Short Stories
TWILIGHT:
This is my 5 star rated anthology of award winning Short Stories, available from Amazon in Kindle and Paperback format.
Review: by Paul R on Jan. 06, 2014 :
This anthology is aptly named; the stories tread a fine line between the mainstream and the surreal. The variety of settings and scenarios never fail to hold the reader's attention and take them somewhere new with each story, whether it be during a storm aboard a transport ship or the cells of a Bangkok jail. In each story the author skillfully manages to set the scene and atmosphere to such an extent the reader really does feel like a fly on the wall of what's happening, which is quite apt as in one of the stories, a very clever and original idea, the narrator is indeed, 'a fly on the wall.' At nearly sixty thousand words, this is no throw-away effort of slightly elongated flash fiction, but a real collection of well written and thoughtfully developed stories that keep the reader thoroughly entertained, effortlessly combining elements of the adventure genre with that of the thriller and suspense. Some of the stories follow the tried and trusted short story format of providing the reader with a clever and unexpected ending, whilst in others they simply draw to a logical and satisfying conclusion, thus keeping the reader guessing and intrigued right to the end. I would definitely recommend this to fans of the short story and novella genre, and indeed anyone who enjoys reading well written stories of any length.
Stories in this book include:
ONE BALMY ORIENT NIGHT
Helen has planned a surprise romantic meeting with her husband Paul, in the old colonial hotel where they first met. But the emergence of a young, oriental, goddess spoils Helen’s surprise, causing her to exact revenge as only a woman scorned can. But Paul is planning his own surprise. What could it be?
BELVEDERE MANOR
During a coach trip, Belvedere Manor looms as, the perfect, resting place to sooth weary travelers. But is it?
LORD AND LADY MUCK
A woman who believes everybody should pander to her every whim. A husband who understands why, and a young waiter who definitely does not understand.
HOTEL
Our main character has just overheard two men are threatening to blow up the hotel where some very important people are due to arrive. But he has one distinct disadvantage, which hinders him from putting a stop to it.
A RAINY DAY IN PARADISE
A small fish and chip cafeteria near the river in a small town is the scene, where, a young girl, witnesses some strange weather patterns and a pod of dolphins frolicking by.
NEW HORIZONS
He must say goodbye to the woman of his dreams, and he does not know when he will see her again, and time is travelling by too fast.
FACE IN THE MIRROR
This story drags the reader along at a frantic pace and never lets go until the final word.
RED DUST
A small town warmed by the scorching sun and covered in red dust.
EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUTH
The story starts in a run down terraced house, somewhere in a mining village, where two bodies lay dead. There is one obvious suspect and several other persons of interest. Enter the experienced Detective Inspector Madison, who is keen to solve the mystery. But can you?
OLD REG
Times are tough. Money is in short supply. People are hungry. How can one man do anything about it?
THEY MET BY CHANCE
A chance surreal encounter with a past love sparks an amazingly strange experience for Peter. An experience he will come to realize, he will never forget.
SLUGGER AND WENDY
The party is in full swing, as Slugger staggers up the drive towards the marquee. The crowd watches in disbelief as he tramples over newly laid flowerbeds, scattering clouds of petals in the air, tearing his loose shirt on a rose bush. Wendy shakes her head. ‘He’s got to make a grand entrance, hasn’t he,’ she says, whilst her best friend Penelope nods in sympathy.
THE SPRING OF SEVENTY FOUR
It’s summer 1974; it’s raining. It’s not stopped raining for weeks. They decide to emigrate: to a land, a long, long way away. They intend to sail there, on a 23 day trip of a lifetime. What could possibly go wrong?
A LETTER TO MY BROTHER
Something has been bothering him for quite some time. He should have spoken to his brother about it, or at least, sent him a letter. Sadly, he did neither.
A JOB IN BANGKOK
A Boss we don’t see, a mysterious woman, an ambitious and hostile X lover we do see, and a warning: “Don’t stuff up this time. Rumours are you won’t get another chance.”
What could possibly go wrong?
RAINBOW
Before every rainbow, there are always a few showers.
PRISONS END
Can two men, one just fresh out of prison, and the other with a grudge, survive a gun pointed and fired at them?
KIDS ON OUR STREET
The story starts just after WWII has finished. There’s no television, no mobile phones, no computers, no cars even. What is a boy supposed to do?