my writings
On this section of the site, you will find various pieces of my writing. These range from full length novels to novellas and short stories.
Novels |
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Redrafted: |
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Title:
Untold History Genre: Word Count: |
In the darkness of his dreams, Mark opened his eyes. As before, he stood at the foot of two ancient forgotten pyramids. He felt connected to them somehow, and the images followed him through his life. Sometimes he saw strangers, lost in the deserted world. Most the time, it was just him and the pyramids, built tall and proud by a long extinct people. Mark learns that he is not alone in dreaming of this magical place. It was once host to a alien civilization. Our very own moon, teeming with life and at least some part of Mark was there. It's 2021 and through the twisted hand of fate, Mark finds himself signed up to the newly formed SARA (Space Agency of Russia & America). Their first mission (Apollo 1.18) is to investigate the remnants of an ancient civilization based upon our moon.
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La Isla De Muerte Genre: Word Count: |
Survivors of a crashed passenger plane are forced to fend for themselves on a tropical island. After the initial shock of the crash it seems the survivors have found an untouched paradise, an unspoilt landscape. They soon learn that this place is anything but paradise and there is a very good reason for it being untouched and deserted. A strange creature lurks in the jungle and it is hungry. Mysterious circumstances surround a number of deaths and it starts to become apparent that something is going on. It was as if they weren't meant to survive the crash and now they were having to be picked off one by one. Five survive to tell the story, and what a story it turns out to be. |
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Devils Dive Genre: Word Count: |
Everything that happens, past, present and future, they all leads trails or threads which can be followed. Detective Inspector Heard finds a thread whilst investigating what appears to be a drunken misadventure by a teenager in the abandoned quarry lake. It isn't long before DI Heard is following his instincts and unwinding the threads left from a blast in 1929 at the quarry. It is here that he discovers dark and sinister plots that claimed the lives of many workers that ill fated day. Forces lurk beneath the dark deep waters of the quarry lake and they can no longer wait silently for someone to discover them. The truth will be told… |
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Dead Game Genre: Word Count: |
Jack Brown was once a world famous writer, but his imagination has fallen on hard times and after struggling with writers block for a over a year he decides it is time for something more radical. A magical idea comes to him after recieving abuse and hate mail. However, he does not understand the magic, and that is lethal. It is only later after a violent attack that Jack decides he must write the Dead Game. It is only a list of people that have persecuted him and his friend and how he would like them to pay. The magic of the game is not understood and goes unnoticed until those named in the game start to die in circumstances not too distant from those written in the game. Jack tries to stop the game, but it plays all by itself, and soon the final name on the list falls and the game ends... ...or so they thought, but it becomes apparent they didn’t read the rules. Soon, they become the Dead Game. |
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Family Feuds Genre: Word Count: |
The mystery begins when Mrs M, the local newsagents, is found dead. John is the only witness, but most of all, the only suspect. Enter Chris, the new policeman. He helps John try to unravel the mystery, turning over every rock, finding hidden treasures. Slowly, the picture takes shape. John suspects the worst when Susan, his wife, vanishes, it only strengthens his resolve. The most expensive and priceless thing has been taken from him, and he will do anything to get her back. To do this, John must not work alone. He enlists the help of a mysterious man who seems to know everything. In his quest for the truth, John must come face to face with the perputrator. There is a deep, dark secret concealed within the community, and it must be brought to justice. The perputrator will do anything to protect this secret, and if that means he must kill again, he will do. The quest ends abruptly as all secrets are revealed, and the mystery, solved.
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The Lockman's Fable Genre: Word Count: |
In the small town of Knighton, England, there is an old ghost story about a girl who was locked in the tower that overshadows the canal system. The town prides itself on it environmentally friendly mode of transport, but it isn't this that tourists remember. Old MacMillian (the Lockman) tells the fable of the young girl imprisioned against her will in the tower. It's nothing but a ghost tale, but yet the Lockman tells the fable every day as they pass the tower. Harry soon becomes entangled in the fable as the ghost of the young girl asks for his help. He quickly learns that there is more than just a little truth behind the fable, and soon he gets to the truth. The truth is out there for anyone that wants to listen. Isn't it time you opened your ears and let it in? |
Novellas |
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Title:
A Death in the Family Genre: Word Count: |
Have you ever wondered how many secrets one family maybe hiding? You maybe nodding now, remembering your own secret. Most families have secrets, and the family in this story are no different. They have many secrets, some of them are small and some… The story begins with a dinner party, a will and the death of our families father. An Inspector is sent to investigate. Alexander can't believe that one of his brothers or sisters had killed their father, but reality bites as the Inspector quizzes each of them and we discover that they all have motives, and this chills Alexander. What kind of family are they? |
Title:
A Death in the Family Genre: Word Count: |
A number of cats in a town go missing, with a note left at each saying that their cat has been pussy knapped. The police have very little to go on and have to wait for a randsom note to arrive, which they are certain will come. Scotland Yard take over the case. Eventually a number of seemingly insignificant clues lead them to a top secret reasearch facility, the Nuclear Research Facility of West Brook. Somebody is leaving them clues, but why? And what does the NRF of West Brook have to do with disappearing cats? |
Title: Genre: Word Count : |
Dan had never had a stable relationship before. He'd never even been on a date before, but that all changed when he met Will. Soon they form an unbreakable bond. The story follows the trials and tribulations that is their fast growing relationship, which leads them to an eternal love for each other. This is based on a true love story, may it never end.
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Short Stories |
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This is an emotional story written specially for a Bradford based competition. Whilst the story didn't win, it still moves me whenever I read it because it strikes a cord with me. |
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I wrote this story a long time ago, back in 1997, ten years on I realise that whilst the story had suspense it just didn't work. I have rewritten it from the ground up and it now has a completely different ending. The two versions could stand up as two seperate takes on the same idea, but I will only show you the one I think is better. |
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To have a look at current projects, click here.
Copyright © 1999 - 2007 Chris Riley. All rights reserved