Crime writers help good Samaritans

Afraid of the Light Anthology of Crime Fiction

Who’s in the mood for some crime fiction for a good cause? I’m about to grant your wish, Cinderella, with Afraid of the Light.

A group of crime writers have come together to publish a short story anthology to raise funds for mental health charity Samaritans in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Available to buy on Amazon, Afraid of the Light features a collection of stories from Victoria Selman, Phoebe Morgan, SR Masters, Elle Croft, Clare Empson, NJ Mackay and James Delargy.

Also contributing crime stories are Kate Simants, Jo Furniss, Robert Scragg, Heather Critchlow, Rachael Blok, Dominic Nolan and Adam Southward.

From a deadly campfire game to a holiday gone wrong, to an AI assistant with a motive and a love affair that has no other way to end but with murder, Afraid of the Light comprises a twisted, gripping collection of stories that’s one to read for crime fiction fans.

Alex North, bestselling author of The Whisper Man provides the foreword.

He said: “The stories are wildly entertaining in their own right but they also address the concerns and fears we all feel – isolation and loneliness; guilt and grief; justice and punishment.

“And perhaps most importantly of all, redemption and hope. Which brings me to Samaritans. The flipside of having stories to tell is that you need someone there to listen.”

Victoria Selman, who coordinated the anthology, added: “Crime fiction is as much about the psychology of the victims and perpetrators as the crime itself, which means mental health charities are always close to our hearts.

“Given the current climate, there’s never been a better time to raise money for an organisation like Samaritans which offers a lifeline of human connection to those in need. It’s been a real pleasure working on this anthology with such a talented group of writers and for such a good cause.”

Am I going to tell you which one of the stories is my favourite? No. I’m not.

I’m leaving this one up to you. Because right now, my opinion isn’t really important here.

The stories and the money raised from buying this book is what this one is all about.

Samaritans is a charity working across the UK and Ireland to reduce the number of people who take their own lives and help people who are struggling to cope with how they’re feeling or with life’s challenges.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are there – day or night, 365 days a year.

You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www. samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. l To pick up a copy of Afraid of the Light, visit www.amazon.co.uk/Afraid-Light-twistieststories-authors-ebook/