The following is a list of books I have written. Each is accompanied by a short
synopsis and a chapter available to read or download.
FICTION
Feud [2009] - Shortlisted, UK Authors Best Beginnings Competition 2008
A Polish boy called Mikael moves with his family to his grandfather's house in
Albania, for the good of his father's mental health. However, the arrival of Mikael's
cousins results in a terrible feud with their new neighbours - a battle fought with
more than just words. Mikael finds himself confined to the house, with only his
grandfather's legacy and the fragile friendship of the neighbouring boy to keep
him sane.
This book was shortlisted in the international Best Beginnings Competition 2008,
and gathered great praise. Some quotes from the judges include:
"Vivid, intriguing Albanian setting"; "Engaging characters"; "A stunning piece of writing
that had me hooked from the beginning"; "Fast paced and totally absorbing"; "The tale
is so intriguing and the writing so brilliant"; "Quite a unique style this author has, which
I particularly enjoy"; "I thoroughly enjoyed every word".
Download a sample chapter
Bat Boy [2008] - Winner, UK Authors Best Beginnings Competition 2008
Two brothers are forced to journey across the UK in a bid to find their father
after a shocking personal tragedy. Equally heart-warming and heart-wrenching,
the tale is told from the point of view of the youngest brother, Joel, who is shy,
hopelessly optimistic, and has been blind since birth.
The quote from the judging panel when Bat Boy won the UK Authors competition:
"A fast-paced, riveting, ironic, highly satisfying and original story, written in a clear direct
style and the voice of an instantly engaging character, in a vivid, threatening setting".
Crack [2008] - Shortlisted, UK Authors Best Beginnings Competition 2008
A single moment in time - maybe even a matter of seconds - can tear apart lives
and even end them. A cop hits and kills a young girl with his car in a notorious council
estate and finds himself thrust into a life threatening stand-off with the gathering crowd.
When the stand-off escalates into a full-scale riot, the innocents caught in the middle
must work together to survive.
This novel was shortlisted in the UK Authors Best Beginnings Competition
2008, and won great praise. Some quotes from the judging panel:
"Marvellous setting, story, [and] main character"; "Wow! Took my breath away. This I
could see like a film, and I couldn’t take my eyes from the screen for a moment"; "Fast
pace, brilliantly realistic dialogue, everything about it was so believable".
Torn [2007]
A dark, futuristic fantasy tale about two girls from very different worlds, drawn together
when a horrific enemy threatens to destroy their people.
Download a sample chapter
Stunts, Sex and 'Splosions [2006]
Damon Williams is a ghost writer. He makes a living by penning the
memoirs of B-List celebrities, all the while living on his layabout brother's
sofa. His fortunes seem to change when an action movie star, fresh
from a scandalous murder trial, decides to have him write his
biography. But as Damon gets close to the actor and his friends, it
appears that the film star may well have committed the very act that he
was acquitted of. A darkly comic thriller.
Download a sample chapter
Soul Omen [2005]
Soul Omen is a fantasy novel aimed at older teens.
It follows a boy called Sam, who receives a visit one night from a sorcerer named
Damien. Damien warns him that he is being hunted by a vicious outlaw for reasons
unknown, and his only chance for survival is to journey with him across the vast
world known as the Realms. Not knowing what to believe or who to trust, Sam
finds his innocent world corrupted and shattered by violence.
NON-FICTION
A Mackem In Asia [2005]
'A Mackem In Asia' is a humourous, informative, and often dramatic tale of
two men's journey across the far East. Taking in countries such as India,
Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, the pair met hundreds of interesting
characters, ran away from several scary ladyboys, were attacked by a
particularly vicious peacock, beaten to the top of a mountain by an old lady,
abused by the worlds largest fountain, and - most remarkably - watched
Sunderland FC reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup in the middle of one of the
oldest rainforests on Earth. Every painful memory is explicitly shared with the reader,
for better or for worse.
SHORT STORIES
Corpse Clone Corporation [SCI FI]
Officer Jacobs tutted and shook his head, leaning against the side of the double-decker bus to survey the grisly scene spread before him. Tiny pieces of hover-trolley had scattered violently across the road, some even making it as far as the ‘Turn your head
and Kofte’ kebab shop a hundred yards away...
Contains strong language. Download here.
The Neighbour [EXPERIMENTAL]
A man suffering from agoraphobia is tormented day and night by a thoughtless
neighbour playing Cliff Richard at top volume. To make matters worse, his
belongings suddenly begin to inexplicably disappear, and he wonders if he
himself is the one to blame...
Contains strong language. Download here.
All That Remains [FLASH FICTION]
My 500-word entry into a LinkedIn competition. A woman in the not-so-distant future
braves the rancid atmosphere outside her apartment...
Download here.
The Strangest Love [FLASH FICTION]
Jeremy Thomas didn’t learn about his brother’s death from his family, or even from the police. Instead, he found out when he opened up the BBC News website on Thursday morning at work and was confronted by a smiling photo of his sibling, under the banner, ‘Man crushed to death by double-decker bus’...
Download here. This story has just been nominated for the compilation 'Voices
From The Web 2009'.
Soul Sweepers [HORROR]
A man finds himself in a dark, twisted world after his lover is murdered before him.
Is he dead also, or has his mind broken apart?
Contains strong language and violence. Download here.
This is just a small selection of my short stories. Email feedback at
info@chrisbarraclough.co.uk is welcome.