Böcker av Patsy Collins

SLIGHTLY SPOOKY STORIES VGhosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren't always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they'll only reach us through our subconscious.Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide stories. This collection contains 24 of them.

Two murders, a party of disguised suspects, and a seaside village full of cake.Why send invitations to a party in a building which doesn't yet exist? Why plan and pay for it anonymously and insist guests come in disguise?Police Officer Crystal Clere is only mildly curious, as she has a murder to solve. And cakes to bake, romances to fix, friends and an elderly relative in need of help.When the new hall is built, and Crystal belatedly receives a party invitation, there's an opportunity to solve some of her problems. Wearinga fake moustache she's having fun and making progress, until one of the guests is murdered.Community spirit is strong in Little Mallow and everyone seems to be involved. Half are suspects - all with alibis. The many witnesses don't know what they saw. Crystal is asking, and being asked, countless questions. Who planned and paid for the party? Are they the killer? Is there a link with the first murder? Nobody is giving her answers, but she's assisted by an extremely unofficial sidekick and her friends are happy to supply far-fetched theories.Can Crystal Clere see through all the distraction to bring love and justice to Little Mallow?

DAYS TO REMEMBERThere are many memorable days to be celebrated in the course of our lives. Some come round every year - whether we want them to or not. Others are one offs never to be repeated. Perhaps we'll know from the moment we wake that all will go well. Maybe it will seem things are going wrong, when the opposite is true and we'll find our way by getting lost. Having our moment of glory snatched might teach us about the real winners and losers in life.Some days are hugely and obviously important to us, even if many others will experience something similar. The moment we make a new friend or meet our partner for life, learn a new addition to the family is expected or land that perfect job, will affect us forever.Apparently ordinary days can be ones to remember too. We can make them that way by accepting every opportunity which comes our way, or finally allowing our light to shine. By seeing magic in the everyday, or taking the dog for a good long walk.Birthdays, weddings and Christmas, work days and holidays all have a story to tell. This book contains 24 of them.

SLIGHTLY SPOOKY STORIES IIIGhosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren't always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they'll only reach us through our subconscious.Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide stories. This collection contains 24 of them.

SLIGHTLY SPOOK STORIES IGhosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren't always scary, though they can be. Some help or warn, frighten or comfort those who perceive them. Others are here for their own purposes, waiting for a chance to move on. We might see, hear or feel them, perhaps they'll only reach us through our subconscious.Are ghosts memories and echoes of the past, contacts from another time and place, or figments of our imagination? Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts, spirits and mysterious spooking happenings all provide stories. This collection contains 25 of them.

Keep It In The FamilyAlec thinks he's suffered a medical emergency, Dr Kuttemopen says the same about his patient, and Jake and his granddad will be at risk from one if they carry on as they've been doing. With the support of loved ones, they could all put these predicted and suspected health problems behind them. Uncle Boris's condition will never go away, but neither will Aunt Jonna, so he'll not just cope, but enjoy doing so.Everyone has problems or concerns from time to time. Some deal with them by always moving on and never looking back, others by asking the right question. They might try to keep them hidden, insist on bringing them into the open, or allow the sea to wash them away. Most will turn to their families for help, but all Miss Frencham's are gone. All she can do, is tell people about the bodies.Anne's spent a lot of time waiting for her daughter; a whole lifetime, but it's been worth every second. Daniel's mother and Dizzy's father-in-law won't wait a moment for them, until they come to their senses and reunite their families. Stephanie's waiting for the right kind of snow, and Adam's waiting for the wrong sort of Santa. Their reward will be to know they did the right thing.Families, whether we're born or married into them, or choose them for ourselves all have stories to tell. This collection contains 25 of them.

Can't Choose Your FamilyChloe's dad wishes she'd talk to him. How can he help her without knowing what's wrong? There's a way he can find out, but not without losing her trust. He can't risk that. Doug's dad would rather not have heard what his son, or rather step-son, had to say. He'd destroyed his family's trust; perhaps broken up the family too. Why must an innocent boy and rescue dog suffer for his selfishness?Paula listens to her family, when she can hear them over the TV, but doesn't like what they say. Drastic action is needed. Maybe she'll go so far as to miss a few of her favourite shows? Jeremy's good at listening to his mother. It's easy when she talks so much sense. He remembers her advice and dishes it out to his friends, helping solve their problems. When will he take that advice himself?Martha cares for Billy, willing him to talk at last. That would give her one more thing to be grateful for. Children often talk to their mothers, sometimes saying such cute things, but those women don't always have time to listen. When they do, will they jump to the wrong conclusions and repeat the mistakes of the past just as Karen does?Communication, done right, can bring families together. It made friends of Sally and her cousin, and ensured she got to the church on time. Talking about the past brought Frederick and Georgina together. Can they ever be more than kissing cousins? Talking to his wife about the fox might perhaps bring Duncan a step closer to having the family they've always wanted.Families, whether we're born or married into them, or choose them for ourselves all have stories to tell. This collection contains 25 of them.

FAMILY FEELINGHelen's sister always calls with emergencies, real or imagined, at the most inconvenient times. Tara's sister rang for help dealing with the consequences of having turned into a crazy cat lady. Katy's sister is waiting for a call to congratulate her for having the one thing her sibling longs for and can never have. Each of them might hang up, keep quiet or even criticise - but that doesn't mean they won't provide help and support when it's needed.When we love someone we want them to have the best, whether it's gifts, memories or a future. Because she is trying to give Mum a present as wonderful as she deserves, Lucy had lied and now the pair of them aren't talking. Alison wants to give Aunt Cecilia a day out to match her childhood memories, and provides an unforgettable disaster. Melissa and her kids all want to protect each other from hurt, even if it means putting up with the bug-eyed zombie goldfish.Providing food for our family is another way to show how much we care. Albert has supplied his wife with far more meaty soup and pies than she ever wanted, Claire feeds her mother-in-law the smallest portions of the plainest food and Kim ignores her mother to contemplate curry. Are they any less loving than Ali's mother who often bought her expensive treats and Mike who went out to fetch milk for his wife despite his headache?Families, whether we're born or married into them, or choose them for ourselves all have stories to tell. This collection contains 25 of them.

Eleanor has a traditional garden her grandchildren will love; won't they? Mrs Dalrymple's country home seems the perfect refuge for Daryl and there's no reason Emma can't call the big house home, is there?Homes and gardens aren't always peaceful havens though. Ted's tranquility is under threat from a BBQ for teenage twins, Penny the Jack Russell is called upon to protect her mistress from a terrifying intruder, avoiding Frances's annoying neighbour was almost the death of her and Rachel can't bring herself to step out the back door.A walk in the countryside might be less traumatic, unless your beloved tree has been damaged as badly as your heart or Mrs Bishop is lurking to find fault with all you do. Even the simple act of arranging flowers causes problems if your boss is as mean as Brenda's.Valerie managed to dig herself out of depression on her allotment but Sally was faced with the perils of half an hour in the potting shed with the attractive yet infuriating Jim.Gardens, plants and people all have their stories. Let me lead you up the garden path and tell you a few.

Alice has a fantasy. It starts with being rescued by a hunky fireman, involves the kiss of life and ends in him not needing his uniform. At the New Forest Show, Alice is offered an innocent version of her dream. Reluctantly she turns down fireman Hamish's invitation.Despite Alice's blameless behaviour, boyfriend Tony's obsessive jealousy kicks in. Hamish wants to take Tony's place, but a hoaxer ensures she already sees far too much of Hampshire Fire Service. The threat of an explosive sprout surprise, her mum's baking, sister Kate's mind boggling pep talks and the peculiar behaviour of Alice's boss provide distractions.Is Alice really in danger? What is Kate up to? Can Hamish possibly be as perfect as he seems? It takes masses of wonderful food, disgusting wine, smelly mud, red footed crows and steamy Welsh passion, but she finds the answers. And rethinks her fantasy.

Mavis Forthright carefully rehearses her jump from Portsmouth''s Round Tower. She''s existed for over five decades. Lived hardly at all. Will end her misery with a few second''s fall into the cold sea. Except she''s not quite ready to die. A half day''s delay to try a bacon sandwich from the cafe won''t matter; Mother''s no longer there to disapprove.She delays another day to lend Janice a book. Then a week to use her new paints. A month. Until the end of term. Mavis makes new plans: to live, to create paintings full of emotion, perhaps even make friends.As if to balance her survival a number of people connected to Mavis die. At first that doesn''t matter. They''re people she dislikes. Mavis continues painting, tending her garden, feeding the birds and keeping her home properly clean, without additional concern. Then people who''ve been kind to Mavis are killed or injured. That shouldn''t happen.Why are people dying? Is it because of charming Norman who''s back from her past, or is that strange boy Jake her mistaken guardian angel? Perhaps Mavis herself is to blame. She must learn the truth, stop the deaths and protect those she''s learned to care about before she can enjoy the new life she''s making for herself.