Original sin and other stories

A book of twenty-five short stories to satisfy the appetites of a wide range of readers. The subject matter is everyday and therefore accessible, but always finely observed and sometimes with a twist. They nearly always begin arrestingly. Chapelle has a knack for the interest-grabbing opening that draws the reader in and holds the attention for what follows. And although the stories are about things that may be familiar to us, they are far from humdrum. Here are holidays at the beach, neighbours, the mistakes people make and regret, events from the past that rise up to haunt us - and of course families. Always fertile areas for stories, families of all kinds are caught at some significant point and observed as events unfold. The moods change too; sometimes sensual, sometimes ominous or enigmatic but always appropriate. There may be undercurrents. It is not surprising that Chapelle has an impressive list of credentials, and has won or been placed in many competitions. His work has been published in a variety of magazines and newspapers and broadcast on the radio. This is a fine collection of stories that can hardly fail to entertain, by a man who has a deft way with words.