Zsmith Stories

Ever wonder why evil never triumphs? Why the bosses in video games always leave keys and weapons conveniently strewn about for the hero? Why Prince Charming always rescues his Snow White? It's because they didn't heed the services of the Evil Wizard, an enigmatic figure of legend who has mastered the art of mischief-making, evil-doing, and best-selling author of "The Ne'er-Do-Well's Guide to Success."

Here are the first ten chapters of my fiction novel, Fantasy: The Beginning of the End. These chapters complete about half of the book and represent the whole first part of the novel. Synopsis for my novel, Fantasy: The Beginning of the End: Long ago, the world of Fantasy was torn apart by a ravaging war. The nations splintered after the bloody conflict, leading to centuries more of long-lasting hatreds and the building of walls both physical and unseen between Fantasy's people. Despite the years gone by, the wounds of the past threaten to tear open once more as old evils and new threats rise. In the midst of quickening strife, two young men named Blaise Thiessen and Darius O'Neil depart from their homeland on a quest none expect them to succeed in--or even survive. Along the way, they must confront prejudices long stoked, uncover plots deeply hidden, and open gates which have not opened in centuries. Fantasy: The Beginning of the End is a tale of camaraderie, perseverance, and believing in oneself in an uncaring, brutal world. This story of discovery follows the paths of two unlikely heroes as they rise above the expectations of others and create their own legend. I am always open to comments, critiques, and tips, so please feel free to share your ideas!

The Dypmørk Series Private investigator Grayson Barrett travels to the little-known region of Dypmørk in Norway. Working alongside him is Elliot Garamond, a British immigrant well acquainted with Dypmørk, and Dr. Elizabeth Corday, a researcher at Svartmorgen University. While Mr. Barrett attempts to unravel the mystery of his very first case in Norway, he must also reckon with the unknowable forces long regarded as mere folklore. Ancient shadows whisper from the darkness of Dypmørk, threatening to drag him and his sanity into the abyss. Short Story Series: "Fossegrim" Synopsis: Detective Grayson Barrett arrives in the city of Svartmorgen, the unofficial capital city of the Dypmørk region of northern Norway. He has been contracted to solve what many consider to be a cold murder investigation, and the only assistance he has is Elliot Garamond, an usual and equally enigmatic British immigrant who moved to Dypmørk following World War II. In this first installment of the "Fossegrim" story line, Detective Barrett will learn the details of the case and explore the countryside of Dypmørk alongside Eli. Short Story: "Spines" While technically the first story chronologically written but the last in the plot, "Spines," a stand-alone short story in what is slowly becoming a series called "Dypmørk," is my first foray into not only detective/mystery stories, but also my own version of Lovecraftian literature. I am a major fan of H.P. Lovecraft, and wanted to try out his style for myself. I especially like his stories where the the horror appears real through the formatting--in this case, through letters and journal entries. I was generally pleased with how the story turned out.