Walking to
holding on
letting go
running from
Never Here?
Gone now
never here
he believing
wanting her
to be real
Secrets
We all have secrets,
no matter how we try
they come out in some way,
someone always knows.
You are one of mine,
I don’t want you to be,
how can I tell of you when
I don’t know who you are?
Unreal
Not of light nor darkness
eyes closed seen not being
eyes open memory clinging
unreal still believing
EDC Review: Echo Murder by Laura Laakso
![Echo Murder (Wilde Investigations Book 2) by [Laakso, Laura]](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510xEaGTO7L.jpg)
Back Cover Blurb
Yannia Wilde returns to the Wild Folk conclave where she grew up, and to the deathbed of her father, the conclave’s Elderman. She is soon drawn back into the Wild Folk way of life and into a turbulent relationship with Dearon, to whom she is betrothed. Back in London, unassuming office worker Tim Wedgebury is surprised when police appear on his doorstep with a story about how he was stabbed in the West End. His body disappeared before the paramedics’ eyes. Given that Tim is alive and well, the police chalk the first death up to a Mage prank. But when Tim “dies” a second time, Detective Inspector Jamie Manning calls Yannia and, torn between returning to the life she has built in Old London and remaining loyal to the conclave and to Dearon, she strikes a compromise with the Elderman that allows her to return temporarily to the city. There she sets about solving the mystery of Tim’s many deaths with the help of her apprentice, Karrion. They come to realise that with every death, more of the echo becomes reality, and Yannia and Karrion find themselves in increasing danger as they try to save Tim. Who is the echo murderer? What sinister game are they playing? And what do they truly want?
EDC Review
Spring 2019 sees the publication of Echo Murder, the second book in the Wilde Investigations series; the first, Fallible Justice, published in autumn 2018. Each investigation is a complete stand-alone story, yet, there is so much more to these novels than the crimes; a world of paranormal races in coexistence with humans so imaginatively, so deftly explored you’ll want to read both books to experience the full magic of author, Laura Laakso’s mind.
In time frame, Echo Murder takes place over 10 days; the ‘first’ murder happening (albeit unknown then) on the day before Fallible Justice ends – a neat touch, one of many that you’ll find. As with Fallible Justice, Echo Murder is set out by days, with indicative chapter headings which further entice and intrigue as you read. The beauty of these books are the core characters and location – Private Investigator, Yannia of the Wild Folk, her apprentice, Karrrion, a Bird Shaman and Detective Inspector Jamie Manning of the Metropolitan Police – operating in Old London, an oasis of magic in a London we know.
In Echo Murder, their interplay, their dependence on each other deepens and grows; with further telling cameos from Lady Bergamon and Wishearth, scene stealers whenever they appear. Overall, a complex plot, a good story, well told; the read not quite as compelling as ‘Fallible Justice’ but that’s simply because it took a while to get back to Old London where, for me, the Wilde Investigations live and breathe.
His & Hers: Raw Lines #15 – but you won’t believe that either …
His: Another weekend, short skirt, low top should get you what you need, quickie gratification, live up to why you’re on here. Get touched up for real, jerking off guys on this site must be frustrating for you. I guess most suss you out quite quickly, not so bloody stupid as me to fall for you. By now you may well have had a few drinks so might get to see the real you, what the hell you might actually loosen up and say what you really mean?
Hers: That message was really horrible and unnecessary. It’s really quite alarming when I read back through our messages and see how drastically your tone has changed towards me in such a short space of time. I think I was wise not to rush into anything especially as you clearly only see me as cheap and chatting to loads of other men. You couldn’t be more wrong, what a shame, I hope you find what you are looking for.
His: If you’ve reread our messages then you will know the real me and realise that I had to do something drastic to find the real you. Do you honestly think I wanted to write that? I’ve found what I’m looking for, it’s you.
Hers: Well if you didn’t want to write it then why did you? It is very hurtful and nasty and I am really not sure at all how I feel about you or anything anymore after you being so horrible to me.
His: Look, I wrote ‘that’ message for a reason, to shake you up, to see if we really mattered to you, if I really mattered to you? Your reply this morning showed me the real you, the woman I always thought you were – you showed incredible maturity, despite the hurt, the provocation to lash out. You say you’re not sure of how you feel about me now, I think maybe you are even more sure than you were before, you are still messaging me for the same reason as I am you, neither of us could cope with losing each other – it really scares me, I’m still shaking, I took a huge risk last night, I had to, I had to bring things to a head.
Hers: Your message was cruel and nasty, but you sent it because you wanted to shake me up? I’ve seen another side of you, a side I don’t like. If you really had feelings for me, you wouldn’t have sent a message like that.
His: There is no way of explaining myself here is there? You know me, but choose to believe I’m bad and nasty, I know you, I know you’re not cheap, that’s why I said it, to get a reaction from you, to snap you out of being so damn passive, so irritatingly evasive, so annoyingly patronising on here. You are forever waiting, for what? The sun doesn’t shine out of my backside or yours and never will, so please get real, accept us as we are, yes with a few flaws, both a bit bloody minded at times, but wow what a pair we are, what a couple we could be, if only you could see. I guess you want me to go now, if so I’ll respect your wish.
Hers: I think you’ve shown what type of person you are by writing a message like that. I am an honest and sincere person and don’t like playing mind games, but you clearly do.
His: I see no possibility of understanding or forgiveness from you so why are you still messaging if I’m so evil, so beneath you, so not your type? What you think matters but what you think about me is wrong, but you’ll never know. It’s such a shame but if you really have nothing left in you for me, then please stop messaging me and I’ll go. And just so you know I got it wrong, I blew it, looks like I’ve lost the woman I love, but you won’t believe that either.
Hers: Because quite simply I can’t let go. I am desperately trying to work out why you said what you said. It upset me so much but then again it made me realise exactly how much you mean to me. Damn you, I still want you so much.
♦
His & Hers raw words are extracts from a file of fictional messages written in recent years titled ‘Believing Sight Unseen.’ A first novel ‘Sam & Erin’ drawn from these extracts is nearing completion – a second novel ‘Sean & Ellie’ is in progress too.
Well he can be
He’s a miserable old fart
with his melancholic comments
well he can be let’s not beat about the bush
but sometimes there’s a touch of something in his prose
no you don’t see it to be honest neither does he
okay all bollocks sometimes rhymes though
His & Hers: Raw Lines #14 – Immunised against love
His: You’re the most complex woman I’ve ever come across – such beauty, obvious intelligence, yet so suspicious and lacking in confidence. You really have been hurt and badly to need to hide yourself on here. That we met here is something of a miracle, that we stay here would be a tragedy and I will not let that happen. I can’t undo your past but I can be of your present, your future, as a friend and whatever else you find within yourself you need of me. I’m real, I’m genuine, above all I’m a man who somehow fell for you, and despite everything, I sense you feel the same?
Hers: Maybe it’s my intelligence which makes me be suspicious and decide on what I do. I do not want to get hurt again, and that is why I am not rushing things forwards. Everything has its time and place. No tragedies please, just keep positive.
His: My heart decides when it comes to you, against all logic, or what my mind says. Please listen to yours and if it says you want me, then call me.
Hers: I have to listen to my head as well and unless the two are in unison I can’t make myself move on. I think we are having fun and I want it to continue and see what happens.
His: No, we are not having fun. You are at the expense of my emotions. You ignore all I say, only want things to be your way not our way. You’re immunised against love, have not said a single word that shows you want me. Not in any way shown you care. It’s such a tragedy.
Hers: I think this talk is crazy after only chatting for such a short time. I am sorry that you seem to think I am selfish in some way. I don’t know what you want me to say to that. Makes me feel great so thank you!
His: Such a short time? Just one word left to say to you… enough!
Hers: Oh come on. In the grand scheme of things it is crazy to be saying that. Of course I have feelings for you but I cannot declare my undying love for you before we are face to face. Not only would it be naïve it would be meaningless – when I show you and tell you how I feel about you I want it to be special and amazing. The real tragedy is that you want to walk away now, and for what – because I keep my heart inside of me, because I want us to be real.
♦
His & Hers raw words are extracts from a file of fictional messages written in recent years titled ‘Believing Sight Unseen.’ A first novel ‘Sam & Erin’ drawn from these extracts is nearing completion – a second novel ‘Sean & Ellie’ is being worked on too.
This Time
She’d leaned on him
sure-footed now
as others had
let ease away
thing is this time
he needed her
Promote Yourself Monday, May 20th, 2019
Okay, it’s Monday – this week time for coffee and your words? Leave a link in the comments of today’s Promote Yourself Monday over at the Go Dog Go Cafe.
Welcome to Promote Yourself Monday. All Go Dog Go Cafe readers, guest writers, and baristas are invited to post one link to one specific post (600 words or less please!) from your blog into the comments section below.
If you post a link, be sure to read some of the other great writing people have linked to.
