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PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SHORT STORY OF APPROXIMATELY 8,000 WORDS. IT IS NOT A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.
A Kate Redman Short Story for Christmas
The last person Detective Sergeant Kate Redman wants to see while she's doing her Christmas shopping is habitual petty thief and homeless alcoholic Charlie Petworth. While she knows that Charlie steals small things in part to get a warm bed for the night, it's still annoying, particularly in the season of good will.
Then a far more serious crime occurs and Kate realises that Charlie might well be involved. But why would he go from stealing a packet of flower seeds to stealing a little toddler? And is there more to this case than at first meets the eye?
A Kate Redman Short Story for Christmas
The last person Detective Sergeant Kate Redman wants to see while she's doing her Christmas shopping is habitual petty thief and homeless alcoholic Charlie Petworth. While she knows that Charlie steals small things in part to get a warm bed for the night, it's still annoying, particularly in the season of good will.
Then a far more serious crime occurs and Kate realises that Charlie might well be involved. But why would he go from stealing a packet of flower seeds to stealing a little toddler? And is there more to this case than at first meets the eye?
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2015
160 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Celina Grace
62 books455 followersI’ve been trying to get published as a writer since…. um… er…um…see, it was that long ago I can’t remember. A long time. I make it fifteen years and counting….
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
November 17, 2020
Joy by Cleina Grace is a very short story situated halfway through Grace's Kate Redman series. It's the week of Christmas and Kate is in charge of a kidnapping that suddenly and surprisingly is "solved" when the local homeless man (known to the police and harmless) walks in carrying the child. How and why Charlie ended up with the missing child is at the heart of this quick read. ''
You don't need to read the entire series to read this short story. It's a good, well written, quickly read holiday story. Enjoy!
You don't need to read the entire series to read this short story. It's a good, well written, quickly read holiday story. Enjoy!
November 29, 2018
Lots of author will put together an Xmas story for their characters, these are often sunny, bright little tales to lift your spirits... WARNING this is NOT one of those books.
While set a Christmas this short tales examines homelessness, mental illness and child abuse.It is an effective juxtaposition of the silly season and reality but it is dark and depressing.
While set a Christmas this short tales examines homelessness, mental illness and child abuse.It is an effective juxtaposition of the silly season and reality but it is dark and depressing.
December 30, 2020
This is a great little story that packs a lot in to its 40 pages. It starts off with the seemingly simple issue of Redman taking habitual thief Charlie Pentworth down to the station but the following day things escalate dramatically with the kidnapping of a 18 month old, and dear Charlie might be involved. Redman has a niggling feeling and in tugging at that thread, she unravels not only this latest crime, but also one from 5 years previously. As ever, the writing and story flows well but doesn't feel rushed or over edited.
December 22, 2022
My first read by this Author .. sadly, not Book 1 in the Series, but I do like a 'fill in short' to test whether a Series is worth hunting out ..
Although this was set at Christmastime, the storyline was far from festive .. quite sad & depressing overall .. yes, you have a Secret Santa (of sorts) and snow falling outside, but the 'crime' element wasn't very satisfactory - and because it's short, we have no real ending either ..
Maybe I need to find Book #9 ..
Anyway, it whiled away half an hour ..
Although this was set at Christmastime, the storyline was far from festive .. quite sad & depressing overall .. yes, you have a Secret Santa (of sorts) and snow falling outside, but the 'crime' element wasn't very satisfactory - and because it's short, we have no real ending either ..
Maybe I need to find Book #9 ..
Anyway, it whiled away half an hour ..
November 27, 2024
Back to an old favorite
It’s been a long time since I read a Kate Redmond mystery, but this short story reminds me that there are several more waiting for me. A baby disappears just before Christmas and her frantic parents come to the police station for help. Kate’s kindness and her knowledge of her town help her save the day. Nice setting, lovely characters, warmth and a touch of humor make this short story a cozy read.
It’s been a long time since I read a Kate Redmond mystery, but this short story reminds me that there are several more waiting for me. A baby disappears just before Christmas and her frantic parents come to the police station for help. Kate’s kindness and her knowledge of her town help her save the day. Nice setting, lovely characters, warmth and a touch of humor make this short story a cozy read.
December 3, 2015
It's amazing how Celina Grace has managed to condense a whole crime mystery into this Christmas short - a cold case for the cold season, Joy is a great speedy little read featuring Kate Redman. Lovely little well-written winter warmer for fans of the series!
October 4, 2018
In this short story it's close to Christmas and Detective Sergeant Kate Redman investigates the disappearance of a child, but what does the investigation expose.
An enjoyable, well-written little mystery where we see a compassionate Kate Redman
An enjoyable, well-written little mystery where we see a compassionate Kate Redman
January 22, 2016
This was a very short piece, but well worth the read. I enjoyed the crisp details and the characters where ell written, even for such a short vignette.
January 17, 2016
"A joy to read"
This may be a short story, but it's long on quality. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be dipping into more Kate Redman stories.
This may be a short story, but it's long on quality. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be dipping into more Kate Redman stories.
January 7, 2018
Book 06 of my Goodreads Challenge 2018
I rather enjoyed this short detective novel staring Detective Sergeant Kate Redman. This is the first I have read by this author and may be tempted into trying another book in the series.
'Joy' had so much going for it with a petty thief Charlie Petworth taken into the station after stealing a couple of Christmas baubles. He is merely looking for a bed for the night, a character known as being harmless to the local police and they almost welcome him and his little stray dog into the station.
Then the story ups its pace, and we find Charlie involved in a much bigger crime and an old case is re-opened. Sadly this story ends rather abruptly hence only the three star rating there was so much more we needed to know such a shame. Charlie was a character that although a thief we could easily warm to.
I rather enjoyed this short detective novel staring Detective Sergeant Kate Redman. This is the first I have read by this author and may be tempted into trying another book in the series.
'Joy' had so much going for it with a petty thief Charlie Petworth taken into the station after stealing a couple of Christmas baubles. He is merely looking for a bed for the night, a character known as being harmless to the local police and they almost welcome him and his little stray dog into the station.
Then the story ups its pace, and we find Charlie involved in a much bigger crime and an old case is re-opened. Sadly this story ends rather abruptly hence only the three star rating there was so much more we needed to know such a shame. Charlie was a character that although a thief we could easily warm to.
May 17, 2018
This is a short story in the Kate Redman mystery series. It apparently follows book #8, but it could be read at almost any point. When a homeless man apparently steals a baby at Christmastime, Kate knows it is not his normal sort of shoplifting, and delves into it. A very quick read - probably not worth buying, but it was free, so worth reading.
By the way, GOODREADS, your date read column is STILL not working!
By the way, GOODREADS, your date read column is STILL not working!
December 10, 2020
I picked this one up without even giving it a second glance, and I'm not sorry. Well...maybe juat a little. Necause I fell in the depths of it and also fell in love with this author's writing and way of tellinh the story.
If you want to try something else this season, something more like a mystery, than look no further. This book is a winner.
Looking forward into reading more of the Kate Redman Mysteries.
If you want to try something else this season, something more like a mystery, than look no further. This book is a winner.
Looking forward into reading more of the Kate Redman Mysteries.
December 29, 2016
This was a really enjoyable short story. I was actually surprised how good it was despite being so short. In fact, I got so into it I really didn't want it to end. I loved Charlie, the homeless man, and really felt for him.
At the time of posting this review, this story is available for free on Amazon Kindle:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
At the time of posting this review, this story is available for free on Amazon Kindle:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
December 14, 2017
Not having read any other books in this series, I felt this short story lacked a lot. No character construction, no real ending. Makes me doubt reading any other by this author. But, in fairness, I will begin with book one in the Kay red man series before making a final judgement
May 11, 2018
It maybe short, but a beautiful told story.Even though Charlie had fallen on hard times, he clearly remembers what happened before. When a couple comes in and missing there baby. What was Charlie doing, and calling the missing baby Joy. Detective Erin figures it out.
June 28, 2018
Children past and present
Absolutely terrific short story! Christmas should be family time. So when a child goes missing it hurts everyone. Why was the child taken. What does it have to do with the death of a child that occurred years ago? Wonderfully satisfying read. Recommended
Absolutely terrific short story! Christmas should be family time. So when a child goes missing it hurts everyone. Why was the child taken. What does it have to do with the death of a child that occurred years ago? Wonderfully satisfying read. Recommended
November 14, 2018
Det Sergeant Kate Redman is doing her Christmas shopping when she spots a repeat offender Charlie who had been caught shop-lifting. He is released the next morning but re-appears at the station with a baby in his arms.
There’s more to the story than just Charlie wanting a warm bed and who was Joy?
There’s more to the story than just Charlie wanting a warm bed and who was Joy?
November 14, 2018
This book was very good! I enjoyed the setting and how the cop treated the homeless man and his dog with dignity. I am interested in reading more of the Kate Redman books after this brief encounter. If you like crime shows like CSI, NCIS and Criminal Minds this short story is for you!
December 18, 2018
I'm always impressed with the way this author writes. She definitely knows how to move along a story without getting bogged down with all types of irrelevant minutiae - something I very much appreciate when I'm reading.
December 8, 2019
Short and sweet
Short, sweet Christmas story. I like the introduction of a character I didn't know but instantly felt for him. Way to go Celina drawing me in quickly. I knew it was a short story but I would have enjoyed getting to know Charlies story more.
Short, sweet Christmas story. I like the introduction of a character I didn't know but instantly felt for him. Way to go Celina drawing me in quickly. I knew it was a short story but I would have enjoyed getting to know Charlies story more.
December 1, 2020
Christmas Connetion
I would hardly label this a Christmas story. It does have as n interesting story as a drunk keeps calling the child he kidnapped Joy. Joy is the name of the couple's first child who died in an accident leading to a surprising ending.
I would hardly label this a Christmas story. It does have as n interesting story as a drunk keeps calling the child he kidnapped Joy. Joy is the name of the couple's first child who died in an accident leading to a surprising ending.
December 26, 2020
Great
This novella gives us a more in-depth picture of Kate Redmond and is a lighter outlook than usual. I just wish the series was on Kindle Unlimited like the first couple of books were.
This novella gives us a more in-depth picture of Kate Redmond and is a lighter outlook than usual. I just wish the series was on Kindle Unlimited like the first couple of books were.
June 11, 2024
Where’s the ending?
I hate it when stories leave me hanging. On the other hand, Celina Grace writes a really good story, and this one is as well. Her characters are always like someone we might know or pass on the street. I haven’t read any of her books I didn’t like.
I hate it when stories leave me hanging. On the other hand, Celina Grace writes a really good story, and this one is as well. Her characters are always like someone we might know or pass on the street. I haven’t read any of her books I didn’t like.
October 1, 2024
Enjoyable read
Been reading all the Kate Redman books in order, but came across this one. Not see any other of Celine's short stories. Would really love to read The Obeah Man, but can't seem to find it.
Been reading all the Kate Redman books in order, but came across this one. Not see any other of Celine's short stories. Would really love to read The Obeah Man, but can't seem to find it.
December 13, 2024
Surprise
The Kate Redman books always have an unexpected twist. Even though the reader settles on a suspect quickly, eventually there is a new piece of evidence that points to the actual culprit.
The Kate Redman books always have an unexpected twist. Even though the reader settles on a suspect quickly, eventually there is a new piece of evidence that points to the actual culprit.
December 20, 2025
Wasn't too bad
I enjoyed a majority of this short story. There was one aspect, that only because of my own personal reasons, made me not enjoy it as much. However, if I try and remove that part from my head, it'd be more like a 4 not a 3 star.
I enjoyed a majority of this short story. There was one aspect, that only because of my own personal reasons, made me not enjoy it as much. However, if I try and remove that part from my head, it'd be more like a 4 not a 3 star.
May 21, 2017
Another hit
I always look forward to a new book/story about DS Kate Redman. The transformation of the character is a page turner. Hope there will be a new book very soon.
I always look forward to a new book/story about DS Kate Redman. The transformation of the character is a page turner. Hope there will be a new book very soon.
September 18, 2017
A short 20 min read. Although, it wasnt much of an ending. Felt like it had just suddenly stopped which is why im giving this 2 stars and not 3.
December 13, 2017
This short story started out so promising! The ending was what ruined this short story for me. The ending was very abrupt and left a lot of unanswered questions.
December 17, 2017
This short story almost demands to be a book. As is, the story ends almost as soon as it begins, and just when I was getting into it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews