Dissipation and Despair

A.J. Hall

Story Summary:
After offending his Bishop, the Rev. Peter Blakeney had feared his career was at an end. Then, to his surprise came the offer of the incumbency of St Sebastian's Church, Malfoy Intrinsica. And despite the foot and mouth epidemic, sinister carvings in the Church and all the locals changing the subject if he mentioned the Manor or its reclusive Lord, he felt he was settling in well. Until one night there came a tap at his study window, and he found himself about to discover exactly why St Sebastian is the patron saint of archers, enemies of religion, gardeners, murrains of cattle and plagues. A cosy English village whodunnit in the classic tradition, give or take an Unforgivable curse or so. ``Sequel to Lust Over Pendle.

Chapter 01
11/02/2003

After offending his Bishop, the Rev. Peter Blakeney had feared his career was at an end. Then, to his surprise came the offer of the incumbency of St Sebastian's Church, Malfoy Intrinsica. And despite the foot and mouth epidemic, sinister carvings in the Church and all the locals changing the subject if he mentioned the Manor or its reclusive Lord, he felt he was settling in well. Until one night there came a tap at his study window, and he found himself about to discover exactly why St Sebastian is the patron saint of archers, enemies of religion, gardeners, murrains of cattle and plagues. A cosy English village whodunnit in the classic tradition, give or take an Unforgivable curse or so.

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Chapter 02
11/04/2003

Jealousies, rivalries, and hints of dark secrets have already surfaced among the guests attending a Fantasy Creative Writing Course at Caitlin Naismith's guesthouse. She fears it will be a fraught two weeks. But then a blond, middle-aged stranger starts asking Caitlin odd questions over lunch in the local pun, one of the guests suffers a panic attack on a coach trip, and she decides it's time to call in help from her friends at Malfoy Manor.

Words: 12,195
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Chapter 03
11/05/2003

Rumours are flying. Someone in the village has noticed that Neville has been meeting the Vicar while Draco was abroad. Someone has put two and two together and just made - the biggest mistake of his life. However long

Words: 13,810
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Chapter 04
11/09/2003

In which Caitlin's Creative Fantasy Writing Group go the the pub in the village. And find more than they bargained for.

Words: 15,190
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Chapter 05
11/10/2003

Draco and Neville are giving a dinner party, but a ghoulish practical joke at Gaia's Place has held up two of their guests. And what sort of person does write on walls in blood, anyway?

Words: 9,538
Hits: 1,118
Chapter 06
11/11/2003

Hermione and her escort "David Molloy" arrive at Claridges for the wedding of her ex-Giles and Brooke. But there are sinister undercurrents beneath the festivities, and even the celebrity chef has secrets to reveal - and old blood-debts to repay.

Words: 10,195
Hits: 1,068
Chapter 07
11/12/2003

The Lord of the Rings Fancy Dress Buffet at Gaia's Place has an unexpected - and uninvited - guest. Who brings a little present with him. Suspicions start to swirl among the guests, and old tensions and jealousies revive. And even St Sebastian's Church may not be the place of sanctuary it originally seemed.

Words: 8,982
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Chapter 08
11/14/2003

Hermione has had a bad shock. And with Ron married and Harry still in the United States she seems to have no-one to turn to.

Words: 10,053
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Chapter 09
11/16/2003

A storm threatens to overwhelm Malfoy Intrinsica, and the river is rising fast. But there are those abroad in the night who find the violent weather a fitting cover for their Dark deeds. But a cover which is not quite good enough at concealing them from prying eyes.

Words: 13,686
Hits: 1,062
Chapter 10
11/17/2003

There's been a mysterious poisoning of one of the delegates to the Creative Fantasy Writing Course. And while the police are inclined to take the view that it's all a dreadful accident, Caitlin is far from sure. And calls in Neville and Draco to help her investigate.

Words: 10,628
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Chapter 11
11/18/2003

In the aftermath of the poisoning at Gaia's Place, Neville and Draco are worried about Caitlin's safety. And with good reason...

Words: 12,846
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Chapter 12
11/21/2003

Peter is growing increasingly concerned about the disappearance of Hugo Somerville and his wife. And then he receives a telephone call from Innogen, asking urgently for help. Within the Mill House lies the answer to many of the mysteries that have plagued the village. But even with Draco's help he may not be able to get out of there alive to tell what he knows.

Words: 11,844
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Chapter 13
11/22/2003

The plot thickens. But Emily Longbottom has a few ideas who may be behind the mysterious events in the village.

Words: 12,941
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Chapter 14
11/30/2003

Draco's life and the fate of the Manor hang on the fall of a single card.

Words: 11,910
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Chapter 15
12/10/2003

The final chapter, in which the forces which have been threatening the village finally confront the defenders, and the guests at Gaia's Place meet something they'd rather not have to face.

Words: 20,318
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Notes and commentary for Dissipation and Despair

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