Four American Tales Jack Messenger’s first collection of stories throws up an eclectic mix of characters and situations, binding the tales together with themes of love and loss, struggle and ambition. The possibilities of starting again feature in the first two stories: ‘Wichega’ finds a classic automobile prodding a child into imagining what might be…
Author: colingarrow
‘The Order of Actaeon’ by Tam May
The Order of Actaeon Heir to the fortune and name of the Alderdice family, Jake struggles with a passion for art that is despised by his mother. Along with sister Vivian, the young man is taken to the fashionable resort of Waxwood, where beady-eyed matriarch Larissa hopes to instil in him some of the values…
‘Sir Chocolate and the Baby Cookie Monster Story and Cookbook’ by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
Sir Chocolate and the Baby Cookie Monster Story and Cookbook Book 2 of Robbie Cheadle’s Sir Chocolate series features Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet in a hunt to find a lost baby cookie monster. As well as the story, we learn how to make a selection of delicious recipes, including Easy Sausage Rolls and Chocolate…
‘Speaks the Nightbird’ by Robert McCammon
Speaks the Nightbird (Audiobook) 1699. A magistrate and his clerk journey to the remote community of Fount Royal in The Carolinas, intending to put on trial a woman accused of witchcraft. But the young clerk, Matthew Corbett, isn’t convinced of the woman’s guilt and when the magistrate falls ill, takes on the task of putting…
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‘London Large: Blood on the Streets’ by G & R Robson
London Large: Blood on the Streets Top cop DI Harry Hawkins finds himself stuck in the middle of on an international gang war in central London, but his past and the media conspire to get in the way of catching the bad guys. With a possible conspiracy in the offing and a level of violence…
‘The Third Man’ and ‘The Fallen Idol’ by Graham Greene
The Third Man and The Fallen Idol In post-war Vienna, Graham Greene’s struggling novelist Rollo Martins, arrives to visit old friend Harry Lime. But something has happened to Harry, and Martins is soon drawn into a web of intrigue and drug-dealing as he tries to uncover the truth. The Fallen Idol is the tale of…
‘Mr Briggs’ Hat’ by Kate Colquhoun
Mr Briggs’ Hat (Audiobook) When Thomas Briggs got into a first-class carriage to travel home after visiting relatives, he couldn’t have known he’d never reach his destination. The discovery of bloodied seat cushions, a bloodstained hat and a broken watch chain, signalled what was to become known as Britain’s first railway murder. Would police be…
‘One Punch’ by Keith Dixon
One Punch When former cop Paul Storey takes a job with ex-boxer Bran Doyle, it’s obvious nothing is going to be straightforward. But as Storey begins to dissect the politics and relationships within his new employer’s household, he also learns that Doyle is of interest to the police. Working out what’s really happening, and why,…
‘The Wicked Boy’ by Kate Summerscale
The Wicked Boy (Audio Book) In July 1895, 13-year-old Robert Coombes and his younger brother travel to Lord’s to watch a cricket match. The trip heralds the start of a spending spree for the two boys who are soon observed pawning items from their family home and taking jaunts to the seaside in the company…
‘The Rats’ by James Herbert
The Rats A race of unusually large black rats creep out from their lair looking for food. But when the creatures get a taste for human flesh, the corpses quickly pile up. Discovering the rats also carry a fatal virus, it becomes apparent to the authorities that a new and very dangerous challenge faces humanity.…
Colin Garrow 