Powderfinger
Nick
Swann Investigates Book 1
by
Keller Yeats
Genre:
Horror
"Powderfinger"
is a present-day scary horror story set mainly on the decrepit,
abandoned but soon to be redeveloped, bank of an old canal between
two towns. It centres on an old tar works known as Raven's Gate. Nick
Swann is a world weary mid-forties widower and Assistant Probation
Warden at St Joseph's Hostel for young male criminals, situated
overlooking the canal and Raven's Gate. A woman is brutally killed on
the bank opposite the Hostel on a night when Nick is on duty. Nick
believes his lads had nothing to do with it, though consequently Nick
is suspended for issuing too many late passes at once. Then another
woman is killed and Nick becomes drawn into discovering the culprit.
He works with DCI Findlay and DS Deacon as the murder toll rises.
Together with help from his old friends Alan and Hugo, Nick's
research uncovers a long series of similar murders in the same area,
stretching back through the centuries. "Powderfinger" as
the killer is dubbed, appears to be some kind of ancient mellifluous,
malevolent, murderous being that attacks anyone it considers to be
disturbing its peace and quiet. Eventually, as the story climaxes,
Findlay, Deacon, Nick and Alan set a trap to lure "Powderfinger"
to his doom and rid the area of this beast once and for all. Yet,
traps can swing both ways.
Wyndwrayth
Nick
Swann Investigates Book 2
This
is the second horror novel in the Nick Swann series. This scary story
finds Nick now living in an old stone farmhouse on the lonely and
mysterious shores of Llyn Isaf, in Wales. He becomes intrigued by its
mist-covered lake island, Ynys Y Niwl and its dark, ancient and long
deserted mansion, Wyndwrayth.
Its
moldering edifice holds many secrets and treasures, some of which
draw Nick and his old friend Alan, into dangerous realms. Death
stalks the island and as the dangerous spectral figures of The Millar
of Souls, The Paladin and Gideon reveal themselves, it becomes
increasingly difficult to discern between reality and dreams.
As
the death toll rises, Nick finds himself, along with his new partner,
Wendy and her Wolf, Mir embroiled in a struggle not just to maintain
sanity but to stay alive.
Keller
Yeats is a writer with a love of history and music. He has written
several published articles about rock music and several unpublished
short stories. He drew upon his years of experience working as a
Probation Warden, for his first published novel, "Powderfinger."
A horror story with a supernatural twist. "Wyndwrayth" is
his second novel in this Nick Swann researches and investigates
series, with more to come. In addition, he is a published graphic
artist and a qualified, though no longer practicing, jewellery maker
and designer. He now lives together with his wife, a Siberian Husky,
a Welsh Collie and three cats, in a cottage by the sea in Anglesey.
GUEST POST
If
you knew you were going to die tomorrow, how would you spend your
last day?
“Going
to die tomorrow? Then you need, the all new 24 hour planner from,
Die-tel. This revolutionary, brand spanking new App, allows totally
unmitigated Hedonism on your part for a period of 24 hours, with no
repercussions ever being levelled against you.”
“Supoib!”
“Waiter,
bring me some of your finest Braising Steak, a few pints of Draught
Guinness and a large portion of Jersey Royal New Potatoes. I fancy a
real blowout for my last day and while you’re at it, I’ll have
four scoops of vanilla ice cream, served in a chilled, glass, ice
cream sundae dish with chocolate sprinkles…Belgian chocolate.”
Did
somebody mention music? Well considering the limited time span, that
we’re dealing with here, I’d go for something both poignant,
beautiful and highly melodic, like The Cowboy Junkies playlist that I
put together some years ago. This band got me through the loss of my
17 year old Border Collie and his chum, who passed on 5 years later
at the age of 16.
If
this music, could get me through a traumatic set of circumstances
like that, it will hopefully allow me a peaceful, pain free passage,
through my own end game. Of course, a few Morphine tablets and a gun
would be a useful back up, just in case some God botherer, tries to
interfere in my chosen method of demise.
What
is something unique/quirky about you?
I
like to wear pants with beautiful patterns on them.
What
are some of your pet peeves?
People
who extend their vowels needlessly; people who drop litter,
particularly guys who leave male spoor (empty cans of beer) in the
countryside; money worshippers; people who continuously use their
mobile phone in company and leave it switched on in a restaurant,
library or cinema.
Where
were you born/grew up at?
Born
Planet Earth. No one grows up until a second before death – that’s
why the world is such a mess!
Who
is your hero and why?
My
wife for putting up with me and my editor for making sense of my
work!
What
kind of world ruler would you be?
Benevolent
Dictator.
What
are you passionate about these days?
Ecology,
the environment and animal welfare.
What
do you do to unwind and relax?
Listen
to Music, watch Rugby League, Cycling or American Football.
Describe
yourself in 5 words or less!
Alternative;
Bohemian.
When
did you first consider yourself a writer?
Aged
12, when my English tutor, Miss Wilkinson, whilst praising an essay
I’d written, commented that she was looking forward to reading my
first novel – and she meant it! Amazing! Miss Wilkinson was one
of those tutors you remember all your life because they inspired
confidence and belief that you can succeed.
Which
of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
When
I write, I automatically see my words in the form of a movie in my
mind. So, both “Powderfinger” and Wyndwrayth would be perfect
for cinema.
As
a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A
Wolf!
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