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Moonchild's Sins
Kicked onto the scrapheap by the local tyre factory in Stoke, Potter decides to use his redundancy pay to set up as a private investigator. Opportunity comes knocking in the form of flame-haired femme fatale Moonchild Burgess, a victim of blackmail, and she is soon followed into Potter's office by a concerned father wondering just what his suddenly affluent teenage daughter is getting up to …
With the rent overdue and his pockets empty, the pressure is on – but do the cases on the books offer a lifeline, or have years of reading Chandler novels left Potter deluded? Find out, as P.I. Potter's skills and ingenuity are tested to the limit in 'Moonchild's Sins', the first in the P.I. Potter series of novellas from Darren Sant.
With the rent overdue and his pockets empty, the pressure is on – but do the cases on the books offer a lifeline, or have years of reading Chandler novels left Potter deluded? Find out, as P.I. Potter's skills and ingenuity are tested to the limit in 'Moonchild's Sins', the first in the P.I. Potter series of novellas from Darren Sant.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2013
12 people want to read
About the author
Darren Sant
26 books65 followersDarren Sant was born in 1970 and raised in Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire which is in the United Kingdom. He moved to Hull in East Yorkshire in 2001.
A life long avid reader he always wanted to be a writer. However, teenage years, girls, work, pubs and football provided adequate distraction until his late twenties. After attending a few creative writing classes he started writing poetry. After moving to Hull he joined a writing group called the Renegade Writers who gained infamy by doing performance poetry with a Rock N Roll ethos. Following the split of the Renegade Writers he settled down a little and didn't write for a while.
He became interested in writing again when his friend, Nick Boldock, introduced him to the Radgepacket series by Byker Books. These anthologies had a gritty urban feel to them and prided themselves on being "Industrial Strength" fiction. He has now contributed to three of the Radgepacket anthologies:
Radgepacket 4 - The Ungrateful Dead.
Radgepacket 5 - Back Street Redemption.
Radgepacket 6 - A Good Day
Darren was next published by Pill Hill Press in an anthology with a story called Firestorm. The anthology was called ePocalypse: Emails at the end. A story co-written with Nick Boldock.
Darren's stories have appeared in various online publications such as The Flash Fiction Offensive, Pulp Metal, Thrillers Killers N Chillers and Shotgun Honey. He continues to write stories but also writes for a blog called Close To The Bone. He reviews everything he reads on his own book blog Daz's Short Book Reviews.
Darren also has a story in:
Off The Record (Charity Anthology by Guility Conscience Publishing - A story called Karma Police (November 2011)
On the 9th February 2012 Darren signed for Byker Books to publish his Tales From The Longcroft Estate. The first release (18/02/12) features his stories: A Good Day, Community Spirit and Rowan's Folly. Link to it below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Longcro...
Get updates on my Longcroft series by liking the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LongcroftTales
Follow me on Twitter: @Longcroft_Tales
A life long avid reader he always wanted to be a writer. However, teenage years, girls, work, pubs and football provided adequate distraction until his late twenties. After attending a few creative writing classes he started writing poetry. After moving to Hull he joined a writing group called the Renegade Writers who gained infamy by doing performance poetry with a Rock N Roll ethos. Following the split of the Renegade Writers he settled down a little and didn't write for a while.
He became interested in writing again when his friend, Nick Boldock, introduced him to the Radgepacket series by Byker Books. These anthologies had a gritty urban feel to them and prided themselves on being "Industrial Strength" fiction. He has now contributed to three of the Radgepacket anthologies:
Radgepacket 4 - The Ungrateful Dead.
Radgepacket 5 - Back Street Redemption.
Radgepacket 6 - A Good Day
Darren was next published by Pill Hill Press in an anthology with a story called Firestorm. The anthology was called ePocalypse: Emails at the end. A story co-written with Nick Boldock.
Darren's stories have appeared in various online publications such as The Flash Fiction Offensive, Pulp Metal, Thrillers Killers N Chillers and Shotgun Honey. He continues to write stories but also writes for a blog called Close To The Bone. He reviews everything he reads on his own book blog Daz's Short Book Reviews.
Darren also has a story in:
Off The Record (Charity Anthology by Guility Conscience Publishing - A story called Karma Police (November 2011)
On the 9th February 2012 Darren signed for Byker Books to publish his Tales From The Longcroft Estate. The first release (18/02/12) features his stories: A Good Day, Community Spirit and Rowan's Folly. Link to it below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Longcro...
Get updates on my Longcroft series by liking the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/LongcroftTales
Follow me on Twitter: @Longcroft_Tales
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 20, 2013
This is a wonderful little novella that both amused and intrigued me. The lead character, PI Potter, is beautifully drawn in all his glory - a hero of the modern age. He is inept at life, yet manages somehow to assist others with their difficulties. He may have egg on his shirt but he's the man you'll want beside you when things get tough. As an introduction to the character and his world, this story unfolds beautifully. It was like watching a TV episode. The feel and the heart in it reminded me very much of The the Beiderbecke Affair (remember that!) Just can't wait for the next episode of PI Potter, and the one after that. And the one after that!
November 24, 2013
Thank you to the author for the review copy.
Kicked onto the scrapheap by the local tyre factory in Stoke, Potter decides to use his redundancy pay to set up as a private investigator. Opportunity comes knocking in the form of flame-haired femme fatale Moonchild Burgess, a victim of blackmail, and she is soon followed into Potter's office by a concerned father wondering just what his suddenly affluent teenage daughter is getting up to …
So, having adored "The Bank Manager and The Bum" I was looking forward to diving into another novella from Mr Sant and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The aptly named considering the setting Potter, starts up his own private investigation agency and is soon immersed in a case of blackmail, a missing dog and a teenager who may or may not be in trouble - as the tale unfolds, told by the inept yet loveable Mr Potter, you will have a lot of fun. Mr Sant writes an extremely readable tale, with a witty edge and an intelligent style . The side characters were terrific (his landlord, Dennis the chip shop owner particularly for me) and the mystery is clever and has an extremely satisfying outcome.
I look forward to more stories of Potter. I have one complaint. I'm positive Mr Sant knows EXACTLY what I'm about to say right now - write a full length novel. Do it. The stories are terrific, this one and the last one I read, but more - I want more! The characters created by this author are positively BURSTING with the need to tell us more - go on...you know you want to!
Recommended for fans of lovely tall tales backed up by a terrific sense of humour and lack of need to feel self important.
Happy Reading Folks!
Kicked onto the scrapheap by the local tyre factory in Stoke, Potter decides to use his redundancy pay to set up as a private investigator. Opportunity comes knocking in the form of flame-haired femme fatale Moonchild Burgess, a victim of blackmail, and she is soon followed into Potter's office by a concerned father wondering just what his suddenly affluent teenage daughter is getting up to …
So, having adored "The Bank Manager and The Bum" I was looking forward to diving into another novella from Mr Sant and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The aptly named considering the setting Potter, starts up his own private investigation agency and is soon immersed in a case of blackmail, a missing dog and a teenager who may or may not be in trouble - as the tale unfolds, told by the inept yet loveable Mr Potter, you will have a lot of fun. Mr Sant writes an extremely readable tale, with a witty edge and an intelligent style . The side characters were terrific (his landlord, Dennis the chip shop owner particularly for me) and the mystery is clever and has an extremely satisfying outcome.
I look forward to more stories of Potter. I have one complaint. I'm positive Mr Sant knows EXACTLY what I'm about to say right now - write a full length novel. Do it. The stories are terrific, this one and the last one I read, but more - I want more! The characters created by this author are positively BURSTING with the need to tell us more - go on...you know you want to!
Recommended for fans of lovely tall tales backed up by a terrific sense of humour and lack of need to feel self important.
Happy Reading Folks!
March 28, 2020
Amusing shortish story of private investigation in the land of potbanks and oatcakes.
November 4, 2020
Simply put-I loved it. The flow, dialogue. Great story.
November 3, 2014
After being made redundant the aptly named Potter decides to turn his hand to private investigation. After receiving several calls enquiring whether he really was a dick for hire, flame haired beauty Moonchild Burgess swishes into his office and he gets his first case.
As well as the Moonchild blackmail case Potter is quickly called upon to find a missing dog and to follow a 15 year old girl whose father thinks she’s getting herself into some trouble. Unfortunately the case is not as straightforward as it seems – Moonchild’s husband is a very shady and particularly nasty gangster. To cap it all a mystery man is trying to track Potter down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. It’s a fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. On the other hand the story is well constructed, the prose bright and energetic. It’s well balanced and articulate rather than blunt and sarcastic.
The characters are strong, in particular the lead, PI Potter (Christian name not revealed and in itself a pun – the action is based in Stoke, which used to have a huge ceramic pottery industry) but supported by a cast of others who aid and abet the investigations he undertakes – Martin the barman, Dennis the chip shop owner (and landlord) and Simon the copper. It is Potter himself who narrates the story and we receive his sense of humour loud and clear.
The sharp, witty dialogue is used well to keep the humour and entertainment rolling.
The three investigative strands soon interlink and brings the tale to a conclusion with the bad guys getting their just desserts in a very satisfactory ending.
This is reputed to be the first in a series. I look forward to seeing the rest, hopefully in a longer format to fully develop Mr Potter.
**Originally reviewed for Books & Pals blog. May have received free review copy.**
As well as the Moonchild blackmail case Potter is quickly called upon to find a missing dog and to follow a 15 year old girl whose father thinks she’s getting herself into some trouble. Unfortunately the case is not as straightforward as it seems – Moonchild’s husband is a very shady and particularly nasty gangster. To cap it all a mystery man is trying to track Potter down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. It’s a fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. On the other hand the story is well constructed, the prose bright and energetic. It’s well balanced and articulate rather than blunt and sarcastic.
The characters are strong, in particular the lead, PI Potter (Christian name not revealed and in itself a pun – the action is based in Stoke, which used to have a huge ceramic pottery industry) but supported by a cast of others who aid and abet the investigations he undertakes – Martin the barman, Dennis the chip shop owner (and landlord) and Simon the copper. It is Potter himself who narrates the story and we receive his sense of humour loud and clear.
The sharp, witty dialogue is used well to keep the humour and entertainment rolling.
The three investigative strands soon interlink and brings the tale to a conclusion with the bad guys getting their just desserts in a very satisfactory ending.
This is reputed to be the first in a series. I look forward to seeing the rest, hopefully in a longer format to fully develop Mr Potter.
**Originally reviewed for Books & Pals blog. May have received free review copy.**
November 3, 2014
An amateur PI called Potter gets in too deep when he accepts a case from a glamorous client called Moonchild Burgess. Potter tries to help out people along the way as he works and lives out of his office above the local chippy The Cod Father. This short novella by Darren Sant is very easy to read, flowing smoothly from one chapter to another and a great start to what promises to be an entertaining series. Well done Mr Sant.
January 27, 2016
The 'Private Investigator' crime sub-genre is pretty long in the tooth, but still going strong! Darren Sant adds his own style to a fairly standard premise: struggling PI is unexpectedly hired by a beautiful women. Nicely plotted, with plenty of humour and strong local background, it makes for a quick and engaging read. To me, it might benefit from a little more pace, a bit more tension, and perhaps less description.
August 19, 2016
The very first case for P.I. Potter, and what seems to be more of the rescue of a damsel in distress, turns out to be fraught with menace for our hero. An enjoyable and amusing novella that certainly well worth the read, and, so the author indicates, number 1 of more to come. I look forward to the read.
February 18, 2014
This short story was nothing special. I felt like I was being told the story not than being showed it. The only good think about it was that it was set in the area I live, so I could picture where he was throughout.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews