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The Long Case Clock: Bite-Sized Thrills
A free short story from the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of The Keeper's Cup, The Lazarus Succession and The Patmos Enigma. Recommended for new adults and adults alike.Always take heed of the locals... Tick tock tick tock, you should never be alone with a speaking clock. It's timeless and sees and hears all. And it knows your weaknesses... "This very short story is akin to a body-builder flexing his bicep. Author Ken Fry shows his writing prowess in this tale..."Get your copy!BOOKS BY KEN BESTSELLING NOVELSThe Keeper’s CupThe Patmos Quest of the Wandering JewThe Lazarus SuccessionTHE LAZARUS MYSTERIES (Duology)The Lazarus SuccessionThe Lazarus ContinuumThe Lazarus Omnibus CollectionLa Sucesión LazaroTHE LADY CRUSADER SERIES (Complete Trilogy)The Chronicles of AwakeningThe Chronicles of Love and BloodThe Chronicles of The Final SacrificeSUSPENSE THRILLERS (Standalone Novels)Shakyamuni’s PearlRED The Forgotten ConflictThe Brodsky AffairSuicide SeedsBITE-SIZED THRILLSLooks Can Be MisleadingCheck MateThe Long Case Clock (FREE)CONTEMPORARY FICTIONDying Days Join Ken Fry's Circle of www.booksbykenfry.comConnect on Twitter - @kenfry10
25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2020
6 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Ken Fry
24 books235 followersKen Fry is a multi-award-winning British author known for his captivating storytelling and vivid imagination. With over a dozen published books under his belt, Fry has established himself as a prominent figure in the literary world. His attention to detail and extensive research ensure that readers are fully immersed in the world he has created.
He is now retired and devotes his full time to writing. He lives in the UK and shares his home with 'Dickens' his Shetland Sheepdog.
He is currently working on his next novel.
He is now retired and devotes his full time to writing. He lives in the UK and shares his home with 'Dickens' his Shetland Sheepdog.
He is currently working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2022
I got this for kindle for free during a spooky sale. It’s a quick and enjoyable 25 pages.
Septimus has lost his job even though he’s born from pretty good stock. If that wasn’t bad enough, his wife, who’s still working, has grown to revile him for it. So when they’re on vacation and the long case clock starts speaking to him, the craziness doesn’t seem so extreme.
The most unbelievable part of this story to me, is people who hate each other, and spending time together, going on a vacation. Maybe that’s just me.
At only 25 pages, I found this very enjoyable. Supernatural and murdery horror at its finest, short. (At least in my opinion!). A bit creepy, a bit random, and definitely bloody.
Septimus has lost his job even though he’s born from pretty good stock. If that wasn’t bad enough, his wife, who’s still working, has grown to revile him for it. So when they’re on vacation and the long case clock starts speaking to him, the craziness doesn’t seem so extreme.
The most unbelievable part of this story to me, is people who hate each other, and spending time together, going on a vacation. Maybe that’s just me.
At only 25 pages, I found this very enjoyable. Supernatural and murdery horror at its finest, short. (At least in my opinion!). A bit creepy, a bit random, and definitely bloody.
June 12, 2020
This very short story is akin to a body-builder flexing his bicep. Author Ken Fry shows his writing prowess in this tale of a husband, Septimus, who's gotten used to his wife's verbal abuse over the years. But what happens when someone - or something - begins taunting the drunk Septimus to get his revenge over his wife? And who or what is the voice talking to him from within the long case clock?
This story is very tense and engrossing. It reminds me of Stephen King's writing.
This story is very tense and engrossing. It reminds me of Stephen King's writing.
October 10, 2020
I don't want to say too much for fear of ruining the story, but 'The Long Case Clock' gave me the feeling of Brothers Grimm meets Edgar Allan Poe. It had the eerie atmosphere/premise and violence of Poe's work with the morose warnings popular of Grimm's Fairy Tales. The way the author melded the psychological aspects of the main character's struggles with his own self-worth, dreams, and his crumbling relationship with a supernatural force that uses these things to nurture his darker, aggressive, and arguably selfish thoughts makes for an intriguing read which has the reader second-guessing their own feelings and actions as well as how much they are to blame for what dim places they may find themselves in.
September 7, 2023
When you need an escape and a quickie this short story will fill your needs.
It’s inviting with an Edgar Allan Poe vibe; both creative & clever entertain in this supernatural story of Septimus’s ife.
I admit to trying to figure out the “horror pitch” and where the story was headed.
Usually, I’m pretty good at figuring it out but even with only 25 pages I found myself creeped out, and stumped.
Truly a psychological thriller with emotional twists and a gentle reminder to be suspicious of those who overly sympathize with you; who fuel the fires of a darkness within.
Is there an ulterior motive?
That voice that sways him from acceptance to feeding his anger. And a “friend” that encourages his hate and a recipe for vengeance.
Will Septimus serve up revenge or ….
It’s inviting with an Edgar Allan Poe vibe; both creative & clever entertain in this supernatural story of Septimus’s ife.
I admit to trying to figure out the “horror pitch” and where the story was headed.
Usually, I’m pretty good at figuring it out but even with only 25 pages I found myself creeped out, and stumped.
Truly a psychological thriller with emotional twists and a gentle reminder to be suspicious of those who overly sympathize with you; who fuel the fires of a darkness within.
Is there an ulterior motive?
That voice that sways him from acceptance to feeding his anger. And a “friend” that encourages his hate and a recipe for vengeance.
Will Septimus serve up revenge or ….
November 21, 2021
THE LONG CASE CLOCK
KEN FRY
Review by Author Roy Murry
A fast-paced thriller you should read if you dare to. A marriage is broken by circumstance - money, and personality.
The couple goes on a trip and rents a house. A villager tells the man, "Things are not right with that house."
He laughs inside and returns to the house to cook a great meal for his ungrateful wife, sightseeing. Then, finally, the clock comes alive and psychologically takes over the man.
The slow pace to the end is a killer.
This snippet of Ken Fry's writing will entice the reader to buy one of his novels. It has for me.
KEN FRY
Review by Author Roy Murry
A fast-paced thriller you should read if you dare to. A marriage is broken by circumstance - money, and personality.
The couple goes on a trip and rents a house. A villager tells the man, "Things are not right with that house."
He laughs inside and returns to the house to cook a great meal for his ungrateful wife, sightseeing. Then, finally, the clock comes alive and psychologically takes over the man.
The slow pace to the end is a killer.
This snippet of Ken Fry's writing will entice the reader to buy one of his novels. It has for me.
March 6, 2021
Author Ken Fry brings us the tale of Septimus a man who is unhappy with this marriage. Septimus wants to have his own restaurant where he can cook his food and serve it to waiting costumers. But his wife always puts him down forcing him to drink more and more. That is until one day that his clock starts talking with him and comes up with a way to kill his wife. This is a great short story that looks at the mind of a man as he falls into madness and you'll like the ending. I highly recommend this story to all Horror fans.
April 10, 2021
Tasty Morsel
Short but satisfying read that delves into an unhappy marriage and takes us down a path dotted with horror and mayhem. I liked the build up to the climax. I’m still not sure if Septimus was genuinely insane or if the rented house was in fact a point of evil, and I’m okay with that. With that said, I only wish the ending had gone a tad bit longer. There was much more to discover about that clock. Breaking the 4th wall was also interesting. Doesn’t happen much in books.
Short but satisfying read that delves into an unhappy marriage and takes us down a path dotted with horror and mayhem. I liked the build up to the climax. I’m still not sure if Septimus was genuinely insane or if the rented house was in fact a point of evil, and I’m okay with that. With that said, I only wish the ending had gone a tad bit longer. There was much more to discover about that clock. Breaking the 4th wall was also interesting. Doesn’t happen much in books.
June 23, 2020
Bought it today, read it this afternoon in one sitting.
It's a clever short story which incorporates brief references to some childhood poems which lend a nice sinister air before the conclusion.
Shorts have to carry the reader along and surprise at the end, and this ticks all the boxes.
It's a clever short story which incorporates brief references to some childhood poems which lend a nice sinister air before the conclusion.
Shorts have to carry the reader along and surprise at the end, and this ticks all the boxes.
September 30, 2021
So Clever
This is my first Ken Fry story and I know it won't be my last. I so enjoyed his creepy little story, but I was completely taken surprise by the ending. I'm sure everyone that reads this will like it too.
This is my first Ken Fry story and I know it won't be my last. I so enjoyed his creepy little story, but I was completely taken surprise by the ending. I'm sure everyone that reads this will like it too.
August 15, 2023
Septimus is married to Gertrude. She does not appreciate his efforts at keeping house or cooking. On holiday, a grandfather clock starts speaking to him, letting him know how to right the horrible wrongs. Very short but enjoyable.
December 2, 2023
The wine & click made him do it
In this case, revenge is best served hot. Belittling your spouse and also cheating on them, mixed with a few glasses of wine & a devilish clock whispering in your ear will make you kill.
In this case, revenge is best served hot. Belittling your spouse and also cheating on them, mixed with a few glasses of wine & a devilish clock whispering in your ear will make you kill.
June 25, 2020
Creepy in the best sense. If you enjoy The Twilight Zone, you will enjoy this story.
February 8, 2021
Very short read, interesting, spooky, check it out
February 27, 2021
The Speaking Clock
This was an interesting short story, well written with a likeable character, I like a short story to have a good ending.
This was an interesting short story, well written with a likeable character, I like a short story to have a good ending.
June 27, 2024
Silly little horror story but it was entertaining
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews