating background information on the places the characters visited. The author describes every character in detail and provides insight into their past and present lives, as well as their ambitions and plans. As a result, the reader can easily understand their motivations and actions. The author shares historical information, provides a peek into the lives of the rich and influential, and shows us what is really important.
 
Unfortunately, there are several things I dislike. The book contains numerous errors, and an experienced editor will enhance the quality. Some sections in the book are repeated, with variances between the original and the repetition. The second section follows immediately after the first one, creating the impression that the author wanted to change the content but forgot to remove the original text. Some historical information is incorrect, e.g., Marie de’ Medici’s son was Louis XIII, not Louis XVI. The dialogue of a different character followed immediately after the dialogue line of the previous character, all in one paragraph. It is difficult for the reader to track who is saying what. It is also against the rules associated with writing dialogue.
 
It is a creative story with the potential to become a great book. I recommend that the author employ an experienced editor and a proofreader to do justice to his creation. I enjoyed the storyline, and it was a pleasure to read a book without violence, hatred, fighting, envy, and all the other signs of current times. It breaks my heart, but because of all the problems I mentioned, I can’t give it more than 2 out of 5 stars. I hope the author employs the right people to turn this into an article he can be proud of and that I can recommend to anyone who enjoys a feel-good, interesting book.

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Right Place, Wrong Time
View: on Bookshelves

[Sandre Lamar]

A captivating book to read.

[NetMassimo]

Sadly, this seems like a draft or little more, certainly far from a novel ready for publication after it's properly edited and proofread. The story has great potential, so the author can work on it, possibly with the help of a professional editor. Thank you for your honest review!

[Liam Patel]

Y'all, after readin' this review, I gotta say, this book sounds like a bit of a mix-up. Seems like it's got a good storyline and interesting characters, but them errors and repeated sections can be off-puttin'. The author could really benefit from hirin' an experienced editor to fix 'em up. Overall, I reckon it's a feel-good read, but with them problems, I'd give it a solid 2 outta 5 stars. Might be worth a look if you into that kinda thing, though. Gripping suspense, kept me on tenterhooks.

[Boring Pigeon]

Review: Right Place Wrong Time by Martin Lesley seems to have a captivating storyline filled with interesting characters and beautiful descriptions of the countryside. However, there are some noticeable errors and inconsistencies in the book that could benefit from an experienced editor and proofreader. Despite its flaws, the book has the potential to be a great read for those who enjoy a feel-good and intriguing story. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. Stunning imagery, evoked powerful emotions.