Family Bonds: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: Family Bonds
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #3
Genre: ,
Pages: 24
Publication Date: 24/06/2021

Being one of the cemetery's two resident ghosts for three decades can be a lonely existence — even more so when your sole friend disappears for several days.

While waiting for Clothilde's return, Robert decides to greet the newest arrival, an overly polite octagonarian who makes no claims of unfinished business.

But as her story unfurls, it becomes increasingly likely the old lady's affairs and Clothilde's disappearance are closely related — in more ways than one.

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 1.



Goodreads

It’s a combination of mystery and ghost story, with a strong ending and the possibility that there will be more stories about the ghosts involved.

Tangent Online

Family Bonds was on Tangent Online's recommended reading list for 2021, with two stars.

Tangent Online

Also in this series:


In Other Books

This story was first published in Pulhouse Fiction Magazine Issue #12.

Included in Unfinished Business, Vol 1.

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Common Ground: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: Common Ground
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #4
Genre: ,
Pages: 20
Publication Date: 15/07/2021

Life as a ghost can be a lonely existence. Robert counts himself lucky to have had Clothilde by his side for thirty years, as they watch the seasons pass, the mourners weep, and other ghosts come and go as they deal with their unfinished business.

When Clothilde makes a new friend in their latest arrival, Robert marvels at seeing her laugh and behave like a teenager again. Even if it means him being lonely. She deserves some hapiness.

But when a second girl arrives in their cemetery, a pattern emerges.

Robert and Clothilde must once again apply their crime-solving skills to go after their new friends’ murderer.

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 1.



Goodreads


Also in this series:


Included in Unfinished Business, Vol 1.

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Till Death: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: Till Death
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #5
Genre: ,
Pages: 24
Publication Date: 27/08/2021

Double funerals are a rare thing in a tiny cemetery. Both deceased becoming ghosts even more so.

While resident ghosts Clothilde and Robert wait for their new compatriots to emerge from their caskets, the screams coming from below seem tinged with quite a bit more... anger than usual.

The promise of "till death do us part" takes on a whole new meaning with the fresh arrivals.

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 1.

I liked the previous story in this series, and this one is just as much fun.

Tangent Online

Till Death was on Tangent Online's recommended reading list for 2021, with two stars.

Tangent Online

Also in this series:


In Other Books

This story was first published in Pulphouse Fiction Magazine Issue #13.

Included in Unfinished Business, Vol 1.

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Family History: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: Family History
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #6
Genre: ,
Pages: 24
Publication Date: 22/10/2021

In French cemeteries, “perpetuité” only lasts for a hundred years. If the deceased’s family wants to keep their dead buried, they must pay the rent.

If not, the municipality will excavate the tomb to liberate the space for a new family.

After the latest excavation, Robert and Clothilde find themselves faced with a ghost much older than themselves — along with the daunting task of solving a century-old mystery.

Is it still possible to find eternal rest for their new friend?

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 2.

The ghosts are fully developed characters, as are the living people in the story. The plot is clever and involving, and the sense of time and place is richly conveyed.

Tangent Online

Family History was on Tangent Online's recommended reading list for 2021.

Tangent Online

Also in this series:


In Other Books

This story was first published in Pulphouse Fiction Magazine Issue #14.

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Heritage: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: Heritage
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #7
Genre: , ,
Pages: 28
Publication Date: 31/10/2021

On the Day of the Dead, families decorate the cemetery's tombstones with chrysanthemums of all colors according to French tradition.

Even amid the rainbow of petals, one grave stands out. The last resting place of the young man who died six months ago. His mother brings him roses, while lamenting that her son's "not there."

As the resident ghosts, Robert and Clothilde can indeed confirm his absence in the afterlife — but it may not be for the usual reasons.

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 2.


Also in this series:


First published in the 2021 Halloween Spectacular, Halloween Harvest.

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New Beginnings: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: New Beginnings
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #8
Genre:
Pages: 24
Publication Date: 15/09/2022

The cemetery’s newest arrival seems more surprised to find herself dead than a woman in her seventies should be. Her mourners exhibit an equally perplexing level of shock.

Robert and Clothilde, the resident ghosts, investigate the woman’s unfinished business as usual, but before long, another newcomer joins them.

And another one.

And another…

Quiet companionship becomes a thing of the past while our ghost detectives battle an invisible and intangible foe. How long until Clothilde and Robert’s cherished solitude returns?

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 2.


Also in this series:
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Far From Home: A Ghost Detective Short Story

Title: Far From Home
Series: Ghost Detective Short Stories #9
Genre: ,
Pages: 24

Solving crimes from the confines of a cemetery where no one can see or hear you can be difficult at the best of times. The victim’s ghost usually won’t remember who killed them, and the murder suspects can’t hear the ghost detective’s interrogation.

Even so, for the most part, Robert and Clothilde manage just fine.

However, discovering the name on a headstone does not belong to the body beneath it throws something of a wrench in their method.

How can they help the ghost find peace when the police aren’t even investigating the right murder?

This story is included in the collection Unfinished Business, Volume 2.


Also in this series:
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Deep Dark Secrets

Title: Deep Dark Secrets
Genre: ,
Pages: 140

We all keep secrets. Sometimes our own, sometimes others’. Sometimes we keep them consciously, sometimes our subconscious does the hard work for us.

But at some point, the truth will come out. It may get us in trouble, it may save us.

What is absolutely certain: it will bring change.

Deep Dark Secrets is a collection of five mystery short stories: Hidden Horrors, Out of Sight, Cold Blue Eternity, Sitting Duck, and Just Desserts.



Goodreads

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A Thief in the Night

Title: A Thief in the Night
Genre: ,
Pages: 180
Publication Date: 14/10/2021

What makes a mystery intriguing? Which element makes the investigators’ sixth sense rear up and say this crime will stand out in their memories forever?

Dozens of crabs pushing a man to jump from his balcony should do the trick. Or an island’s one of two inhabitants eating rat poison with his cereal. How about an octogenarian going after internet trolls? An experienced kayaker surprised by bad weather? Or a jailbreak creating unimaginable damage with a slight miscalculation.

All of the above are covered in A Thief in the Night. Contains the short stories Critters, Two’s Company, Gertrude and the Trojan Horse, Like Mother Like Daughter, and The Red Brick Haze.



Goodreads

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The Red Brick Haze

The Red Brick Haze: A Tolosa MysteryTitle: The Red Brick Haze
Series: The Tolosa Mysteries #1
Genre:
Pages: 80

No good deed goes unpunished.

When an explosion lays waste to part of the city of Toulouse and the citizens attempt to recover in the ravaged cityscape, Louis runs to the aid of people in need.

Chivalrous intent clashes with nefarious goals as Louis has to save himself and those he loves.



Goodreads


Also in this series:


The Real World

The explosion from this story really happened. If you want to see a picture of the chemical factory before it blew up, check out this blog post.

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