Good morning readers.


   Do you realise that this blogging lark is difficult. I don't know if i am doing it correctly or even if anyone likes what i write. Of course i have had some comments and they have all been complimentary but what do the rest of you think? Why not send something back to me tell me what you would like to see or read. For now i will simply continue on my merry way.

My stories! I suppose i had better tell you my thoughts on those hadn't I. well Dead Men Lie continues to be read and those that have done so are in the main complimentary though i have had a couple of people tell me their reviews while posted on Amazon never actually appeared on the site anyone have any ideas as to why because even though i sent a e-mail to Amazon i never got a understandable reply.

 I have just started to rework The Ties That Bind though it appears to have morphed into something completely new. For the moment i have put TTTB aside and am following whatever course this new story takes me. That;s my problem i have all these ideas in my head and its difficult to separate what i want to use in each story somewhere along the way two books may merge into one and then we will have a best seller?? Oh if only. It is possible that reverend Bayles will make an appearance in this new story or a new villain will come to the fore we shall have to wait and see.

Now most of you will have followed my thoughts on giving free copies of your work away I will not say anymore those of you who have read the comments will know my feeling about this but it has been suggested that i might think about putting sample chapters here on the blog so that you can get a feel for my work. is this something anyone would be interested in? certainly if we did it wouldn't be the entire story because that would be unfair to those who have paid to read it but maybe a few chapters might be beneficial.

Therefore just for a few days i will place the prologue her for you to read here we are once read do tell me what you think and if this grabs your attention don't forget Dead Men Lie is available for a little longer for £1.50 to download from Kindle or take a look at davidtprocterbooks.co.uk  to learn more about us.

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                                                                    Foreword

                                       “Death is not the end, simply the beginning”    

                                                                   (Anonym)                                                                                   

    This introduction was never meant to be dark or foreboding. What I desired to explain, to investigate and clarify, was simply how one death can have serious ramifications for others. To that end, I searched for a suitable quotation that best summed up what I was attempting to explain. I discovered myriad eminent phrases, all very profound, but none quite touched upon the sentiment I desired. Which was why, eventually, I decided to use the anonymous quotation above. I unreservedly apologise to the author (whoever they were) for using their words, while expressing my admiration for their wisdom and eloquence.

    This brings me to the essence of this, my story. Unfortunately, death awaits us all, it is inevitable and unavoidable. It is neither selective, nor compassionate; it does not wait while its intended victims place their affairs in order. In fact, our time on this mortal coil appears haphazardly random. Who, then, is the more fortunate when our time draws to a close? Is it the accidental victim who succumbs in a moment, gone before they realise what they are about to endure? Or those that live for years awaiting death’s icy touch, with time to deal with any outstanding matters, to make their peace with God and those they invariably leave behind? Neither pleasant but both inevitable. There are some, who see death as the last great adventure, one that can only be experience the once, and can never be retold to others. Should we then fear death? Of course, just a little, but as Benjamin Franklyn said in 1789 one year before his own departure, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.”  We all die; it is what we leave behind by which we are judged.        

    According to some religious groups, death is said to be the start of a greater enlightenment. Is that true? None of us will know until, I fear, it is too late. Many indigenous peoples believe that while our bodies wither to dust, our inner essence lives on, to continue ad- infinitum. If we are to believe such teachings, why then do we fear what is, inevitable? Of course, mortality should not to be taken for granted, nor, perhaps should we fear our demise. Only after we have taken that last giant step will we be able to answer the last great question, “Is there life after death?” By then, unfortunately, it will be too late. What is unequivocal is that we all succumb; we breathe our last and leave this mortal coil. How we depart is usually out of our hands. We take our last breath in all manner of ways but eventually death comes in two guises, either swiftly or protracted. We can only hope for the former, as that is supposedly and hopefully painless. The latter decrees that we have had time to ponder our frailties and lack of foresight in concluding any outstanding and unfinished business.

   As rational beings we do have a choice; suicide is an option but to the majority our final moments are at the behest of a greater force that we can ever possess. Most would ask for a swift departure, as that would, hopefully, involve little knowledge. To simply pass away having lived a long and worthwhile life, to have achieved and fulfilled all our personal goals. Maybe to simply fall asleep and never wake up, free of illness or pain. Or to die a glorious death in the throes of some heroic deed. All too often though our desires never come true. Unfortunately, there is a more painful alternative. All too often those final hours can be long and drawn out. Unless we are very fortunate, our final demise is invariably alone, desperate and consumed in both pain and misery. There is, I believe, no such thing as a glorious death. Inevitably we meet our maker alone, afraid and desperate, consumed by a degree of pain and misery. Swift or prolonged, our demise is no proof of purity of thought and mind. Many a cruel and vindictive person has died swiftly, while a god fearing innocent has endured a long and painful demise. 

    So we depart; what then? Unfortunately, no matter how prolonged or swift, no matter how well we have prepared, invariably we leave behind chaos. Many families have been torn apart in the months following a death. Even when a will exists there will be disagreement and acrimony between family members. Our last instructions usually ask for a loved one to act as executor, to discharge our debts and divide our estate.  All well and good when the value is but a small amount but what occurs when a larger sum is involved? Aunt Jean’s prized figurine pales into insignificance when compared to those who have to deal with matters involving finances which the deceased left unresolved.

     Many family disputes have turned into court cases because one member didn’t receive what they had desired, or had supposedly been promised. The inevitable repercussions and consequences that occur are made worse if the departure was unexpected. Since man took his first faltering steps, the death of one individual can influence and drastically affect the actions of others. Ideas given form do not remain secret. They are rarely carried to the grave, they do not die, but return to haunt those left behind. How many mourning relatives have subsequently been visited by those seeking payment for something the deceased failed to complete, or pay for? How many families have been left destitute, due to the failure of some grand scheme or business venture which fails with the demise of the only person who might have forced it through to a conclusion?

    Perhaps then those criminals condemned to die were in fact the more fortunate. At least they had time to prepare, to put their affairs in order, to make amends to their God. Not so the unfortunate majority, the innocents to whom death came through disease, poverty or battle. To them, the winged angel of death strikes without the benefit of being able to settle their affairs. Who then is the more fortunate? Only time will tell. Suffice to say that perhaps this is the origin of the expression, ‘Death isn’t the end’. It isn’t the closure we expect. No matter how well we prepare, events can return to haunt those we once loved. The deceased can, from their grave, reach out to manipulate, control and dictate the future of those left behind. The bereaved have time to ponder such questions, sometimes the answers are clear, unequivocal; sometimes they are shrouded in deceit and intrigue. Whichever course they take may prove to be traumatic, and manipulated by those who treat death as a means to further their own tarnished reputations.

    The residents of Stormouth, a mixture of wealthy landowners, merchants, sailors and ne’er-do-wells, muddled along unhindered. Unconcerned with the wider issues of the day until death came seeking new disciples. The winged angle came in the form of a man, with lust in his breast, who deemed himself above such erstwhile measures like decency and honesty. No longer would wealth and power rule; no longer did such influence guarantee freedom from prosecution. Stormouth was about to learn the error of its ways.

    As would a woman, who, defiled and abused, would become the catalyst that would bring about the downfall of those that resisted change. She would suffer, would be denounced and cast out before she found the strength to resist those that wished her harm. Her terror began when she was forced to succumb to his evil intent, used and abused, leaving only once his lust had been satisfied. Death took him and she takes succour from his agony. Her problems, though, are only just beginning, as he takes his revenge from beyond the grave. Like her, you too, one day, will have to face your immortality; you will be forced to place your life… and death in the hands of others. When that time arrives, I wish you well, but consider the actions of

those who failed to make amends. Those poor souls who have to suffer the consequences.

             

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There you are a sample of the opening to Dead Men Lie. Perhaps it isn't the best example but I can't see why I would post say Chapter Ten when you don't know the background to the story.  Dead Men Lie isn't dark or foreboding it is in places light hearted and funny but there is serious side to it as well. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Until our next meeting 

Dave