Monday 23 January 2012

Blasphemy - Synopsis [and other news]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

I hope those who have read any or all of my serialised novels on my fiction blog will enjoy them. Needless to say, copyright to my fiction (and poetry) remains exclusively mine.

NB  'Blasphemy' has been removed from the blog, but is now available as an e-book on Google Play, and I have taken the opportunity to correct some errors that appear in GLB print and e-editions.


Note: Blasphemy was first published in the US by GLB Publications, San Francisco in 2006 and distributed in the UK by Gazelle Book Services; it was originally planned as Book 1 of a gay-interest crime trilogy - Blasphemy-Sacrilege-Redemption - but by the time I had finished writing Book 2 GLB had moved the goalposts and expected a larger contribution to costs than I could afford. For various reasons, I never got around to writing Redemption; although Blasphemy and Sacrilege can be read as separate novel, I may yet complete the trilogy.  

                                   
SYNOPSIS

Blasphemy is the story of a middle aged gay man’s struggle to come to terms with the suicide of his lover, Harry. Breaking away from stereotypical gay fiction, the novel combines psychological and crime-adventure action; its flawed narrator and anti-hero, LAURENCE FISHER, embarks on a roller coaster ride of self-discovery, becoming inadvertently caught up in London’s seedier elements along the way.

Laurence enters into an unsatisfactory relationship with a closet gay colleague, NICK CARTER in a vain attempt to expiate guilt feelings about Harry’s death. He also goes cruising and is approached by a young rent boy, DANNY. Later, he comes across the youth badly beaten in a nearby alleyway, attended by girlfriend, POPPY.  As Danny refuses to see a doctor, Laurence reluctantly agrees to escort the couple to a medical student’s flat in Camden Town. Even more against his better judgement, Laurence then agrees to put them up in his spare room after Danny has been treated. By the next morning, however, there is neither any sign of the pair - nor Laurence’s wallet and other valuables. A few days later, Danny turns up again, this time with a wild story about Poppy having been seized by their pimp, FAT GEORGIE, and taken to a house in Battersea reserved for clients with “special needs”. Laurence and Nick Carter form and botch a rescue plan. Poppy is freed, but Laurence has to be rescued himself by PHILIP ADAMS who just ‘happens’ to be in the right place at the right time.   
           
Meanwhile, news concerning the death of his father and a conciliatory approach by both his mother and younger brother, MARC, awake in Laurence a desire to attempt re-establishing family ties.

Laurence and Philip are attracted to one another. Laurence, increasingly conscious of his age, seizes an opportunity to strike up a meaningful relationship.

Laurence’s house is ransacked. Danny and Poppy - the obvious culprits - disappear again. Philip returns Danny safe and sound, but it appears Poppy has been kidnapped by Fat Georgie, who is demanding the return of a ‘snuff’ video identifying prominent members of the English Establishment as well as the pimp himself. 

Laurence has to endure kidnap, beatings and narrowly escapes being murdered during a fast-moving course of events, the consequences of which include an untimely and violent death among some hard hitting revelations. Laurence offers Danny a home on condition that the youth finds a job and mends his ways. Danny grudgingly accepts only to disappear again. This, in turn, leads to Laurence and Nick joining forces for a new rescue bid, but this time with tragic consequences.

By the end of the novel, Laurence has confronted and learned from past mistakes and finally makes his peace with Harry. A family reconciliation is on the cards if not yet complete and a new life opens up for him.

Copyright Roger N. Taber 2005; 2016 

Postscript: A sequel - Sacrilege - was published under my own imprint in 2008, but that meant it has only been on sale in the UK although I have sold copies over the Internet. Both books achieved a small but nonetheless significant following.

Among other serials on the blog is Dog Roses, a gay novel hitherto unpublished except on the blog; it will follow Sacrilege as an e-book over the coming months as will Catching up with Murder which was published (in print form)  by Raider International in 2010 and introduces Fred Winter, a retired detective.  A second Fred Winter novel - Predisposed to Murder -  also unpublished other than on the blog) will follow. Last but not least, I will publish Like There's No Tomorrow as an e-book on Google Play.  So... watch this space. 

As with my poetry blogs, I do not post comments, but will always read them and reply to anyone who gives an email address. I have no problem with criticism so long as it is at least fairly constructive; it always helps to know why someone likes or dislikes a poem or novel. Feel free to email me any time at  rogertab@aol.com

While I am not in the best-seller category, I enjoy writing and feedback suggests I can tell a good story which is all I  can hope to do.  There are far better writers than me out there, but as a librarian working in public libraries for many years, I am also aware of far worse. Whatever, writing keeps me sane and happy. More importantly, it helps to keep my arch-enemy Depression at bay. I only hope at least some of you will enjoy the fruits of my literary labours.

Many thanks for your interest and support, both are much appreciated.

Roger