It is with great pleasure, I announce another long awaited, (in our house) addition to the family. We now have an ISBN number and my novel is launched, available to those interested, for pre-order on Amazon now.
Modern slavery is a burgeoning issue in Britain today but high up in his Canary Wharf office, Julian Ashton is oblivious to it all…that is until he steps away from the bank and finds himself unwittingly embroiled in the sordid underbelly of modern society.
When you’re a banker by trade, you’re going to need help fighting gangsters but with the police unable to act, Julian only has the local tramp to turn to.
Somehow, they must find a way to save a group of young women from the clutches of a violent people trafficker.
Their efforts to adapt and survive would be comic, if there wasn’t so much at stake.
And now for the reason we all come here, 100 words based on the following fantastic prompt supplied by © J.S. Brand
Griff didn’t interact, he wasn’t good at articulating or expressing himself, other than when he sat at night, carving totems into logs by the light of the fire.
There was never a plan; he let the wood dictate where the blade went. Usually, the result would be a woodland creature or plant but today, he carved a face.
A face staring evilly at him. The face of the monster fleeing, the day Griff found the girl’s dead body.
Never happy with the description he’d supplied, he bagged the log, hefted it onto his back and headed for the police station.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Fascinating take on the photo prompt. Loved reading this!
p.s. Good luck with your book.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan. Everyone to their own skill set and his was carving so I thought this would be his best way of showing what he saw.
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Now that’s some e-fit! Congratulations on the book, Michael
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Thanks Neil
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It will probably resemble the criminal as much as those computer e-fits, which never look human! Good luck with the book, looking forward to December 1st to get my copy 🙂
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Thanks Iain, I’m up to half way with Justified so should be able to review early next week. Unless the second half is a disastrous disappointment it will be a 5 star. I’m really enjoying it so far. Quite brilliantly done, sir.
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That’s so good to hear. As I’m sure you know, it’s difficult to judge what people will think of your writing. What reads well to you might be complete nonsense to others!! Reassuring to know at least one person ‘gets it’. Really hope you enjoy the second half.
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To be honest I was a little anxious for two reasons, firstly I thought, ‘it’s not my genre,’ but that proved to be ridiculous, that’s a restriction we place on ourselves which prevents us enjoying so much more than we could. I knew this, so overcame it easily. The other was, ‘supposing it’s really bad and I have to be diplomatic and make up nice things to say,’ again this proved an unfounded worry because it is well written and the story is good. Any genre well written with a strong storyline will hook anyone, as has proved to be the case.
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Haha, I can relate to the first one when trying to be supportive of other writers. So many books to read and you want to read those that interest you. On the other hand it is good to try something different now and then. On point 2, it’s a tricky thing to do without upsetting someone, but I would always rather have constructive, honest criticism than false platitudes, otherwise how will we ever improve. Having said that, I’m glad you’re enjoying the book so far! 🙂
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Nice – best e-fit ever!
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Cheers Draliman
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Ah well at least the wood-fit has been logged. Enjoyable tale that had me wondering where it was going.
I look forward to your novel, Dec 1st. Look like an interesting subject and story. Well done and good luck.
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Brilliant play on words there. Thanks I hope you enjoy the novel.
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Clever Griff and clever you – great story. Griff must have been a strong guy to carry that log!
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Thanks Liz. he was clever but I think nature may have been guiding his hand
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I await my “copy” on December 1st…
As for the story, what a great take!
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Thanks very much Dale, I hope you enjoy it
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I’ll let ya know!
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i think the cops will appreciate any kind of help to solve a crime.
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I’m sure they will, thanks Plaridel
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Oh! I loved this. Hopefully, his carving-muse can help get the guy caught. Delightful. (Best of luck with your book.)
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Thanks on both counts Alicia
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Griff now knows the face of the man that killed a girl. Who guided his chisel to draw the face? Is it the little girl, out to extract her revenge?
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Thanks for your comment, I’m glad you read into it as you did. He couldn’t describe her on his own and something showed him the man’s face in the wood
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I can imagine the face of the duty sergeant when he arrives at the station. Good luck with your book.
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Thanks Sandra
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Gives a whole new angle on providing evidence. That was one heavy mugshot. Great take.
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Thanks Jilly
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Dear Michael,
Congratulations on the new family member. 😀 Unique take on the prompt. Bravo!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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Art comes from the soul, and Griff’s soul was weighed down by the identity of the killer. Very creative story! Congratulations on the publication of your book, I hope it all goes well. =)
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Thanks very much Brenda
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Love it… the tree could help him tell the truth… congrats on the publication of the book.
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Thanks Bjorn
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Many congratulations on your new book 🙂
I loved this story. Sometimes the subconscious mind will reveal what lies deeply buried in the crevasses of the brain.
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Thanks Granonine, that’s hit exactly what I was trying to get across, he can’t express himself well except through his carving and thanks for the congratulations
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Congrats on your book publication! Unique take on the prompt. I guess he had to do it his own way, hey.
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Thanks Fatima
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What a great take on the prompt Michael. Plus you’ve invented a new method of identification – the tree-fit! I’m not sure which branch of the police would take charge of it though.
(I’m holding back several other equally pathetic jokes)
Just looked at your About page and was pleased to see many of my favourite books there.
Good luck with the book.
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Thank-you very much, you missed one someone else mentioned, the evidence has been logged.
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On my list.
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Good story and congrats on the book.
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Thanks Dawn
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Congratulations on your new novel – that is such an achievement.
Your FF story is beautifully crafted leading us from Griff the inarticulate – actions not words – to taking the evil carved face to the police as evidence. All of a piece – well done.
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Congratulations on the book. Sounds fabulous.
Great piece… I sense so much more going on. I wonder the killer’s face?
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Thanks Laurie, I suspect the spirit of the woods was helping out
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Great story and brilliant take on the prompt, Michael. Congratulations on your book. From what I can see, it looks very intriguing.
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Thank-you very much
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Fascinating take. Congrats on the book!
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Thank you
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