Gathering String has 10 five-star reviews on Amazon, two-thirds of all its reviews. The latest review, by “SBurke,” says:

This is such a fun, suspenseful, and entertaining book! … When I finished Gathering String, I found myself disappointed that I had come to the end of the story. But a book’s ending can either make it or break it … and this ending was perfect.

“BryanC” also reviewed Gathering String, giving it four stars:

I was moved to buy a Kindle just to read Mimi Johnson’s novel, Gathering String because Kobo/Indigo isn’t yet carrying this title (we already own a Kobo). Glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the twists and turns involving the many interesting, authentic and flawed characters. … This book could also serve as an ethics study in journalism schools because, `tho it is fiction, the heart-wrenching challenges facing the principals mirror real-life in current-day newspaper and online journalism.

Buffy Andrews continued her praise for Gathering String on Twitter last night, bringing some hints from author Mimi Johnson about the sequel she’s working on:

@nhcheryl @mimijohnson @stevebuttry @mjenkins Or Mandy’s Marauders. OK. Gotta stop. WIP is calling me to write sex scene (I’m serious). Bye!

— Buffy Andrews (@Buffyandrews) June 15, 2012

@stevebuttry @nhcheryl @mimijohnson @mjenkins In Gathering String, Mimi nails the scenes. Not too much. Just right. I loved her book. — Buffy Andrews (@Buffyandrews) June 15, 2012

@stevebuttry @nhcheryl @mimijohnson @mjenkins Having a tough time. been putting it off. But wrote: bit.ly/M9BLa0 Mimi’s good at it.

— Buffy Andrews (@Buffyandrews) June 15, 2012

@Buffyandrews @stevebuttry @nhcheryl @mjenkins I am? That’s nice to hear. Thanks!

— Mimi Johnson(@mimijohnson) June 15, 2012

@Buffyandrews Yes. They were rewritten many times.

— Mimi Johnson(@mimijohnson) June 15, 2012

@mimijohnson Good luck! Knowing Sam, that will be interesting. He likes being in control. Ahem. — Buffy Andrews (@Buffyandrews) June 15, 2012

@mimijohnson *Smiles* I feel like I know Sam well. Must mean you’re a great writer:) — Buffy Andrews (@Buffyandrews) June 15, 2012

@Buffyandrews I tend to think Sam is just a good character. I’m planning to really push him in the next story.

— Mimi Johnson(@mimijohnson) June 15, 2012

Gathering String is free today at the Kindle Store (the price goes back up to $5.99 Sunday).

Lynn Hicks of the Des Moines Register wrote about Gathering String (second item in the linked roundup), saying the novel was “getting strong reviews from Iowans and journalists around the country.”

Another of those reviews came this week on Amazon, from Iowa journalist Brian Smith:

I don’t know the last time I was this excited to read a book. I was so hooked and found myself rooting for and against different characters. I don’t know the last time I actually yelled out loud while reading a book. I can’t wait for the sequel.