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Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter One
CHAPTER ONEThe boy runs headlong across the beach. There is the sound of music on the air, The Beatles are singing a song about a walrus and an egg-man, and it drifts from the promenade above, turned tinny by the transistor radio. The gulls are also demanding attention, wheeling overhead as wind currents determine their path across the flat grey sky.Then there is the ocean, it sucks and slurps on the pebbles and shale, a drawn out hiss marking its advance and retreat.All of these things are secondary to the boy’s sobs. They are the sounds of grief, the sound of loss. His heart is a stone in his chest, his throat raw with the screams of despair at the recent, awful news that has been brought to their door by a coastguard whose face was ashen with shock.His father is dead. The man he looked up to, the man who kept him safe, made him laugh with terrible jokes, now gone claimed by the sea. The breeze hits his face, his eyes are already blurred with tears but now they are stinging
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWOBeatrice Beecham checked her Smartphone and the vibrant screen told her two things. First, the timer was three minutes and ten seconds away from setting off the alarm to let her know the lamb roast would need to come out and rest before carving. Secondly, it told her there was a text message from Lucas Walker, the boy she had been dating for the past year, asking her if dinner was ready.Beatrice turned around. “Will you stop doing that?”“Doing what?” Lucas said. His grin made it clear that he knew exactly “what” she meant.“Sending me texts when you’re three feet away,” she said.“What can I say?” He flashed her a disarming smile. “The art of conversation died with the birth of the emoji.”She fought back a chuckle, helped by the alarm on her Smartphone bleeping urgently.Beatrice went for a pair of Masterchef oven gloves on the grey, marbled work surface. “Lucas Walker, you’ll never understand just how stressful it is having someone standing over you when you’re t
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREECooper’s Cove lay a mile to the east of Dorsal Finn’s harbour. As with other areas in the town, the large cave, accessible only at low tide, had bad folklore attached to it. The place was known locally as Coven Cove, and its association with witchcraft was no secret amongst the older generations. They took delight—especially around Halloween—in scaring kids with talk about the coven of witches who used to frequent the area, one of whom allegedly wrote The Book of Shadows, a grimoire of great power.The author was thought to be one Delores Mellor who, along with her four other coven members, died at the hands of the Witchfinder General in the 18thCentury. Summer tourists often came to the cove, fascinated with its macabre history. For, although the true nature of the tales surrounding it was fantastic, it was also a fact that five women had actually died as a result of a witch trial, and such an event would only continue to serve to fascinate.And, in part, the qu
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Four
CHAPTER FOURElmo stood outside the gates of Dorsal Finn High School, his large frame clad in his usual black tee-shirt, blue jeans and training shoes. Deep in thought, he considered what he’d witnessed during the game.At first, things were going as predicted, with his school team scoring early in the first half, and fellow Newshound, Emily, making two crucial saves as the opposition sought to reassert itself with an equaliser. By half time, however, the home team were two goals to nil up.Then came the second half and things went kind of weird. Well, even Elmo knew this was a colossal understatement. By the first fifteen minutes, AOS FC had smashed four goals past Emily before she was substituted. Then Millie Weatheroak put away three more. End result: seven goals to two, and quite possibly the most humiliating defeat in a long, long time.It was not this that had Elmo mulling things over in his quiet, considered brain, though. It was a concern for Emily. Because even before she
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Five
CHAPTER FIVEPrimrose Meadowsweet typedout a memo onto her PC. Her delicate fingers danced across the keys as staccato clicks filled the air. Her face was a pallid mask, and her black hair was styled into an acute shoulder-length bob.Her desk was situated in a small, rectangular office that had a door at one end, and Gideon Codd’s chambers at the other. The walls were smattered with photographs of cats. There were black cats, white cats, tortoise-shell cats, kittens with balls of wool, or peeking out from baskets and armchairs.She had two cats back at her small cottage on the outskirts of town. Laurel and Hardy were Siamese and sole companions in her sedate and uncomplicated life. The appeal of the feline lifestyle had fascinated her from an early age. The only daughter of a civil servant and a primary school teacher, Primrose was brought up in a home that was appropriately polite and straight-laced. Her mother was prim and proper. She was not that experienced in the world o
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Six
CHAPTER SIXEmily realised somethingwas wrong before she climbed out of bed. She’d instinctively reached for the bedside lamp—a cumbersome thing shaped like a football boot—and found that there was already something illuminating her bedroom.But it wasn’t her bedroom, was it?No soccer posters or laptops and books on shelves. Instead, there was only a cramped space, thrown into uncertain shapes of brown and deep shadow by the sputtering candle on a small stand next to her cot. The walls were made up of horizontal planks of wood, the grooves where each plank joined was a dark scar that wept sea water. The whole room reeked of forest and ocean.Her heart thudded in her chest, matching her fierce curiosity. She threw off the coarse blanket and slipped out of the cot. Beneath her feet, the floor was warm and unpleasant, as though she was not on a ship but in the belly of a great creature that had somehow swallowed her whole while she’d slept.She stood, moving tentatively across
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVENAs the rest of the town was slowly waking up, a lone figure traipsed across the swirling grasslands of The Bluff.Edward Chorley had cropped blonde hair, his mop of fringe hid a whirling scar where, not too long ago, he’d come off second best to a piece of driftwood brandished by a certain Beatrice Beecham. His eyes were ocean blue and glittered with mischief. His right ear poked out more than his left, as though he’d slept on it while it was folded over once too often. His nose was broad, his build stocky, but he was best known for his mean streak, which ran deep and wide.Edward lived with his mother in a fisherman’s cottage on Harbinger Street, a ten-minute walk from anywhere decent in the town, and renowned for the ever-present reek of gutted fish from the market. For Edward, there was no better place than the lighthouse on The Bluff.To those who knew the town of old, the place was called Monument Point, named after the lowly piece of granite commemorating the cr
Last Updated : 2021-09-06Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Eight
CHAPTER EIGHTKhaldun pulled hiscar up at the wrought iron gates. Through the thick, black railings, the yellow gravel of Bramwell Hall’s driveway could be seen like a jaundiced river snaking through well-kept hedges and lawns.He dropped his window and hit the intercom, a small grilled box with a large white button. There was a burst of static, and then a soft-yet-firm male voice came through the grill.“Pontefract residence. May I ask who is calling?”Khaldun introduced himself.“Very good, sir,” said the voice. “Can you please park at the front of the house.”There was a clunk, then a click, and Khaldun watched as the huge gates opened inwards, accompanied by a series of rattles and squeaks. It took a minute to drive up to the hall. The building loomed from behind a line of oak trees, its squared corner turrets making the most of its heritage with added pennants. There was a large circle in front of the main entrance, and in the centre of it, a stone fountain shaped in t
Last Updated : 2021-09-06
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Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Connect with CLP
Hi, readers. It makes our day to know you reached the end of our book. Thank you so much. This is why we do what we do every single day.Whether you found the book good or great, we’d love to hear what you thought. Please take a moment to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or anywhere else readers visit. Reviews go a long way to helping a book sell, and will help us to continue publishing quality books. You can also share a photo of yourself holding this book with the hashtag #IGotMyCLPBook!Thank you again for taking the time to journey with Crystal Lake Publishing.We are also on . . .WebsiteBe sure to sign up for our newsletter and receive two free eBooksBooksTwitterFacebookPinterestInstagramPatreonYouTubeWe’d love to hear from you.Or check out other Crystal Lake Publishing books for your Dark Fiction, Horror, Suspense, and Thriller needs.With unmatched success since 2012, Crystal Lake Publishing has quickly become one of the world’s leading indie publis
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Beatrice Beecham’s Cryptic Crypt
BEATRICE BEECHAM’S CRYPTIC CRYPT©2016 Dave JefferyPROLOGUEUnlocking EvilThe shop has been in existence for over thirty years, its huge plate glass window a lidless eye gazing out upon an ever changing street. The window has watched a country turn into something quite unrecognisable—quite incomprehensible. Where there had once been chaos, there is now order. Where there had once been civilisation, there is now only brutality. This is a country that has lost its soul in a quest to find a heart. This is a country in the cold, unyielding grip of Nazi doctrine: cruelty in the name of order.This is Vienna, Austria, 1941.Vienna is now an extension of Nazi Germany, since its annexation by the German army in 1938. A climate of oppression is symbolised all around the plaza; the quiet streets, citizens exiled by the evening curfew. Huge flags are draped from the third floor window of the Heldenplatz; bent, black crosses encircled in white, and languishing on a field of blood red.Swa
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows The end?
THE END?Not quite ... Have you tried Beatrice Beecham’s Cryptic Crypt: A Supernatural Adventure/Mystery Novelby Dave Jeffery? We included an excerpt from the book if you keep paging.Or dive into more Tales from the Darkest Depths:Novels:The Mourner’s Cradle: A Widow’s Journeyby Tommy B. SmithHouse of Sighs(with sequel novella) by Aaron DriesBeyond Night by Eric S. Brown and Steven L. ShrewsburyThe Third Twin: A Dark Psychological Thrillerby Darren SpeegleAletheia: A Supernatural Thrillerby J.S. BreukelaarWhere the Dead Go to Dieby Mark Allan Gunnells and Aaron DriesSarah Killian: Serial Killer (For Hire!)by Mark SheldonThe Final Cut by Jasper BarkBlackwater Valby William GormanPretty Little Dead Girls: A Novel of Murder and Whimsy by Mercedes M. YardleyNameless: The Darkness Comes by Mercedes M. YardleyNovellas:A Season in Hellby Kenneth W. CainQuiet Places: A Novella of Cosmic Folk Ho
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHORDave Jeffery is author of 12 novels, two collections and numerous short stories. His Necropolis Rising series and yeti adventure Frostbite have both featured on the Amazon #1 bestseller list. His YA work features critically acclaimed Beatrice Beecham series and Finding Jericho, a contemporary mental health novel which has featured on the BBC Health and the Independent Schools Entrance Examination Board’s recommended reading lists. Jeffery is a member of the Society of Authors, British Fantasy Society (where he is a regular book reviewer), and the Horror Writers Association. He is also a registered mental health professional with a BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Studies and a Master’s Degree in Health Studies. Jeffery is married with two children and lives in Worcestershire, UK.
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Twenty-four
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURIn the followingdays, the town of Dorsal Finn did what it did best, it healed. Part of this process involved embracing the nuances that came with living in the town, whilst on another level it meant denying a fair few things too.Some things were hard to deny, the tragedy of the many lives lost on the night The Spirit of the Oceanwas claimed by the sea. The reasons for its loss were compiled by Trevor, the only surviving crew member, and supported by his adamant witnesses, that for reasons unknown, a great explosion occurred in the lower decks, sinking the vessel within minutes.In claiming ignorance, Trevor was able to fudge the detail, and while he was never able to return to the sea as a crewman, he did have more adventures, thanks to his friendship with Claire, and a new TV show called ‘Perils of the Sea’ where he acted as a consultant, and her co-presenter. Before she left town, Claire had made Thomas a promise to return once a year and they woul
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Twenty-three
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEAgnes wrinkled hernose despite the heavy scarf wrapped around her face.“Just when I thought we couldn’t sink any lower,” she said. Even though her voice was muffled, it bounced around the sewer tunnel, a narrow passageway of red bricks that stretched off into a seemingly infinite gloom.“I dunno,” said Dennis. He was up ahead, a handkerchief tied around his face, which made him look like a cowboy from an old movie. “I’ve drunk in worse places than this.”“You’re aware that fact surprises no one?” Albert said from in front of Dennis. He had his own mask, a heavy towel draped over his head and around his mouth like some flannel balaclava.“Let’s keep goin’,” Maud said from behind Agnes. The hideous wheeze of a gas mask respirator punctuated her words. “I ain’t sure if what’s niffin’ out there can be worse than the smell of rubber in this here headpiece.”Albert rubbed at his face. “Believe me, Maud, what’s out here is worse.”He had used the paraffin la
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Twenty-two
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOThe fog inthe streets made the drive to the library slow going, the density reflecting the headlamps to such a degree that Albert turned them off and used only sidelights.Sitting forward, he peered through the windscreen.“This isn’t normal,” he muttered.“Damn right,” said Dennis. “Normal is a night in the Salty Sailor drinkin’ pints of Cinder’s Cider until ye can’t tell difference between the landlord and a coat stand.”“How did we ever become friends?” Albert said.Before Dennis could reply, a shadow crossed in front of the car, forcing Albert to stamp on the brakes. Dennis whacked his head off the windscreen and cursed profusely as he rubbed his forehead.“Another piece of drivin’ like that an’ we ain’t goin’ to be friends much long after,” he grumbled.“I almost hit someone,” Albert said. His hands were gripping the wheel, and he’d stalled the engine. “Guess I’d fail if this was my driving test.”“That’s assumin’ ye ever took a test in the first
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Twenty-one
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONEThe man by the fire watched as a despondent Beatrice paced the sitting room. Twice she had appeared as though she intended to stomp out of the house, but the internal battle to go or remain always brought her back into the room where she would loudly air her frustrations.“I have to get out of here,” she said. “Surely I can’t be expected to do nothing?”“If you leave and Lucas finds this place, he will die,” the man said. “You will have to live with the fact that your actions were to blame.”Beatrice stopped pacing. She eyed the man with contempt. “He’s as good as dead now, though, right? I’ll never be with him. He’ll be gone forever.”The man offered her a forlorn smile. “The smallest of things can bring the greatest joys,” he said. “Objects of desire are made so by what we ascribe to them.”He looked down at his coat, and plucked a button from it as though it were a berry from a burgeoning fruit bush.He put it in his palm and held it out to her, and in the
Beatrice Beecham's Ship of Shadows Chapter Twenty
CHAPTER TWENTYFalling, the sensationin her stomach was akin to going over the world’s largest speed bump. Beatrice had no concept of time or place, no affiliation with the laws of normality. There was just the sensation of a hundred butterflies in her belly.No sooner had she cleared the boat when the terrible rage that had consumed her vanished. The distance between her and Emily acted as a fire blanket, smothering the flames and leaving behind serenity, and the sensation of flight. She did not question it; she merely welcomed the innate, pervading peace.As she fell, she began to see a change in the fabric of darkness, as though a distant light was somehow eating into the blackness. She made out shapes below her, structures that seemed both familiar and alien in the same instant. They also appeared to have symmetry, either lined or blocked. As these shapes came into view she found herself looking down on an ancient town, the buildings in ruins, the streets nothing but strip
