Climbing back in the police camera van after purchasing a warm greasy bacon sandwich from a burger van in the opposite layby to where PC Desmond Whye had been ordered to set up in he sighed, still tormented by the situation he had been placed in. If his commanding officer knew that he left the vehicle unattended even for the short period of time that he had he would have been placed on report, but Desmond was beyond reproach. Squeezing his bulk though the cab into the body of the van he slumped into the controllers seat taking his sandwich from its expanded polystyrene box and stared at reminiscent of the stare of a pathologist examining a corpse. He knew that he had to start eating healthy to aid the reduction of his 22 stone, back into the sleek muscular body that was expected of a police officer. Too many portions of his native Jerk Chicken and fried plantain and the lack of physical exercise from being side-lined into the traffic division had accumulated to the extent where his veins were now as congested as the M25.
He looked into the dead screen of the monitor that he had switched off earlier, seeing his reflection, it stared back at him alarmed and dejected at the sight. He had been told many a time that he resembled Lenny Henry, if this was still the case he must have been in makeup for several hours to add the extra two chins and two litres of saline injected into his cheeks or had acquired a severe peanut allergy. He seriously needed to stop eating. If he could switch off his appetite in the same way that he regularly switched off the speed cameras then he would reduce his weight and chance of a heart attack.
He sympathised with the speeding motorists, it wasn’t that the road he was on was renowned for a high level of accidents, in fact it had been nearly 23 years since the last accident and that was a miner collision; there was no school within a kilometre and other than himself crossing to Sam and Ella’s burger van there was minimal risk from vehicles breaking the 30 mile an hour speed limit.
Desmond struggled with his conscience, his belief that he was there to raise funds rather than speed awareness. Looking deep into the monitor he momentarily saw his blood shot eyes as he fired the system back up. It had been off for over two hours, the longest he had ever dared to cut off the money supply. If only he had been able to cut the money supply to his ex-wife as easily he would not have been awake the previous night wondering had to pay his rent. This wasn’t how he had envisaged his role in the force, what happened to being a beat constable protecting the West Indian community from the institutional racist, the reason he joined the force seven years ago?
Sunday, 31 May 2015
First Time
It was his very first time; he didn’t know how he would feel during or after. Would it be has he had anticipated, has he had dreamt it would be, would he score and be held in adulation or would it be a total anti-climax. He jogged on the spot trying to keep the nerves at bay and in an attempt to keep his muscles active and supple. Keeping calm and in control was paramount to ensuring he gave a good performance a performance that he hoped would be world class. He held his mascot in his right hand which by now was warm and clammy, hoping that the mascot would not pick up on his fears.
“Excuse me, your holding my hand too tight” said the mascot in a low voice only just audible above the noise permeating the tunnel from the capacity crowd.
“Sorry miss” Fabian replied in his best English looking down at the small girl dressed in a German national team strip not that she had a drop on Germany blood I her. She had been told by her parents that German’s have a strong grip so be careful when and if they shake your hand. He softened his hold and concentrated on his breathing exercises to guarantee he was ready for his first game as captain of the Germany football team against what he considered to be a weak England team, although they would have the upper hand with the game being played at Wembley.
His broad shoulders and his muscular chest filled his shirt to bursting a physique that any body builder would yearn for, supported on equally muscular legs supporting his six foot six stature.
“Why do you look like Ed Sheeran?” asked his mascot pulling on his hand desperate for an answer looking up at his red hair that looked like it needed a good comb. “My daddy says all German men have blond hair why don’t you?”
“Entschuldigung ich spreche kein Englisch” replied Fabian assuming that she would understand that he had told her that he didn’t speak English, so she would relent in asking any more questions.
He watched her shrug her shoulders and while he redirected his green eyes from looking at her to looking forward down the tunnel to the hallowed turf, he caught a mean angry stare from his counterpart Wayne Rooney. His comment had been heard and he knew that if there was one German phrase Wayne knew, it was the one he had just uttered. His Manchester United team mate also knew that Fabian spoke fluent English a fact that would haunt him for the next ninety minutes. It was going to be a long difficult game.
“Excuse me, your holding my hand too tight” said the mascot in a low voice only just audible above the noise permeating the tunnel from the capacity crowd.
“Sorry miss” Fabian replied in his best English looking down at the small girl dressed in a German national team strip not that she had a drop on Germany blood I her. She had been told by her parents that German’s have a strong grip so be careful when and if they shake your hand. He softened his hold and concentrated on his breathing exercises to guarantee he was ready for his first game as captain of the Germany football team against what he considered to be a weak England team, although they would have the upper hand with the game being played at Wembley.
His broad shoulders and his muscular chest filled his shirt to bursting a physique that any body builder would yearn for, supported on equally muscular legs supporting his six foot six stature.
“Why do you look like Ed Sheeran?” asked his mascot pulling on his hand desperate for an answer looking up at his red hair that looked like it needed a good comb. “My daddy says all German men have blond hair why don’t you?”
“Entschuldigung ich spreche kein Englisch” replied Fabian assuming that she would understand that he had told her that he didn’t speak English, so she would relent in asking any more questions.
He watched her shrug her shoulders and while he redirected his green eyes from looking at her to looking forward down the tunnel to the hallowed turf, he caught a mean angry stare from his counterpart Wayne Rooney. His comment had been heard and he knew that if there was one German phrase Wayne knew, it was the one he had just uttered. His Manchester United team mate also knew that Fabian spoke fluent English a fact that would haunt him for the next ninety minutes. It was going to be a long difficult game.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Dear old Dad
You may not be here now
You left us long ago
But your spirit is still around us
In my heart you will always glow
It’s been such a long time now
Your voice is now just a memory
Your reminiscences and stories still loud
For you being my father
I am so very proud
I’ve ventured out in life
Your sprit by my side
For every joyous occasion
And those difficult arduous days
I’ve clung on to your fighting spirit
That you had till your dying day.
Your blood runs through my veins
My consciousness was a gift from you
I’ve passed these onto my daughters
With the spirit from their mother parents too
Their lives will be enriched for ever
And it’s all thanks to you.
I miss you dad, we all do
God bless your family
And god bless you.
You left us long ago
But your spirit is still around us
In my heart you will always glow
It’s been such a long time now
Your voice is now just a memory
Your reminiscences and stories still loud
For you being my father
I am so very proud
I’ve ventured out in life
Your sprit by my side
For every joyous occasion
And those difficult arduous days
I’ve clung on to your fighting spirit
That you had till your dying day.
Your blood runs through my veins
My consciousness was a gift from you
I’ve passed these onto my daughters
With the spirit from their mother parents too
Their lives will be enriched for ever
And it’s all thanks to you.
I miss you dad, we all do
God bless your family
And god bless you.
REVIEW: The Hard Way. Lee Child
Lee Child’s reputation and that of his character Jack Reacher and the up and coming film Reacher gave me good reasons to pick up on of the many books available, that together with needing something to read on holiday and The Hard Way shouting at me from the supermarket shelf.
I also thought that it would make a change from the many authors I have recently added to my “To read list” as well as getting to see what it takes to be an “A” list author.
A plot that seemed a little unbelievable at times yet was strangely kept the interest going with a few twists and turns. I don’t know whether it was from reading it with a writer’s eye but at times the plot unfolded in my head well before it did on the paper. This can be frustrating at times as you need to be kept on your toes as to what may or may not happen but at the same time having a punt at what the direction of the plot will goes and then finding out you were spot on can almost be as rewarding so long as it doesn’t happen in the first few pages.
Overall the plot moved at a reasonable pace and the characters and the setting on the scene was done expertly enough to give you a good picture of the events people and places yet leaving enough to the imagination to fill in the finer detail. Vivid and robust characters gave the plot its depth and a reason to follow the plot and to keep the reader wanting to know more, wanting a conclusion if not a little unbelievable in places.
What I did find a little disappointing was the main protagonist Jack Reacher, and a connection to him. I have read many novels where you feel for the main character you get under their skin and into their psyche into their head knowing what makes them tick giving you a sense of caring a connection a need to see them succeed and to survive the most arduous and challenging predicaments that they encounter. I found Reacher a little cold and difficult to connect with, very little back story came to light apart from being alone in the world yet I couldn’t help thinking why didn’t he just walk away from the situations in front of him without knowing what motivates him why get involved why be a maverick. The plot tried to address this through the connection of a military background, money and a child’s life at stake but for me there was still something missing it was as if justification was being pushed onto him rather than from coming from within.
The success of characters like James bond and Jason Bourne where again the characters background and back story are not fully revealed yet you still fight with them and will them to succeed so why shouldn’t it be the same for Jack Reacher, maybe I need to read more of his exploits and just go with the flow.
I also thought that it would make a change from the many authors I have recently added to my “To read list” as well as getting to see what it takes to be an “A” list author.
A plot that seemed a little unbelievable at times yet was strangely kept the interest going with a few twists and turns. I don’t know whether it was from reading it with a writer’s eye but at times the plot unfolded in my head well before it did on the paper. This can be frustrating at times as you need to be kept on your toes as to what may or may not happen but at the same time having a punt at what the direction of the plot will goes and then finding out you were spot on can almost be as rewarding so long as it doesn’t happen in the first few pages.
Overall the plot moved at a reasonable pace and the characters and the setting on the scene was done expertly enough to give you a good picture of the events people and places yet leaving enough to the imagination to fill in the finer detail. Vivid and robust characters gave the plot its depth and a reason to follow the plot and to keep the reader wanting to know more, wanting a conclusion if not a little unbelievable in places.
What I did find a little disappointing was the main protagonist Jack Reacher, and a connection to him. I have read many novels where you feel for the main character you get under their skin and into their psyche into their head knowing what makes them tick giving you a sense of caring a connection a need to see them succeed and to survive the most arduous and challenging predicaments that they encounter. I found Reacher a little cold and difficult to connect with, very little back story came to light apart from being alone in the world yet I couldn’t help thinking why didn’t he just walk away from the situations in front of him without knowing what motivates him why get involved why be a maverick. The plot tried to address this through the connection of a military background, money and a child’s life at stake but for me there was still something missing it was as if justification was being pushed onto him rather than from coming from within.
The success of characters like James bond and Jason Bourne where again the characters background and back story are not fully revealed yet you still fight with them and will them to succeed so why shouldn’t it be the same for Jack Reacher, maybe I need to read more of his exploits and just go with the flow.
Monday, 20 August 2012
REVIEW: Mushroom Man. Stuart Pawson
A cleverly crafted crime novel that tackles sensitive subjects in a true to life representation, not that we wish for these events to happen, without sensationalising or glamorising the subject matter or characters involved. It would be quite easy to believe that the story is a retelling of actual events and the effect on the victim/s, perpetrator and the investigating crime professionals. The main plot revolves around the disappearance of an eight-year old daughter of a local business man and the deaths of a series of clergymen with a picture of a mushroom being left at the scene of the crime.
The path that the investigation goes down is at times detailed in a vivid way to describe the explicit and harrowing events that become very close to home for DI Charlie Priest, yet the sensitive and delicate approach with robust and determined actions add to the realism of the novel
In an age where over dramatisation and exaggeration of the even the smallest fact, this novel is a leap into reality and for the reader; I would suspect that this novel reflects detective work more closely than most novels or that of TV dramas. The action still flows without getting bogged down in the mundane still giving a thriller aspect to the novel.
If you like the crime novel that follows a single crime or concentrates on the key detective and his/her personality at the expense of the overall story then this book is not for you.
If you like the intricate weave of characters, events and a plot that takes you on a journey into the unknown like a trip through spaghetti junction, where you think you know where you are going yet end up being amazed at your final destination then this is a novel for you.
Personally I like a novel that gives you a solid plot and storyline and keeps you guessing and wondering where the plot is going without making it so complex that you give up and put the book down. Stuart Pawson gives you hints and suggestions that keep you thinking and guessing where the plot may go sufficiently to make you think you know the answer but never giving you enough to finish the picture so you’re always being asked “do you know what it is yet”?
Pawson cleverly gives you an insight into Detective Charlie Priest’s own personal life and how this affects his career and investigations at the same time keeping you well informed of progress of the numerous investigations. The excellent characterisation of Charlie his acquaintances Annabelle, his colleagues and right down to the mirror characters is done will skill with enough depth yet not loitering with infinite details that would otherwise switch the reader onto auto-read. You never ever feel like it’s a production line novel where ingredients just go in follow a set route with the final product coming out the other end.
A novel I would recommend to any lover of crime fiction and anyone who wants to dip their toes into the genre.
The path that the investigation goes down is at times detailed in a vivid way to describe the explicit and harrowing events that become very close to home for DI Charlie Priest, yet the sensitive and delicate approach with robust and determined actions add to the realism of the novel
In an age where over dramatisation and exaggeration of the even the smallest fact, this novel is a leap into reality and for the reader; I would suspect that this novel reflects detective work more closely than most novels or that of TV dramas. The action still flows without getting bogged down in the mundane still giving a thriller aspect to the novel.
If you like the crime novel that follows a single crime or concentrates on the key detective and his/her personality at the expense of the overall story then this book is not for you.
If you like the intricate weave of characters, events and a plot that takes you on a journey into the unknown like a trip through spaghetti junction, where you think you know where you are going yet end up being amazed at your final destination then this is a novel for you.
Personally I like a novel that gives you a solid plot and storyline and keeps you guessing and wondering where the plot is going without making it so complex that you give up and put the book down. Stuart Pawson gives you hints and suggestions that keep you thinking and guessing where the plot may go sufficiently to make you think you know the answer but never giving you enough to finish the picture so you’re always being asked “do you know what it is yet”?
Pawson cleverly gives you an insight into Detective Charlie Priest’s own personal life and how this affects his career and investigations at the same time keeping you well informed of progress of the numerous investigations. The excellent characterisation of Charlie his acquaintances Annabelle, his colleagues and right down to the mirror characters is done will skill with enough depth yet not loitering with infinite details that would otherwise switch the reader onto auto-read. You never ever feel like it’s a production line novel where ingredients just go in follow a set route with the final product coming out the other end.
A novel I would recommend to any lover of crime fiction and anyone who wants to dip their toes into the genre.
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
REVIEW: The Dark Winter. David Mark.
It’s so easy to select an established author or series of books to be able to have continuity of reading and an assured benchmark to rely on.
Taking a stab in the dark and selecting an unfamiliar name with a small portfolio of novels can be quite exciting and risky, even more so with a debut novel. A fresh new writer eager to please an unsuspecting audience, the emergence of the next Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson or Lee Child or a publisher’s wild card punt to briefly adorn the Waterstones shelves before collecting dust hidden away in the dark recesses of a charity shop can easily go through your mind during selection.
All authors start somewhere and stumbling across a debut novel from either word of mouth, publicity or just from being displayed in a prominent place in a book shop can give you that introduction.
Unusually for me I stumbled onto David Mark’s Dark Winter after locating him in a random search on Twitter. After reading novels by the Yorkshire Novelist Stuart Pawson I was ready to take on another of the counties writers, and subsequently added it to by growing list of must reads. A fortuitous win of tickets to the Theakstons Crime Tour in Leeds with Steve Mosby introducing two novelists Danielle Ramsey and David Mark was a chance not to be turned down.
Obtaining a signed copy and having an opportunity to meet and talk to the author was not what I had planned. This made me apprehensive in reading the novel, was I going to like the novel like a music fan likes a track just because it’s an act they admire or was I going to be able to read the novel and make a judgement in isolation or not make any judgement at all and just read and absorb the story its events and characters?
Easiest way was to just leave it to one side and pick it up when in the mood to read.
Getting a novel with an immediate sense of place and atmosphere and the committing of an injustice together with the balance of a strong characterisation are essential ingredients to any crime novel and The Dark Winter didn’t let me down. The main protagonist DS Aector McAvoy ‘s personality was introduced effectively giving the reader enough to want to connect with him yet leaving you with unanswered questions and the need to get to know what makes him tick and more importantly what keeps him ticking while residing and working in one on the country’s most challenging cities. A city where either your strength of character, career opportunity and love for the city keeps you there or the lack of opportunity and escape routes ties keeps you to the spot. A series of events keeps you engaged in the story keeping you guessing as to which direction the events will lead McAvoy.
The only disappointment for me was that they story came to a climax before I was ready, especially with the knowledge that the next instalment looks destined for 2013. All I can say is that it’s a good job that I have an increasing list of must reads to keep me occupied while I wait.
So what category do I place this novel. I can’t see it being relegated to the charity shelf and time will tell if the author can compete with the heavy weights of the crime genre. If the next instalment is crafted with the same level of skill, which I suspect it will, and there is not too big a time gap between subsequent novels then I believe we could be seeing the start of the Rebus of Yorkshire.
Taking a stab in the dark and selecting an unfamiliar name with a small portfolio of novels can be quite exciting and risky, even more so with a debut novel. A fresh new writer eager to please an unsuspecting audience, the emergence of the next Ian Rankin, Peter Robinson or Lee Child or a publisher’s wild card punt to briefly adorn the Waterstones shelves before collecting dust hidden away in the dark recesses of a charity shop can easily go through your mind during selection.
All authors start somewhere and stumbling across a debut novel from either word of mouth, publicity or just from being displayed in a prominent place in a book shop can give you that introduction.
Unusually for me I stumbled onto David Mark’s Dark Winter after locating him in a random search on Twitter. After reading novels by the Yorkshire Novelist Stuart Pawson I was ready to take on another of the counties writers, and subsequently added it to by growing list of must reads. A fortuitous win of tickets to the Theakstons Crime Tour in Leeds with Steve Mosby introducing two novelists Danielle Ramsey and David Mark was a chance not to be turned down.
Obtaining a signed copy and having an opportunity to meet and talk to the author was not what I had planned. This made me apprehensive in reading the novel, was I going to like the novel like a music fan likes a track just because it’s an act they admire or was I going to be able to read the novel and make a judgement in isolation or not make any judgement at all and just read and absorb the story its events and characters?
Easiest way was to just leave it to one side and pick it up when in the mood to read.
Getting a novel with an immediate sense of place and atmosphere and the committing of an injustice together with the balance of a strong characterisation are essential ingredients to any crime novel and The Dark Winter didn’t let me down. The main protagonist DS Aector McAvoy ‘s personality was introduced effectively giving the reader enough to want to connect with him yet leaving you with unanswered questions and the need to get to know what makes him tick and more importantly what keeps him ticking while residing and working in one on the country’s most challenging cities. A city where either your strength of character, career opportunity and love for the city keeps you there or the lack of opportunity and escape routes ties keeps you to the spot. A series of events keeps you engaged in the story keeping you guessing as to which direction the events will lead McAvoy.
The only disappointment for me was that they story came to a climax before I was ready, especially with the knowledge that the next instalment looks destined for 2013. All I can say is that it’s a good job that I have an increasing list of must reads to keep me occupied while I wait.
So what category do I place this novel. I can’t see it being relegated to the charity shelf and time will tell if the author can compete with the heavy weights of the crime genre. If the next instalment is crafted with the same level of skill, which I suspect it will, and there is not too big a time gap between subsequent novels then I believe we could be seeing the start of the Rebus of Yorkshire.
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Why Write
Is it a passion for writing, the love of words, phrases and the joy of the English Language or just the need to tell a good story?
I suppose there is some truth in each part of that statement but essentially for me it’s the creativity the need to express and follow a creative process in translating the thought process into something tangible and a record of that creative impulse.
A defined route of transposing this creativity can also be diverse and as complex as the initial idea, this can range from a simple quick poem to a lengthy complex narrative of a novel, film script or play. My creativity is not just confined to the written work it extends to modelling and painting and any form of artwork that can facilitate the need I have to express my creativity.
Creativity is an integral part my role as a Technical Manager in the resolving problems by the developing of solutions which together with research and development creates new, innovative and patented products to fully support our customer base and industry. The creative use of Science, engineering and physics from theoretical knowledge to laboratory testing is an important aspect in turning ideas into reality.
Encouraging and inspire others to be creative and to utilise their imagination is very important to me and if I can facilitate this desire by giving access to my creative ramblings to even the smallest of audiences then I will regard this as a success.
I suppose there is some truth in each part of that statement but essentially for me it’s the creativity the need to express and follow a creative process in translating the thought process into something tangible and a record of that creative impulse.
A defined route of transposing this creativity can also be diverse and as complex as the initial idea, this can range from a simple quick poem to a lengthy complex narrative of a novel, film script or play. My creativity is not just confined to the written work it extends to modelling and painting and any form of artwork that can facilitate the need I have to express my creativity.
Creativity is an integral part my role as a Technical Manager in the resolving problems by the developing of solutions which together with research and development creates new, innovative and patented products to fully support our customer base and industry. The creative use of Science, engineering and physics from theoretical knowledge to laboratory testing is an important aspect in turning ideas into reality.
Encouraging and inspire others to be creative and to utilise their imagination is very important to me and if I can facilitate this desire by giving access to my creative ramblings to even the smallest of audiences then I will regard this as a success.
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