E K Stokes

The news broke like a bolt of lightning across the global art world. Russia had issued an international arrest warrant for Ethan Blake, the protege of the renowned art dealer, Damien Moreau and Maxim Turev, his accomplice. The two: one an American citizen, the other Russian, were involved in illegal activities. The charges were grave; smuggling priceless artifacts out of the country. The specific items in question were a wooden box and an ancient scroll, believed to date back to the time of the

Or then again, maybe not?

Well, we don't know if Damien Moreau made a will, but assuming he did and everything went smoothly, then Ethan might reasonably be in the apartment for a month or longer, the time it takes to resolve who gets what. He might get given notice to vacate anytime soon, we will have to wait and see, but he has some other problems to deal with.

The Amber Room would certainly be an amazing find, the story takes some big twists in the next chapter and I cannot spoil how things turn out...

Alexi Dumarov wasted no time in getting straight to the point. "I have been following you through Russia and to here," he frowned as he looked first at Ethan and then Maxim. Ethan attempted a half-smile. "Please," he gestered, "sit down. Alexi moved through the hall and into the large lounge. The paintings and sculptures which filled the apartment did not escape his attention. "Would you like something to drink?" Ethan asked and the professor nodded whilst taking a seat in on

Things are moving, but to where and not without danger, but the real villain is about to be revealed.

The icy wind whipped at Ethan's face as he stepped out of the train. He could feel the chill seeping through his thick coat, a stark contrast to the warm, sunny streets back home. Beside him, Maxim shivered, his breath fogging in the air. They were about to cross the border into Finland, a safe haven, if they could just get through the Russian border control. As they approached the official, Ethan couldn't shake that same feeling of someone in the shadows or lost in the crowd of passengers,

Ethan doesn't necessarily think too deeply about consequences, he jumps into things and does things on a whim without careful planning.

Good question, but Anya is a very good organiser even if Ethan is more emotional than practical. Indiana Jones does get a mention!

Yes, it is not the most sane thing to do, rather like a desperate leap into the dark, or the dragons jaws!

You should write crime novels because that is a very astute observation. Thank you for you comment and your praise for this opening chapter.

"Ethan has left the country," Eliott informed Max Hainaught, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and urgency. "We can't follow him to Russia." Max paced around the office. "I gave you the job," he emphasised YOU. "Get it done! Even if you have to take a holiday." The implication was clear, although Eliott even if he was willing to follow him, had no idea where Ethan had gone. As Ethan boarded the plane, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. A man in the corner seemed partic

@VBlew you are right, the safest move would be to inform Eliott Carter and the police, but as @drsawzall says Ethan is "like a babe in toyland" (great description). He's scared, a little paranoid, overwhelmed by events, yet desperate to get answers to his mentor and lover's horrific murder. And as you say @Mancunian the police cannot easily follow him to Russia.

Ethan Blake, a young artist with a raw talent that mirrored the chaotic beauty of his city, was still reeling from the devastating news of his mentor's death. Damien Moreau, a renowned art collector and gallery owner, had been more than just a teacher; he was a father figure, a guiding light in Ethan's tumultuous life, and his lover. The police had ruled his death a gruesome homicide, the victim of an abduction and brutal torture session. Detective Eliott Carter, a seasoned investigator ha

More gets revealed in the next chapter, so keep following, your comments are appreciated.

For everybody's information this story is on going in several chapters which we will try to publish regularly. It is going to focus on Ethan and we thank you for your comments, likes and readership.

It was one of those sombre days when the daylight had succumbed to an almost darkness. The rain lashed against the windowpanes, battering the glass, whipped up by the wind. The storm cast eerie shadows that danced across the dimly lit room. Eliott Carter sat at his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied the file and read the latest evidence. Two days had passed since the disappearance of the renowned art collector, Damien Moreau, and despite their best efforts the police team had

Damien Moreau has disappeared and his vanishing act causes waves. A well known figure in the world of art and antiquities who cannot be found raises questions. Not least from his protégé, the budding artist Ethan Blake. The investigative skills of Detective Eliott Carter are called upon, but the eventual turn of events leads only to a deepening mystery.

Please be aware this comment contains spoilers. Special Circumstances by lawfulneutralmage is not badly written and has the element of British policing as seen from the inside, the author's own experience, which is a hook that draws the reader in and adds realism. There is the sub plot relationship between Jamie and Mike, the special constable, to add the human touch. All so far so good, until we come to the "manifested spiritual entities," which is the paranormal part of the mystery. This aspect of the story surprised a number of readers. " I feared that we were heading into sci-fi..." one reader commented. Another took a shot at a rational explanation, "If he is not hypoglycaemic I am at a loss as to what has happened." "...has Jamie hallucinated the whole thing? Is this chapter a dream (ala Bobby Ewing in Dallas)?" Then someone spots the genre tag, "Paranormal in the story description." Another reader admits, like me, he never paid much attention to the genre tag. We are five chapters in when things get weird and the comments come flooding in from readers: "I think the most intriguing aspect of this chapter is the potential superhero powers Jamie has acquired. He ran 8 miles in 20 minutes!" "...was the large man a Ghost?" "What is the reason for Jamie's suspension - fighting with the air?!?" "I was not expecting such a drastic shift in the story..." In contrast to the drift into the paranormal, we have the gripping real life element, as someone observed, "What is based on reality though, is the impact getting grounded has on dedicated police officers who have done nothing wrong." I have to admit, launching into the paranormal lost me, not the majority of readers who were happy to accommodate this shift or even welcomed it. "...paranormal it is... I'm all in, let's go." Why did I lose interest? I think because the paranormal had no anchor in reality, it was quite simply unbelievable and you can do anything with the unbelievable, take the story anywhere, with nothing defined and no limits. It's an easy vehicle to drive! The ever present police procedural descriptions were a little too present, "Sierra-Papa, Papa-Charlie, Papa-Charlie Three-Six." One radio exchange too many, but that's my personal point of view. How the story turns out you will have to read for yourself, I can't tell you because I've stepped out. What I can say is, it's popular and readable and full of interesting aspects of British policing, you will have to decide for yourself how much you are into that and if you enjoy "manifested spiritual entities."

I do have another question with regard to number of page views, it's this: a click on xxx commented on chapter xxx or xxx reacted to a comment or xxx quoted you, all these are notifications received and obviously if you click on the notification you get taken to the page. I presume all these clicks on the page (chapter) count as page views and are not subtracted from the total of page views, so the total page views is not a measure of readership at all, just interest or current popularity. It would seem impossible to get any accurate readership number other than (perhaps) a total of chapter reactions, likes etc. When @Myr you say that succinctly sums up the situation. However, I hazard that most people regard views as reader numbers which it isn't at all. I wonder if it wouldn't be better all round not to show page views and perhaps have an indicator of popularity arrived at by number of chapter reactions per week? There may be other more sophisticated ways to arrive at popularity, but that doesn't seem bad. Or even without any measure of popularity there could be a simply list of new stories published each month, perhaps by genre. All a lot of work to do and maybe not worthwhile as the site has lots of ways already to find stories that interest. Of course you could have a simple poll for readers choice of best story of the week, month, which is easy and already part of the system. My thoughts, I'm sure you've already had similar ideas and suggestions so no reply is required and I hope this is ok to add here as it's more discussion than request or seeking help (If it's the wrong place you can move it somewhere else).

My guess is that Dani is a maharaja. Perhaps this story will take us to India... or perhaps not!

I couldn't resist adding: it's pissing down meaning it's raining heavily, which the more polite version is pouring down. It's probably an expression not used much in Australia where it's too bloody hot, but then again... I don't know! And if we're talking less than polite language: fuck me! meaning to express surprise, whose polite version might be, well I'm damned or slightly less polite, bloody hell! And I haven't even mentioned sod off! meaning get lost. This really is endless, polite versus less than polite slang.

Super! Great balance in the writing, you describe Abbie's life, life on the banks and conjure a superb picture of the place, the sea, and the atmosphere. I was lost in the time and the place, probably the best story I've read in awhile. Could you answer one question? What is Abraham was fence rail kin to me.

You and me both. Exactly the same here, only I wasn't so subtle!

The opposite is also true, they'd assume you are straight and normal, hetero, then couldn't get their head around you saying: "no, I'm gay, I just told you!" Response: "you're joking, I don't believe that for one minute." Bangs head against wall!