Showing results by author "R. M." in All Categories

John Rehurt had envisioned a serene afternoon, savouring a warm cup of coffee amidst the refined ambience of The Pavilion tea rooms in Rowlands Castle. Its charming decor, with delicate floral arrangements and soft, golden light filtering through the windows, provided the perfect backdrop for a moment of relaxation. However, tranquillity was abruptly shattered when three masked gunmen stormed in, intent on seizing the local MP, who was engaged in one of his constituency surgeries at the quaint establishment. Without a moment's hesitation, John sprang into action, drawing upon the martial ...

In the quaint town of Westbourne, nestled in the rolling hills of West Sussex, the rain often became an unwelcome companion, casting a grey pall over the cobblestone streets. But for Professor John Castellanos, a seasoned academic with a penchant for dusty books and ancient history, the relentless drizzle was merely an invitation for adventure. With a gentle nudge from the local bookshop owner, Mrs. Harper, John decided to trade the damp confines of his cottage for the sun-drenched sands of Egypt, where the secrets of the past awaited discovery. What began as a simple escape from the dreary...

In the tranquil village of Westbourne, nestled in the picturesque countryside of West Sussex, Professor John Castellanos savours his quiet retirement, immersing himself in the solace of books and cherished memories. Known for his sharp intellect and enduring dedication to his students, John finds solace in the routine of his days, far removed from the world of academia that once defined him. However, everything changes with the arrival of an unexpected letter, one that carries not only the echoes of a past student but also a chilling urgency that stirs his long-dormant instincts. Jenny ...

As Professor Castellanos ventures to the renowned British Natural History Museum, he is eager to immerse himself in the insights of the celebrated ecologist Dr. Yujool, who is set to deliver a captivating lecture on her latest explorations in the frigid Arctic Circle. However, upon his arrival, he is confronted with what initially appears to be a devastating accident. The scene is chaotic, a stark contrast to the intellectual atmosphere he expected. Yet, as Castellanos observes more closely, his keen instincts kick in, and he begins to unravel a chilling narrative hidden beneath the surface...

In the heart of Paris, where music and art intertwine beneath the glow of the Eiffel Tower, Ava Sinclair walks into a jazz club for nothing more than a quiet drink—but fate has other plans. Across the room sits Damien Rousseau, a world-renowned pianist with a past as dark as the melodies he plays. His music is intoxicating. His gaze? Devastating. When Damien sends Ava a drink, it’s more than an invitation—it’s a challenge.

Unravel the Mystery in “Nest of Vipers: A John Rehurt Adventure”! Are you ready for a thrilling ride? Dive into the heart-pounding world of espionage with John Rehurt, a retired British operative who thought he had left his dangerous past behind. But when a midnight disturbance shatters the tranquillity of Emsworth, Rehurt is thrust back into a nightmare he thought he'd escaped. In "Nest of Vipers," danger lurks in the shadows as mercenaries invade his peaceful life. Armed with only his wits and a hidden arsenal of skills, Rehurt must outsmart seasoned assassins who underestimate him—...

In the hallowed halls of Oxford University, where centuries of knowledge and tradition intertwine, the night was cloaked in an unsettling tranquillity. As moonlight spilled through stained glass windows, illuminating the dust motes swirling like forgotten whispers, the grand library echoed with the soft sounds of strategy and rivalry. Here, two young scholars engaged in a battle of wits over a chessboard, unaware that the true game unfolding would test not only their intellect but their very lives. With each move, the air buzzed with the excitement of competition, but that atmosphere ...

An ancient esoteric relic, once used by Elizabethan Magician John Dee in his infamous occult rituals, attracts a deadly interest from the clandestine world of outsourced military operations and leads Antiquarian and former Scottish Military hero, Tavish Stewart, to uncover a global conspiracy to control world leaders and enslave the whole of humanity. Stewart's discovery leads him, and his friends, into a race across the globe to locate ancient maps, mysterious lost cities, magical relics and a forgotten civilisation so ancient and advanced that it would rewrite human history. Stewart must ...

For the first time, the complete works of M. R. James are available to download in one collection. This unabridged collection of all M.R. James' ghost stories includes tales from Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, More Ghost Stories, A Thin Ghost and Others, and A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories. It is expertly read by award-winning narrator Jonathan Keeble.

While Soren’s reunion with Dana is happy, it’s a single pinprick of light in an otherwise grim present. With war raging and the fate of millions at risk, the Wraith reaches what Soren hopes will be their final destination.

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius". Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh. Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up.

In the sun-drenched Aegean, the idyllic charm of a Greek island masks a chilling secret. Father Thomas O'Neill, a seasoned priest with a penchant for the paranormal, arrives to investigate reports of bizarre behaviour among a handful of villagers. But as he and his unusual companion, Ezekiel—the formidable exorcist cat with a nose for imbalance—delve deeper, they uncover a sinister undercurrent threatening to engulf the tranquil shores. With tales of possession swirling around the local taverns and a mysterious chemical leak raising alarm, Father O'Neill must untangle a web of deception...

Unravel the Mystery of the Blackwood Curse! Step into the spine-chilling world of The Blackwood Curse, a gripping tale that blends folklore, suspense, and the haunting whispers of a village on the brink of terror. In the idyllic English village of Warblington, tradition collides with the uncanny when the peaceful life is shattered by the inexplicable death of a beloved librarian, Miss Eleanor Ainsworth. With no clear cause of death and peculiar marks on her neck, the local police find themselves at a loss. Enter Professor Karl Murphy, a retired folklore expert, whose knowledge of myth and ...

In a world where ancient secrets lie buried beneath the weight of time, Professor Alden sat in the twilight of his scholarly pursuits, surrounded by dusty tomes and fading memories of a once-vibrant academic life. The damp chill of a rainy night enveloped his study, reflecting the loneliness that had settled into the crevices of his heart. As the clock struck midnight, marking the hour when mysteries often unravelled, an unexpected gust of wind heralded the arrival of a long-forgotten treasure—a book that would awaken an insatiable curiosity and reignite the embers of adventure within the...

In the shadowy recesses of Old Bedhampton lies a tale steeped in gothic horror, a chilling narrative that beckons to those daring enough to confront the darkness nestled within the grand Manor House. The Crimson Legacy intertwines the rich tapestry of history with the sinister threads of family secrets and ancient curses, inviting readers to traverse a landscape where whispers of the past echo in the silence of dust-laden halls. Lady Catherine Fairchild, the haunting matriarch, looms large over this tale, her Specter entwined with the sinister legacy of the Fairchilds. As the veil between ...

Discover the Unravelling Mystery of "The Causality Glitch"! In a world overwhelmed by data, one man dares to dig deeper. Professor Alistair Wilson, a once-renowned scientist now lost in the shadows of retirement, obsessively sifts through streams of information not just to find answers, but to unveil the profound stories hidden within. With his groundbreaking creation, the Chimera Engine, he sets out to decode the enigma of randomness itself. But as a fierce storm brews both outside and within Wilson's mind, he stumbles upon an anomaly that could change everything. Whispers of conspiracy ...

Step into the thrilling world of international espionage with Dame Cynthia Sinclair, the brilliant and elegant head of the British Secret Intelligence Service! From her stunning office overlooking the Thames, Dame Cynthia faces formidable adversaries and unravels intricate plots that threaten global security. Whether confronting Russian agents or corporate espionage, Dame Cynthia remains calm under pressure and is always one step ahead. Her adventures take her from the bustling streets of Berlin to clandestine meetings in Moscow and Washington, D.C. Along the way, she faces physical danger ...

[In a previous John Rehurt adventure, "Agent Red", I described what could happen if the American President had become a Russian asset, allowing the KGB to control American policy. This story got me feedback from my US readership, so I thought it would only be fair to have a British-themed exploration.] In "Traitors At The Top," retired covert operative John Rehurt finds solace in the comfort of his armchair and an ancient biography, reflecting on the weight of history and his own life experiences. As he immerses himself in tales of valour and betrayal, the tranquillity of his apartment is ...

Please note: the plot of this short story was inspired by one of the many conspiracy theories circulating on the Internet. I thought it would make for an interesting short spy story. No implication is intended regarding the reality of this scenario. In Agent Red, the unthinkable has finally occurred. In the ultimate intelligence coup, Russia has placed one of their own assets into the presidency of the most powerful nation on earth, intent on destabilising western democracies and the rule of law. Former British intelligence agent John Rehurt's peaceful retirement along the seaside of ...

Beneath the shimmering surface of the Venetian lagoon lies a world where secrets lie buried and shadows whisper tales of the past. The moon hung low that fateful night, casting an ethereal glow over the crumbling remains of an ancient nunnery, a place long forgotten and marked by a 19th-century papal decree. It stood as a silent guardian of dark histories, echoing with the footsteps of those who once tread its halls and cloistered in mysteries now cloaked in dust. As the clock struck three, a witching hour when the veil between the living and the dead grows perilously thin, three daring ...