Author Archives: TanGental

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published four books - Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle, My Father and Other Liars, Salisbury Square and Buster & Moo. In addition I have published two anthologies of short stories, Life, in a Grain of Sand and Life in a Flash. More will appear soon, including a memoir of my mother's last years. I will try and continue to blog regularly at geofflepard.com about whatever takes my fancy. I hope it does yours too. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.

Chatsworth: It Works So Why Fix It?

Posted on October 15, 2018

What does a wet T shirt, the Crystal Palace and a sycophantic peer have in common? Chatsworth It’s one of those very precise stately homes we British do quite well, like queuing and moaning. Built by an extraordinary woman in … Continue reading →

Posted in visits | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Nursery Crimes #writephoto #flashfiction

Posted on October 14, 2018

‘This way, sarge. I’ve grabbed you an SOC suit.’ DS Jerome Kernel looked up at the sodden moor and down at his suede shoes. ‘Why is it always here?’ ‘Rural Yorkshire, sarge. Killers don’t tend to put bodies out for … Continue reading →

Posted in #writephoto, creative writing, flash fiction, miscellany, prompt | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Holidays: Where Did They Go?

Posted on October 13, 2018

For those inclined to visit here, you will well know my ingrained incompetence with preparing for and organising family holidays. So much so that, in so far as is possible, I am banned from such chores these days. Today we are … Continue reading →

Posted in holidays, humour | Tagged , , | 39 Comments

Naturalised Londoner: That Outdoor Life, Part One

Posted on October 11, 2018

As an Articled clerk, trainee solicitor as it is now known, back in 1979, one of my many jobs was to act as a sort of underpaid postman. To hire a motorcycle dispatch rider cost real money, back then. What … Continue reading →

Posted in experiences, humour, London, memories, miscellany, thought | Tagged , , , | 37 Comments

The Wife #filmreview

Posted on October 10, 2018

The title was a bit off putting – it rather gave the game away – as was the blurb. The cast had a lot of quality – Jonathan Pryce, Glenn Close and Christian Slater – but this whole put upon … Continue reading →

Posted in dogs, Film, gardens, miscellany, review | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

In Which A Mother Becomes Upset When Her Son Is Criticized #flash #microcosms

Posted on October 9, 2018

‘Mrs. Spindle? A moment?’ Celeste Spindle aka Suction-Woman jumped. She managed to catch her breath before she pulled the Headmistress, Magnificat Jameson aka Weave-Wonder, off her feet. ‘Sorry. Miles away.’ ‘It’s Horace. I felt we needed a word.’ Celeste’s second … Continue reading →

Posted in creative writing, flash fiction | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

My Father And Other Liars is free!!

Posted on October 8, 2018

My second book is free from today for three days! Please click on the image for the link or go to my author page, here for a link to your own bookshop. Here is the blurb When British freelancer Maurice … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, free promotion, My Father and Other Liars | Tagged , , | 7 Comments