Second Chances by Nick Quantrill

next page,

Available now, Second Chances is a crime fiction novella set in Hull that is already attracting praise from readers. Influenced by crime fiction heavyweights Ian Rankin and Hull's Robert Edric, Second Chances is set to be a great success. For a taster, see the extract reproduced below, only available on thisisUll.com

Second Chances sees Detective Inspector Coleman investigating the murder of Hull musician John Pearce. Pearce, former front-man of Hull's Britpop heroes, Little Holland, was about to break back into the big time with his new band, The Assassins before his untimely death. Returning from leave the case lands on Coleman's desk, along with the ongoing investigation into the theft of computer equipment from a local firm of solicitors. Unfortunately, the solicitor is an acquaintance of Chief Superintendent McCormack, a man who is eager to see a quick result in both cases. To obtain your free copy contact second-chances@hotmail.co.uk stating whether you'd like to receive the story by email or by regular post.

Extract from Second Chances by Nick Quantrill

The John Pearce case had landed on Coleman's desk earlier that morning, shortly after returning from a family holiday in France. The death of John Pearce would be big news over the forthcoming days. The investigation was to be headed up by Detective Inspector Ellis but a bout of illness had put pay to Chief Superintendent McCormack's plan. As soon as Coleman walked through the door of his home in the Avenues area of Hull, there was a string of messages awaiting his attention.

Coleman enjoyed living in the Avenues area. It offered him easy access to the bolt-holes that he enjoyed; the pubs, music venues and of course the KC Stadium where his team, Hull City, played their home games. His wife, Rachel, had not been overly ecstatic at the number of messages awaiting him. For one thing, he was still officially on leave and for another; there was still a list of DIY tasks to be completed. 'Do you have a minute please, Richard?' asked Chief Superintendent Alan McCormack.

It was a rhetorical question. He stepped into McCormack's office and sat down. The newly appointed Chief Superintendent wasn't proving to be such a tough taskmaster after all. As the Chief Superintendent, who was in his early forties, was only a few years older than Coleman, he hoped that they might even be able to forge an understanding over time. 'I'm not happy with the lack of progress in regard to Lock, Baxter and Smyth.

Whilst it is was a case of stolen property that his team could deal with, it wasn't just any stolen property, it was the stolen property of a friend of the Super's.' 'I'm getting some pressure applied by Julian Smyth and as you know Richard, he is a golf friend of mine...' Coleman sighed to himself. 'I'm sure I don't need to spell it do I, Richard?' continued McCormack. 'No sir, you don't.' he replied warily. 'We're making progress sir.' McCormack's eyes narrowed 'Really Richard, what exactly...' 'DS Maynard has turned up some new leads that we'll be following up in due course.' 'Right. It's clear to me that this is one of a spate of such burglaries. Whilst I don't want to be perceived to be attempting to pull strings for a friend, the situation is starting to get out of hand. I'd like you to take personal control of this, Richard.' 'I do have the suspicious death of the musician, John Pearce, to be getting on with.'

Continued ....next page,

Fiction - Off To See The Wild West Show Part 5 (1886: Hull, Yorkshire) By Frank Beill
	Maybe I'm making things sound as though my new life was intolerable - especially when Jolly Rodgers was around - but the Hull Sailors' Children's Orphanage was not a prison. There were some good times too, especially when our school day was over and our duties were done. In the main we were required to keep the buildings Read more...

Fiction - Invasion By Bob Spence
	Moody just couldn't stop scratching. His shirt was far too stiff at the edge of the collar and the coarse material was driving him to distraction. You could also say that Moody was distracted anyway. He was waiting for a letter from his fiancee and there was none. Read more...

Fiction - Welcome To Hellville - Part 6 By Rich Mills
	Alan relaxed back from the machine and letting his head flop backwards, closed his eyes, and stared into the void at the back of his eyelids. Opening his eyes and raising his head back up to its correct position, he panned the room. Two demijohns Read more...

Fiction - The Death and Birth and Death of a Legend By Bob Spence
	Goober liked to be busy. Some people could handle doing nothing, not Goober Walton. Running the tidy but ancient gasoline concession suited. Suited well. It was orderly and everything clearly had its place. Some would say it looked almost military in its order and for that it Read more...

Fiction - Feller's in Cut By Maurice Fairfield
	Well that's her gone. You don't remember me do you? I'll have a pint while you're thinking about it. It's me Jack, Harry Fergus's son. Here for the funeral. Thought I'd see her get put under. Not sure why. It's always a laugh though, watching a parson doing a Read more...

Fiction - Kat Out of the Bag Chapter Nine By Steve Rudd
	Life is a race against time, didn't you know? Sometimes I'm worn out by my own energy, but as we four walked first towards Langtang, right on through the cosy cluster of weather-beaten buildings and then so far past the village that even the strangely surreal Read more...

Fiction - Fishheads By Michelle Dee
	Monstrous silver and blue -green severed fish heads emerged at the forefront of her mind. Open, close, open, close the gaping mouths. She fancied there were others behind it. Each time the razor sharp teeth were bared she looked into the blacker than Read more...

Fiction - Firm but Fair By Mark Pollard
	Cry-Baby Jim Breaks. He pioneered it, they say. And the hushed, almost ecclesiastical tones of Ken Walton had heralded it's entry into Saturday afternoon folklore: the bright lights of Blackpool and Great Yarmouth, down to the lesser reputes of Ilfracombe and Skegness had all borne witness Read more...

Fiction - Puzzles By Denis Price
	I've got a really nice room, when the door's closed I feel ever so safe and warm. It's quiet as well, just the swish of the wind in the trees outside. I like the trees; they hide the big tall fence. My watchers say the fence is there to keep me safe, and that's their job too, they're always there Read more...

Fiction - COLD WAR TALES- THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS By Denis Price
	The piercing insistent wail of the siren woke him. `For Christ`s sake now what!` Over the tannoy the smooth expensive voice intoned languidly that this was only a drill and that all personnel should continue with their normal duties. He groaned and thought, this is my normal Read more...

Fiction - Scrawls Of The Unexpected By Mark Pollard
	Professor Colin Pillinger, lead scientist on the Beagle II programme, was calm but well pissed off inside. He had been clinging to the idea that his £35 million Mars Probe was stuck in a crater, waiting for some narrow rays of sunlight to banish the shade for a few precious hours each day in order that Read more...

Fiction - A Short Story - The Beaver Stalker By The J.E.M. Cult
	I stepped out into the cold frosty air. I pulled my muffler tighter round my hands and crunched across the frozen grass. Today was the first day of the beaver season- and by golly, I was sure gonna get me one. I love beavers. I can't help it. There's just something about stroking that damp fur that sends me Read more...

Fiction - The Art Of Being Alone In A Crowded Bar By Rich Mills
	What music are you into, man? The American exchange student who had earlier introduced himself, without any regard for Jean-Paul's need to be alone, suddenly threw a curve-ball of a question in his direction. Well I listen to... What followed was a definitive list of bands from Jean-Paul's wide ranging rare vinyl Read more...