Strange Ink

by M.W. Craven

In Strange Ink crime-fighting duo Tilly and Poe solve a mystery from inside a pantomime horse in a short story that first appeared in the Halloween anthology Afraid of the Shadows

Audible Audio

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

M. W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle, running away to join the army at the tender age of sixteen. He spent the next ten years travelling the world having fun, leaving in 1995 to complete a degree in social work with specialisms in criminology and substance misuse. Thirty-one years after leaving Cumbria, he returned to take up a probation officer position in Whitehaven, eventually working his way up to chief officer grade. Sixteen years later he took the plunge, accepted redundancy and became a full-time author. He now has entirely different motivations for trying to get inside the minds of criminals . . .

M. W. Craven is married and lives in Carlisle with his wife, Joanne. When he isn’t out with his springer spaniel, or talking nonsense in the pub, he can usually be found at punk gigs and writing festivals up and down the country.

Reviews

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story available to read online:
https://www.thecrimevault.com/extract...

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars ⭐️

This was a funny short story that starts with Poe being questioned about an old case -a particular case that he and Tilly pretty much fell into one Halloween night.

It has the markings of a "Mulder & Scully" adventure yet the telling being completely unique to Poe and Tilly.

If you are a fan of this series, you will enjoy this very short story as well as another opportunity to drop into the world of the grumpy policeman and his brilliant, yet socially awkward partner.

[Jos Snel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a thank for joining the M.W.Craven community, I received this Washington Poe short story . . .
The Crime Vault © 2021

[Karly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Poe and Tilly, short stories are everything!!

I am not going to do a run through on this short story, it is very short but all you really need to know is that there is Poe and there is Tilly. There is the usual humour and sarcasm and shenanigans and it’s a great little story to get you through until the next full length novel comes out.

Loved it!!!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s short and sweet. The usual comical humour for these short stories.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always bloody brilliant!!

Can’t beat Poe and Tilly!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some truly hilarious moments with the horse. Great story.