The Last of the Perivales

I'm delighted to report that my story 'The Last of the Perivales' has been accepted for inclusion in Flame Tree Publishing's forthcoming 'Bodies in the Library'Anthology.

This will be my fifth story accepted by Flame Tree, who will now take the lead in the informal "Let's publish as much work by Philip Brian Hall as we can!" competition.

For those who have enjoyed the previous scientific and supernatural investigations of my Victorian sleuths Sergeant MacAndrew and Constable Smithers, this is the fourth story, though it may or may not be out before the third, which has been accepted by Curiosities but for which I don't yet have a publication date.

This time the Old Red Fox of Scotland Yard attempts to solve the case of a corpse in 17th century Restoration attire, found murdered in the library of a London gentlemen's club in the 1860s.

Naturally, nothing is what it seems and nothing is ever simple in MacAndrew's world!

The Man on the Church Street Omnibus

I am pleased to say that the first edition of The Sockdolager quarterly magazine is now available on line. The whole magazine is available for download from Amazon.

It contains my story 'The Man on the Church Street Omnibus'. This is my first published venture into historical science fiction.

Steampunk enthusiasts will be sad to hear that, though set in the Victorian era, the story features no locomotives, pumping engines or paddle steamers; the omnibus in the title is of the horse-drawn variety.

Nevertheless, I do hope you will find it a good read. I am in distinguished company in the table of contents; it is particularly pleasing to share the edition with my friend Stewart Baker.

I have to acknowledge that the photograph illustrating this post is not an omnibus. Sadly I have yet to perfect the time machine that will enable me to return to the 1860's and photograph one. However this very smart turnout was on display at last year's Highland Show, so I hope you like that too.