After Dark Box Set: Urban Fantasy Anthologies, #5

By Mark Lee Ryan

After Dark Box Set – 4 Short Novellas

What would you do if your dreams became REAL?

Jeremy Patten discovers he has a unique power. When others sleep Jeremy is able to enter their dreams, a world where those around him are asleep, and Jeremy is conscious of the world and events around him. He is able to use his power to bring realism to the dream world he enters, seek out and help solve the mysteries around him.

The Story Begins

In the first book of this series, 'The Story Begins' Jeremy discovers his power, and sets out to solve the mystery of a major jewellery heist that occurred in Chicago ten years prior. The short story introduces many of the characters in the series and details his struggle to understand his new found power.

Amidst a tangled web of relationships, Jeremy helps Police solve this long standing crime incriminating one of the real criminals that has been running free.

Chicago Fire

The Great Chicago Fire occurred in June 1980 in Lincoln Square, and three successful businessmen disappeared shortly after leaving their families scratching their heads and resigned to local gossip that the trio had pocketed the insurance monies and moved on.

When Jeremy is summoned by Julie Nancarrow, daughter of one of the wealthy businessmen, he sets out to help solve the puzzle that has haunted the families left without any real clues. Using his unique power Jeremy seeks out those involved. But when he cannot summon the three businessmen at the centre of the mystery he knows that there is much more to the story, and unravels a series of events culminating in an action packed ending.

The Mystery of Highland Manor

It has been many years since Highland Manor has been in the spotlight, something that the local Bed and Breakfast has enjoyed given the spate of murders and disappearances that occurred under the watch of prior owners. But that all suddenly changes when the owners go on holiday and a backpacker is murdered again suggesting that something is not quite right at the Manor.

If Jeremy’s curiosity with the mystery was not already heightened it becomes even more intriguing when a friend of his girlfriend Tara goes missing, having stayed at the Manor only recently too. The Mystery of Highland Manor is an excellent read and Jeremy helps finally bring to an end a mystery that has surrounded the Manor for over sixty years.

Murder on the Adriatic

The fourth book in the series provides no relief for holiday makers Jeremy and his now sweetheart Tara, when a man is suddenly over board on the first day of their cruise of the Adriatic.

Was he thrown overboard? Did he commit suicide and jump, or is there a murderer amongst the guests?  A tangled web of characters and relationships provides a whodunit as Jeremy helps Italian Police solve this intriguing mystery.     

     

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Lee Ryan
• Release date: Dec 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386843122

Mark Lee Ryan

Mark Lee Ryan lives in Brisbane Australia is married, and has two adult children. A relatively new science -fiction writer, Mark has enjoyed considerable success with his debut book After Dark ‘The Story Begins’ reaching #1 on the Best Seller list on debut. The series of four books has now been converted into a box set and a new series The Osidium has started. Having long held a desire to be an author Mark is pleased with his success from the novellas and is planning to write a longer novel which hopefully will be released in 2017. With a background in finance and banking Mark has enjoyed a number of Senior Management positions in banking over a twenty six year career prior to establishing his own diverse Financial Services business in 2003, which he continues to manage day to day when not plotting his next book.

Book preview

After Dark Box set

(4 Novella’s)

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locals, businesses, event or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems – except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews – without the permission in writing from its publisher, Mark Lee Ryan.

All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. We are not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

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After Dark ‘The Story Begins’ was the debut book by Mark Lee Ryan and was a Number 1 Best Seller shortly after release.

Table of Contents

Contents

After Dark Box set

(4 Novella’s)

Copyright

Join My Newsletter

Table of Contents

Preface

After Dark The Story Begins

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

After Dark Chicago Fire

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

After Dark The Mystery of Highland Manor

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

After Dark Murder on the Adriatic

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

About The Author

Preface

After Dark Box Set – 4 Short Novellas

What would you do if your dreams became REAL?

Jeremy Patten discovers he has a unique power. When others sleep Jeremy is able to enter their dreams, a world where those around him are asleep, and Jeremy is conscious of the world and events around him. He is able to use his power to bring realism to the dream world he enters, seek out and help solve the mysteries around him.

The Story Begins

In the first book of this series, 'The Story Begins' Jeremy discovers his power, and sets out to solve the mystery of a major jewellery heist that occurred in Chicago ten years prior. The short story introduces many of the characters in the series and details his struggle to understand his new found power.

Amidst a tangled web of relationships, Jeremy helps Police solve this long standing crime incriminating one of the real criminals that has been running free.

Chicago Fire

The Great Chicago Fire occurred in June 1980 in Lincoln Square, and three successful businessmen disappeared shortly after leaving their families scratching their heads and resigned to local gossip that the trio had pocketed the insurance monies and moved on.

When Jeremy is summoned by Julie Nancarrow, daughter of one of the wealthy businessmen, he sets out to help solve the puzzle that has haunted the families left without any real clues. Using his unique power Jeremy seeks out those involved. But when he cannot summon the three businessmen at the centre of the mystery he knows that there is much more to the story, and unravels a series of events culminating in an action packed ending.

The Mystery of Highland Manor

It has been many years since Highland Manor has been in the spotlight, something that the local Bed and Breakfast has enjoyed given the spate of murders and disappearances that occurred under the watch of prior owners. But that all suddenly changes when the owners go on holiday and a backpacker is murdered again suggesting that something is not quite right at the Manor.

If Jeremy’s curiosity with the mystery was not already heightened it becomes even more intriguing when a friend of his girlfriend Tara goes missing, having stayed at the Manor only recently too. The Mystery of Highland Manor is an excellent read and Jeremy helps finally bring to an end a mystery that has surrounded the Manor for over sixty years.

––––––––

Murder on the Adriatic

The fourth book in the series provides no relief for holiday makers Jeremy and his now sweetheart Tara, when a man is suddenly over board on the first day of their cruise of the Adriatic.

Was he thrown overboard? Did he commit suicide and jump, or is there a murderer amongst the guests?  A tangled web of characters and relationships provides a whodunit as Jeremy helps Italian Police solve this intriguing mystery. 

After Dark The Story Begins

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Chapter 1

‘Can I join you for a coffee?’ Jeremy Patten politely asks Mrs. Nancy Dooley. The eighty six year old lady looks up, smiles and replies in a softly spoken voice ‘Certainly’, nods at Jeremy and watches as he sits next to her carefully placing his coffee cup and saucer on the table. Jeremy had occasionally shared pleasantries with Nancy but never before had they sat and talked. It seemed weird the Old Coffee Stop was never this quiet and Jeremy looks around noticing that the pair essentially have the shop to themselves, providing even more reason for Jeremy to comfort the old lady.

Jeremy has a heightened sense today and places his little finger in his ear and shakes the eardrum trying to numb the ringing of what seems like voices in his head. He dismisses it and focuses on Nancy and enquires how she is. ‘So tell me Mrs. Dooley, how have you been lately? It seems ages since I have seen you.’ Although as he speaks Jeremy knows that he runs into Mrs. Dooley at least weekly sometimes more as they are both regulars at the Old Coffee Stop, a coffee shop not far from where Jeremy works as a lawyer and similarly only walking distance for Mrs. Dooley who lives in an apartment on her own just around the corner.  ‘I have been OK, health wise’, Nancy replies, ‘but it does get lonely and I do pine for the company of my son and granddaughter.’ Jeremy is taken back, ‘Oh I didn’t know’ Jeremy offers, trying to be both sorry but also surprised, as he had never spoken more than half a dozen words to Nancy and really didn’t know that much about her. Stumbling his words Jeremy asks ‘Well have you tried to make contact Mrs. Dooley, I mean do you know where they both are?’ ‘Oh yes’, Nancy quickly replies. ‘Well I know where my son is, he lives here in Chicago, although I haven’t seen him in years and he doesn’t want to see me. And my granddaughter well NO, I don’t know where she lives and I don’t even know her name.’ The old woman looks ahead, her eyes glaze and she looks through Jeremy for just a moment as she reflects upon what she has just said.

Jeremy again unwittingly places his small finger in his ear and shakes it to numb the ringing of voices that seem to invade his head. He reflects for a moment and is surprised at the conversation he is hearing from Mrs. Dooley. She is clearly getting a lot of feelings out in the open and Jeremy is flattered that she shares with him her closest secrets, which until now he had no idea of. She seems emotional and clearly there is some anger that the old lady has deep within, and that emotion has been stirred but also surprisingly volunteered. Just as Mrs. Dooley places a lighter bit of spin on things, declaring that her pet canary is her closest friend, the pair turn and smile at the incoming Tara Shield. Tara looks lovely as ever with her stunning long brunette hair, and as always is immaculately dressed, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Jeremy every time he sees her. Tara is wearing a tight black skirt, white top, high heels and has a beaming smile as she enters the coffee shop.

Jeremy often exchanges smiles with Tara, knows that she is a cashier at local Waterman’s Downtown store, but sadly fears that she even knows who he is. Tara too is a regular customer at the Old Coffee Stop although she has not been a regular as long as Jeremy or Mrs. Dooley. Tara grabs her take away coffee smiles at Jeremy and Mrs. Dooley as she leaves and heads down the street. Jeremy watches out the window until Tara is almost out of view and quickly says goodbye to Mrs. Dooley and heads out the door seeing Tara some short distance ahead.

Jeremy doesn’t really know why he is following Tara although deep down there is an infatuation and he simply has a desire to see her walk back to work. Then suddenly Jeremy is distracted. ‘Jeremy.....Jeremy’ he hears his name yelled loudly from over the road. It’s Matthew Warren, Jeremy’s boss and he is excitedly crossing the road and heads towards him. Jeremy turns to take one more glimpse of Tara and can’t believe that she has vanished. Vanished, almost into thin air! He stops and stares down the road in disbelief. Where did she go? He can’t believe it, there are no side alleys or laneways and yet Tara clearly is not in sight. As he fixates on the road she travelled, Matthew is now standing next to him and shakes his arm to get Jeremy’s attention. ‘What’s wrong Jeremy? You look as though you have seen a ghost’, Matthew laughs as he says it.

‘No, it’s OK’ adds Jeremy. ‘Anyway how are you?’ he asks. ‘Well you see me every day so I suppose you would know if I wasn’t OK’ Matthew again laughs as he finishes his sentence.  ‘Jeremy, walk with me. My apartment is just down the road and it’s been a while since we have caught up for a decent chat’, Matthew adds. As the two men walk Jeremy ponders for a moment and thinks to himself that he has never been to Matthew’s apartment. In fact whilst the two get on okay at work and Jeremy respects Matthew as his boss, apart from a working relationship the two rarely catch up and have never had a decent chat. The pair exchange pleasantries and idle banter about nothing as they slowly walk to Matthew’s apartment.

Once inside Jeremy’s eyes dart around the small interior and sitting room, taking in the nick knacks that adorn the room, and admiring the large screen television mounted on the wall whilst Matthew makes coffee. Matthew is aged thirty five and is ten years older than Jeremy, but the pair get on well so age has never seemed important. Jeremy looks around admiring the furniture and equipment that adorn the small but neat apartment. He doesn’t really want another coffee but Matthew insists and so he sits patiently while his boss makes coffee in the kitchen area just off from the sitting room. ‘You know Jeremy I haven’t really shared with anyone before, but being a Manager within a reasonable sized firm can be frustrating you know’, Matthew pipes up as he finishes pouring the cups and yelling loud enough for Jeremy to hear. As he walks in and places the coffee on the small table in the sitting room Jeremy feels obliged to answer and politely adds ‘Well...er, NO I didn’t really know that.’ Jeremy feels he has to politely offer some words of encouragement albeit that he doesn’t really know what Matthew’s career aspirations are.

Carter Gibson lawyers is an old and established firm, and although Jeremy has been employed straight from University and has been working as a lawyer for some two years he is still pretty junior in what is a relatively large firm. Matthew his boss has always been pleasant but is to a large degree guarded about his career aspirations, so Jeremy is finding this sudden meet in the street, sit down and chat thing a significant change to the relationship they enjoy. Jeremy enjoys the atmosphere at Carter Gibson but there is a clear distinction between Partners, Senior Partners, Managers and the rest that includes Jeremy, the law clerks and office staff. Jeremy is happy to find his feet within the firm so he doesn’t really concern himself greatly about promotion at this