Flash Fiction in Five: complete, captivating and compelling stories in five minutes.

In the final episode for season one, 'Taking Control', is the story of Sophia, a writer and a resident of an upmarket apartment building in the inner city. Irreparably damaged from a broken relationship, she lives in fear of being hurt again, until she reaches her tipping point. This is both a story of loss and hope. Thank you to those who have supported the podcast; loyal listeners, subsc...

In 'The Final Move', we meet a Detective McMillan on the case of a career criminal who lives in two worlds. During the day he is the head of a criminal organisation, while at night he moves in high society circles. He is followed to the Riviera Grand Hotel, where the detective make the most gruesome and grizzly discovery. This story is definitely not for the faint hearted! Please make sure...

In 'Songs from the Steinway' we meet Pete. He's a suave pianist at the Riviera Grand Hotel who catches the eye of an alluring and seductive patron, Sarah. Their chemistry is electric and is sure to get hearts racing. Will he find his 'perfect symphony' and the fulfilment he so desperately seeks? Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates, share it with your friend...

In 'Words of Love', a son packing up his family home reminisces on a lifetime of memories. He discovers a series of letters that reveal a side to his father that he never knew existed, strengthening their bond. This is a heart-warming tale of love and self discovery. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://musingsonlife9.wordpress.com/2023/01/09/words-of-love/ Please make su...

In the next instalment from the Riviera Grand Hotel, 'Discretion and Valour' we meet Malcolm. He is a quiet and unassuming valet who has an admiration for fancy cars and dreams of living a life of luxury. However, when a series of unexpected events take place he becomes privy to a most gruesome and grizzly discovery. Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates, share it with y...

In 'The Jackaroo' , I explore the dichotomy of the Australian landscape and celebrate those who work on this often unforgiving and unrelenting land. The jackaroo is resilient, but becomes despondent at the harsh conditions and hope the rains will come to reinvigorate the land and his flock. This is a reimagining of a piece I wrote earlier in the year. Please make sure you like, subscribe f...

In 'The Confidante', a follow on from 'The Concierge' (Ep 43) is the story of a most unlikely alliance between André, an astute yet discreet hotel cleaner and Frederick, a concierge who lives a clandestine life, offering a 'full service' to the clientele of the Riviera Grand Hotel while attending to their every need. Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates,...

In this week's episode titled 'Memories, myths and magic', I go back to some of my earlier writing where I reflect on some of the memories from my childhood. These magical and fantastical imaginary worlds helped me escape an often difficult reality that I had to contend with. Dedicated to the ever lasting bonds that I have with family, no matter in the world where they may be. Please m...

In 'The Concierge' , we meet Frederick. He is suave, debonair and oozes sophistication. He ensures that the guests at the Riviera Grand Hotel and all of their needs are well taken care of. Sparks fly when Kimberley, a sultry and alluring actress checks in and she makes no secret of her electric attraction to the host. This is a little saucy, so I hope you enjoy it. Please make sure you lik...

Who said a holiday with the extended family couldn't be 'fun'? In my latest flash fiction piece titled 'The Perfect Getaway', we meet Iris. After her husband plans an island getaway with the extended family, she has ideas of making the holiday a little more permanent. Iris has plans that will catch her unsuspecting family completely by surprise, making it a trip to remember. Pl...

In todays episode titled 'The thin blue line', we meet David, a rookie officer who lives in the shadow of his father's reputation. His father, an 'old school' officer, did everything by the book, never crossing the 'thin blue line'. David is keen to carve his own way, but is impetuous nature, leads him down a very dangerous path. Please make sure you like, subscribe for...

In today's episode titled 'In Country', a soldier is lost in the jungle desperate to escape the war and return to his wife, willing himself and battling not only the elements, but his enemies hiding in the shadows. Will the war claim another victim or will he see his beloved wife again? Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates, share it with your friends and review wher...

In today's episode, 'Jumping at Shadows' we meet Frank. After meeting the love of his life in a seemingly chance encounter he makes a horrific discovery, spending a decade living in the shadows and running from his demons. As he descends into a spiral of drink and depression, the past always has a way of rearing its ugly head. Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates, s...

In my latest episode titled 'Deja Vu', I explore the idea of the transmigration of souls and whether the life we live today is a product of the lives we have lived before. A man is plagued by vivid dreams throughout his life. He writes these dreams in a journal that he never reads. One day, he decides to head into the breach and enter the depths of his mind. Were they dreams, or vignettes...

In today's episode 'Faultless', a brother is weary of his brother's latest partner. On the surface she appears faultless and he is absolutely captivated by her charms. In this split narrative, we see that all is not as it seems and she is hiding from her new family some secrets about her past. It is important to never judge a book by its cover. Please make sure you like, subscribe...

In this episode titled 'Done Deal', a career criminal who laments some of his life choices comes out of retirement to do one last job. Follow him as he makes his way through the insidious but compelling underbelly of the city under the cover of darkness. The package promises to change his life as he completes his mission, one last time. Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular upda...

In today's dark flash fiction titled 'The Battle Within', a visceral and confronting tale of a man who exists on the fringes of society, plagued by the torment in his mind. He is haunted, aimlessly roaming the city streets and struggling to overcome his inner demons; their wanton desires drive him forward against his will with fatal consequences. Please make sure you like, subscribe fo...

In the final dramatic episode in the 'New Beginnings' collection 'Trapped' (Listen to Episodes 28 to 31), Lee's children, Billie and Jack go on what appears to be an innocent adventure to the Callister house to explore an old abandoned building. What they don't expect, is to be confronted by the very man who has been stalking the family since their arrival in Malandra. Is t...

In the fifth instalment of the 'New Beginnings' series (Listen to Eps 28-31) Lee's worst nightmare has come to fruition and the move to Malandra has thrown her life into chaos. She is hanging on by a thread as she contemplates the worst thing that a parent could imagine. Mick, the local constable goes on the hunt for the children, fearful of what he may find out. Please make sure you l...

In the fourth instalment of the 'New Beginnings' series (Listen to Eps 28-30) Lee discovers the identity of the stranger that has been tormenting her family since her move to Malandra. What she finds out about his sordid past throws her into a panic as she begins to piece together his true motives for stalking her family. Her dream of moving to a country escape may turn out to be her worst...

In today's episode ' New beginnings: Secrets we keep ', Lee and the family (listen to Ep 28& 29) have settled into their life in the picturesque country town of Malandra. But the stranger continues to linger around the periphery, making his presence felt. Lee discovers a shocking secret about his past and realises that her family may be in grave danger. This is the penultimate epis...

In today's episode ' New beginnings: The Stranger ', we continue to follow Lee and the family (listen to Ep 28) as they finally make the long awaited move to their dream country home in the country town of Malandra. But their first encounter with a disconcerting stranger leaves her shaken up and weary. What does the small town have in store for her and her family? This is the second ep...

In today episode 'New Beginnings', we meet Lee; a middle aged woman who dreams of a better life for her family. She feels trapped in the rat race and longs for some peace of mind. On one of her holidays to her favourite country towns, she contemplates a life away from the hustle and bustle of the city and a reset. But with a new start come new challenges. This is the first episode of the &...

In today's episode 'True North' , we meet Chris: a journeyman who has travelled to all the corners of the world and met the one true love of his life. He immortalises her through his tattoo of a compass rose. Will he be reunited with his true north or live his life contemplating what he could've had? Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates, share it with your frien...

In today's story 'Under the Skin', we meet a character who uses his tattoos as a form of self expression to immortalise a man who he has loved, and lost. People too easily judge those with ink and I want to explore some of the factors that motivate people to go through with getting their bodies permanently marked. Please make sure you like, subscribe for regular updates, share it with your friends...