Summerabbacat

It certainly appears Razi is the murderer, but this may be where @Josh Aterovis has his greatest guffaw yet. Aterovisian laughter heard all around the world. He wants us to think Razi is the killer to hide the identity of the real killer, Carmen. Yes, that Carmen. Born Carmine Tennanbaum, into a prominent Argentine Jewish family, a family who suffered greatly at the hands of Fenton Black, born Guillermo Morales, a notorious anti-Semite who collaborated with corrupt government officials in Argentina in the 1970's to torture and kill civilians who disagreed with the government of the day. Fenton got a great thrill out of this, and enjoyed it even more if the victims were Jewish. Then again, I still have not completely eliminated Elvis or Tronald Dump, an arch enemy of Fenton's who was using Paul to get to Fenton, until Paul began to suspect him of some shady dealings too, along with his wife, Melange Karshadianskaya, a former model and Hare Krishna devotee, whose favourite colour remains orange.

We are like minded individuals @grinningdog, the human animals are the least appealing, and ALWAYS the most troublesome.

Uncle Phil, a pillar of the community; a rapist, possibly rapist of an underage teenager as we don't know for sure what age Daniel was when Uncle Phil raped him. Raped him on camera to "appeal" to those who would get off on it. Sick, sick fuckers. When Uncle Phil goes down I hope he is NOT put into protective custody. No one will hear him scream his first time. Daniel will have to be monitored very closely, particularly when he starts taking his medication. I am pleased his psychiatrist wanted to see him in 2 weeks to check on the efficacy of the medication.

I agree with a number of my fellow readers who have aired their scepticism regarding Miguel's interest in Hunter. He may be telling the truth that he has a desire for a genuine friendship, one based on who he is rather than what others' think he is. Time will tell. And I have to agree with @andy cannon and his shout out to Max. Max will be Hunter's most loyal friend, and likely protector too. I was very impressed Hunter insisted his dog must be a rescue from a shelter, and not a lapdog or a purse pet.

I think it has to be Razi @drsawzall, solely because his presence in the story serves no other purpose. Killian learned virtually nothing about Paul when he visited Razi's apartment, and what little he learned on that occasion he learned from Tad. Razi may have been jealous of Paul because Fenton had wanted to date him, so Razi killed him in a jealous rage. Now as to why he killed Fenton, perhaps Razi wanted in on Fenton's criminal activities but had been rebuffed. If Razi is not the killer, then I think it was either Elvis or Paul's brother, James. James may have murdered his brother in a pious rant, raging against him for his "sinful ways" and a perceived "shame" he brought on the family. He then murdered Fenton because he blamed him for leading his brother astray. He could also be a self-hating closet case who killed Paul in a jealous rage because he had chosen to live his life authentically, and then killed Fenton because he had killed Paul. Absolutely riveting @Josh Aterovis.

The story performed even better than you were led to believe for its debut.

No, he does not remind me of anyone. His rude and aggressive behaviour towards Kris irritated me even more than his similar behaviour towards Leah. I am finding him insufferable at present, particularly when one compares what Kris has on his plate in comparison. Dean should just "shit or get off the pot". LOL.

It will take a major attitudinal adjustment for Dean to admit his dishonesty to Leah. I may be too harsh, but I don't really think he either cares or is aware of the feelings of others as he is too wrapped up in feeling sorry for himself. I got the impression she almost enjoyed "rubbing Leah's face in it". I have a particularly amusing female friend who has on occasion said to me that women are far nastier to each other than a man would ever be, and are invariably very competitive with each other for attention. Jenna and Leah? Scissor sisters?

I had forgotten about Uncle Mark and Stephen's decisive action. I have not slipped on the steps carrying laundry, but I fainted in the bathroom whilst taking washing out of the front loader washing machine, and fallen and bashed my head on the freestanding handbasin and the sharp tiled edge around the spa bath. 15 and a half years later I still have problems with my balance at times so I can understand Stephen's misstep. Perhaps Michael could be in the swimming and Stephen in the shooting (if that is an Olympic sport).

Pete's younger brother, Alex, is a little horndog. I wonder if either he or Dennis think they might be gay or bi-curious, or are they just horny teens? Is it my imagination @Lee Wilson or is Stephen a little accident prone or clumsy? I cannot recall if his eyes are amongst one of his physical deformities? If not, perhaps they need checking (I cannot remember if he wears glasses or contact lenses). Michael's swimming times are certainly impressive. Is he Olympics bound?

A debut at # 5 in the Most Read Mystery for the month ending 28/11/25 on GA. Quite an impressive feat @Robert Hugill given you have only published three chapters to date. The "boys" were right in singing it's praises early, it appears to be another winner. Well done again.

This story debuted at #2 in the Most Read Mystery and # 4 in the Most Read Adventure for the month ending 28/11/25 on GA @Mark Ponyboy Peters. And I note that our fellow Aussie, @Paladin, is in the top 10 again for the Most Read Mystery at #9. An impressive achievement from both of you again, you little "Aussie battlers". Now where's bloody Deirdre Chambers? Probably off gossiping with your cousin Primrose @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

I can only but live in hope that "sacrifice" has orange hair and is demented.

"For a second, the parking lot seemed to tilt. I wasn’t really looking at him. I was looking at a memory." OMG, I know that feeling well. If I stand on an uneven surface, a sloping footpath, a dining chair or table, or my stepladder at times, the earth seems to tilt noticeably, although fortunately usually only momentarily. What a refreshing group of middle-aged men, self-deprecating and seemingly at ease with their various health issues or life restrictions. Gay men are often so youth-obsessed, whereas this lot seem to be coping quite well with advancing age, or maybe they are just better at hiding it, mocking themselves for their limitations to hide their fears and/or disappointments. Terrific start to this story @ChromedOutCortex.

Perhaps it is indicative of what an intolerant, judgmental and somewhat misanthropic bastard I am (not all the time though), but Dean really pissed me off in this chapter. I have had a gut full of his pity party, his rude and at times aggressive behaviour (not just to Leah, but to Kris too), and his lack of consideration for the feelings others (not just Leah, but Kris too). He has used Leah to try to prove to himself he is a "man", and I suspect he will use Kris too. For Dean life is all about Dean, poor broken-hearted and abused-by-Daddy Dean. Well do something about it bitch and until you sort yourself out, stay the fuck out of other peoples' lives, people to whom you only bring misery. Go and be miserable on your own time. Now I have finished venting (I was furious when I read this story about 17 hours ago), I do hope Dean can overcome his self-pity and self-doubt and embrace his true self, if in fact his true self is gay. He may genuinely be bisexual, and if he is, then embrace that too.

Russ takes a star turn on his own and does rather well. His appreciation for his biological family increases as they are placed on more equal footing, with his brother removing the long held chip from his shoulder and taking an interest in Russ' life and not being so defensive. Some new friendships are forged, but it's not all ha ha hee hee, as Russ experiences racism and homophobia Irish style (or lack thereof). And of course, the weather is bloody awful, wet, cold, wet, cold and wet and cold, unless of course you like it wet and cold. Another tasty morsel from the pen of @Robert Hugill. Given its short duration it's more an entree or an appetiser, but it's equally delicious and fulfilling as a main. "Eat" it and enjoy.

A little less lip gloss and less pout and it's k. d. lang @Josh Aterovis.

Damn, the story status changed to 'Completed' as I wrote the comment above (at least I think it happened after I started writing it). I wondered why @Gary L, the Viscount of Valencia, referred to it is a "side story". Perhaps it was already 'Completed' and I did not notice. I guess it is a logical place for the story to conclude given Russ has returned from Ireland. I have wanted to post this song throughout this story, but now it seems very apropos. Wonderful song from a singer I rather like much of the time.

He has indeed @Gary L, but @Robert Hugill has cleverly made those changes occur slowly over a period of time, a little like someone who has a little cosmetic refreshment here and there to retain their youthful appearance, rather than industrial-strength cosmetic procedures where they go from looking 75 to 35 (and look ridiculous). This chapter found Russ embracing some quite daring social interactions; having his PA, Felicity, accompany him to a charity fund raiser, much to her delight, and setting up a holiday where Russ will meet Arman's family when they holiday together in Ireland. But the highlight of the chapter was the serious discussion of the family of four moving to buy a property together, one which would accommodate their individual needs, as well as frequent joint "activities". Any story featuring Brian, Gordon, Russ and/or Toby will be most welcomed by "the faithful" @Robert Hugill.

AC Barrett is scum, and if those who have hushed up his indiscretions in the past knew of his real proclivities, they should be charged with enabling his criminal behaviour. It has a familiar ring to it, the protection of child rapists within the Catholic Church. Casey could prove very useful to the police case against not only Jarvis, but also hopefully an investigation into and the prosecution of AC Barrett, Azzopardi and Ryan at least. This of course makes him very dangerous to them and a wanted boy, a target for a hit. I just hope he will not become another victim like Greg Walls @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Rick once again showed his acute observations and quick thinking by recognising Casey's reactions in the courtroom and then following him. Before this story concludes I hope it is recognised what an asset he is. The stench of corruption was very present in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. My favourite non-emotional scene was Judge Price's very polite "fuck you" to Roderick Carlton QC.

He may not have been given the opportunity to reveal this yet @refueling835; @Josh Aterovis may be waiting to reveal this juicy tidbit of information only after he has had a good laugh at all the speculations of we readers. I don't really think it is Fenton Black though as that would be too good to be true. I also want to see him suffer the indignity of being arrested and scorned, reviled in the court of public opinion. Given his Argentinian background, who knows what government sanctioned criminal behaviour he may have been involved in whilst resident in Argentina, remembering @Josh Aterovis wrote this story in about 2000 and Neal/Fenton Black was in his mid 40's plus.

True @drsawzall, but Killian has been feeling guilty, unnecessarily so I believe, and it is this guilt which was the primary motivation for his irrational behaviour to rescue/save Jake. I think Killian's guilt about Jake is very deep seated, it goes back to the events which led up to and culminated in Todd's butchering of Jake's entire family. I think to some extent Jake has played on Killian's feelings of guilt too, whether intentionally or not. I think after this chapter those red herrings have darkened further, they are now pomegranate in colour, the colour of blood, the blood Killian stepped into on the floor.

"When he still didn't move, I took another. And then another, until I was within a few feet of him. My feet stuck unpleasantly to the floor, as if something had been spilled. I moved around beside him and felt the air rush out of me as I began to tremble. A perfectly round hole the size of a dime punctuated his forehead, dribbling a tiny trickle of blood down his face. If it was a mob-style hit we were looking for, I had just found it." Could the dead man in Fenton's kitchen be the "death" Judy has felt was imminent, the one she felt would endanger the lives of Killian and possibly Jake (if I remember correctly)? If it is so, could the dead man be Fenton Black? Could Killian and Jake be so lucky for it to be Fenton Black? It if is Fenton, what danger could Killian and Jake be in? Might the police think either one or the other or both had the perfect motive to murder Fenton? Who is the dead man? If it is Fenton, the murderer could be anyone as I daresay a man like Fenton would have earned many enemies, people he has wronged over the course of his life? If Fenton is the murder victim I think it is possible Razi murdered him? If the murder victim is Razi then I think Fenton is the most likely killer. I think however, the most likely murder victim is someone in the corruption Fenton is embroiled in with any number of public officials. @drsawzall summed up Killian's actions well in his comments above, although like @refueling835, I understand his foolhardy behaviour as he hopes to rescue/save Jake from a fate unknown. Given how clever @Josh Aterovis is, the murder victim could be Elvis or Roger Ackroyd for all I know.

I'm sure we will enjoy it anyway. Not Just Another Summer took its time to warm up and look how beloved it became. I's sure she will be a "right cow".