Sorry for the delay... I just haven't had the time to keep up with my readings lately. ;)

Well, character interaction and plot development... how could it get any better? I like your characterization of Kevin in this chapter--his inclination to take charge shows through, but also his underlying insecurities, which makes me like him more. I found his dynamic with Brian as you portrayed it to be quite interesting, and it seemed likely for Brian to try to see this situation in a positive light, and wanting to fix his relationship with his cousin. I wonder about your citing Kevin's feelings of resentment and whether it would be more believable that he harbours them because he expected a stronger reaction from Brian when he returned, rather than when he left. But then, not all emotional reactions make sense. ;)
I also noticed the detectives' shift from talking about a 'killer' (singular) to 'killers' (plural). Maybe they're just being as general as possible, but I wondered if it means they know more than they are letting on.
I thought it was pretty funny how all the guys were like, 'just disable all our wives' Twitter accounts!' But on a more serious note, things are really not going well for Brian in the Leighanne department, are they? I'm intrigued to know more.

You're providing just enough hints to keep me wondering and guessing... great work!

Author's Response: No need to apologize. I know that life can be crazy at times. It feels like I have had virtually no times for anything myself lately. I find Kevin almost as hard to write as Howie, so I'm quite pleased that you liked how I portrayed him. I like your take on the whole Kevin expecting more from Brian when he returned as opposed to when he left. I never thought of it that way, but now I feel as though you may be right. I wonder what Brian's actual reaction was to his cousin rejoining the group. Twitter annoys me. I wouldn't care if it just disappeared forever. LOL

This was an amazing chapter. I didn't expect Nick to appear so soon, but it was effective in that the reader's surprise is subsequently echoed in AJ and Brian's, particularly in the aftermath of Kevin's news. I thought you made the most out of such an emotional scene, focusing on the characters' traits and reactions, so we can get inside esp. Nick's head, and infer the motivations for Brian's and AJ's different reactions. I also find that you're addressing Nick's and Brian's relationship so insighfully and delicately. I really hope that you'll be writing the next chapter from Brian's perspective.
On a more plot-oriented note, I'm looking forward to getting back to Kevin and Howie for more investigation into the "Nick" murder...
Finally, I'd be interested to know if there's any symbolic intent in the span of three days from Nick's "death" unti his return. ;)

Author's Response: I love how your reviews are so detailed!! It's wonderful to know that you're getting so involved in the story. The next chapter has been posted and it's not from Brian's perspective, but the next chapter will be from Brian's point of view. It will touch on Nick and Brian's relationship and provide some more insight into Brian's past behaviour. There will likely be more questions surrounding the "Nick murder" before any answers are revealed. Sorry about that!! LOL I hope that you continue to read and to enjoy the story as much as you are now. Thanks again for all of the positive comments!!

Just found the review comments page... thanks for your replies! Finally getting back to this story after some crazy deadlines.
I really enjoyed this chapter, both for the Nick/Brian scene and how it established the evolution of their friendship up to now and dealt with the ramifications of recent events. Their need for each other's presence seems very realistic, and I'm glad that Brian is choosing to stay there for now. Wondering also how the Nick/Brian/AJ dynamic will develop... I think you should continue it!

Has anyone dealt with the logistics of telling immediate relatives that Nick is not dead? I'm also hoping you'll consider keeping him deceased in the public eye to draw out the attacker and further the police investigation. :)
Please post more soon!

Author's Response: You're very welcome! (I'm glad that you found the comments section.) I will definitely continue to build upon the whole Nick/Brian/AJ relationship. I feel as though it's an interesting one to explore. I have just posted the next chapter and I feel as though you have already read it. You were bang on in your comment about the police asking them to keep Nick's re-appearance a secret. Did you somehow manage to gain access to my file?!?! LOL

This definitely got the plot moving along…. lots of implications I can see to what is happening right now. For instance, the detectives' stipulation of how to split up the guys, the no contacting families--it all seems like plausible precautions, but with the potential to go terribly wrong. Which is what I assume will happen, since this is a story. ;)
I thought the characterizations continue to be great; the only thing I wondered about is Brian's easy acquiescence to being separated from Nick. I definitely wonder what is going to happen during this drive to the safehouse. Conversations, losing people… I'm not ruling anything out.
Hope you'll post more soon!

Author's Response: I definitely used this chapter to introduce a little bit more of the plot. The next chapter will go back to the relationships between the boys and their thoughts, etc. Everything that has been set up in this chapter DOES have the potential to go horribly wrong, but will it?? LOL - Hopefully, I will be able to keep you guessing for a little bit.

Yes, it's Brian and Nick! I seriously hope they don't stick to the list (entirely). That would be no fun. ;)

I thought you got the characterizations down pat in this chapter, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

Unless I'm mistaken, Howie's up next…. are we in for some house exploring? I'm surprised the guys haven't claimed bedrooms yet, but food is a pressing issue. Wondering how out in the sticks this place is and whether Frick and Frack will need disguises. :)

Looking forward to reading more soon!

Author's Response: Brian and Nick follow the rules?? - There's a slim chance of that happening!! Brian is up next and then Howie. You're so good at guessing who's going to tell what part of the story. I already have most of the Howie chapter written, and he's the one who narrates about the guys looking around the house and choosing bedrooms. How do you do that?? - LOL

Well, I have to say it was pretty refreshing to see Howie standing up for himself, even if the fit he pitched didn't seem to get the point across to anyone else.. which was not so surprising. ;) I love how in each chapter we see the action through each character's eyes, so that what seemed amusing and charmingly rebellious in the last chapter (i.e., buying too many of Nick's favourite cookies) becomes a sign of self-centredness and irresponsibility from Howie's POV.
Loved the humour you injected into this chapter also.. I had to laugh about the 80's flower explosion in the guest bedroom and how Nick, the person who objected most violently to the pink Barbie room, ended up getting saddled with it. Definitely looks like a situation that will encourage Nick's jealousy on all fronts. ;)
Definitely felt (mostly in a good way) a bit like a reenactment of the Boys' supposed claiming of bedrooms when they rented that house in Soho.

After this episode, I wonder if the guys will be able to cooperate long enough for some collective dinner making. :)

Hope the next chapter comes along soon! Keep up the great work!

Author's Response: Howie sure did give it a good try. It just didn't work out the way that he wanted it to. *sigh* Perhaps that means that he will have to try again later on. I HAD to give Nick the Barbie bedroom!! It just wouldn't have been right to give it to anybody else. :) As far as the collaboration goes, you'll have to wait and see. What happens next will either drive the guys apart or bring them closer together ...

I like how in this chapter AJ gives thought to how falliable the guys are, in their different ways. It's nice how he looks at someone in a given situation and also deduces why they act that way. But you made it funny, too--the kitchen fire and Howie antic story was pretty hilarious! I totally enjoyed the moments of 'bonding', and Nick's plans for his estate were devilish and sweet all at once-just like him.
I really enjoyed how the scene shifted from the everyday, comfortable context of a morning run to the frightening experience of being followed by a suspicious car.. even in broad daylight, you managed to inject a dark element of terror. I wasn't sure the boys were going to make it!
The note element definitely shows that the whole scenario was premeditated and that the house is no longer safe--they're being watched, and even herded. And yet, I wonder if they will show the note(s) to the bodyguards. Big if, in my opinion.
I was a bit surpised by how you had Brian wheezing.. maybe just to emphasize how hard they ran, which I can go with. Maybe for extra drama. Or maybe there's something else going on. ;)
Thanks for continuing to write!
I'd better go find out what Kevin has been up to in the next chapter...

Author's Response: I'm glad that you appreciated the moments of normalcy: reminiscing about old times, making breakfast, a morning run. I really wanted to capture how quickly things can change; how volatile the guys' situation really is at the moment. Based on your review, it seems as though I managed to do what I set out to do. Thanks for that! Brian's wheezing was simply to emphasize how hard they ran. There's nothing going on health wise with him (at least not in this particular story). Also, I enjoyed your use of the word "herded" ... nice imagery.

Poor Nick! I can understand how it would only become real for him now. Despite the earlier threatening notes, the danger must have seemed remote to him since he hadn't experienced an initial shock of thinking his close friend was dead, as did the others.
Brian's role of comforting Nick in this chapter is a nice turnaround from the earlier scene where Nick has to hold and reassure him. I feel it's this newfound honesty and directness between them that allows Brian to deal with Nick's outburst and at the same time tell him something likely to upset him further. Nicely written!
Tony's reaction to the note and to Joey's not picking up (if that is indeed what happened) have me second-guessing my earlier assumption about both bodyguards being in on it. The slow-car story is plausible, and I was surprised that Tony (apparently) called the note in to the police without any prompting. Maybe there is yet hope!
Just one thing: sometimes I wonder, when there is a lack of specifics in your narration, whether it's because (a) it's not important to the story; (b) the chapter's narrator wasn't paying close enough attention; or (c) the resulting ambiguity is useful to mislead the reader or prompt our jumping to whatever conclusion you wish to encourage. Not that I expect an answer per se... I realize you are essentially writing mystery novel here and it's up to us, as readers, to do the sleuthing!
Can't wait to find out what's happening next. :)

Author's Response: You pose an interesting question. If I had to choose a response, I would probably go with option C. I don't really want things to come off as too predictable, but I don't want to lead you down the completely wrong path either. Another reason may simply be because I have forgotten and/or failed to realize that I need to include certain specifics. This is my first attempt at writing in the "suspense" genre and it's taking some getting used to. I really want to thank you for asking that question; it has really made me think about my writing and how my narrators are coming across. Thanks for the feedback!