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The Ghost of Grape Lane : A Michael Brady Christmas Short Story
Who doesn’t love a Ghost Story?
Everyone
Except Michael Brady…
“Brilliant. Michael Brady is fast becoming the Yorkshire Rebus.”
It’s ten days before Christmas.
Brady’s first Christmas in his new house. Ash. Siobhan. Family and friends.
It’s going to be perfect…
But Whitby’s been wreathed in fog since November. “We couldn’t even see across the harbour…”
And everyone’s got a ghost story to tell.
But Detective Chief Inspector Michael Brady doesn’t believe in ghosts.
He believes in evidence. Cold, hard facts…
Until a body is found at Bagdale Hall.
The Bagdale Hall that’s haunted by Browne Bushell, a pirate from the Civil War.
Suddenly old cases which weren’t investigated properly start to make sense.
Ghosts from Whitby’s past have a new significance…
But the case gets more complex – and Brady sees Christmas slipping away.
Michael Brady has a week. A week to catch a killer.
Or he’ll pay the price.
And spend Christmas Day on his own…
“Mark Richards has created such a likeable character in Mike Brady that you want to be his friend. Go for a drink with him or give him a hug when he so obviously needs one. I’ve read all the Brady books in a week. I can’t wait for the next one…”
Everyone
Except Michael Brady…
“Brilliant. Michael Brady is fast becoming the Yorkshire Rebus.”
It’s ten days before Christmas.
Brady’s first Christmas in his new house. Ash. Siobhan. Family and friends.
It’s going to be perfect…
But Whitby’s been wreathed in fog since November. “We couldn’t even see across the harbour…”
And everyone’s got a ghost story to tell.
But Detective Chief Inspector Michael Brady doesn’t believe in ghosts.
He believes in evidence. Cold, hard facts…
Until a body is found at Bagdale Hall.
The Bagdale Hall that’s haunted by Browne Bushell, a pirate from the Civil War.
Suddenly old cases which weren’t investigated properly start to make sense.
Ghosts from Whitby’s past have a new significance…
But the case gets more complex – and Brady sees Christmas slipping away.
Michael Brady has a week. A week to catch a killer.
Or he’ll pay the price.
And spend Christmas Day on his own…
“Mark Richards has created such a likeable character in Mike Brady that you want to be his friend. Go for a drink with him or give him a hug when he so obviously needs one. I’ve read all the Brady books in a week. I can’t wait for the next one…”
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2022
9 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Mark Richards
137 books16 followersLibrarian note: There are multiple authors with this name in this data base.
For the author of the UK's Funniest Dad Blog go to Mark Richards.
For the author of Software Architecture Patterns go to Mark Richards.
For the outdoor writer go to Mark Richards.
For the co-author of A Practical Approach to Conveyancing go to Mark Richards.
For the author of the UK's Funniest Dad Blog go to Mark Richards.
For the author of Software Architecture Patterns go to Mark Richards.
For the outdoor writer go to Mark Richards.
For the co-author of A Practical Approach to Conveyancing go to Mark Richards.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 27, 2022
I'm already a huge fan of Mark's writing and of Brady, Frankie and all the other characters in this brilliant series.
Had been looking forward to this as soon as Mark mentioned he was going to write it. Who doesn't love a Christmas ghost story?!
This is a short story, and starts when a man is found with his head bashed in. As Brady is investigating, he learns the various ghost stories associated with Whitby, which despite living in the area for years, he didn't know.
He is also in a race against time to get the case wrapped up before Christmas.
I won't ruin it and tell you if it is or not, but I love the way it all linked together, it was perfectly done. It's mad how so many ghost stories come to be, and as cynical as you are, sometimes you have to question yourself.
Id recommend reading the other books in the series first, mostly because they are all brilliant, but also because you get a feel for the characters and Marks writing style. If you wanted to read it is a standalone, you lose nothing.
Had been looking forward to this as soon as Mark mentioned he was going to write it. Who doesn't love a Christmas ghost story?!
This is a short story, and starts when a man is found with his head bashed in. As Brady is investigating, he learns the various ghost stories associated with Whitby, which despite living in the area for years, he didn't know.
He is also in a race against time to get the case wrapped up before Christmas.
I won't ruin it and tell you if it is or not, but I love the way it all linked together, it was perfectly done. It's mad how so many ghost stories come to be, and as cynical as you are, sometimes you have to question yourself.
Id recommend reading the other books in the series first, mostly because they are all brilliant, but also because you get a feel for the characters and Marks writing style. If you wanted to read it is a standalone, you lose nothing.
December 27, 2022
Another brilliant Brady short read
A fabulous cosy festive read, if murder & darkness & ghostly tales are your idea of festive coziness!
This book is ideal for curling up with a cuppa or a glass of your favourite tipple and spending a couple of hours with Brady & Co whilst the rain and wind battle it out!
I loved the nods to Whitby’s history and how the local tales are woven into the story.
Another 5 stars for Mark Richards - looking forward to the release of The Edge of Truth.
A fabulous cosy festive read, if murder & darkness & ghostly tales are your idea of festive coziness!
This book is ideal for curling up with a cuppa or a glass of your favourite tipple and spending a couple of hours with Brady & Co whilst the rain and wind battle it out!
I loved the nods to Whitby’s history and how the local tales are woven into the story.
Another 5 stars for Mark Richards - looking forward to the release of The Edge of Truth.
December 29, 2022
Michael Brady thinks the team are coasting towards a Christmas break when a body turns up in a locked hotel bedroom. People keep telling him stories of the various ghosts said to haunt Whitby, and he meets the woman whose late husband used to take tourists on the ‘ghost walk’. This is a gripping story, short but sweet, and the pace is good. There’s always something happening, and the climax is exciting. The big question is, does Brady cook his first Christmas dinner? A great story with lots of atmosphere.
January 11, 2023
A new author to me and I began reading this short story without realising it was the third in a series, however it was still enjoyable.
More crime fiction than ghosty, we find Whitby cop Michael Brady tasked with looking into the brutal death of a guest in a local hotel. However when DNA is found, it raises more questions than answers. A really strong story with tales of local legends as a background to it, this works really well as both come together nicely to create a decent whodunnit and leaving me wanting to read the first two to see what I've missed. Definitely recommended
More crime fiction than ghosty, we find Whitby cop Michael Brady tasked with looking into the brutal death of a guest in a local hotel. However when DNA is found, it raises more questions than answers. A really strong story with tales of local legends as a background to it, this works really well as both come together nicely to create a decent whodunnit and leaving me wanting to read the first two to see what I've missed. Definitely recommended
December 25, 2022
A Great Short Read
I didn't know quite what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed it immensely. If you like a good ghost story, some suspense, mystery, and a little humour thrown in, I definitely recommend this book. Also, if you haven't done so already, treat yourself to all of Mark's books. You won't be disappointed. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Book 5 of the Michael Brady series.
I didn't know quite what to expect from this book, but I enjoyed it immensely. If you like a good ghost story, some suspense, mystery, and a little humour thrown in, I definitely recommend this book. Also, if you haven't done so already, treat yourself to all of Mark's books. You won't be disappointed. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Book 5 of the Michael Brady series.
December 27, 2022
I love all the books by this author, long and short, and this was another terrific read. Fitting that it is set at Christmas time, and it has all the usual characters that I love, the Christmas setting and some ghost stories all added to the mix.
A terrific quick read. You can fit it in a couple of hours of uninterrupted bliss if you can manage it and it will set you up for the rest of the day in a happy satisfied mood.
A terrific quick read. You can fit it in a couple of hours of uninterrupted bliss if you can manage it and it will set you up for the rest of the day in a happy satisfied mood.
January 2, 2023
I absolutely loved this book
Although this is set around Christmas time, I myself feel it could be read and enjoyed anytime.
I do like Mark Richards, Mike Brady books. In this one not only do you get Brady trying to solve a murder, but also cleverly weaved into the story, are the tales of the ghosts who haunt Whitby.
I was very much looking forward to this book being published, and no way was I disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from start to finish.
Although this is set around Christmas time, I myself feel it could be read and enjoyed anytime.
I do like Mark Richards, Mike Brady books. In this one not only do you get Brady trying to solve a murder, but also cleverly weaved into the story, are the tales of the ghosts who haunt Whitby.
I was very much looking forward to this book being published, and no way was I disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from start to finish.
January 4, 2023
This was an apt read for just after Christmas and was filled with tales from Whitby (some of which I was familiar with) as well as a gritty investigation not the murder of a hotel resident. Enjoyable and only left me anxsious for the next Brady novels which I believe is out in Feb , so not long to wait
December 26, 2022
This novella is set just before Christmas. Michael Brady doesn't believe in ghosts but is learning all the ghost stories of Whitby and one seems very real. He also has to put his cooking prowess (not) to the test as he spends his first Christmas in his new house. A fabulous read
December 27, 2022
Good one. Enjoyable as usual. But we know most of these books by books of crime fiction are just that and that the British police today are more interested in thought crime and the colour of their nail polish!
December 29, 2022
Brilliant
Whitby in the fog. It’s Christmas. Old ghost stories are told. A murder occurs. What a Christmas read. Thoroughly enjoyed as always.
Whitby in the fog. It’s Christmas. Old ghost stories are told. A murder occurs. What a Christmas read. Thoroughly enjoyed as always.
December 31, 2022
one of my favorites!
The Michael Brady series is one of my very favorites! So much so that I’m ready to move to Whitby! Read them all and anxious for the next one!
The Michael Brady series is one of my very favorites! So much so that I’m ready to move to Whitby! Read them all and anxious for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews