My latest Sherlock Holmes short story Miss Violet Dixon (deceased)

My latest Sherlock Holmes short story Miss Violet Dixon (deceased)
The front cover created with Gimp with help from Aubrey Watt on You Tube.

Saturday 8 August 2015

Well, I just realised that I haven't actually posted anything on here since January!! Where have I been? Well, Bulgaria for one... and several quite important things have happened in the run up to now.

Firstly, I am now the proud grand-father of a delightful little chap called Flynn. My wife and I flew over to the UK in May and Flynn was born whilst we were on the plane! Mum, Dad, Flynn and the two cats are all settled into a routine and he is growing up so quickly.

Secondly and perhaps thirdly and fourthly, I have written three more Sherlock Holmes stories! 'The Angel's Trumpet' is a tale of German spies set in the early days of aviation. 'The Second Key' is a new story that involves a bomb plot and a train robbery. It also features the glamorous, but deadly, Julia Moriarty. I have to say that it does have a rather tantalizing ending. The final story I have written is entitled 'The Man on Westminster Bridge' and has yet to be published. "Why?" I hear you gasp! Well, it's because I sent it off to David Marcum for possible inclusion in the MX Publishing's latest and greatest venture, The Worlds Largest Sherlock Holmes Collection. This is a great project where 60+ of the World's Best Sherlock Holmes authors have generously written a story each for inclusion into a three book anthology. The royalties from the sale of the trilogy are going to support the restoration of 'Undershaw', Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's house.  You can read more about it here   http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2015/07/behind-worlds-largest-new-sherlock.html#.VcNCaXGqpHy


This project is the brainchild of a great Sherlokian, David Marcum. He has worked tirelessly to bring together and edit the 60+ manuscripts to produce three stunning volumes. You can catch up with David on his blog here   http://www.17stepprogram.blogspot.fr/

I am very pleased and proud to say that my story was accepted and has been included in Volume 2 of the anthology. If this project interests you, there is still time to back it on Kickstarter.   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1229605719/the-worlds-largest-new-sherlock-holmes-story-colle?ref=discovery

On a very much sadder note, our beautiful, 6 month old Black Labrador Jess had to be put down last month after developing uncontrollable epilepsy. Even on the maximum dosage of anti-convulsive drugs, she was having 10 or more Grande Mal's a day. It broke our hearts to have her put down but we could not bear to see her in such great pain and distress.

On the upside, a little wriggling bundle called 'Laouen' (a Breton name and pronounced La-when) came into our lives 2 weeks ago. She is a 10 week old, Lemon English Setter puppy and she is gorgeous! She cannot, and we would not want her to, replace Jess in our hearts. She is quite a different character and I have to say that we have had quite a few sleepless nights as she got used to her new home.

This is 'Hermine', Laouen's mother with one of her pups.
Laouen in her crate.

Just lazing in Jean-Claude's bed (our Breton cat...he isn't impressed!)

Well, there's lots of news. I will try and write more frequently and please consider supporting the anthology project, either through being a backer on kickstarter or by buying the books. They can be bought as pre-release copies on the Kickstarter site (just follow the link above).

Enjoy August, I look forward to the official launch of the anthology in London on the 1st of October!

Dick.