Authors & Reviewers discussion

Hello again, everyone.

I am delighted that my sixth* short story collection - 'The Darkening' - is now available, and, as you will guess by the title, it veers towards the shadowy side of life.

This collection of short stories and flash fiction is held together by a fraying thread: disturbance.

There is no doubt that events have effects on their witnesses or participants, and there is no shortage of troubled characters between these pages.
The stories begin in childhood, for it is there that personality begins its shape. The opening story, in fact, is mainly autobiographical, until the ending. The memory is still very strong for me.
Tales set in adulthood follow; in that space, there is fictional exploration into behaviours which portray alternative mindsets, perhaps as a result of circumstance.
Grief and death bring the collection towards a natural ending, but not without dipping into the spiritual, perhaps questioning the very concept of finality. Is there a part that lingers?

The flash is intended as breathing space between longer pieces, whilst still contributing to the whole.

I hope you enjoy dipping into the lives of the characters, and that these stories will stay with you.
I would be very grateful for recommendations and reviews if this collection makes an impact on you.
Thank you.

UK link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

US link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...


*My other collections are:

Peace and Disquiet


Minor Discord

And for a more light-hearted experience:

Light Bites


Confessions

Wingin' It: Tall Tales of (fully-grown) Fairies with Issues