The Autograph Book

By F J Shindler

The Autograph Book is a stand-alone fantasy published as an epilogue to The Edwardian Terrace Chronicles, a five-part story by F J Shindler.

Some dreams seem more real than others. Most pass with little or no consequence, forgotten the moment we open our eyes. Others remain a little longer, their remnants hanging around in that obscure space between two worlds; the real and the unreal. But what if both worlds were to blur, even for an instant?

Renovating old houses was a means to an end for George Marriott. As discovered along the way, however, old houses inevitably brought about old jumble, the odds and ends of other people’s lives. But as he had often tried to explain to those who didn’t understand his ways, the chances of finding anything of real value were too remote to worry about. A unique find at a jumble sale changes all of that, a chance discovery that rocks his practical mind to the core.

• Language: English
• Publisher: F J Shindler
• Release date: Aug 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005400279

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’.

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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 'darksouls1' for his kind permission to adapt and use the stunning cover image.

Preface

The Autograph Book is a stand-alone fantasy published as an epilogue to The Edwardian Terrace Chronicles, a five-part story by F J Shindler.

Some dreams seem more real than others. Most pass with little or no consequence, forgotten the moment we open our eyes. Others remain a little longer, their remnants hanging around in that obscure space between two worlds; the real and the unreal. But what if both worlds were to blur, even for an instant?

Renovating old houses was a means to an end for George Marriott. As discovered along the way, however, old houses inevitably brought about old jumble, the odds and ends of other people’s lives. But as he had often tried to explain to those who didn’t understand his ways, the chances of finding anything of real value were too remote to worry about. A unique find at a jumble sale changes all of that, a chance discovery that rocks his practical mind to the core.

The Autograph Book

The Edwardian Terrace Chronicles - Epilogue

It was already late in the night when George Marriott wiped vestiges of powder from the strange book in his tremulous fingers, the second time he'd done so in as many hours. Much earlier in the day, he'd watched the last of the boy scouts straggle past the large bay window in the front room, bugles played more or less in tune as their shivering band-master piloted them to the bottom end of the road, where the group would be forced to turn right towards the park. George remained long enough to witness the last decaying decibel before sauntering back into the hallway. The abrupt return to its stinking aroma propelled an involuntary sigh. The place reeked of lead paint still, a consequence of saving pennies on the pound a gallon stuff he wouldn't normally have touched with the proverbial. Anonymous labelling on the part-rusted cans gave little away; White, was the only thing he'd seen as he hesitated momentarily, that vital instant when uncertain fingers parted with the last fiver in his wallet.

Presented at auction as in need of some restoration, George had taken on the house against all sensible advice to the contrary. Not that he was a novice at such things. He owned two such properties in that road alone, albeit