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The Packet
A voyage of discovery.
A voyage of deception.
A tale of heroism.
A tale of rebellion.
A fight for freedom that leads Charlie Fintry from a treacherous crossing of the ocean to an even more treacherous crossing to the stars.
Widowed and jobless following the Great War, Charlie Fintry books passage on a packet steamer heading for America. As he boards the ship, a bystander presses a packet into his hands and wishes him luck. Once under way, he realises that he's going to need it given the travelling conditions, weather and the abusive crew. Opening the packet, Charlie discovers a scarf impregnated with a particular scent, an olfactory key that awakens him to a whole new reality...
A voyage of deception.
A tale of heroism.
A tale of rebellion.
A fight for freedom that leads Charlie Fintry from a treacherous crossing of the ocean to an even more treacherous crossing to the stars.
Widowed and jobless following the Great War, Charlie Fintry books passage on a packet steamer heading for America. As he boards the ship, a bystander presses a packet into his hands and wishes him luck. Once under way, he realises that he's going to need it given the travelling conditions, weather and the abusive crew. Opening the packet, Charlie discovers a scarf impregnated with a particular scent, an olfactory key that awakens him to a whole new reality...
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2026
About the author
Neil Williamson
64 books42 followersNeil Williamson lives in Glasgow, Scotland, and is the author of novels and short stories in genres ranging from science fiction to slipstream.
Several of his books and stories have been shortlisted for awards: Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction (World Fantasy Award), The Ephemera (British Fantasy Award), Arrhythmia (British Science Fiction Association Award), The Moon King (British Fantasy Holdstock Award and British Science Fiction Association Award, runner-up), A Moment of Zugzwang (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award), Nova Scotia vol 2: New Speculative Fiction From Scotland (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award) Charlie Says (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award).
Neil's latest book is: Blood In The Bricks, published by NewCon Press in October 2025.
Several of his books and stories have been shortlisted for awards: Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction (World Fantasy Award), The Ephemera (British Fantasy Award), Arrhythmia (British Science Fiction Association Award), The Moon King (British Fantasy Holdstock Award and British Science Fiction Association Award, runner-up), A Moment of Zugzwang (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award), Nova Scotia vol 2: New Speculative Fiction From Scotland (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award) Charlie Says (British Science Fiction Association Award and British Fantasy Award).
Neil's latest book is: Blood In The Bricks, published by NewCon Press in October 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 16, 2026
Wonderful little story on the nature of community, time, and togetherness. Features a brilliant cast of characters who feel real. I'll say no more because it really benefits reading without knowing anything of the plot!
July 2, 2026
A spooky little story that for some reason made me think old style Doctor Who or Sapphire and Steel. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews