Böcker av Ann Brady

This is the 3rd book complied by Mentoring Writers from the entries of their annual Writing Competition. In the 2022/2023 competition the entrants had to rewrite a scene from history.

Tommy Doyle is an ex-Detective Inspector in his mid-forties. He lives alone in an old three-story, brownstone building, in a district of LA. Tommy had joined the police force after leaving school, much the same as his father and grand-father had before him. Having left the force over three years ago; disillusioned and disappointed, Tommy had become a PI - setting up Doyle's Investigations. He had been a police officer for close on twenty years but had been driven out having been accused of a crime he did not commit. Like Tommy and his pal Mac, most of his fellow officers believed he had been set up, but they couldn't confirm that. Although cleared Doyle made the decision to retire, or maybe he'd resigned due to being let down by those upstairs? It all depended on your point of view. Being disillusioned, and with the lack of support from senior management, it seemed it wasn't what you knew, but more a question of who you knew. He also found he didn't like the politics of the modern police force. 'I know who you are,' thought Doyle as he walked away from the precinct. 'And one day, you will pay. One day, wherever you are, I will get revenge.' Not that Doyle was one to bear grudges, but he never forgot where a debt was owed; either by him, or to him.As it turned out leaving the police force worked out quite well for Tommy. And, regardless of missing working on the Police force, and being around the guys he'd known for so many years, Tommy had slowly built up quite a solid reputation within his local community. His favourite place to eat and hang out was O'Malley's Bar & Diner. A middle aged Irish couple ran the bar; Pat O'Malley and his wife Molly, who cooked the food. She made a 'mean' Stew & Dumplings, Tommy's favourite. The fact Doyle was an ex-copper wasn't held against him, and in fact probably helped as it made the community feel much safer knowing he lived close by. The following short stories are based on some of Tommy's cases.

The ducks have come up from the pond and are trying to have a race around the farmyard. But Hilary Horse, Penny Pig, and Betty Cow think they are making too much noise. The ducks are sad because they don't know what to do. Then Rover Dog has a good idea and tells the ducks where they can go to run around. Do you think you can help them?

One day a pile of wood is left at the farm for the farmer to build a new pen. When he leaves for market the Little Friends - Penny Pig, Hilary Horse, the ducks, Rover Dog and Freddie Fly - all try to guess what the farmer will bring back to put in the pen. How surprised they are when he returns to discover some new Little Friends have joined the happy band at the farm? Can you guess who he might have brought home?

Freddie is fed up because his brothers don't want to play games. So, he goes on an adventure across the fields where he meets Clara Cow. Clara is a special cow who has come from another country. She tells Freddie all about herself and her sisters, and why she makes a tinkling noise when she walks.

Clara Cow is sat sunbathing when she sees Barry Badger passing by. He is going to visit his friend. Not long after, Jenny Wren and Abby, Annie, Alex and Andy Ant all come looking for Barry. Find out if they find him, who Barry has gone to visit, and why.

Karla Koi was feeling very hungry. But she thinks the lady from the big house has forgotten all about her. When Bella Bee flies into the garden she says she will help Karla by going to look for the lady.

The Little Friends are gathering in the garden and are feeling excited. They are waiting for Kitty Cat to arrive because she has something special to show them. Everyone is waiting to see what, or who, Kitty Cat is going to bring to show them.

Snowball the Rabbit and her baby rabbits are on their way to see Poppy Rabbit but they are lost. Can Basil Blue Tit help her? Or will it be Timmy Tortoise who shows Snowball the right path into the garden?

Winter is over and the garden is coming to life once more. The Little Friends are starting to visit Big Fish who is feeling very hungry. Read how Bella Bee helps Big Fish and teaches him how she makes honey from collecting pollen.

Bella is very good at making honey with the other bees. It's a sunny day and Bella is in the garden today, where she meets Jenny Wren and Kitty Cat. Bella also visits lots of different flowers so she can collect lots of pollen to take back to the bee hive.

Marty Mole lives underground but he is a lonely mole who really wants another mole to come and live with him. Will he be lucky and find one? Follow his adventure as he goes searching in an effort to discover that missing friend.

The farmer and his family have gone out for the day so the Little Friends are having a football match. Rover Dog is one of the referees and Hilary Horse and Betty Cow are the team captains. Find out which team Penny Pig, Georgie Goat, the chickens and ducks are on, and what their team names are. Which team will win the game?

Mummy Hen and Daddy Rooster have got some new baby chickens but they don't know what to call them. She asks the Little Friends, Penny Pig, Hilary Horse, Rover Dog, Tulip Sheep and Freddie Fly for some names. Read the story, look at the chicks, and guess what name Mummy Hen chose to call each baby chick.

The bond of friendship between Mary Watson and Elisabeth (Lizzie) Mountford shouldn't exist, and yet it does. Mary is an orphan, and Lizzie is the daughter of a Lord and Lady. Due to terrible circumstances, Mary has no option but to leave her friend and travel to foreign shores. Although Lizzie's parents are relieved, little do they realise the two young women will grow ever closer, even at a distance.During their time apart, Mary and Lizzie face trials and tribulations. Yet each will be supported by the other through their letters. Will Mary's journey abroad lead her to happiness? Or will she suffer the pangs of unrequited love? And will Lizzie find contentment back home in England? Only time will tell. The two women hope to be in each other's company once again, and that their journeys will lead them to find true love.

Originally written in 1985, this updated version of 'Dracula - the Untold Story' invites you to decide whether the story of the 'Count' was based on imagination or reality. Venture into a world beyond this to discover the line between fact and fiction, as seen through the eyes of a man who believed, as we travel a ghostly trail. He believed ghosts are merely lost souls wanting to share their stories with us.

Flora Frog, Godfrey Grasshopper and all the Little Friends are gathering in the woods. They are organising a birthday party for Bella Bee who has gone with Dolly Dragonfly to the garden to collect pollen. Bennie Bug and Betsy Beetle, along with Sarah Butterfly and Leah Ladybird are collecting nice things for the party. And Carrie Caterpillar has gone to get the birthday present and Godfrey Grasshopper the cake. Everyone will be at the party including Freddie Fly, the Glow-worms and Sammy Spider. Even the Ants are coming with their musical instruments so everyone can dance. Come and join the fun and see how happy Bella Bee is with the big surprise.