My final post of 2020! It’s probably safe to say this has been the worst year ever for many people. Against the background of the pandemic, I lost my mother in February and several other family members over the course of the year. Added to that, my partner had major cancer surgery (he’s recovered well, thankfully). Still, the year has taught us to appreciate life where we can, and to think about what we truly value. Stories surely come somewhere on that list 🙂
Book reviews
Dane Curse (Black Cape Case Files, #1) by Matt Abraham
Deja Vu Halloo (Reeves & Worcester Steampunk Mysteries Book 5) by Chris Dolley
Murder at Melrose Court (Heathcliff Lennox #1) by Karen Baugh Menuhin
Target Churchill: A Gripping Historical Crime Thriller by Warren Adler and James C. Humes
Burden of Power (The Wallkeeper Trilogy #1) by Caren Hahn
And here are a few more very short stories.
benthos
Why not try Benthos Expeditions? Secluded location. Muscular escorts. And finally, sleep with the fishes. Book now for the trip of a lifetime.
ingurgitate
“Eww! They drink milk they’ve squeezed out of cows?”
Mama bobbed her head, her neck flexing. “Be glad you’re not human. Enough dawdling over your lunch. Open your beak and ingurgitate this worm I found earlier.”
Image by Scottslm from Pixabay
slather
“Ruined!” wailed the chef, lamenting over the misshapen mess.
His new assistant wandered over. “Naw, youse got an easy fix.”
“Tell me!”
“Batter it, deep fry it and slather it in ketchup.”
“Inspired! Magnifique! Who taught you that?”
“The chippie, of course.”
escapade
Bob moaned. “Tell me, why does an escapade with you always take us to a graveyard?”
“At least they’re fun,” said Gavin defensively.
“Maybe…” Bob regarded the coffin lid from below. “Though I’m not sure we’ll be having any more.”
scull
“Look!” The warrior grinned at the tiny rowboat. “We can avoid those man-eating fish.”
The rogue frowned. “This is too easy.”
“You’re paranoid.” He climbed in. “I’ll scull. You keep an eye out.”
Halfway across the lake, the rogue squirmed. “Um, are your feet wet?”
nix
“Need any help?” asked the rookie.
“Certainly.” The detective wrenched the trapdoor open. “Check if the stolen gems are down there.”
===
Draped in cobwebs, the rookie said, “Nix. An empty cellar.”
“Damn!”
“Sorry, sir.” Pockets bulging, the rookie shrugged.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that we all have a much better 2021. See you on the other side!
I know stories rank near the top of my list, and there’s always another page to turn. 🙂
I’m glad to hear your partner is recovering well, and I hope the next year will be better for all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Philip! I imagine most of us will want to turn the page on 2020 and not look back…
LikeLiked by 1 person