Stage Fright

By F J Shindler

Stage Fright is one of a number of stories in the Doctor Goodier and Harry Mysteries compilation.

This particular story began its life quite a few decades ago, an idea in principle, but minus a character set against which to play it out. It’s based on an item bought at a Scout’s jumble sale in the mid 1960s, one of many that I truly wish I had now!

The story will chime with the older among us, those who remember what a ‘Jumble Sale’ truly was. Equally, younger readers might well be heartened by the visual entertainment media that was the forerunner of television as we know it today. Unlike most, I have experienced the wonder, the excitement, and the limitations of both.

• Language: English
• Publisher: F J Shindler
• Release date: May 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005182854

F J Shindler

F J Shindler was born in Manchester, England, but subsequently lived in various parts of the country before moving abroad. He now lives in a very hilly, very rural part of the Czech Republic in an old, though charming former farmhouse.The author of the ever-expanding short story series, ‘The Doctor Goodier and Harry Mysteries’, F J Shindler’s debut full length novel is the first of twelve interrelated works in the ‘Klub Päris Fantastiline’ series. Written in adult noir fiction form, Book one, ‘The Ninth Case File’, is set in 1966 and is titled ‘Mikey’.

Book preview

Copyright 2022 F J Shindler

Published by F J Shindler at Smashwords

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Title

About F J Shindler

Other books by F J Shindler

Web-site

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement to Hailey Kean for their kind permission to modify and use their cover image.

Preface

Stage Fright is one of a number of stories in the Doctor Goodier and Harry Mysteries compilation.

This particular story began its life quite a few decades ago, an idea in principle, but minus a character set against which to play it out. It’s based on an item bought at a Scout’s jumble sale in the mid 1960s, one of many that I truly wish I had now!

The story will chime with the older among us, those who remember what a ‘Jumble Sale’ truly was. Equally, younger readers might well be heartened by the visual entertainment media that was the forerunner of television as we know it today. Unlike most, I have experienced the wonder, the excitement, and the limitations of both.

Stage Fright

A Doctor Goodier and Harry Mystery

Harry? You’re not calling about another lost soul, I hope?

No, Doc. Actually, it in’t Police work at all. I’m more after pickin’ your brains, as it were.

Not sure there’s much left to pick at, Harry, but I’ll do my best. How can I help?

Well, this might seem a bit fanciful like, but it concerns an odd sort o’ book that a neighbour ‘anded to my Missus earlier today, a book that don’t open in the usual fashion, more like an accordion if you get my drift. Don’t rightly know what you’d call it, but it’s what’s writ on the stuff that fell out of it that’s botherin’ us. Might be somethin’ or nothin’, but ‘ard to explain over the ‘phone.

"As luck would have it, I do possess a little knowledge on the subject, Harry. From the sound of it, I’d say the book you’re describing is probably a type of diorama, a novelty item popular from the early eighteen hundreds onwards. I’ve seen a couple of vintage versions in my life-time, but wouldn’t pass up the opportunity of seeing another. I have a few commitments today though, and I promised Maud that I’d be home on time for once.