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The Clockwork Eyeball
Reminiscent of masters of the spy genre, Steven Poore tells a tale of daring do in a world of intrigue, with his usual flare and immaculate writing.
1958. An alternate Marrakesh. The Cold War wages on and with the launch of Sputnik, Russia is conquering space at last.
Young Saif’s mission; escort an undercover British agent to the Deputy Security directorate. Evading high tech Russian surveillance devices, Saif borrows a grand taxi and heads to the pick-up point.
But the agent – aka “The Lighting Rod” – is the one man guaranteed to make a dangerous situation more perilous.
The race is on to escape the Russian secret service and deliver the spy safely into British hands
Dyslexic friendly Quick Read for adults. Formatted with cream paper and larger spacing.
1958. An alternate Marrakesh. The Cold War wages on and with the launch of Sputnik, Russia is conquering space at last.
Young Saif’s mission; escort an undercover British agent to the Deputy Security directorate. Evading high tech Russian surveillance devices, Saif borrows a grand taxi and heads to the pick-up point.
But the agent – aka “The Lighting Rod” – is the one man guaranteed to make a dangerous situation more perilous.
The race is on to escape the Russian secret service and deliver the spy safely into British hands
Dyslexic friendly Quick Read for adults. Formatted with cream paper and larger spacing.
128 pages, Paperback
Published June 12, 2021
About the author
Steven Poore
22 books102 followersSteven Poore writes epic fantasies (Malessar's Curse: Heir To The North, and the sequel, The High King's Vengeance - both from Kristell Ink Books), ripping space adventures (The Empire Dance), and other shaggy dog tales. BFS Award-winning publisher Fox Spirit Books publishes several of his short stories in their Fox Pockets range of collections. Steven is also one of the organisers of the SFSF Social.
He has been onstage with Jane Horrocks and the RSC, and co-produced the Sheffield theatre premiere of Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters. Steven is a founder member of the Sheffield SF&F Writers’ Group, where much of Malessar's Curse was drafted and workshopped. Steven lives in Sheffield with a crafty partner, a three-legged cat, and a critical mass of books and vinyl records.
Incidentally, Mr Pratchett had been expecting someone taller.
He has been onstage with Jane Horrocks and the RSC, and co-produced the Sheffield theatre premiere of Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters. Steven is a founder member of the Sheffield SF&F Writers’ Group, where much of Malessar's Curse was drafted and workshopped. Steven lives in Sheffield with a crafty partner, a three-legged cat, and a critical mass of books and vinyl records.
Incidentally, Mr Pratchett had been expecting someone taller.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 26, 2022
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Set in an alternate Marrakesh in 1958, this enjoyable little spy caper was a lot of fun to read, and definitely one to wrap your eyes around.
Set in an alternate Marrakesh in 1958, this enjoyable little spy caper was a lot of fun to read, and definitely one to wrap your eyes around.
July 7, 2022
epub on kobo: 9781913603137, 40 pages
Marrakesh, 1958 - an exotic tourist destination but in a world not quite our own the tourists arrive by airship and many machines are powered by clockwork... The Russians have recently launched Sputnick and the British Empire (the monarch here isa King) is anxious not to allow them to get further ahead in the new Space Age. (Quite where the Americans are is moot - and Marrakesh is under Caliphate rule. There has been a First World War and the Chinese are a power (good with miniaturising spy dvices - spymoths, venomous spywasps) but Kipling's Great Game seems still in play in the Indian subcontinent.
Saif is an agent for the British - and is sent to meet a member of the Foreign Office. The sd cheduled rrivl of the Jane Grey airship is one time and then Saif becomes embroiled in a mad dash acrosss the city with a fugitive.
A fine short narrtive, all the more intriguing by what we do not know!
Marrakesh, 1958 - an exotic tourist destination but in a world not quite our own the tourists arrive by airship and many machines are powered by clockwork... The Russians have recently launched Sputnick and the British Empire (the monarch here isa King) is anxious not to allow them to get further ahead in the new Space Age. (Quite where the Americans are is moot - and Marrakesh is under Caliphate rule. There has been a First World War and the Chinese are a power (good with miniaturising spy dvices - spymoths, venomous spywasps) but Kipling's Great Game seems still in play in the Indian subcontinent.
Saif is an agent for the British - and is sent to meet a member of the Foreign Office. The sd cheduled rrivl of the Jane Grey airship is one time and then Saif becomes embroiled in a mad dash acrosss the city with a fugitive.
A fine short narrtive, all the more intriguing by what we do not know!
January 31, 2023
What a super read, I just whipped through this rollercoaster-ride of a novella that so nicely evokes some of the frantic, dusty chases through North African cities that we have read before, or seen on screen. There is a very satisfying steampunk tone to the whole thing, not just in the clunky clockwork tech that features on every page, but in the trappings of the (equivalent) time period, and engaging characters, the winning combination of which elements paints a vivid picture of every duck, dive and daring escape.
This book is one of BOTH Publishing's Dyslexic Friendly Quirk Reads Series, hopefully to be ever-expanding. Do not in the slightest be distracted by this aspect of the volume. There is nothing here to prevent a 'muggle' like me from enjoying the fantastic stories in this range, and Books On The Hill must be congratulated on this excellent endeavour, which deserves all our support.
If I have one complaint about this story: it's too short! I very much enjoyed spending time with these well-drawn and colourful characters, and would love to read more of their adventures.
This book is one of BOTH Publishing's Dyslexic Friendly Quirk Reads Series, hopefully to be ever-expanding. Do not in the slightest be distracted by this aspect of the volume. There is nothing here to prevent a 'muggle' like me from enjoying the fantastic stories in this range, and Books On The Hill must be congratulated on this excellent endeavour, which deserves all our support.
If I have one complaint about this story: it's too short! I very much enjoyed spending time with these well-drawn and colourful characters, and would love to read more of their adventures.
December 30, 2022
Reminiscent of masters of the spy genre, Steven Poore tells a tale of daring do in a world of intrigue, with his usual flare and immaculate writing.
May 7, 2024
Alternative history Ian Fleming. Fun.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews