Beyond The Lock

by Mac Fletcher (Author/illustrator)

SYNOPSIS

Young siblings Katie & Ted are different to native frogs; they have little knowledge of their distant cousins and less still of their own forebears. In the absence of parents, they have - since emerging from the pool they were spawned in - been sheltered and schooled by an ageing toad. They also differ in appearance to the common frog, having inherited leathery chocolate skin, an aversion to chilly weather and a dread of water! The challenges these differences present don’t help when they are forced to flee their cosy winter lodgings for safer refuge within the grounds of a manor-house.
On the advice of a hamster living in semi-captivity within the old house, they find winter shelter in a scale-model boat called Lucy-Ella.
On awakening from hibernation the following spring, they set about making Lucy-Ella their permanent home and are prompted to learn more about a legendary world outside the wall surrounding the manor: ‘Beyond the Lock’ is a fabled realm on the other side of a canal lock. The lock provides the only safe way out of the grounds, but even that sounds like the stuff of dreams.
Although still relatively innocent, Ted is more street-wise than younger sister Katie and inclined to be protective towards her, though both are compelled to learn quickly as events unfold. Matters, they discover, are rarely as they seem, and sightings of more powerful and sinister looking frogs does little for their peace of mind.

Unknown Binding

Published December 14, 2020

About the author

I was born and still live in South Staffordshire UK. I loved telling stories (tall ones of course) from an early age, and writing developed from there. At six or seven I realised one needs far less nerve to tell stories on paper than in public, and if they're lousy no one ever need know (you've guessed, I've written some lousy ones).
I have a lot of interests, though the narrowboat my wife and I bought and fitted out remains the greatest of my passions. The UK waterways are a microcosm: an echo of Georgian times, with a pace of life to match.
Many of my hobbies are in some way creative: gardening, drawing & painting, computer graphics, photography ... and of course writing. Too old for most active sports, and never brilliant either, I try to keep fit by swimming regularly - and walking.
I've written several full-length novels, but despite a fair amount of interest having been shown in my work, I remained unpublished in print until Death Must Go On! Now available on Kindle, it was my first attempt at black comedy, and as such a total departure from my other novels. I'm still not sure how well it works, but the fact that quite a few people have expressed the pleasure they took in reading it has made the effort worthwhile... to the point that I have a similar novel in progress.
My other published books - both on Kindle - are basically mystery thrillers with a mildly subjective view of the characters and, I hope,a degree of humour.
I will welcome ANY comments on my work (I won't be a hypocrite, especially kind ones) and welcome all correspondence via email to macfletcher043@gmail.com
Thanks very much for taking the time to read this - and my books I hope!
Posted below are two links to independent reviews:

http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReviews...

://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin/Fle...

Mac Fletcher