A Touch of the African Sun

This saga is led by that complex character von Tabis, a psychopath, whose monumental ego, and fantasies of power and grandeur, were given fortuitous reign by his unexpected transfer to tranquil Tanganyika (Tanzania) just before World War II. His South African co-conspirators who fell under the spell of von Tabis, illustrate how his charismatic and compelling personality stimulated their latent dreams and ambitions. A colourful diversity of characters adds atmosphere and mystery that is unique to Africa. Despite a remarkable degree of success towards his madcap schemes, von Tabis, blinded by reality, stumbles inexorably towards his ultimate destiny.

Excerpt from the book:

“The gaunt, pasty sweating body lay quietly in the vast bed. Georgio was alarmed and took the weakening pulse. He realised that nothing short of a miracle could save Jeremy now. The sheets were sodden, but Jeremy’s lips were dry and cracked. Georgio tried lifting his head and helping him to some water, but his lips barely moved. Then suddenly he opened his eyes and gave Georgio a happy smile before again shutting them. He gave a heavy sigh and left this world to join his beloved Cynthia.

Karumba was stunned. He stood there silently, but huge tears coursed down his shiny black cheeks. Georgio lifted the sheet and pulled it over the dead man’s face.

“Where is Straker?” he demanded.

“I will fetch him, bwana,” said Karumba.

 He hurried from the room and across the yard to the manager’s house. He banged on the door, and Straker came bleary eyed to open it, his pyjamas hanging obscenely open in front as he fumbled with a threadbare dressing gown.

“What the bloody ‘ell are you doing waking me at this time of night, eh?”

“It’s Bwana Forbes,” said Karumba tearfully. “He is dead, bwana.”

“A Touch of the African Sun” by P. H. Newall is available in paperback from Amazon at:

This exceptional book is also available to download in e-book format from:

Press/Media Contact Details:

Darin Jewell (literary agent for P. H. Newall)
Tel. 0208 292 5163
E-mail: [email protected]

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Memoirs of a British Bobby

PC155, Les Morris looks back over his time in the police force and how much things have changed over the years, not just in the force itself but in the wider world beyond.

Technology, communication, new laws and legislation have changed policing, almost beyond recognition, and this unique insight reveals much about how the force used to run and the changes that made it into the organisation we recognise today.

These memoirs are based on the personal experiences of a young man making his way through the ranks and those characters and challenges he meets along the way.

The author hopes the book will give anyone interested in joining the police force a real insight into the recent history of this organisation.

Two excerpts from the book:

“One of the first jobs I was given was to investigate the theft of eggs from a broody grouse. I had more success with the next incident, when I was sent to investigate the theft of a bayonet that had been taken from a school house at Wootton. I questioned a few boys and noticed that one of them kept avoiding me and refused to look me in the eye. He was 14 years old and a foster child under the care of one of the teachers. I took him aside to question on his own and he then admitted that he had taken the bayonet. I asked him to accompany me in the car so that he could show me where he had hidden it. We retrieved the bayonet and, after telling him how foolish he had been, I drove him home to his foster parents.  I was convinced that this was his first theft and told his foster parents of my decision not to take things further, but that I would be making a note of the event.  I then returned the bayonet to its rightful owner.” (pgs. 58 – 59)

“A call came through from a police sergeant at Oxford city to assist in the arrest of a murder suspect and I drove straight to Green Road in Kidlington. When the interim detective sergeant from Witney and our detective inspector arrived, I was already at the house. The inspector ordered a search of the premises and instructed the interim detective sergeant to arrest the man and take him to Woodstock Police Station. The necessary paperwork and charge sheet could be completed, as the suspect had admitted the offence. On questioning, the man, who was in his 60s, told us that he lived with his mother, who was in her 90s. She had taken to using her walking stick to lash out at him whenever he got anywhere near her. Finally, he had lost his temper and decided that he could take no more, so killed her by smothering her with a pillow.” (pg. 71)

“Memoirs of a British Bobby:  PC155 – Les Morris” is available in paperback from Amazon at:

amazon.co.uk/Memoirs-British-Bobby-PC155-Morris/dp/1786235994

Press/Media Contact Details:

Darin Jewell (literary agent for Les Morris)
Tel. 0208 292 5163
E-mail: [email protected]