Old Sins, Long Shadows

dlarryquinn.co.uk

The town of Easterham is shaken by the accusations of wayward teenager Sophie Clark, alleging sexual assault against a number of men including her own father. Revealed as lies only after one man kills himself and another disappears and local reputations are destroyed, Sophie is banished to London.

Fifteen years later she returns, introducing her father to her twelve year old daughter for the first time. While alone in his home the young girl is found dead.

DCI Tony Marchknight investigates. Is it her grandfather, an opportunist break-in or sexually motivated or is it one of the accused from the past wreaking their revenge?

And what is the secret of the shed next door?

The case is complicated by the discovery of another body after a wild coastal storm. Is this connected to the girl’s murder or the accusations of the past?

Sphericubia

I had hoped to offer the next one for free but I see I am limited to just five days in any 90 so I'll look to do a promotion soon. Genre: children's.

Written in 1993, this short ‘traditional style’ children’s tale was first put on the internet as long ago as 1997 but its message of celebration of diversity, difference and co-operation is still valid today.

It tells the story of two lands, Spherica and Cubia, locked in their own limiting ways of doing things but who come together to help each other achieve the mutually beneficial goal of joining the United Federation of Shapes.

Initially mocking each other’s differences, Kings Cyril and Bertram both lay claim to being the greatest peace-makers ever by encouraging their people to stop telling disparaging jokes about each other, open their minds and by sending their respective artisans to train each other how to make things the right shape for the job.

Ultimately the two lands come together as Sphericubia; an example to all.

The House on Friday Street

This short story (5000 words) is based on a true event.

Emile, the only survivor from his family’s arrest by Nazis forty years earlier, returns to his erstwhile home for the first time in the mid-eighties. He meets an old neighbour who welcomes him and updates him as to who now lives in his family home.

Max allows Emile to look around his old home despite his fear that Emile may want to claim it back. Max becomes convinced that Emile knows the whereabouts of treasure hidden in the house by his father before the family were taken away in the middle of the night.

It is a tale of greed and mental obsession.