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Bert felt jealous, cheated on, and blue. Then he discovered he could morph into a giant nightmarish slug... Would you like a FREE copy? On Wednesdays and Sundays I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ novellas. You can check in regularly and read them bit for bit, or leave a message in my 'contact' page, and I'll send the entire digital story to you for free when published. Life in the Clouds #6: Take a Slug ® James Field. |
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Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Wednesdays and Sundays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.
Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 33 The interior of all three terrace houses contained the same: front door leading straight into the lounge, living room and kitchen at the back, two bedrooms and bathroom upstairs, outside toilet in the backyard. Chief Inspector Dobbs didn’t need to search further than Dick Charmer's lounge. A small suitcase lay open on the floor, packed ready to leave. A canvas pouch nestled on top of the few clothes. “Just as I feared,” uttered Chief Inspector Dobbs, testing the pouch’s weight and fingering its contents through the cloth. He loosened the pouch’s tie string and peeked inside. Silver and gold glistened back at him, the spoils of a stealthy pickpocket. Back outside in the morning sunshine, Chief inspector Dobbs considered his two handcuffed captives. They stood apart from each other, securely arrested by handcuffs and scaffolding poles trapped between their arms. “You’re a pair of crooks,” he said, pulling his dressing gown snugly across his chest and tightening the belt. He drew a lungful of fresh air through his nose and breathed out slowly through his mouth. “I’m going to my cottage now, to dress and eat a well-deserved breakfast. When I return, I’ll let you explain about the bag of goodies.” To be continued… The real world: Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts. Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth. - 
Image by Małgorzata Smożewska from Pixabay
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Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.
Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 32 Chief Inspector Dobbs locked eyes with Dick Charmer. He was an expert at staring his adversary into submission, and it wasn’t long before the young rogue's smile crumpled. “Better get on," said Dick Charmer. He scratched his nose and pivoted to go back indoors. "Work to do.” “No you don’t.” Chief Inspector Dobbs produced a second set of handcuffs from his bulky dressing gown pockets. “Get yourself over here.” The inspector wasn’t tall, his physical strength had dwindled with the years, and he felt ridiculous in his nightgown and slippers. He rubbed his lips with one hand and dangled the handcuffs at arm's length with the other, as if hiding behind them restored some of his prestige. Dick Charmer glanced through the open doorway into his lounge. "Can you give me a second?" he asked. "No." His voice carried such an air of authority that Dick Charmer flinched. A flutter of irritation washed across the lad's face, but he yanked his front door closed, darted over to where Chief Inspector Dobbs stood, and plunked his arm around the policeman’s shoulder. “Now see here, Dobby, you’re not planning to stick those on me, are you?” “Get your arm off me, you sodding twerp, and place your hands on each side of this scaffolding pole.” “Why? What have I done?” "Yeah," said Bert, already handcuffed to the scaffolding outside Olive's house. "What have I done too?" “That’s what I’m about to find out." Chief Inspector Dobbs snapped the handcuffs over Dick Charmer’s wrists, left him stranded there, and ambled toward the man’s front door. “You can’t go in there without a search warrant,” called Dick Charmer, rattling his handcuffs against the scaffolding pole. Chief Inspector Dobbs thrust the door open with his slippered toe and spoke without turning. “I write my own warrants,” he said, and marched straight in. To be continued… The real world: Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts. Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth. - 
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published. Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 31 Chief Inspector Dobbs gazed at the scaffolding-clad terrace house. Tall shrubs and clinging ivy covered most of the building's jagged stone walls. New slates crowned the roof with the assurance of another century of shelter. Short, well-groomed gardens fronted each of the three dwellings. A powerful scent of honeysuckle filled the morning air, and fluffy bees already droned their busy song while flitting among rose bushes bordering the lawns. The semi-retired policeman gave a bitter smile. Tragic circumstances ruined the idyllic scene: in his expert opinion, criminals occupied all three houses. Big fat Bert in the end house was a previously convicted robber who now worked at The Cloud Estate as a security guard. Olive, in the centre house, was a previously convicted con artist, who now worked at The Stables as a bookkeeper. And young Dick Charmer, in the house at the other end, was a suspected pickpocket who covered his crime by working as a roofing contractor. Right now, the morning's wicked drama made him want to spit. Either Bert or Dick Charmer had hung a scarecrow outside Olive’s front door, making it look like an execution. Both had denied it was their doing. Why? Was it a sick joke, or something more sinister? And why was his identity card hanging around Bert's neck? He needed time to think. He'd already handcuffed the ruffled Bert to a scaffolding pole, and Dick Charmer, smarmy innocence plastered all over his face, would soon follow. Displaying his fiercest scowl, Chief Inspector Dobbs flapped his arms at the small gathering of early morning spectators. “Go on, get out of here, the show’s over.” Reluctantly, they shuffled away, gazing back over their shoulders and giggling. "Hurry along or I'll have the riot squad here and the lot of you locked up." Satisfied he was now master of the predicament, Chief Inspector Dobbs set his jaw and whirled about to Bert and Dick Charmer. His voice grated, steady and low-pitched. “I don’t know what your game is, but I’m sure as heck going to find out.” To be continued… The real world: Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts. Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth. - 
Image by István Mihály from Pixabay
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James Field
Talvik, Norway You can also Find me on 
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 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard OsmanMy rating: 2 of 5 stars There’s a lot to like and a lot to dislike in this story. I like that it’s cosy, funny, and heart-warming. The plot, however, is a tragedy. There are two murders, and every character in the book, of which there are many, has a motif. With so many twists, turns, and red herrings throughout the narrative, it lost me in a virtual maze. But the author commits the gravest crime: he introduces a new, guilty character right at the end of the story. Tut, tut, naughty. View all my reviews Archives
August 2022
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