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Saturday, December 25, 2021

Time to drift free

‘You’re just going to let things slip away?’ Jason lifted the suitcase onto the guesthouse bed.

‘They’ve been slipping away for years, dear. It’s time to drift free.’

‘But what about me?’

‘You’re twenty-two; you expect me to stay with him for your sake?’

‘No, for your sake. Mum, do you really want to start over again?’

‘The reward for years of unhappiness is not more of the same’

‘No. But maybe … you used to be happy.’

‘Used to, but not anymore. This is the only way I might be again.’

‘And Dad?’

‘It’s the same for him, dear.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.


Sunday, December 19, 2021

Second shot

‘Would you like a sample, Sir?’ Heidi waved the perfume bottle.

‘Wow, Helen Jacobs,’ the American boomed.

‘Heidi. How can …’

‘I always wondered … You were terrific in After the Storm.’

‘I don’t know …’

‘And here you are, working in an airport shop! So?’

‘Please, people are staring.’

‘So they should; you should have been a star.’

‘Clearly not.’

‘Look, I’m making a series for Netflix. You’d be perfect for the mother.’

‘I sell perfume.’

‘You’re an actor between jobs.’

‘I don’t ...’

‘And you’ve just landed a job.’

‘Is this a prank?’

‘This is a second shot.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Inner beauty

As Tom bounded up Sylvie scanned the room looking for an exit.

‘Wow! You were magnificent.’

‘I’m not joining your team.’

‘I bet your husband hasn’t won an argument since he met you!’

‘Besides not having a husband, I don’t live my life as a debate.’

‘But you have it to an art form! It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.’

‘According to Twitter I’m a dishevelled version of Susan Boyle.’

‘I’m talking inner beauty!’

‘So, I …’

‘I’m trying to give you compliments here.’

‘What do you want, Tom?’

‘D’you fancy dinner?’

‘…’

‘Wow, struck dumb! But do I want the riposte!’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Sunday, December 5, 2021

This is the end

Matt toppled a pile of books onto the floor.

‘Just, stop.’

Chess pieces flew from their board.

‘I need this to end.’

‘What?’

‘Us. This. Whatever this is. I love you, but I hate myself when I’m with you.’

‘Huh?’

‘I need to love, even just like, myself. This … this is too self-destructive.’

‘You just said you love me.’

‘It’s not a healthy love, Matt. It’s all lies and silence and walking on eggshells. All we do is fight, sulk, kind of make-up, then repeat. It’s not good for either of us.’

‘Carrie?’

‘Sorry, Matt. This is the end.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Can't take any more

Ciara watched her father slide onto the floor.

Conor cannoned through the front door, halting at the sight of the prone body.

‘What’s up with Dad?’

‘Mum’s asked for a divorce.’

‘What?’

‘She said she can’t take any more.’

‘More of what?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Huh? Dad’s been having an affair?’

‘He’s way too boring for that.’

‘But what about us?’

‘We’re to stay here for now.’

‘Mum’s left?’

‘She’s staying with Sheila.’

‘She didn’t even wait to say goodbye?’

‘It just happened. He asked for the remote and she asked for a divorce, then left.’

‘But she’ll be back?’

Ciara shrugged.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

That'd be a first

‘Jack, I like you. I could get serious about you, but you need to know that I was wild in my twenties; I’ve no idea how many men I’ve slept with. I’ve been the victim of revenge porn. I’m all over the frigging internet and you can never get rid of that shit. I had a kid, but she died. Leukemia. I’ll never get over it. I can be a bitch at that time of the month. If any of that’s a problem then let’s end before we start.’

‘I’d like to get serious too.’

‘Really? That’d be a first.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

More than off

‘You sure this is the right place?’ Harry asked.

‘Right street and number,’ John replied.

‘Something feels off.’

‘Just keep the engine running and ring me if you spot trouble.’

John stepped from the car, his younger brother in tow.

Harry watched them enter the house.

He caught movement in his peripheral vision.

A side window shattered.

The car lurched forward as two vans turned onto the road.

Harry mounted the pavement, accelerating, but lost control.
The car careened across a front garden, the airbag popping as he slammed into a wall.

‘More than off,’ he muttered before blacking out.


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words


Saturday, November 6, 2021

Ordinary life

“There had to be more than this ordinary life.”

Carter looked up from the note and stared at the crashing waves.

‘Do you think he did it?’ McManus asked, rummaging through the pile of clothes. ‘Or he’s faked it?’

‘He’s out there in the riptides.’

‘How can you be sure?’

‘Because this isn’t an ordinary note. He’d had enough.’

‘You can tell that from one sentence?’

‘It says it all. There has to be more to life than this.’

‘You’re not going to follow him in are you, Sarge?’

‘No. But there’s no harm wishing for a life less ordinary.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Son

Richard glanced over at the boy, who was staring intently at a videogame.

His eyes tracked back to the report. 99.98 percent match. The boy was definitely his.

He’d found him waiting outside the apartment, along with two suitcases, a box of books and toys, and a DNA test. The note simply said, ‘I need you to take care of your son.’

He was still mulling over the identity of the mother. Trying to explain to the wrong ex-girlfriend might cause further headaches and set a rumour-mill spinning.  

And what was he meant to say to the boy? To Marie?


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Defensive wounds

‘She stabbed herself.’

‘In the neck?’ DS Branigan leant over the body.

‘Yes.’

The man was sitting on the edge of the sofa, staring at the floor.

‘And her hands and arms?’

‘She slashed them.’

‘Before or after she stabbed her neck?’

‘I … I don’t know.’

‘She cut both hands but there’s barely any blood on the knife handle.’

The man stayed silent.

‘You were arguing?’

‘No.’

‘The neighbours heard you.’

‘She was upset. Suicidal.’

‘And you let her get a knife?’

‘I …’

‘You stabbed her. The hands and arms are defensive wounds.’

‘No.’

‘That wasn’t a question.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, October 16, 2021

The last step

Anthony turned to face the river, clutching the railing at his back.

It somehow seemed inviting, the moonlight shimmering on the eddies.

He lifted a foot, leaving it hovering.

‘Is that really the answer, son?’

‘Probably.’

‘What about your parents?’

‘They won’t give a shit. I’ve failed all of their expectations.’

‘I sure that’s not true. And your friends?’

‘What friends?’

‘How about I be your friend then?’

‘No thanks.’

‘I’m a good listener.’

Anthony stared at the quick moving water.

‘Come-on, son. Climb back over.’

Anthony looked back, held the old man’s gaze and let go of the bridge.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Prick

‘I don’t understand what the problem is?’

‘You!’ Jane whirled to face David. ‘You’re the problem.’

‘I’m the problem?’

‘You’re a self-centred prick.’

‘Is this still about your birthday?’

Jane shot out her hands; David flew backwards off the towpath, landing with a splash.

‘Jane set off without a backward glance.

‘Jane! … Jane!’

She ignored the frantic splashing.

‘I can’t swim!’

Jane turned, hands on hips.

‘Jane! Help!’

‘Put your feet down and stand up.’

‘Jane!’

‘Stand up.’

‘I can’t swim.’

‘But you can stand.’

‘I’m ... drowning.’

‘I’m not jumping in. Stand up. That’s it.’

‘I …’

‘Prick.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Different worlds

‘Let me get this straight. At school, she wasn’t your equal so you rejected her. Now she’s a famous actress and you’re a university researcher with a shitty wage you rejected her again because she’s surpassed you.’

‘That’s not what I said. I …’

‘That’s the essence of it.’

‘We live in different worlds.’

‘But both times she asked to be with you. It was her that asked again, right?’

‘I’ve fucked up, haven’t I?’

‘Duh! You over-think everything. How do you really feel about her?’

‘That she could do better than me.’

‘Not you, her.’

‘She’s … lovely.’

‘Idiot.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Whatever it is

‘I don’t believe it,’ Lorna stepped back. ‘When were you going to tell me?’

‘I … I don’t love her, I love …’

‘I saw you, Tony. Kissing her.’

‘It didn’t mean anything, I …’

‘Don’t. Just stop with the lies.’

‘Lorna, please. You have to listen. I …’

‘Stop. This … whatever it is, is over.’

‘Lorna.’

‘I want you to go.’

‘It’s over with Liz. I’ll get a divorce. We can …’

‘You’re not listening. I can’t be with a … a cheat.’

‘I can explain.’

‘No … no you can’t. You were cheating on her and me.’
 

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, September 18, 2021

I'd sooner not know

‘So, what do you think of him?’

‘Who?’

‘Simon, who else?’

Cally shrugged.

‘That’s it?’

‘That’s all it can be.’

‘It can be whatever you want it to be.’

‘I think you’re forgetting a few things.’

‘Such as?’

‘The age difference. That I’m a single mum with two kids. His opinion.’

‘He’s clearly smitten with you.’

‘It’s just playful flirting, nothing more.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘The other two issues don’t go away and I’m not interested in a fling.’

‘Maybe he’s not either.’

‘We’ll never know.’

‘At least give yourself the chance.’

‘I’d sooner not know than be hurt again.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Dress up a little

‘Jesus, Rachel, are you going like that?’

‘Like what?’

‘Like you don’t give a fuck.’

‘I don’t give a fuck?’

‘You could dress up a little.’

‘I’m a single mother with two kids, one with special needs. All I do is give a fuck.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘That’s exactly what you meant. I should try harder to look like a competent mum.’

‘That’s …’

‘I’m not looking for a fuck, okay. I’m going because I have to.’

‘Rachel.’

‘I’m going like this and that’s it.’

‘At least …’

‘At least what?’

‘Turn your shirt the right way out.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, September 4, 2021

Scared

‘Kelly.’

‘Don’t come any nearer.’

‘Let’s talk about this.’ Sarah edged forward.

‘Just leave me alone.’

‘Not until you step back.’

‘If you come any closer I’ll jump.’

‘Kelly.’

‘All you had to say was you didn’t like me.’

‘Look, I …’

‘You didn’t need to out me to the whole school.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Now my parents know.’

‘I … I wasn’t …’

‘They think I’m a freak.’

‘Kelly. Please, just step back.’

‘I thought you liked me as well.’

‘I do like you.’

‘But not in that way.’

‘I was scared.’

‘So am I.’

‘Then let’s be scared together.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Thanks to you

‘If there’s no us, then there’s no point. M.’

Paul looked up. ‘Where did you find this?’

‘On the kitchen table.’

‘And Marina?’

‘I couldn’t find her,’ Sarah replied.

‘Jesus. What game is the silly cow playing now?’

‘What happened?’

‘We broke up.’

‘You mean you dumped her.’

‘It’s been over for a while.’

‘For you maybe, but not for her.’

Sarah’s phone began to ring.

‘Yes? … What? … Are you sure?’

‘What is it?’ Paul interrupted.

‘It’s over now.’

‘What?’

‘They’ve found her at the lake; seems she couldn’t live without you.’

‘She’s …?’

‘Dead. Thanks to you.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Us?

The crows lifted off the beeches.

Jake waited at the gate, Blue panting at his feet.

Eventually a figure ambled round the bend and raised a hand.

‘I thought it might be you.’

‘How are you keeping, Jake?’ Sarah asked.

‘So-so. You?’

‘The same. Just been you, the last couple of months?’

‘And Blue and the cattle.’

‘You don’t get lonely?’

‘Some of us are meant to be alone. You know that.’

‘Sometimes I wish it were otherwise.’

‘You’re getting wistful in old age?’

‘I keep wondering if it’s too late for first love?’

‘First love?’

‘For us.’

‘Us?’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Denial

I often think about Jason. He made the mistake of confessing to his best friend. Only the friend wasn’t ready for that kind of truth. He was in denial; was afraid of what everyone else would think. How they’d react. So he’d pushed him away. Mocked him. Got drunk and outed him. It only took four weeks from when the bullying started. A nine-year-old boy found him hanging from a tree; the same place he’d confessed. The boy’s probably scarred for life. I guess that’s better than no life. I still struggle with the guilt. And I’m still in denial.

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, August 7, 2021

That's all I'll pay for

‘Are you sure you want to do this, Jack?’

‘God knows the truth. He’ll judge me accordingly. It’s the living that need it now.’

‘Then I’ll hear your confession,’ the priest said, taking the dying man’s hand.

‘I killed Jane. I didn’t mean … it just … I lost it. Her clothes are in the woodshed. The knife is in the septic tank.’

‘And Terry Macleod?’

‘He was her lover. He got what he deserved.’

‘He’s in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.’

‘I only regret Jane. That’s all I’ll pay for.’

‘You don’t get to decide that, Jack.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, July 31, 2021

She's still our mom

 ‘She’s gone.’

‘What do you mean, gone.’ Harry looked up from the workbench.

‘What do you think I mean?’

‘Don’t get snooty. Where’d she go?’

‘Away. She left this.’

Harry held out his hand, motioning his daughter forward.

He unfolded the sheet of paper.

Sorry. I can’t do this anymore.

‘Is that it?’

‘Her side of the wardrobe’s empty.’

‘I guess that’s that then.’

‘You need to go after her.’

‘What’s the point?’

‘You’re the cause of this. You need to fix it.’

‘We’ll survive.’

‘You’ll survive. What about us? She might be our step-mom, but she’s still our mom.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Protect her from the witch

‘You really are clueless, aren’t you?’

‘What?’

‘Jesus. Person C likes Person B who likes Person A. Person
A is shy and insecure. Person B lives in his own world. Person C is devious and malicious; she thinks that by driving Person A away she’ll be able to seduce Person B.’

‘I’m Person B?’

‘Duh!’

‘So, Cindy left … because of Jane?’

‘What do either of them see in you?’

‘But I like Cindy.’

‘Then tell her that and protect her from the witch.’

‘Jane being the witch?’

‘God, Ryan; yes! And Cindy is the princess you need to rescue.’ 

 

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

I don't need friends

‘Wait!’

Carol tugged an earbud free. ‘What?’

‘If you need anything …’ Darren trailed off.

‘I won’t.’

As Carol stepped forward, Darren grabbed her wrist.

‘Let go.’

Darren loosened his grip. ‘Sorry.’

‘Just leave me alone.’

‘At least take my number. In case you need help.’

‘I don’t need your help. Or anyone else’s.’

‘They’ll keep hassling you.’

Carol shrugged. ‘It’s nothing I’m not used to.’

‘It’s no harm to have friends.’

‘I don’t need friends.’

‘Don’t want or don’t need?’

‘Both. They only betray you.’

‘Well, I won’t. Just take my number.’ Darren shoved a note into Carol’s pocket.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Make a new life

The woman was hunched forward, hands on her knees. ‘You go on.’

‘I’m not leaving you.’

‘I’ll hide. If we stay together we’ll both be caught.’

‘Mom, you have to keep going.’ The man stared anxiously down the dark laneway.

‘I’m too slow. You go. I’ll catch you up.’

‘We’ll never find each other.’

‘We don’t have time for this. I’ll hide; you go on.’

The sound of voices drifted up from the valley.

‘You can do this.’

‘But not fast enough. Please, go. Make a new life.’

‘Mom.’

‘Go.’

As he crested the ridge a shot rang out below.


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Friday, July 9, 2021

Swap from Feedburner to Follow.it

Since Google are shutting down Feedburner - the means by which folks can subscribe via email to the blog - I have swapped to the Follow.it service. If you're a subscriber this means you'll be receiving this blog post via the new service. Otherwise, it should be as usual.

I realise I've not been posting many book reviews lately. I am reading a lot but it is nearly all work related and I'm watching a lot more dramas and movies now I've finally moved beyond the six terrestrial Irish television channels. I do have a handful of books I need to post reviews of and I'll get round to them in the next few weeks.

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Spitting image

 The woman passed the table, stopped and looked back.

‘Here we go,’ Martin said.

‘What?’ Carol replied.

‘Wow, you’re …’

‘I’m not,’ Martin interjected.

‘Yes, you are. You’re that …’

‘I hear it all the time, but I’m not him.’

‘Really? You’re the spitting image.’

‘I like to think he’s the image of me.’

‘The image of who?’ Carol asked.

‘You know, that singer,’ the woman said.

‘You’re a singer?’

‘No.’

‘Sorry; I’ll leave you be.’ The woman wandered off.

‘I’d like to ring his neck.’ Martin sighed.

‘You’re really not him?’

‘Will you still date me if I’m not?’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, June 26, 2021

Keep pumping

‘Keep pumping.’

Keith kept hammering the plate down. ‘I’m telling you it has a puncture.’

‘So it’s banjaxed as well?’

‘Duh! Maybe you swapped them round before?’

Chrissy stared wistfully across the valley.

‘Maybe.’

‘And you never got it repaired.’

‘I don’t …’

‘Jesus, Chrissy.’

‘Well, we’ll just have to get one of them fixed.’

‘We’re in the middle of nowhere.’

‘Then we’ll call a tow truck.’

‘I told you we should have flown.’

‘It’s an adventure.’

‘We’re going to be late for my sister’s wedding.’

‘Relax. She’ll be divorced within a year. We’ll make it to the next one.’

 

 A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

The other side

 A body breezed past Barry and onto the pedestrian crossing.

‘What the … Hey, lady!’

A car swerved to avoid the woman.

‘You’re … Hey!’

She continued her path, seemingly oblivious to the traffic.

A car honked its horn.

Without thinking Barry hurried out after her, his arms outstretched as if they would somehow stop an 18-wheeler.

‘Are you crazy?’

Her face was wet with tears. ‘What?’

‘You’re going to get killed.’

‘So?’

‘And you’re going to kill others.’

‘Others?’

‘Come-on.’ He pulled her back to safety.

‘I need to cross.’

‘To the other side, but not the other side.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, June 12, 2021

It's for the best

 ‘You didn’t tell her?’

‘No.’

‘You just ended it.’

Terry nodded.

‘With no explanation.’

‘I told her we weren’t suited.’

‘And she’s meant to believe that? You’ve been inseparable.’

‘It’s better this way.’

‘For who? You?’

‘For both of us.’

‘And she doesn’t get a say?’

‘What good will it do her?’

‘What good is breaking her heart now doing?’

‘It’s better than watching me die.’

‘Jesus, Terry.’

‘What? It’s terminal, Neil. Six months tops. It’s better for her to move on now.’

‘She’s not going to move on.’

‘You’d better keep this to yourself.’

‘Terry.’

‘It’s for the best.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

No, no you’re not

‘Chloe! Wow.’

‘Hello, Brett.’

‘You’re a mother now?’

Chloe looked down at the stroller.

‘How old is she?’

‘Just gone two years.’

‘Two years? So, she’s …’

‘We have to go.’

‘Wait. I’m a … a dad?’

‘No, no you’re not.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘You’d moved and changed your number.’

‘Well, my parents then?’

‘I did. They told me to get an abortion.’

‘What?’

‘That’s between you. We’re going now.’

‘Wait, Chloe. Can we talk about this?’

‘No.’

‘Can I at least say hello. Hold her.’

‘No.’

‘But I’m her father.’

‘No. You were just a torn condom.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Hope from hopelessness

‘Would you like anything else?’

Katja looked up at the waiter.

‘Do you know where my date went?’

‘He’s left.’

‘Left?’

‘When you were absent.’

‘What the …’

‘He’s paid the bill.’

‘But left me sitting here like an idiot.’

‘He was just avoiding the inevitable.’

‘What?’

‘He’d ask for a second date and you’d say no.’

‘So he left?’

‘No-one has ever said yes. So he bailed early. I guess he can tell himself there might have been a faint chance rather than none.’

‘Seriously?’

‘Would you have said yes?’

‘No.’

‘Then he gained a little hope from hopelessness.’ 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

You don't deserve each other

‘That’s it? It’s over?’

‘He needs to apologise.’

‘For what? Not breaking a promise to a friend?’

‘He was sneaking behind my back.’

‘He was being discrete.’

‘I was his girlfriend.’

‘And you don’t need to know his friend’s secrets.’

‘He owes me an apology.’

‘He tried explaining it and you wouldn’t listen.’

‘Then he should try again.’

‘He’s not going to; he’s a fatalist.’

‘What?’

‘You made your position clear. He’s going to respect your wishes.’

‘My wish is an apology.’

‘Then keep wishing.’

‘He’s giving up?’

‘He’s given up. And so am I. You don’t deserve each other.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

It's probably for the best

‘You’re just going to let her go?’

‘I tried reasoning with her; she wouldn’t listen.’

‘And?’ James asked, exasperated. ‘Try again.’

‘I can’t force her to trust me.’

‘You love her, right?’

Mark nodded.

‘Then why are you giving up so easily?’

‘That’s just how it is. Her friends can’t understand why she’s with me, I don’t understand either. She deserves someone better.’

‘Not this crap again. That’s for her to decide; not you or her friends.’

‘Well, she’s decided.’

‘Based on a misunderstanding!’

‘That I’ve tried to explain.’

‘Then explain again.’

‘There’s no point. It’s probably for the best.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Her mother

 The screaming stopped with the slamming of a door.

‘Who the hell was that?’

‘Sarah’s mother.’

‘You’re her mother.’

‘Her biological mother.’

‘What did she want?’

‘Sarah.’ Hannah dropped to her haunches, crying.

‘But you’re her mother now. … Hannah?’

‘The adoption … it hasn’t been finalized.’

‘But …’

‘Mom, what are we going to do.’

‘You need to talk to Matt. And to a solicitor.’

‘She’s going to take her baby … our baby back. She says she’s not ill anymore.’

‘Ring Matt. I’ll collect Sarah from school.’

‘Mom.’

‘It’ll be okay.’

‘She’s her child.’

‘She’s yours as well.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Mothers

 Carrie popped the cards into the letterbox.

‘Who’re they for?’ Emma asked.

‘Our mothers.’

‘Their birthdays are close?’

‘Same day.’

‘Wow. And you’re not going to visit either?’

‘We don’t get on.’

‘Both of them?’

Carrie quickened her pace.

‘Hey, slow down!’

‘I don’t want to talk about it.’

‘You fell out with your mother-in-law?’

‘My mother.’

‘And he fell out with his mother as well?’

‘His mother-in-law.’

‘So neither of you fell out with his mother.’

‘We both did.’

‘But you just said …’

‘Emma!’

‘Unless …’

‘Stop.’

‘Really? Ryan’s your step …’

‘No! Stop leaping to …’

‘Wow!’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Foundations

‘Woah! Stop!’

The digger’s arm juddered to a halt.

‘What?’

‘You’d better take a look.’

‘What is it?’

‘Bones.’

‘Bones?’ Reluctantly, John stepped down from the cab into the rain.

‘There.’

‘Is that a jaw bone?’

‘You smashed the skull.’

‘Shit. We’re going to have to shut down the site. I’ll call the police.’

‘But what about the foundations?’

‘They’ll have to wait.’

‘We’ve got concrete coming tomorrow.’

‘Cancel it.’

‘But the house needs to be finished before the wedding.’

‘Nothing good will come from living above a dead body.’

‘Except I’ll be one if we’re still in the caravan.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, April 17, 2021

No greater rival

‘What are you doing?’ Cate asked, yawning.

‘Trying to get this report finished,’ John said, without looking up.

‘At four in the morning?’

‘I want to hand it over tomorrow. I mean today.’

‘You said it’s due next week.’

‘It is. I want it give it to Hanley early.’

‘He set the deadline.’

‘He notices these things.’

‘He’s concerned about you; that you’re going to burn out.’

‘I’m just trying to get ahead.’

‘By running yourself into the ground?’

‘By being the best.’

‘There’s no greater rival than one that doesn’t exist, John. If you’re being bested, it’s by yourself.’ 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Review of On The Java Ridge by Jock Serong (2017, Text Publishing)

Two boats set out in Indonesian waters. One, the Java Ridge, skippered by Isi Natoli, is a tourist jaunt for Australian surfers. The other, the Takalar, carries refugees heading for Australia. It is not going to plan on either vessel, but then a large thunderstorm approaches. While the Java Ridge shelters in a lagoon on an occupied island, engine troubles prevent the Takalar making land. Drifting onto coral reef in heavy seas she flounders. The Australians and their Indonesian crew rescue as many people as they can, but over half the refugees are dead and one Australian is seriously injured. Meanwhile, in Canberra, the ruling party has just pushed through a new hardline policy regarding maritime assistance to vessels in trouble. In election week there’s little appetite to roll-back the policy, even if there are potentially Australians involved. Those stranded on Dana island are on their own.

On the Java Ridge is a morality tale concerning refugee and asylum seeker policy, with Serong exploring the politics and consequences of punitive programmes through three groups: the politicians and civil servants creating and enacting the policies, the Australian public, represented by a group of Australian surfers, and the asylum seekers themselves. Each has a principal character the story is hooked around: Cassius Calvert, former sportsman turned politician and the Minister for Border Integrity; Isi Natoli, skipper of the Java Ridge; and nine-year-old, Roya, who is travelling with her heavily pregnant mother, her father and brother missing in Afghanistan. Serong keeps the focus at the individual and group level throughout, capturing nicely the personal dynamics and lived experiences of the three groups. The result is a very humanizing, empathetic, character-driven tale that is threaded through with periods of danger, tension, action and loss, with the politics playing out in multiple everyday ways. The result is a contemporary social commentary that is not overly preachy or forced, but nonetheless drives home its message whilst remaining a thoroughly engaging tale of survival against the odds with a knockout denouement. I finished the book a few days ago and I’m thinking about the flurry of final sucker punches. A superior, slow burn, thought-provoking thriller.


Saturday, April 10, 2021

Swansong

Amy hit the high note and held it.

Opening her eyes, three of the chairs had turned.

‘Wow! That was amazing!’

‘Who are you?’

She tried to compose herself. ‘I’m Amy. I’m 52.’

The next couple of minutes passed in a blur.

‘So, who are you going to pick?’

‘Nobody. I just wanted to sing; to see if a chair turned.’

‘You’re not …’

‘Thank-you.’ She strode from the stage.

‘Amy, wait.’

The presenter caught her in the wings.

‘I’m sorry; I’ll be gone by the time the series ends.’

‘Gone?’

Amy tugged the wig free. ‘That was my swansong.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Review of The Delicate Storm by Giles Blunt (2003, Harper Collins)

During a false spring, pieces of a body are discovered in woods outside of Algonquin Bay in Northern Ontario. Detective John Cardinal is assigned the case, but struggles to find leads. His efforts are not helped by the interference of the Mounties and secret service, neither of whom seem keen on solving the mystery. A few days later the body of a young doctor is found naked, seemingly raped. Cardinal’s partner Lisa Delorme picks up that case, but also makes little progress. Once Cardinal’s victim is identified there’s a lead to grasp onto which points back to events in Montreal thirty years before and an act of terrorism that derailed the Quebec independence movement and had lasting repercussions for policing and security. The only people who seem interested in revisiting what happened were the victim and Cardinal and Delorme and someone has done a reasonable job of evading evidence.

The Delicate Storm is the second book in the Cardinal and Delorme procedural series set in Northern Ontario. In this outing they are investigating two deaths, a dismembered man and a young female doctor, both found in woods outside of Algonquin Bay. Neither appear to be straightforward and progress is slow, not helped by inter-agency intransience. Following the trail of the dead man leads them to Montreal and acts of political violence that gripped and shocked the nation in 1970. Blunt puts in play all the ingredients for a decent police procedural meets political thriller. However, after a decent start the story starts to lose its way. In the middle section, when the tale moves to Montreal the pace drops to a crawl and the story becomes a drawn out political history lesson on Quebec separatists and specific events. It’s interesting in its way, but is way too much tell and not show. After that, the tale winds to an underwhelming denouement, with the excitement coming more from it taking place in an ice storm rather than the mystery. What saves the story to an extent is the revealing of some of Cardinal and Delorme’s back story, with some nice character development. Overall, however, a tale that had lots of potential suspense that starts well then slowly fizzles out.


 

Saturday, April 3, 2021

It's just begun

‘Where are you going?’

‘I’m leaving.’

‘At this hour? I thought you were staying the night.’

‘I have to go.’

Greg reached out a hand. ‘Are you okay?’

Maria pulled away. ‘Let’s end this.’

‘What?’

‘We said no strings, remember?’

‘Maria?’

‘I can’t do this. You’re a player.’

‘But …’

‘I don’t want a serious relationship. And I’m not going to let myself be hurt again.’

‘You’re hurting now.’

‘It’ll be worse later. Trust me it’s better this way.’

‘But we …’

‘There is no we. There never was.’

‘We can work it out.’

‘No. It’s over.’

‘It’s just begun.’

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.


Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Review of City of Veils by Zoë Ferraris (2009, Abacus)

Shortly after Miriam, an American woman married to a contractor working in Saudi Arabia, arrives back in the country after a trip home her husband disappears. Cautious of the authorities given its repressive regime, particularly towards women, she’s scared and out of her depth. On a local beach the disfigured body of a young woman is found. Detective Osama Ibrahim is assigned to investigate, aided by forensic scientist, Katya Hijazi, one of the few women working in the police force. After a stuttering start, the woman is identified and eventually connected to Miriam’s husband. Aided by her Bedouin friend, Nayir, who could end up being much more, Katya tries to make a positive contribution to the case. But it’s not easy to be a female investigator in Saudi, and just as difficult to start a relationship of equals with a devout man. Miriam’s life, however, depends on Katya making progress on both fronts.

City of Veils is the second book in the Katya and Nayir trilogy set in Saudi Arabia. As with the first book, there is a very strong sense of place and politics, and continued good character development. The plot is intriguing and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns, though the desert denouement felt a little over-dramatic and switched pace and structure. While the story provides a fascinating social commentary on Saudi society, at times there was a bit too much tell rather than show, with the narrative explaining a situation rather than just detailing it. The result was a kind of education through fiction that felt a little too prescriptive even if it was informative. Other than that, I thought it was a well plotted, entertaining read with two lead characters I’m happy to spend time with.


Saturday, March 27, 2021

Natural order of things

He hadn’t quite got to grips with life; stumbling into one dead-end after another, backtracking having never understood what had gone wrong, yet somehow muddling through. And it was happening again. The same kind of wall was starting to form ahead. Another week, another month, and he’d start to retreat. This time though he’d resolved not to advance again; he’d make-do in situ. Live hand-to-mouth, slowly decay and retreat from view. Maybe there could be solace in loneliness; some inner peace free of hurt and hope. Perhaps that was how things were meant to be; the natural order of things.

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Shipwreck and lifeboat

‘You need to pull yourself together.’

‘I am together.’

‘No, you’re not. You’re all at a sea. Without a compass.’

‘I’m fine. We’ll be fine. You want another drink?’

‘No. Neither do you. You call this fine? Look at you, you’re an emotional mess. She has you’re head so twisted you can’t think straight.’

‘That’s what love does to you.’

‘It’s what abusive love does. She’s a bitch; you’re just too bewitched to do anything about it.’

‘I know, but …’

‘So, what are you going to do?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Nothing?’

‘What else can I do? She’s my shipwreck and lifeboat.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Review of Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin (2013, Orion)

For his last case in internal affairs DI Malcolm Fox has been assigned to investigate a 30 year old murder case in which the police team was suspected of helping the perpetrator evade justice. It’s a case from the start of Rebus’ career when he was a new member of the ‘Saints of the Shadow Bible’, a group of detectives who brandished their own form of justice when the system failed to adequately punish criminals. Retired and now re-employed to work cold cases, Rebus is clinging on to being a police officer. His old team are relying on him to stifle the investigation, but that’s hardly his modus operandi, even if it means he could bring himself down. It’s a distraction he doesn’t need however given he’s got a whiff of something off in a car crash involving the justice minister’s son, which is quickly followed by the minister’s death. His old colleague DI Siobhan Clarke is involved in that case, which provides Rebus the opportunity to interfere. Rankin nicely brings his three principle characters together through the investigation of the old and new cases, spinning an intriguing and entertaining tale. As usual the strength of the story are the lead characters and their interaction, the well-constructed plot, and the contextualisation and extension of the longer series arc that made the installment feel like catching up with an old friend. My sense was that there wasn’t an element out of place.

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Does she hate us that much?

‘You’ve found her?’

‘Can I come in, Mrs Cale?’

‘Of course. Is she …’

Sergeant Lowe allowed himself to be ushered into the sitting room.

Mr Cale kept his gaze on the television.

‘Sit, sit. Do you want tea? Coffee?’

‘I’m fine. You’d better take a seat.’

‘She’s …’

‘Alive. She’s a witness. That’s how we …’

‘Oh. Oh, thank god,’ Mrs Cale started to weep.

‘She said to say that she’s fine.’

‘But she’s coming home?’

‘Not yet. She … It’s her choice. We have to respect that.’

‘But …’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Dave?’

‘Does she hate us that much?’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Big stakes

‘Did you hear? Mary’s got the covid.’

‘Mary? Jesus. I’ll raise you two matches. I’ll bet it’ll live to regret it.’

‘She’ll nag the thing into a new strain. I’ll take one and raise you a match.’

‘A whole match? Can your dodgy heart cope with the big stakes? She’ll have that fecker feeling under the weather in no time.’

‘We’ll never hear the end of it otherwise.’

‘Unless … I’ll see your match and raise you two.’

‘She’s as tough as old boots. Two pair, queen high.’

‘Three of a kind.’

‘But pray it’s not a threesome with Mary.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Dreams don't pay the rent

 Jess shuffled into the cramped dressing room.

‘What are you still doing here?’

Sally kept her eyes closed, her enormous costume feet propped up on the dresser.

‘I’m calling time on my calling.’

‘You’re skipping the audition?’

‘For evermore.’

‘But … Jess; it was a call back.’

‘There’s nothing worse than having raised hopes dashed.’

‘But it could be your big break.’

‘Panto is Skegness? I’m thirty-three. My job is wearing an oversized cartoon costume to entertain sugar-rush kids. It’s time to enter the real world.’

‘This is the real world.’

‘Is it? Playing make-believe? Dreams don’t pay the rent.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Review of The Address Book by Deirdre Mask (2020, Profile Books)

For many people street addresses seems quite mundane and routine. However, as Deirdre Mask, details they have become vital pieces of information for those living at an address and the operations of government and business. Yet, in many parts of the world street addresses remain absent causing issues for those who do not possess one. In this fascinating book, Mask travels to a number of locations to explore the history, variance and politics in street addressing, using her own investigations and interesting facts and anecdotes to illuminate the stories. As a popular science book it works well, keeping the analysis light and engaging, while providing enough depth and reflection to be insightful. And there’s a reasonable geographical mix, with stories relating to several countries, including beyond the West. Personally, I think there could have been more discussion of postcodes and other spatial addressing units such as townlands and parishes, and also how addresses are vital to industries such as geodemographics and data brokers (there is a capital imperative to addresses not just governance), but generally a wide range of addressing issues are discussed. 

As an aside, I thought it was interesting that Ireland featured so little in the book given the author was living on the island when she started researching and writing. A very large number of homes in Ireland have no street address – in the county I reside in over 60% of addresses are non-unique (I share mine with 13 other properties some of which are 3-4 km away and I have no road name or house number). And there can be multiple townlands of the same name in the same county. It is only the towns and cities that have road names and numbers. The solution, introduced in 2015 (after a lengthy debate and delays), has been individual property postcodes, which are still not widely used, even by government (and interestingly the biggest blocker of their introduction was the national postal service). In addition, many street names in Ireland were changed after independence, with all the associated politics that involved. Yet, Mask travels from Ireland to West Virginia to look at a place transforming its addressing and then onward to other countries. It seems odd given Ireland’s own history of addressing to not discuss where one is residing. Regardless, overall an interesting and enlightening read.


Saturday, February 20, 2021

Blood on his hands

 The door burst open.

‘Did you hear about Larkin?’

‘He’s filed an appeal?’

‘He took his own life.’

‘What?’

‘Asphyxiation. Used a strip from his pillowcase.’

‘I don’t …’

‘It’s what he deserved.’

‘No. No, it’s not. Did he leave a note?’

‘It said he was innocent; that it was hopeless and he’d had enough.’

‘It wasn’t hopeless; he just didn’t know how to prove it.’

‘There was literally blood on his hands.’

‘But they were the wrong hands.’

‘Jack?’

‘They never checked his hand span.’

Joyce felt sick. Larkin was dead because of his desire to win the case.


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Fingers splayed

‘I didn’t know her and I didn’t kill her.’

Larkin closed his eyes. He knew that nobody in the courtroom believed him, including his own family.

‘And your fingerprints?’

‘I don’t know. I just don’t …’

Larkin held his hand out, fingers splayed.

‘They were …’ Joyce stopped.

With sudden clarity, he felt the case fall apart. Except nobody else noticed.

‘Counsel?’

‘I …’ Joyce stared into space.

Could he really prosecute an innocent man? They’d spent months preparing the case, certain of his guilt.

‘Counsel?’

Joyce blinked twice. It wasn’t his job to do the work of the defence.



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

At first sight

‘Here’s you bill.’

Ronan glanced up and found himself staring into the waitress’s eyes.

Boom!

‘Did you hear that?’

‘It must’ve been the lifeboat flare.’

Lisa made to turn away, but Ronan grabbed her wrist.

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Then a gas explosion.’

‘Did any of you just hear a loud bang?’ Ronan asked.

‘What?’ Conor said, looking over.

‘An explosion?’

‘What explosion?’

‘It seems we were the only ones to hear it.’

‘You can let go off my arm now.’

‘People are staring, Ronan.’

‘This is the woman I’m going to marry.’

‘Marry?’

‘Yes,’ Lisa said to own surprise.

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Life being life

 Ginny stared at the ward ceiling.

‘Why am I still here?’

‘Because you flooded my apartment.’

‘I didn’t want to be saved.’

‘And I didn’t want you to die. And nor does anyone else.’

‘It’s not their choice.’

‘You’ve a long life ahead of you. It’ll get better.’

‘My life sucks. My boyfriend dumped me for my best friend. My brother-in-law fired me. And my parents think I’m a lost cause.’

‘They’re the problem, not you.’

‘I’ve always been the problem. I can take the hint.’

‘There was no hint. Just life being life.’

‘Well, I don’t want it anymore.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Friday, January 29, 2021

Review of Cruel Acts by Jane Casey (2019, Harper Collins)

Cruel Acts is the eighth book in the Maeve Kerrigan police procedural series set in London. In this outing DS Kerrigan and her boss, DI Joss Derwent, are tasked with reviewing the case against Leo Stone, a convicted killer. After a juror’s book casts doubt on the impartiality of the original trial, and the evidence of the pathologist is called into doubt, it seems likely that there will be a re-trial with Stone released from prison until that takes place. Stone was convicted for the murder of two women and suspected of killing a third. Examining the evidence, it’s clear to Kerrigan and Derwent that it’s not as convincing as they would like and one of the women’s family is convinced Stone is innocent. Not long after he is released, however, a fourth woman disappears from near to his residence though Stone appears to have an alibi. Kerrigan believes that the third missing woman holds the key to the case, but nobody else is convinced. In my view, this series is going from strength to strength, with a good balance between the mystery and investigation of the cases and the personal development of Kerrigan and her career and fraught relationship with Derwent and other colleagues. Both these elements are compelling and convincing in this instalment. In particular, the plot is very well constructed and storytelling has a nicely judged pace. There are a couple of well placed red herrings and twists and the denouement is very well done, being somewhat extended and unrushed, with decent wrap-up. Overall, an entertaining and engaging read and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Review of City of Jackals by Parker Bilal

The fifth instalment of the Makana series set in Egypt. Makana, private investigator and Sudanese refugee in Cairo, has been hired to find Mourad Hafiz, an idealistic student who seems to have dropped out of university. He’s working for the police to try and help uncover the mystery behind two fellow countrymen found murdered. While the student’s disappearance seems like it might be connected to political activity, what lies behind the two deaths is murky. Both cases though lead to a Christian church in the slums which helps refugees fleeing from war in Sudan, a protest camp that is seeking recognition and better treatment, and a pharmacy group and medical institute. Quite how they are all connected is not clear and no-one is keen to share information, though they’re clearly on edge. Adding uncertainty to Makana’s investigation is a shift in his relationship with a pathologist, who may or may not be making romantic overtures. The latter creates a nice shift in character development in the series. As with the other books, there is a strong sense of place and culture, and social commentary concerning family, work and politics. Indeed, Bilal does a good job balancing the mystery elements with observations about the political regime and Sudanese refugees in Egypt. The reason behind the case was somewhat telegraphed, but that little affected the enjoyment of the unfolding plot. However, the denouement did feel somewhat staged and rushed. Overall, another strong addition to a very good series.



Monday, January 25, 2021

Review of Empires of the Sky by Alexander Rose

Empires of the Sky tells the story of the early days of powered flight and whether it would be airships or airplanes that would come to dominate air travel. For the most part it is a fairly detailed, lengthy history of airships, with a particular focus on Zeppelins and the men who would make and fly them. The Zeppelin story is one of triumph over adversity given their massive cost, many early disasters and Count Zeppelin’s political marginalisation. Even after the First World War, the company managed to keep going due to the political and corporate shenanigans of its new boss, Hugo Eckener, who pioneered international and transatlantic flights. With the rise of Nazism, however, Eckener’s vision became subverted for political ends and ended with the Hindenburg tragedy in 1937. Woven into the book is a much less well developed history of airplane development, with the thread evolving from a brief account of the Wright Brothers to focus on Pan American Airways and its cunning and ambitious boss, Juan Trippe. Like Eckener, Trippe was determined to create a network of international air travel and set about negotiating landing concessions and building airports across the Caribbean and Latin America, developing routes across the Pacific, and eventually the Atlantic. While airships initially had the advantage of better safety and passenger comfort, and longer fly times, they were expensive and required massive infrastructure. Despite Eckener’s dream, it would only be a matter of time as planes improved before the airship became obsolete for passenger travel. The story is a fascinating and engaging read, though it is somewhat misbalanced, especially in the context of its subtitle: “Zeppelins, Airplanes, and Two Men's Epic Duel to Rule the World”. It is basically a book about the rise and fall of passenger airships. Either the Pan Am material needed the same level of attention as the Zeppelin story, or it needed to be thinned out to keep the focus on the airship story. Nonetheless, an interesting account of early long-distance air passenger travel.


 

Saturday, January 23, 2021

You're firing me?

‘You’re firing me?’

‘And we’ll be looking to bring charges.’

‘But I didn’t do anything!’

‘Exactly. You turned a blind eye.’

‘But I didn’t know what she was up to. How could I?’

‘You were her assistant. You processed some of the transfers.’

‘Because she told me to!’

‘To her own accounts. Did you not think it was strange?’

‘Every time I’ve raised an issue with you, you tell me to just do what I’m told.’

‘I’m your boss!’

‘And she was my line manager.’

‘You’re an accessory to burglary!’

‘You’re just looking for someone to blame now she’s fled.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Saturday, January 16, 2021

That bastard

‘We need to chat, Therese.’

‘It wasn’t me. I’ve told them to leave her alone.’

‘Let’s sit in the kitchen.’

‘Lying cow.’

‘Come and sit.’ Detective Sergeant Carter skirted past her and filled the kettle.

‘So?’

‘Your brother-in-law left a letter. It’s a confession.’

‘What?’

‘He left the knife and a bloody shirt.’

‘No, no. That bastard killed himself.’

‘He couldn’t live with the hate. The abuse. He had an alibi.’

‘She lied for him.’

‘She didn’t. That’s why we never charged him.’

‘That bastard killed her.’

‘It was your brother-in-law.’

‘But ...’

‘You owe that family an apology, Therese.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Around the world in 365 days

Despite the various lockdowns I did manage to virtually visit 27 countries via fiction in 2020. While my reduced reading meant fewer fiction trips than previous years, thanks to a Netflix subscription I made up for it through television and movies, with nearly all my viewing being non-English titles, mostly set in Asian or South America. Here's my fictional travels.

Antarctica
Austral by Paul McAuley ****.5

Australia
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox ****.5
The Lost Man by Jane Harper *****
Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina ****.5

Czech Republic
On Leaving a Prague Window by David Brierley ***

England
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch ***.5
A Capital Crime by Laura Wilson *****
A Philosophical Investigation by Philip Kerr ***
Joe Country by Mick Herron ***.5
The Portable Door by Tom Holt ***
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey ****
Fires of London by Janice Law ****
Our Friends in Berlin by Anthony Quinn ****
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman *****
Trick of the Dark by Val McDermid ***.5
Freeze My Margarita by Lauren Henderson ****
Seventy Seven Clocks by Christopher Fowler ***.5
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson ****

Faroes
The Blood Strand by Chris Ould ****.5

Finland
Deep as Death by Katja Ivar ***

France
The Godmother by Hannelore Cayre ****.5

Germany
Leaving Berlin by Joseph Kanon ***.5

Ireland
The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan ***
Eureka Street by Robert McLiam Wilson *****
Holy Orders by Benjamin Black ***

Japan
Zen Attitude by Sujata Massey ***

Korea
The Plotters by Un-su Kim ****

Laos
The Merry Misogynist by Colin Cotterill ***

Russia
Red Square by Edward Topol and Fridrikh Neznansky ****
Dead Meat by Philip Kerr ****

Scotland
The Quaker by Liam McIlvanney ****

Singapore
The Frangipani Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu ****

Sweden
The Abominable Man by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö ***
The Bomber by Liza Marklund ***.5

Turkey
Arabesk by Barbara Nadel ****

USA
Land of Shadows by Rachel Howzell Hall ***.5
A Game of Ghosts by John Connolly ****.5
Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha ****.5
Silent City by Alex Segura **.5
One For The Money by Janet Evanovich ****
Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke ****
The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly *****
Black Betty by Walter Mosley *****
Finnegan’s Week by Joseph Wambaugh ****
Spook Country by William Gibson ****
Money to Burn by Katy Munger ****.5
The Eye of the Cricket by James Sallis *****
Dixie City Jam by James Lee Burke ***
Mucho Mojo by Joe Lansdale *****

Wales
The Dead House by Harry Bingham ****.5

More than one country
Neuromancer by William Gibson ***** (Japan, Turkey, Outer space
East of Hounslow by Khurrum Rahman **** (England, Pakistan, Afganistan)
Infinite Detail by Tim Maughan ***** (England, United States)
Autonomous by Annalee Newitz *** (United States, Morocco)
Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver **.5 (United States, England, Germany, Sweden)
Legion of the Damned by Sven Hassel ****.5 (Germany, Austria, Russia)
The City in Flames by Michael Russell ***.5 (England, Ireland)
Auslander by Paul Dowswell *** (Poland, Germany)
Birth Marks by Sarah Dunant *** (England, France)
Friends and Traitors by John Lawton **** (England, Austria)
Black Cross by Greg Iles *** (England, US, Germany, Sweden, Scotland)
Rock, Paper, Tiger by Lisa Brackman *** (China, Iraq)

Fictional place
Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller *****

Saturday, January 9, 2021

For a few brief moments everything was okay

‘What the … Miss, get down from there.’

Katya ignored him, staring at the water below.

‘Please. Miss.’

‘What’s the point?’

‘What?’

‘This life. They hated me because I was ugly. Now they hate me because of the plastic surgery.’

‘If you climb …’

‘For a few brief moments everything was okay. I made friends. Went to a party. Danced.’

‘And you can do it again.’

‘Then she recognized me and everything went back to how it was.’

‘It’ll change. You’ll see.’

‘It’ll never change. They’ll never hate me as much as I hate myself.’

Katya stepped off the bridge.


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Best reads of 2020

I read and reviewed 68 books this year, quite a bit down on the c.100 I normally read. I did read quite a few others related to work, but the main transfer of reading was to subtitles as I watched a large number of non-English television programs and movies in 2020 (probably over 90% of what I viewed, which was also massively up on previous years as for the first time we ventured beyond the six terrestrial channels). Of the 68 books read, I rated 11 as five star reads and another 9 as four and a half star reads. In part this was because I re-read a number of books that left favourable memories, which I last read over two decades ago.

 

Eureka Street by Robert McLiam Wilson

A kind of love story for Belfast and its people. The story has a wonderful sense of place and is full of pathos and humour as Chuckie and Jake try to navigate being poor, working-class friends from different religions in a city still riven with sectarian tension and violence. It’s beautifully written and has a strong emotional resonance, with the story switching from laugh-out loud moments to deep melancholy and tears. It has as much relevance for understanding Northern Ireland now, as it did then.


Neuromancer by William Gibson

Published in 1984, the tale has aged remarkably well given the centrality of digital technologies to the storyline. It's a cyberpunk thriller that pits Case, a has-been hacker, and Molly, a cyborg, street-smart samurai, against a powerful AI that serves a shady business clan. Along with a whip-smart, intriguing and well-paced plot, the prose is evocative and delightful. It’s easy to see why the book won so many awards and how it became so influential in shaping thinking about networked technologies and the worlds they create. It remains an excellent, engaging, thought-provoking read.

 

A Capital Crime by Laura Wilson

A fictionalised account of the events at 10 Rillington Place, where two sets of murders occurred in the early 1950s, sending two men to the hangman. The first murderer was convicted in part on the evidence of the second one, casting significant doubt on the initial investigation, trial and guilty verdict. In Wilson’s telling DI Stratton is the lead officer in both cases. The result is a very nicely plotted tale that is very strong on exploring the psychological side of investigating emotive cases with criminals who constantly lie and in charting character development. The pacing, atmosphere and sense of place and time adds to the telling. 

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

Deep in the Australian outback Cameron Bright’s body is discovered by his two brothers at Stockman’s grave, a bleak, isolated spot, having perished in the searing heat. Harper’s tale charts Nathan’s faltering investigation into his brother’s death. The telling is nicely evocative, with a strong sense of place, realistic rendering of ranch and family life, and tensions and social relations among an isolated, resilient community, and well-painted characters. The real strength of story is the tight crafting of plot, which is free of awkward or contrived plot devices; mixing reminisce and mystery it creates a slow burn sense of unease and intrigue, leading to an understated and satisfying denouement.  

 

Black Betty by Walter Mosley

Easy Rawlins has fallen on hard times; his property business has been hustled out from under him and he’s living in rented accommodation with his mute son and young daughter. He’s been asked by a white PI to find Black Betty, famed for turning men’s necks and wrapping them around her fingers. Easy's search for the aging siren quickly leads him into deadly trouble. As well as a compelling mystery, with a couple of nice sub-plots, Mosley does an excellent job at charting the social relations and geography of being black in Los Angeles in the early 1960s. Mosley nicely portrays racial tensions and injustices through a hardboiled style with a tender underbelly. A wonderful, noir read.


The Eye of the Cricket by James Sallis 

Lew Griffin is a some-time English literature academic, some-time detective, and always melancholy with a self-destructive streak, scraping by in New Orleans. Now in his 50s Lew finds himself looking for three missing children. He takes his usual meandering path through bars, restaurants, back streets, shelters, and philosophical reflections, meeting a new love on the way. But as usual he finds it difficult to keep everything on track. Sallis spins out the tale at a sedate, reflective pace, pausing to dwell on the nature and meaning of life and the social realities of being poor in the Deep South. I was captivated for the entire story.

 

Mucho Mojo by Joe Lansdale 

My introduction to Joe Lansdale, one of my favourite authors. I first read the book in 1996. The tale is told from the perspective of Hap Collins, a middle aged, white field worker, who is best friends with Leonard Pine, a tough, queer black man, as they investigate the disappearances of a number of kids. The style is a kind of porch-told recounting of a mystery adventure, infused with dark humour that is captivating. The nicely spun plot mixes detection, romance and lost love, violent confrontations, and social commentary on race, religion, family and poverty in the Deep South. It has lost none of it vitality or social relevance, and Hap and Leonard are alive on the page. A wonderful, entertaining read.

 

Infinite Detail by Tim Maughan

Infinite Detail tracks life before and after a catastrophic cyberattack that takes down the global internet and permanently disables every digital technology and system, following two threads, one set in Bristol, the other New York. Maughan nicely juxtaposes life before and after the crash, raising thoughtful questions and observations about a world becoming increasingly dependent on digital technologies. The result is an engaging tale about our digital and surveillance present and future.

 

  

Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller

Post-apocalypse, the world has been shattered geopolitically into a myriad of cities and wandering tribes. Qaanaaq is a floating city powered by geothermal energy constructed above the Arctic Circle. When a woman riding a killer whale and accompanied by a polar bear arrive  it spawns rumours and unease. For four people her presence provides an impetus to resist the present order, with the story tracking their lives. The world building is very nicely done and blended into the mix is a swirl of climate, gender and bio- politics. The story rolls along at a well-judged pace, building to a strong denouement that provides a glimmer of hope without dimming a dark, stratified future.


The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly

Bosch is on trial for shooting dead an unarmed man, Norman Church, believed to be the serial killer, The Dollmaker. On the opening day of the trial another body is discovered that appears to be a victim of The Dollmaker, but was murdered after Church’s death. Drawing on his experience as a veteran police and courts reporter for the LA Times, Connelly weaves together a well plotted police procedural with a feisty courtroom drama, creating a highly compelling, tense, and expertly plotted tale. There isn’t a single element out of place and the twists and turns keep coming. Interestingly, given present protests against policing culture and methods, there is a strong critical analysis of the police running through the book, written not long after the Rodney King riots.



Saturday, January 2, 2021

We all will

 ‘She should have been yours,’ Lana said.

‘She was never going to be mine.’ Anders emptied the beer bottle.

On the far side of the room Neal and Kerry revolved in a slow dance.

‘True, but you fell for her anyway.’

‘You can’t control your heart, Lana. The best you can do is suppress it, but it still knows.’

‘Who’d have thought you’d have a soft-centre?’

‘The worst of it is; he doesn’t really care for her.’

‘She can’t control her own heart. None of us can.’

‘And she’ll get hurt.’

Lana cast Anders a forlorn glance. ‘We all will.’


A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

Friday, January 1, 2021

Last quarter reviews

I haven't posted any monthly summaries of book reviews since Sept, so here's what was read in October, November and December. The standout read was Robert McLiam Wilson's Eureka Street.

The Killing Bay by Chris Ould ****
The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan ***
Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945 by Rana Mitter ****.5
The Merry Misogynist by Colin Cotterill ***
The Dead House by Harry Bingham ****.5
The Plotters by Un-su Kim ****
Deep as Death by Katja Ivar ***
Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch ***.5
The Frangipani Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu ****
Sicily ‘43 by James Holland ***.5
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox ****.5
Eureka Street by Robert McLiam Wilson *****
Land of Shadows by Rachel Howzell Hall ***.5
A Game of Ghosts by John Connolly ****.5