Toby's Little Eden and Other Stories

Book excerpt: The first story in this collection of short stories, The Ghostwriter, is about a very successful thriller writer who seems to be possessed by the spirit of Charles Dickens. This leads him to battle his inner demons and question his atheistic attitude. The second story is called Something To Do and features an ordinary man who decides to become a writer. His quotidian task is complicated by slightly obsessive thoughts relating to an old flame. The third story entitled Toby's Little Eden focuses on a strapping young man who is happily dormant and isolated in his beautiful garden in North London but the arrival of a new young housekeeper leads him to reluctantly come out of his shell. Found Wanting is about a man who seeks to gently nudge his wife back into prostitution but is he pushing at an open door? The final story, Carlington Park G.C. is really a series of comical sketches featuring the groundstaff of a new golf course in North Manchester.