After Dark The Mystery of Highland Manor: Urban Fantasy Anthologies, #3

By Mark Lee Ryan

Another backpacker murder!

When Jan and Rodney Wiltshire purchased the Manor in 2002 they thought the history of murders associated with the old establishment was behind them. But when a backpacker is murdered whilst they holiday in the UK the Manor is again in the spotlight with a long list of murders associated with the Manor dating back 60 years.

Jeremy Patten uses his unique skill to help Police investigators solve this long running mystery by visiting people after dark. At night when others fall asleep Jeremy is able to enter a world, a dream world. As those around him wander in their dreams Jeremy is conscious of the dark world he has entered. He is able to be both summoned and summon those he seeks out to bring realism to the dream world he has entered. 

Highland Manor sits imposingly on high ground in inner Chicago, but it has been a troubled place for previous owners who have endured a spate of murders and disappearances. What is the dark secret that haunts the local Bed and Breakfast and why has the mystery gone on for so long? Is the Manor haunted? 

‘The Mystery of Highland Manor ’, is the third book in the After Dark series and follows on from, ‘The Story Begins’, and ‘Chicago Fire’. It continues the romance between the main character Jeremy Patten and Tara Shield, and sees Jeremy uncover and help solve a long running and ongoing mystery in this gripping tale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Lee Ryan
• Release date: Jan 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386410706

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

The Mystery of Highland Manor

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Copyright

Copyright © 2016 by Mark Lee Ryan

Cover and internal design © Mark Lee Ryan

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.

Table of Contents

Contents

After Dark

The Mystery of Highland Manor

By

Mark Lee Ryan

Copyright

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Bonus Chapter

Thank You

About The Author

Preface

––––––––

Jeremy Patten discovers that he has a very unusual and unique skill. At night when others fall asleep Jeremy is able to enter a world, a dream world. As those around him wander in their dreams Jeremy is conscious of the dark world he has entered. He is able to be both summoned and summon those he seeks out to bring realism to the dream world he has entered.

When Jeremy enters a dream he is able to play out whatever role he wants almost as if he is carrying out his day time life by two; one life by day and one life at night, where in the latter, his body and mind transcends to a new world. Jeremy starts to understand the power he possesses, and in turn learns to manipulate his powers to bring justice and correction in people’s life.

‘The Mystery of Highland Manor ’, is the third book in the After Dark series and follows on from, ‘The Story Begins’, and ‘Chicago Fire’. It continues the romance between the main character Jeremy Patten and Tara Shield, and sees Jeremy uncover and help solve a long running and ongoing mystery in this gripping tale.

Chapter 1

Backpacker murdered in Hillside Street. Jeremy reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Herald and buries himself in the story as Tara Shield and Mrs. Dooley enter the Old Coffee Stop. The pair is seated before Jeremy is alert to their presence. ‘Good morning,’ Tara announces as she gives Jeremy a polite kiss on the cheek. ‘Can I grab you a coffee?’ Tara asks. ‘Yes please. I’m sorry I was busy reading the front page news. A little too close to home! I hope they catch whoever is guilty and quickly!’ Jeremy adds as he displays the contents of the front page on the small coffee table for Tara and Mrs. Dooley to see.

As Tara orders coffee for the trio, Mrs. Dooley politely pulls the newspaper that is sitting on the table around to read the story.  She adjusts her reading glasses and as Tara and Jeremy discuss plans for the coming evening they are ignorant of Mrs. Dooley who is intensely reading the front page news. Tara is first to notice the old lady silently reading and with the newspaper now pulled up close to her chest she is deeply entrenched in the story. ‘It’s a horrible crime isn’t it grandma?’ Tara quietly adds looking straight at Mrs. Dooley as she continues to read. ‘Yes. Yes, it is but ...’ Mrs. Dooley pauses and Tara and Jeremy await her explanation but she simply continues reading. ‘Grandma, are you okay?’ Tara asks slightly concerned at Mrs. Dooley’s apparent interest in today’s news. ‘Yes, I am okay dear, but I cannot get over the similarities between two cases........oh probably fifteen odd years ago!’ she calmly exclaims as she reads the last few lines of the column.

Jeremy looks up with renewed interest and asks ‘Really? Mrs. Dooley, so you