Fiction

An aerialist plummets through the air in a cascade of glittering stars. A young woman walks a high-wire, her feet encased in baskets. An equestrienne rides side-saddle over a five bar gate.

From humble acrobatics to death-defying stunts, these are the extraordinary real-life exploits of some 19th century circus personalities, as witnessed by mesmerised audiences on the Isle of Man when it was a Victorian holiday idyll.

This book is a vivid chronicle of the extraordinary circus personalities that visited the Isle of Man in the nineteenth century. All named characters and events described in the book are based on fact and background details are as historically accurate as possible. The narrative is a product of the author's imagination. To marry the two has not been an easy balancing act - but then, there is nothing easy about the circus. They just make it look that way.

This thriller is based in the Isle of Man where a body is washed ashore and is badly cut after hitting rocks. Unrecognisable, the post-mortem reveals the man had drowned in fresh water.

Who is he and was he murdered? Using an artist's reconstruction to appeal locally for information, the police discover his name and address. Inquiries with his solicitor suggest he knew he might be killed. The letter left for the police also reveals he was a special agent working for President de Gaulle, hints at who may be involved and leads the police to find a safe that was hidden underground in his garage. When the safe is opened a decorated wooden block is found that appears to be solid. The beautiful object is covered with mother-of-pearl Arabic writing that is translated as Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah. The School of Oriental and African Studies at London University reveal the object is known as The Caliph's Great Seal and is believed to contain the only portrait of the Prophet Mohammed. How can it be opened? X-raying the Seal at Manchester University's Chemistry Department, at an ultra-low temperature, reveals a mechanism involving ten sprung levers that when pressed in the correct order will open the box. Further investigations find the artefact was acquired by Abdullah Quilliam, Britain's first and only Sheikh of Islam, from the last Caliph, Mehmed VI in 1924.

How did the tablet find its way to an isolated house in the Isle of Man? When it is realised the tablet's value is priceless, but so dangerous that it could unleash a war between rival factions of Islam, what can be done to ensure its safety?

This novel will appear to anyone with an interest in bikes, the TT Races and who has a sense of humour.

Frank’s had better days. The doctor gave him the news he didn't want and Frank's discovered the worst kept secret in Liverpool; that his wife’s fitness instructor is providing her services that extend beyond the gym.

With time a dwindling commodity, Frank decides it’s time to do something he wants to do. With a little encouragement from his oldest friend, Stan, the first destination for his ‘bucket-list’ is the Isle of Man TT Races.

They were content to just spectate, but fate had other ideas.

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This is the entertaining sequel to hilarious Frank N Stan's Bucket List #1

Frank’s too busy enjoying life just now to worry about dying...

Bucket list item ?1 for Frank and his oldest friend, Stan, was the TT Races. They did it, and loved it so much, that now they’re heading back for item #2 on the list - TT Races yet again!

The fledgeling race team they’d cobbled together on their first outing despite moments of definite glory didn’t exactly thrive. But, despite this, they’ve once again secured the trusty services of Dave and Monty, the two most out of shape, yet passionate and dedicated, racers in the paddock and they’re optimistically eyeing a top ten finish.

With his unhappy marriage and wallet-draining ex-wife now firmly in the past, Frank is ready for a positive change, time and health permitting. Life in the glorious Isle of Man has rejuvenated him, and he’s now eager, in fact, to make it his home.

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The Gang is back for another crazy adventure.

The idea of the maverick racer, Dave Quirk, winning a TT was as probable as a seaside donkey winning the Grand National....but he'd been trying to do exactly that.

An unlikely victory would also secure the TT Farm for Frank and Stan’s charity, but it was a crumbling, financial black hole and filled with asbestos. Dave and Monty quitting their jobs to work there wasn’t fantastic timing, either. The charity needed a truckload of cash, and fast.

They had to go big on their fundraising ideas, so, the Isle of Man home of the famous TT Races would play host to a twenty-four-hour racing extravaganza and they’d need a high-profile celebrity for maximum exposure. The object of Stella’s darkest desire, Guy Martin, was willing and eager to offer his services for the inaugural Isle ‘Le Mans’ TT.

They were full of good intentions, but, as usual, the path was rarely smooth for Team Frank and Stan.

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