Comprising four intriguing novella length contemporary stories, which contain mystery, a hint of the supernatural or paranormal, together with a passing nod towards philosophy and religion - though in these modern fairy or folk tales the fantastic doesn't happen in some remote fantasy world, but right here in this one, in very ordinary, almost everyday circumstances!
These are adult fantasy stories for those who like to think about what they are reading.
To purchase this collection of stories click here.
The Little Dog
A story of good and evil, and retribution.
“And I saw an angel standing in the sun”
Is told by Bill, a retired forester, and takes the form of most of the stories in our lives, namely, that we have no idea that we are living a story until later when previous events suddenly seem to fall into place and make some kind of sense. Bill recounts a week in his early working life when, paired with an older, unsavoury and unpopular colleague, they find a little dog sitting beside the forest haul-road way out in a remote part of the forest. What is the little dog doing there?
As the week progresses Bill finds himself becoming emotionally attached to the little dog while also becoming increasingly concerned about just who is his objectionable workmate, and when he notices that the little dog is no longer present at its usual spot his concerns heighten, as he cannot help but feel that his workmate has something to do with the dog's disappearance. Although a troubled Bill has a conversation with his local priest and learns of the nature of sin and evil, he remains blind to that which is right in front of him. However the very next day events suddenly take an unexpected turn and the young naive Bill starts to learn some awful truths.
To see reviews and sample chapter of The Little Dog click here.
The Crow
A sad, poignant story of misunderstanding, bitterness and blame.
“Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.”
This story, which centres on our almost desperate desire to leave something to mark our lives upon this earth, is told as a history recounted by Dave, of the time when he, as a child, was taken by his mother to a hospice where he met a dying and embittered old Irish priest known as Mad Father Patrick, who told him about the school days and subsequent rise of a local councillor, Reginald Monday, and of his (Monday's) involvement in the construction of a dam which flooded a valley. Father Patrick's increasingly mad tale is told with a blend of biblical quotations, philosophical musings and wild fantasy, but how does it end and just why is he so bitter?
To see reviews and sample chapter of The Crow click here.
The Golden Tup
A dreadful tale of a young couple's paradise being cruelly taken from them by latent evil.
“But whom sent I to judge them?”
Can evil be in a place? The tale opens with Verity, a farmer's wife, recalling how a young couple were arrested a few years previously for killing their new born baby. How could such a nice young couple have done such a dreadful thing? Through a series of flashbacks we learn how they had created their rural idyll, how an enigmatic man had come into their lives and how their idyll and relationship had gradually fallen apart - how, with references to Milton's Paradise Lost, their paradise was lost. Gradually the young wife reveals a dreadful past, but Verity realises that she is holding something back, but what? What is the terrible truth that caused her and her husband to kill their baby?
To see reviews and sample chapter of The Golden Tup click here.
The White Hart
A happy ghost story, if there can be such a thing!
“Not everyone who is enlightened by an angel knows that he is enlightened by him.”
Told by a likeable male chauvinist, bachelor and keen fell-runner, Pete Montague recalls three strange incidents which he initially thought were unconnected. The first is his encounter with a little albino deer which he found in the forest when he was out for a jog. The second is that of a chance meeting with a beautiful, young but somewhat enigmatic girl in a remote chapel, and of their conversation in which she told him of the tragic story of the daughter of the family which built it. And the third incident …...
To see reviews and sample chapter of The White Hart click here.
Background Information.
I honestly can't remember when I first came up with idea of a group of friends telling each other tales in a pub, but it was that idea which gave rise to The Red Grouse Tales - The Red Grouse being the name of the pub - and as for the tales; these I wanted to be slightly fantastic whilst at the same time being as real and plausible as possible, modern day fairy stories if you like.
For background on each individual story, either check the links above or use the main dropdown box to locate the individual story.
Sample Chapters.
For sample chapters of the stories, either check the links above or use the main dropdown box to locate the individual story.
Reviews.
For reviews of each individual story, either check the links above or use the main dropdown box to locate the individual story.
Reviews of The Red Grouse Tales.
The Red Grouse Tales are comprised of four short stories written as if told around a table at the Red Grouse Inn. Each story has a different moral theme running throughout the tale.
This is a modern-day allegory represented at its best.
Whether the storyteller is relating a good vs. evil story, a tale of betrayal, inequality, or simply a thought-provoking allegory, each is fascinating in its own right. The stories in the book are short enough that you can finish each one in a single reading session. The characters draw you into their lives, making the book relatable to readers of every age. (Well, I would suggest teen and up because of very minor language use.)
If you are looking to pass an afternoon with a thoughtful book, you don’t want to miss this one.
Read Gina Rae Mitchell's review here and at Amazon and Goodreads
*****
"Red Grouse Tales by Leslie Garland is a compelling set of short stories that explore topics both spiritual and worldly while uncovering universal truths for the reader. In true Leslie Garland style, each story within the book is written to spark new thought and contemplation for the reader. The author brings up social and religious issues and sets the framework for the reader to determine what they believe is right, or wrong. The book is divided into four short stories, each with a different set of adventures and a different theme. The chapters explore topics and ideas such as the impact of death, how we view others and why we view them in certain ways, the influence communities have upon their residents, and many other thought-provoking subjects. In each short story the author weaves together interesting characters, plots, and details, making for an enjoyable read.
Red Grouse Tales by Leslie Garland is written with wisdom and insight into human character, motives, and emotions. He takes a look at cultural influences and family dynamics as they manifest in human beliefs, actions, and reactions. I appreciate how real his characters feel and the way he highlights details about his characters that many other authors would overlook or downplay. By the end of each story, the reader will be left wondering what they would have done in each scenario, and pondering the impact of the choices they would have made. Leslie Garland tells tales that are unusual in the best of ways and that focus on parts of humanity that are often neglected. Each of us have been impacted by our upbringing, and this book demonstrates, among other things, the parental and community influence we each live with, often without realizing the ways it shapes us."
(See Sheena Monnin, Stellar Media Club review on Amazon and Goodreads)
*****
"It was such a treat to read “The Red Grouse Tales” by Leslie Garland. The four short stories within this novel are thoroughly engaging contemporary allegories. I love John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” thus I was delighted by how deftly Garland interweaves the well-known archangels into these modern-day tales. “The Red Grouse Tales” consists of the most well-done and effective frame narratives I have come across in contemporary pieces of literature. Even more to Garland’s credit, I never considered the frame narrative to be overused across the four stories. The method seemed to be the perfect fit for each story. One of my favorite aspects of this collection of short stories is that the allegories never seemed heavy-handed or forced. I believe that the personalities of each story’s narrators were key to how engaging and relatable the allegories were. I loved the authenticity and likeability of each narrator and the glimpses into their sense of humor and personality quirks as they told their tale. I also appreciated the range of personalities and voices amongst the narrators. Overall, I highly recommend “The Red Grouse Tales” to readers who are interested in contemporary allegories, literature that references religious/religion-related narratives (particularly “Paradise Lost” and other works that involve the archangels), and well-written and effective frame narratives."
(See review by Courtney Thomas on Goodreads and Amazon)
Literary Titan
The Red Grouse Tales consists of four thought-provoking short stories written by author Leslie Garland. The setting takes place in a local bar among several patrons who all take turns telling their intriguing metaphysical tales. Although this is somewhat of a philosophical collection of stories I felt that the opinions and ideas expressed came about organically and this makes the reader question how they would feel or act rather than forcing ideas on the reader. Spiritual concepts are also explored, which allows for a lot of reader interpretation.
Each story is told at the bar on a Thursday night and each story feels like they are part of a casual conversation, like a friend is telling you a story, regardless of ‘who’ is telling their story, it always feels authentic, even with the supernatural elements. Each patron tells a story that is relatable to the reader, in one way or another- such as conveying life lessons or depicting circumstances that are commonly faced. I started reading the book without any prior knowledge of author Leslie Garland or their writing, but I was impressed with the authors literary skill and ability to convey some abstract ideas in a fascinating and easy to understand way. The reoccurring theme in The Red Grouse Tales is evil, whether it is a person that is evil or perceived as evil or the world as a whole containing evil.
These stories are written from the first person perspective which provides an interesting and unique lens through which evil is interpreted in the story. While I enjoyed the book overall, I felt that book started off slowly and I was worried I was not going to be pulled in, but thankfully this is more of a slow-burn style of storytelling that lures you in with the subtle but compelling storytelling and thick atmosphere, so that by the end I was completely engrossed. I enjoyed how bits of true crime were incorporated into the stories, and made them sound eerily familiar to real life and some cases you may know or have followed. In the end the reader is left to wonder what they think is right and wrong in this compelling collection of short stories.
(See review on Literary Titan and Amazon)
*****
"The four stories in the Red Grouse tales were as entertaining as they were charming, and overall a really fun read. The different narrators of the stories I felt gave each tale a unique nature, and they felt quite different to each other but still just a fun. I read this through once myself and then read over a number of sitting to a (reasonably) young relative and he enjoyed it just as much as I had. This would also make a good candidate for a book club as many issues for discussion are thrown up in each of the four stories."
(See review by Honeybee on Goodreads)
Reviewed By Debjani Ghosh for Readers’ Favorite
The Red Grouse Tales: The Little Dog and Other Stories by Leslie Garland is a unique collection of four spiritual, philosophical, and mysterious novellas tinged with an element of the supernatural. These stories are narrated by a group of people in a local pub. Bill, now a retired forester, recounts the strange and disturbing incidents, which involved a cute little dog, that occurred during a week in his early working life. The Crow is a tale of misunderstanding, and above all, vanity. An old priest on his deathbed narrates the childhood and subsequent ascendancy of a local councilor, and how his involvement in the construction of a dam affected the valley. The Golden Tup shows the crumbling of paradise bit by bit. It chronicles the shocking story of a young couple and a crime. In The White Hart, Pete Montague regales his audience with his chance encounter with a little albino deer and his subsequent meeting with an enchanting girl in a remote chapel.
Each story in The Red Grouse Tales is well-written, laden with beautiful imagery, and is hugely atmospheric. All the tales provide lush details of the respective quaint towns they are set in. Leslie Garland is a gifted storyteller. He provides distinct voices to the narrator and the different characters in the stories. The Crow is an immersive tale and stresses how vanity can distort one's perception of reality. Out of all the stories, The Golden Tup was my favorite. The twist at the end was unexpected. The White Hart is another impressive addition to this collection.
It took time for me to get used to the author's writing style but once I did, these stories were worth reading. The author often indulges in philosophical musings which enhance the stories. With just a hint of the paranormal, they explore the various vices of humans. All the stories implore the reader to think about what is right and wrong. Biblical knowledge would help readers appreciate the stories more. I recommend The Red Grouse Tales to fans of speculative fiction. People seeking something different from their usual dose of thrillers/crime fiction can also pick it up.
(See review on Readers' Favorite and Amazon)
*****
"I have read all books by this author and they are all wonderful. If you are looking for a great storyteller that insightful and thought provoking this I highly recommend Leslie Garland. All of the stories in this book will make you take pause."
(See review by Wanda B on Goodreads)
I enjoyed these stories! I hate to spoil anything so I will just say that you should read this book, you will love the paranormal.
(See review by TDC Book Reviews on TDC Book Reviews and Goodreads)
*****
" Brilliant read - can't wait for more! Wonderfully defined characters, pleasing perspectives and some excellent details makes these stories an immersive insight and brilliant escape into another's world. Accessible, easy to get lost in and I've read them far too quickly! Can't wait for more to be added to the set. "
(See review by Amazon Customer on Amazon)
*****
"A really good collection of four short tales all told in the manner of a personal recollection told to friends over a pint (hence the title). The author's style is easy to understand and very readable. My personal favorite is "The Crow" but read them all and make your own mind up."
(See review by George G on Amazon)
****
"This is an interesting collection of tales, novellas if you will that are similar thematically, each contains a mystery of sorts and has links to good and evil. This was a step away from my usual crime thrillers or contemporary fiction, but something I am very grateful for having had the chance to read.
With beautiful descriptiveness in each story the reader is transported ......
The dialogue used in the tales is also wonderful, I especially liked where a local dialect was used and the author took a moment to add parenthesis, I felt that this added to my enjoyment of reading the tales, particularly where I felt that I had learned something new.
A very enchanting read, and very much a book to read as a break from day to day life. Extremely well written, the stories are well thought out, an excellent cast of characters that are multidimensional and interesting - even the flawed characters are enticingly interesting!
The idea behind the tales being stories recounted by friends in the local pub is one that really appeals to me, reminds me of listening to family friends at a gathering or sitting listening to folk tales that my grandfather told me as a youngster. The ease at which the writer recounts these tales makes for an enjoyable and captivating read. "
(See full review by The Quiet Knitter on The Quiet Knitter and Amazon )
****
"An interesting set of stories linked by themes of good and evil. I enjoyed The White Hart the most and I think the stories would work very well as radio adaptations. Overall, I would recommend the collection of stories and eagerly await the author's next publication.
(See full review by Pulcinello on Amazon)
****
Amazing group of tales, centering on the Christian beliefs in good and evil. Each employs a supernatural power, sometimes as a person, sometimes an animal. A must read for stormy nights!
(See full review by Maryrose 0n Amazon)
