Clevedon Author Ben Mears Releases New Novel ‘The Jicker Man’
Monsters, Magic and One Very Good Dog… The Latest from Clevedon Author Ben Mears
Based in Clevedon, Ben’s favourite playgrounds range from crime and mystery to speculative and fantasy fiction. He has recently seen his eleventh book out into the world. His previous novels include a series of fantasy adventures for teens, followed by The Banyard & Mingle Mysteries (a detective duo solve murders in a dystopian future UK).
His latest novel, The Jicker Man (published by Wizard’s Tower Press), follows on from these detective stories and shares their setting: a world ravaged by rising sea levels and bygone nuclear war, where Britain is a dangerous place reliant on steampunk technology. But this time, we track the adventures of apprentice detective Ebadiah, who – when war strikes – is thrown into a perilous mission to save humanity from a mounting evil: Skallagrim, the gawper king. The narrative delves deeper into the fantasy side of this dystopia, where monsters and magic collide.
On tone and style, Amazon reviewer Stephen Thatcher puts it well when he says: “From the very first page, Mears establishes a sense of tension that is almost palpable. The story is set against a backdrop of isolation, where the woods press in too close and the history is written in blood and whispers. Mears has an incredible talent for setting the scene; you can practically smell the decaying leaves and feel the damp chill of the fog as you read… The Jicker Man is a triumph. It is lyrical, terrifying, and hauntingly beautiful. Ben Mears has written a ghostly story for the ages…”
So, where does the dog come in? You may ask!
The dog, aptly named Stink upon his entrance into the story, becomes Ebadiah’s constant companion and faithful protector as they journey through war-torn Londaland upon their quest. His role, which at first seems insignificant, becomes a primary focus of this haunting tale. Ben’s inspiration for the hound’s character was based upon his own experience with his dog, a black Belgian Malinois – a breed renowned for their keen intelligence, dynamic physical abilities… and their bite!
The Jicker Man is available in paperback and e-book, and can be ordered easily from all the usual online retailers.
Ben currently has three unrelated novels in the pipeline and when he’s not writing those, he can be frequently found taking creative writing workshops in secondary schools and academies around the Southwest.
For further information, visit www.bjmears.com or email info@bjmears.com for author visit enquiries.
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