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Magpie’s Ladder
A researcher’s curiosity draws her to the dream realm of the Darkling Lands. Condemned by his own crime, an engrosser plumbs the labyrinthine depths of his firm’s building to find that he is not alone. A giant searches for his missing brother. A young woman opens a sealed house atop a crumbling bridge. A young academic moves into the house of a dead professor and finds himself trapped in a dark fairy-tale. These are five stories of yearning, curiosity and darkness. They explore the fragile and dangerous correspondence between people and monsters. This illustrated book is Richard’s first collection of short stories.
110 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2019
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About the author
Richard A. Kirk
11 books34 followersRICHARD A. KIRK - Author, Illustrator, & visual artist
Richard is the author of the novella THE LOST MACHINE (Radiolaria Studios, 2010), the novel NECESSARY MONSTERS (Resurrection House, Arche Press, 2017), and an illustrated short story collection MAGPIE’S LADDER (PS Publications, 2019). Richard’s new, illustrated novel, TAILOR OF ECHOES was published in 2021 by PS Publishing. Richard is currently working on a new novel.
He has illustrated works by Clive Barker, Christopher Golden, Frank Herbert, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Thomas Ligotti, China Mieville, the rock band Korn and others.
Richard's art work is drawn from an interest in the forms and processes of the natural world. He explores these themes through the creation of meticulous drawings in ink, graphite and silverpoint, which often depict chimerical creatures and protean landscapes. Metamorphosis is an underlying narrative in all of Richard's work.
Richard is the author of the novella THE LOST MACHINE (Radiolaria Studios, 2010), the novel NECESSARY MONSTERS (Resurrection House, Arche Press, 2017), and an illustrated short story collection MAGPIE’S LADDER (PS Publications, 2019). Richard’s new, illustrated novel, TAILOR OF ECHOES was published in 2021 by PS Publishing. Richard is currently working on a new novel.
He has illustrated works by Clive Barker, Christopher Golden, Frank Herbert, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Thomas Ligotti, China Mieville, the rock band Korn and others.
Richard's art work is drawn from an interest in the forms and processes of the natural world. He explores these themes through the creation of meticulous drawings in ink, graphite and silverpoint, which often depict chimerical creatures and protean landscapes. Metamorphosis is an underlying narrative in all of Richard's work.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 5, 2023
Kirk, Richard A - Magpie’s Ladder
And the ladder is long, extending into the Darkling Lands, realm of Mr. Magpie, a puzzling character who Lily senses she ought to avoid, focus on her work, her marriage, and yet she is drawn.
Nor is Magpie as harmless as he seemed, as Lily discovers to her despair. The title story is one of bitter experience, the price of education that leaves a scar.
George has been with the firm for ages. From the previous chairman to his son. His wages are insufficient, so he boosts his revenue with a little … well … counterfeiting has such a connotation, doesn’t it? He is caught, although in “The Engrosser” he is given an option. Descend to the basement – no, deeper than that – and find out what is going on down there.
“Elephant Bridge” floats downstream with weathered Aunt Justine and young Gillian. Very far, down to where the bridge is, the structure that allegedly contains hundreds of wooden drawers. The old are seldom curious, but the young, oh, how insatiable their inquisitiveness.
A collection that goes into secrets, although answers are not forthcoming and rarely satisfy. On the plus side, this packed with Kirk’s illustrations. Readers of Clive Barker, Caitlín Kiernan, China Miéville, Thomas Ligotti will recognize his style immediately.
And the ladder is long, extending into the Darkling Lands, realm of Mr. Magpie, a puzzling character who Lily senses she ought to avoid, focus on her work, her marriage, and yet she is drawn.
Nor is Magpie as harmless as he seemed, as Lily discovers to her despair. The title story is one of bitter experience, the price of education that leaves a scar.
George has been with the firm for ages. From the previous chairman to his son. His wages are insufficient, so he boosts his revenue with a little … well … counterfeiting has such a connotation, doesn’t it? He is caught, although in “The Engrosser” he is given an option. Descend to the basement – no, deeper than that – and find out what is going on down there.
“Elephant Bridge” floats downstream with weathered Aunt Justine and young Gillian. Very far, down to where the bridge is, the structure that allegedly contains hundreds of wooden drawers. The old are seldom curious, but the young, oh, how insatiable their inquisitiveness.
A collection that goes into secrets, although answers are not forthcoming and rarely satisfy. On the plus side, this packed with Kirk’s illustrations. Readers of Clive Barker, Caitlín Kiernan, China Miéville, Thomas Ligotti will recognize his style immediately.
October 17, 2022
Good wierd or steampunk fiction with beautiful illustrations.
December 29, 2022
Amazing stories with even more amazing illustrations. Been a fan of his illustrations since tales of pain and wonder by Caitlin Kiernan
May 20, 2025
Five short fantasic stories. Each differnt and unique accompanied by amazing art. Great read. Must have.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews