Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce this year’s free Christmas short story!

The Case of the Missing Fairy by Steven Walton is now available free on the Candy Jar website.

Talking about The Case of the Missing Fairy, Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen says: “When Shaun told me he wanted a Christmas story, I groaned and said, ‘well, I don’t have time to write one,’ but then I re-thought and realised that I may have a man who did. So I turned to a young writer I know who wanted to write for the series. Enter Steven Walton. He jumped on board with barely a second’s hesitation, and I then tasked him with sending me a few ideas set within the period that Lethbridge-Stewart served as maths teacher in Brendon School, a period of his life we’ve not really touched upon yet. Steve sent me a few ideas, but that one that appealed to me the most was the whimsical notion of Lethbridge-Stewart investigating the disappearance of a Christmas tree fairy.”

Steven Walton says: “I’ve always considered the Brigadier to be the Doctor’s Watson, but as this range has him in the lead role I thought why not make him Sherlock Holmes? Set in a time when he can’t remember the Doctor, the story focuses on those mini adventures in his everyday life. And what a better time to do a silly but fun detective story than at Christmas.”

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, says: “Our seasonal short stories have become something of a tradition, and it was important to me that this year be no different. Steven had produced a lovely, and amusing, little ditty for Christmas, and in quick time, too. Perfect reading after a hearty Christmas dinner!”

The Case of the Missing Fairy will be available for free on the Candy Jar website over Christmas.

Candy Jar also has a Christmas sale on at the moment, covering many of their varied titles, including several Lethbridge-Stewart titles. Perfect for Christmas presents!

A limited edition range of series five novels will be available early 2018, beginning with A Very Private Haunting by Sharon Bidwell. And later in the year the novella range continues with The Lost Skin by Andy Frankham-Allen. Pre-order A Very Private Haunting and The Lost Skin here.

Recently Candy Jar Books announced that, for the forseeable future, there will be no new editions of The HAVOC Files. Editor Andy Frankham-Allen issues this statement those who submitted story ideas through this year’s open submission window: “There are several logistic and legal reasons behind our decision, however, please note we are not cancelling the range, just resting it for the forseeable future. So to anybody who submitted a story idea to us, please be aware that there are two options open to you; you can either retain your idea and repurpose it for other use, or you can allow us to hold on to it and look at it again if/when we do another HAVOC Files release. Please drop us an email at havoc@candyjarbooks.co.uk to let us know which option you wish to take.”