ROGUE PREY - £0.99/$0.99 e-book promotion - 30 May - last day!

 

Leon was pushed ahead by Mateo. At a single touch of Mateo’s hand, Leon could easily turn and permanently incapacitate the thug, but Mateo wasn’t alone. He was accompanied by Fabio, also with drawn automatic, a Star Megastar holding fourteen rounds, and another guard who carried a machine-pistol, a Steyr with a capacity of twenty-five 9mm Parabellum cartridges. Leon conceded that he wasn’t faster than a speeding bullet, and though the prospect of being ‘softened-up’ did not appeal in the slightest, he clung on to Vanda’s words: ‘Keep him in one piece’. He accepted that he would have to endure pain in this process, but he would live and come out of it whole. He mentally braced himself for the ordeal ahead.

Pb £9.99, e-bk £0.99: https://tinyurl.com/2p9528f3

Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99c: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

 

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.
A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

 

ROGUE PREY - 99p/99c e-book promotion - 29 May

 

Normally, he was comfortable combating drug-traffickers, grave robbers, conmen, even Al Qaeda infiltrators and misguided terrorists. Dodgy Spanish developers and shady expat English had faced his wrath over the years. Traders in human beings and stolen vehicles invariably met their match, while kidnappers, crooked mayors and conniving Lotharios had come within his orbit of ire. Dealing with the purveyors of endangered species was a first.

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Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99c: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.
A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

ROGUE PREY - 99p/99c e-book promotion - 28 May

 

Leon embraced the idea of being a hunter. Even his Spanish name meant just that: Lion Hunter. He could afford expensive private investigations because a few years previously he’d helped a relic hunter. The proceeds from that case provided him with enough wealth to pursue his vendetta against the ungodly. That was quite a long time ago; Angel Ramos had since joined the dust of his cherished artefacts.

Pb £9.99, e-bk £0.99: https://tinyurl.com/2p9528f3

Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.

A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

ROGUE PREY - 99p/99c e-book promotion - 27 May

 

With his slicked-back black hair and leaden features, Vadim might well have escaped from a Bela Lugosi film. Maybe he was a throwback from the silent era. He hadn’t spoken since they met…

Pb £9.99, e-bk £0.99: https://tinyurl.com/2p9528f3

Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99c: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

 

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.
A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

ROGUE PREY - 99p/99c e-book promotion - 26 May

 

Sweat soaked Leon’s back. This was the moment when he braced himself for swift devastating defensive action. Would they take the money then, considering life to be cheap, attempt to dispose of him, or would they be greedy enough to want more? In this case, that meant more money from a sale. Happily for his continued survival, greed always won.

Pb £9.99, e-bk £0.99: https://tinyurl.com/2p9528f3

Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.
A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

ROGUE PREY - 99c/99p e-book promotion - 25 May

 

A pounding noise filled Leon’s head: the builders with their pneumatic drill were quite familiar, even if it was quite a while since they last took up residence. It wasn’t the first time he’d been knocked out. The bad part was recovering consciousness. It was worse than any hangover. ‘So far, you don’t appear to have suffered deleterious brain damage,’ one doctor had told him. ‘But if you keep going on like this, it’s only a matter of time. You really should change your career.’ Right now, he was inclined to agree.

Pb £9.99, e-bk £0.99: https://tinyurl.com/2p9528f3

Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99c: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

 

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.
A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

ROGUE PREY - 99p/99c promotion-24 May

 Leon absently fingered his false greying moustache. It was secure and not at risk of coming unstuck. In times like these, he wondered what event in his childhood had influenced him to deceive so convincingly.

Pb £9.99, e-bk £0.99: https://tinyurl.com/2p9528f3

Pb $11.99, e-bk $0.99c: https://tinyurl.com/bdnze3x9

 

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete.

An even killing field.
A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

ROGUE PREY - Book excerpts

 

ROGUE PREY – Published by Rough Edges Press

 

Kindle currently £0.99/$0.99 - https://tinyurl.com/4s4cbjbt

 

Each hunter has the same equipment—a sniper rifle, five bullets and a machete. An even killing field.

A corrupt organization in Spain is selling the ultimate thrill. They cater to rich amateur game-hunters who hunger for the privilege of stalking and killing human prey. Their targets are non-persons. In effect, the vile process gets rid of illegal immigrants. Enter Leon Cazador—a half-English, half-Spanish private investigator who occasionally assists the authorities. Eager to take down this immoral organization, he’s tasked with going full cloak-and-dagger. But when his cover is blown and he’s forced to join nine other captives, will he become the hunters’ ultimate prey?

Here are a few excerpts:

‘Oh, I’ve made a kill or two,’ Leon said.

‘Which wildlife have you potted?’ Rudolf asked.

‘Plenty of wild animals.’ Mostly men.

‘Do you collect trophies?’ Harley pressed.

‘No. I just kill.’ Never for pleasure. (p24)

***

‘You’ve been in the wars, I see.’ Mateo indicated the scars on Leon’s torso and arms.

Knife and bullet wounds. But you should see the other guys – in the cemetery.

Mateo said, ‘Lost your tongue, eh?’

Leon recalled a Spanish proverb: Don’t mention the noose in the house of the hanged man. By now, his bruised stomach was advising him not to say the wrong thing anymore. He compromised and shrugged.

Mateo said, ‘No matter. We aren’t here to chat.’

Then the so-called ‘softening-up’ process began. (p40)

***

‘Your silly quips, they hide your insecurity, your fear, I know,’ she said.

‘I hope you don’t charge by the hour,’ Leon said. ‘Your psychoanalysis is sadly very wrong.’

‘You would say that, wouldn’t you?’ She came closer and touched his bare torso, running a hand over a couple of ancient scars. The tip of her tongue wetted her lips. ‘For a man of your age, you have kept yourself fit. A lesser man, taking such a beating…’ She lifted a shoulder fatalistically.

‘I’ll live.’

‘Not for much longer, though.’

‘We all must die sometime. Even you.’ (p49)

***

Baeza addressed Leon and the rest of the so-called targets: ‘I will signal the end of your thirty minutes with a single shot.’ He tapped his holster. ‘That will tell you that our hunters will begin tracking you down.’ He beamed sincerely. ‘And when they find you – which they will – they will not hesitate to eliminate you. All of you. Without exemption. This is an equal opportunity hunt!’

He unholstered his revolver – it looked like a Smith & Wesson Model 500 – and gestured with the barrel. ‘Get ready!’ he bellowed.

He consulted his fob watch and then fired the gun in the air. ‘Go! Run for your miserable lives!’ (p85)

Crime – Across borders

Illegal immigrants are being moved into UK by criminal groups taking advantage of the open borders of the EU.

Last month, the leader of one group was arrested in Barcelona. He was in possession of over 100 fake Polish ID cards and passports. He’d helped immigrants enter the Schengen Zone then housed them here in Spain, also France or Belgium and thence to Dublin.

More than a hundred immigrants were arrested at Spanish airports, including Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Santander, Tenerife, and Alicante. Over the last couple of years it is believed the group has helped at least 6,000 Ukrainian immigrants enter the UK illegally.

The group was nabbed due to collaboration with Europol and Belgian, French, Polish, Spanish and British authorities. This collaboration will continue post-Brexit.

Human trafficking is being used by a Spanish group in my thriller Blood of the Dragon Trees.

“Laura Reid likes her new job on Tenerife, teaching the Spanish twins Maria and Ricardo Chávez. She certainly doesn’t want to get involved with Andrew Kirby and his pal, Jalbala Emcheta, who work for CITES, tracking down illegal traders in endangered species. Yet she’s undeniably drawn to Andrew, which is complicated, as she’s also attracted to Felipe, the brother of her widower host, Don Alonso.

“Felipe’s girlfriend Lola is jealous and Laura is forced to take sides – risking her own life – as she and Andrew uncover the criminal network that not only deals in the products from endangered species, but also thrives on people trafficking. The pair are aided by two Spanish lawmen, Lieutenant Vargas of the Guardia Civil and Ruben Salazar, Inspector Jefe del Grupo de Homicidios de las Canarias.

“Betrayal and mortal danger lurk in the shadows, along with the dark deeds of kidnapping and clandestine scuba diving…”

See also SPANISH EYE

'Lives in suspension'

Illegal immigration across the Mediterranean has been an issue for a long time. Yesterday, I mentioned a pile of Traveller magazines I was browsing through prior to disposal.  In the May-June 2005 issue, there’s a photo-article by Matias Costa showing the plight of migrants entering Italy illegally by boat. Here are a few passages selected from the article:

Immigrants packed into a tiny vessel travel under cover of darkness…

Landed at Lampedusa before going to a reception centre in Palermo…

The sea crossing is so fraught that Italian newspapers have described the stretch of water between Africa and Sicily as a huge underwater graveyard.

Sound familiar? Ten years ago!

In the same piece, also:

George Alagiah, BBC News Presenter: ‘If water is a force of nature, then migration is a force of history. The challenge is not to try to stop it but how to manage it.’

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General: ‘For millions of refugees and displaced people around the world, ‘home’ is a place they have fled from in fear of their lives, in a desperate attempt to find safety.’

Angelina Jolie, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador: ‘Statistics tell only part of the story – behind the figures are families struggling to survive… all those lives in suspension for years and years.’

 

Brunson McKinley, Director of the International Organization for Migration: ‘Migration will be one of the major policy concerns of the twenty-first century.’

Then, the UN estimated there were more than 17 million asylum seekers and refugees worldwide. And that was before the appalling fighting and displacement in the Middle East and North Africa in the last few years, and the rise of the medieval so-called IS.

The writing was on the wall ten years ago.  And what has happened? It’s now much worse.

Until the continent of Africa is deemed safe from terror, the ‘great escape’ will continue.

Jihadis bound for Britain

In the news recently there have been voices of concern raised about Islamic State terrorists sneaking into Europe amidst the thousands of refugees crossing the Mediterranean.

In 2006 I wrote the short story ‘Adopted Country’ and it was published in an English magazine in Spain, and this tale posited this very real threat from Islamic terrorists. Here are some excerpts:

On a clear day like today, I felt I could almost reach out and touch Africa. I stood alongside my brother, Juan, on the seashore of Tarifa, Spain’s southernmost tip. Juan was the Guardia Civil officer supervising the capture of yet another boatload of illegal immigrants.

       Earlier, squinting out to sea as the Guardia Civil launch intercepted the over-laden longboat, Juan had said, “It isn’t surprising, Leon, is it? North Africa is only fourteen kilometres away from where we stand. They want an easier and better life here in Europe so they’ll risk everything in the attempt.”

…

A week earlier, I helped break up an al-Qaeda terrorist cell in Torrevieja. It wasn’t the first of its kind, nor would it be the last, though perhaps these deranged murderers would think twice about setting up shop in this area. There were forty officers involved and five suspects were arrested—three Algerians and two Moroccans. Three houses and two commercial units were searched, netting twenty kilos of cocaine, a variety of weapons, false documents and €15,000 in cash.

…

These people are not pleasant. The majority are cowards. They’re quite content to brainwash their form of cannon fodder while skulking in shadows, killing innocents by remote, all in the name of a truly warped view of a great religion.

…

Nowadays, illegal immigrants slipped into Spain through the airports on short term work or holiday visas, and of course never left. But al-Qaeda knew that the airports were watched. So, for over a year they’d been sending their best fanatics over among the boatpeople.

***

'Adopted Country' is one of 22 cases concerning half-English half-Spanish private eye Leon Cazador, ‘in his own words’ featured in Spanish Eye, published by Crooked Cat Publishing.

Amazon UK paperback currently at a giveaway price (£1.10)! -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton/dp/1909841315/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1431873201&sr=1-2

Amazon Com e-book(currently $3.34, a bargain!):

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00GXK5C6S/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431873150&sr=1-6&keywords=nik+Morton

 

 

Amazon UK e-book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00GXK5C6S/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431873201&sr=1-2&keywords=nik+morton

Amazon COM paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton/dp/1909841315/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-6&qid=1431873150

Writing – research – Moroccan border trouble

My second novel in the ‘Avenging Cat’ series for Crooked Cat Publishing, to follow Catalyst (due for release probably this December), is entitled Catacomb. I’m working on it now. Quite a fair bit of the story takes place in Morocco.

Here are a couple of snippets of current news from that country.

There’s a continuing and unrelenting surge of migrants seeking access to Europe. One of the potential conduits is through the two Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta in North Africa. Both enclaves have a border with Morocco.  Although Morocco gained its independence in 1956, Spain claims a historical right to these two enclaves. Oddly, Spain does not recognise any such historical British right to control Gibraltar.

Just over a week ago, migrants made seven attempts to rush the fence in the span of four days. After two months of relative calm, about 1,500 migrants tried to cross the border into Melilla; some eighty managed to make it past the six-metre (20ft) razor-wire border fence, but were later apprehended.

Moroccan authorities have raided makeshift camps, mostly while the ‘residents’ are sleeping. Everything was flattened or destroyed – plastic tents, food and spare clothing. Hundreds of migrants were put on buses to Fez and Rabat. Apparently, they are then abandoned in the street and end up begging for money to return to the border.

In another report, human rights individuals claim the Spanish police have beaten migrants and illegally forced them back into Morocco when they tried to climb over the border into Melilla. They’re called ‘illegal pushbacks’ and ‘illegal expulsions’ of ‘migrants’.

Migrants usually possess documentation, to prove identity, for example. Some potential immigrants go so far as to erase fingerprints or destroy ID documents. The pressure has been mounting for years in this area – people trying to reach Europe to escape war, oppression or hardship in the benighted continent; though latterly, there may be other less humanitarian reasons to infiltrate into Europe.

On the other side of the coin, Spanish government officials have praised the ‘exemplary and humanitarian conduct’ of the border guards and also admit there is ‘dramatic migratory pressure’ on Europe’s borders.

***

In the meantime, if you’d like to read one of my other books, these are available from Crooked Cat Publishing http://crookedcatpublishing.com/ - or a number of outlets, viz:

Spanish Eye

 

Amazon UK – 2 good reviews
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00GXK5C6S/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408896228&sr=1-3&keywords=nik+morton

Amazon COM – 6 good reviews

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00GXK5C6S/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408894106&sr=1-4&keywords=nik+morton

Blood of the Dragon Trees

Amazon  UK – 2 good reviews
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Dragon-Trees-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00E8NE1SW/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408900805&sr=1-4&keywords=nik+morton

Sudden Vengeance

Amazon UK – 2 good reviews

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sudden-Vengeance-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00KE1GTPA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1401884936&sr=1-1&keywords=nik+morton

Amazon COM - what, no reviews?

http://www.amazon.com/Sudden-Vengeance-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00KE1GTPA/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1401884974&sr=1-5&keywords=nik+morton

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/439667

And paperback versions can be obtained post-free world-wide from http://www.bookdepository.com/

http://www.bookdepository.com/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton/9781909841314

 

http://www.bookdepository.com/Blood-Dragon-Trees-Nik-Morton/9781909841079?b=-2&t=-10#Otherpeoplewhoviewedthisbought-10

http://www.bookdepository.com/Sudden-Vengeance-Nik-Morton/9781909841697

 

 

 

Trafficking in humans

Illegal immigrants are never far from the news reports these days. The conflict in the Middle East and North Africa contribute to the vast numbers of stateless persons, but there are those who have travelled from as far off as Afghanistan. The tide, it seems, barely can be stemmed. The perceived attractions of Europe beckon. The tragedy is that so many individuals are duped into taking the risk of entering another country illegally – and the risk is great. They part with large sums of money, believing the traffickers will settle them incognito in another land where financial benefits can be obtained. The stark truth is different, of course: the illegals will end up dead in transit, or as virtual slaves on arrival.

For a few years now, Spain has deployed a sophisticated radar system that tracks illegal boat people. As recent as last week, some 1,219 crossed the Straits of Gibraltar in 125 boats – and that was in just 72 hours. Of this number, 98 were women and 30 were children. They were taken to the Tarifa sports centre for Red Cross medical checks; this venue is being used as the local immigration temporary holding centre is already full.

There is a build-up along the coast of Tangier of people seeking a means to cross the Straits – despite Morocco’s attempts at seizing them; it was even reported that the numbers were so great that the authorities turned a blind eye for 48 hours in order to reduce the numbers!

Here on the Costa Blanca last week three boats were intercepted, holding 13 adults and six children, Moroccans or Algerians. Usually, after medical checks – the main problem is dehydration – they are sent to centres for internment of foreigners in Murcia or Valencia. The children are sent to a child protection centre.

Of course, besides the increased load on receiving countries’ infrastructure – hospitals, schools, police – there is the very real concern that among these illegal immigrants may be individuals intent on doing great harm; and latterly, there is now the concern over the spread of the dreaded Ebola disease.

My short story ‘Adopted Country’ touches on this subject:

It was a motley collection of humanity: pregnant women with hypothermia, children whose ribcages were visible through the taut skin, and once-strong lithe men with exhausted faces and wary eyes. A short distance, but often a treacherous journey. Even though they were staring down the barrels of guns, these were the lucky ones. Countless people died making the crossing every year. Desperation does that.

Since my country’s agreement with Morocco and the erection of barbed wire along the common border, it is now virtually impossible to enter Spain through the Ceuta route. So thousands go further along the North African coast and pay their entire savings to board any old boat that will sail for Tarifa or some other beach along the southern coast of Spain. Thousands even attempt the seven hundred mile crossing to the Canary Islands, and many more perish in the attempt.

- Spanish Eye, p27.

And the beginning of my novel Blood of the Dragon Trees shows the arrival of a boat-load of illegal immigrants – and later reveals the consequences they face:

His face shaded by a Norfolk hat, Andrew Kirby studied the crowd of holidaymakers and locals gathered on the edge of the Los Cristianos dockside, opposite the many expensive yachts and luxury cruisers. A few tourists pointed digital cameras and camcorders.

Beside him – on the official side of an area cordoned-off by police tape – stood Lieutenant Vargas. Beneath his olive green cap, Vargas’s dark eyes scanned the area from behind designer sunglasses.

Vargas gestured at the beach. ‘As you can see, Mr Kirby, I have my hands full these days.’ He spoke in English as Kirby had confessed his Spanish wasn’t too good.

‘Yes, I can see only too well,’ Kirby replied. Tall, blond, tanned and dressed in khaki shirt and shorts, Kirby felt rather unkempt next to Vargas, who was immaculate in his avocado green uniform with its two gold star shoulder-flashes. Vargas had thick lips, a prominent chin and slightly protruding ears. He exuded competence and authority.

Kirby looked out to sea. Offshore, the twin diesels of the Guardia Civil boat Rio Palma purred, perhaps reflecting the satisfaction of its crew.

Forty-four African illegal immigrants were being helped ashore from their dilapidated 30ft-long open boat. The immigrants struggled to stand, their legs unused to firm ground after a seven hundred mile sea journey. Policemen wore protective facemasks and paper bodysuits and, with practiced ease, they stripped the Africans of their filthy clothing and dressed them in garish shell-suits and flip-flops. A mobile field hospital was drawn up on the dockside. Ambulances started ferrying the few who were being brought ashore on stretchers.

A handful of onlookers moved closer then hastily backed off, their faces revealing disgust and shock.

‘They’ve just seen and smelled death,’ Vargas said, eyeing Kirby. ‘Coastguard radioed there were two dead still onboard – five had been thrown into the sea two days ago. Already this year, we’ve handled over two thousand of these boat people – though perhaps that same number perished at sea also.’

'A terrible waste.’

‘They seek a better life. Instead, they die at sea or end up for weeks in our internment center at Las Raíces, which is already over-subscribed.’
- pp10/11

Spanish Eye - published by Crooked Cat Publishing

 

Amazon UK – 2 good reviews

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00GXK5C6S/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408896228&sr=1-3&keywords=nik+morton

Amazon COM – 6 good reviews

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Eye-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00GXK5C6S/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408894106&sr=1-4&keywords=nik+morton

Blood of the Dragon Trees - published by Crooked Cat Publishing

 

Amazon  UK – 2 good reviews

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Dragon-Trees-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00E8NE1SW/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408900805&sr=1-4&keywords=nik+morton

Amazon COM – 6 good reviews

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Dragon-Trees-Nik-Morton-ebook/dp/B00E8NE1SW/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408900898&sr=1-3&keywords=nik+morton

 

Both also available as paperbacks.

‘Straitened times’

Spanish Eye contains 22 cases from Leon Cazador, half-English, half-Spanish private eye.  Its release date is 29 November, from Crooked Cat Publishing.

The vast majority of these cases are based on true events…  The short story ‘Adopted Country’ was first published in magazine format in 2006: here is a very brief excerpt:

 

Adopted Country

“...treat cynically with the impoverished to further their dark ends.”

 

On a clear day like today, I felt I could almost reach out and touch Africa. I stood alongside my brother, Juan, on the seashore of Tarifa, Spain’s southernmost tip. Juan was the Guardia Civil officer supervising the capture of yet another boatload of illegal immigrants.

Earlier, squinting out to sea as the Guardia Civil launch intercepted the over-laden longboat, Juan had said, “It isn’t surprising, Leon, is it? North Africa is only fourteen kilometres away from where we stand. They want an easier and better life here in Europe so they’ll risk everything in the attempt.”

“No, Juan, it isn’t surprising.”

Now, I watched with a heavy heart as medical teams and officials, flanked by Juan’s men, swooped on the women, men and children who clambered wearily from the beached vessel. The area was ring-fenced with police carrying machine guns.

It was a motley collection of humanity: pregnant women with hypothermia, children whose ribcages were visible through the taut skin, and once-strong lithe men with exhausted faces and wary eyes. A short distance, but often a treacherous journey. Even though they were staring down the barrels of guns, these were the lucky ones. Countless people died making the crossing every year. Desperation does that.

Since my country’s agreement with Morocco and the erection of barbed wire along the common border, it is now virtually impossible to enter Spain through the Ceuta route. So thousands go further along the North African coast and pay their entire savings to board any old boat that will sail for Tarifa or some other beach along the southern coast of Spain. Thousands even attempt the seven hundred mile crossing to the Canary Islands, and many more perish in the attempt.

Sadly, over forty years of independence hasn’t made the African nations a better and safer place to live. All kinds of bloodletting conflict has left the land poorer and thrust millions on the asylum-seeking trail.

Well, I said it was brief…

From time to time Guardia Civil reports echo the Cazador tales, and this is but one of them, from the Costa Blanca News of September 30, 2013:

 

Often, these days, illegal immigrants attempt to cross from North Africa to Spain (and Italy and France). This is a growing problem because of the unsettled state of the Dark Continent and the war-threatened north African countries. Why Cazador is there and what happens next, well, please read the book…

Spanish Eye paperback post-free worldwide here

 

Kindle UK - here

Kindle Amazon com here