Ink Pen – by Ray Drayton

About

Ray Drayton a published author of 20+ Historical Fiction E-novels of adventure, intrigue and inspiration. With further titles currently in work, click here for latest updates.

Most Kiwis embarking upon their OE board a flight to London the capital of ‘Mother England’ for work experience abroad. I boarded a ship from New Zealand and five weeks later I was in Italy. Once reaching England, I took up a work position as a tailor in London’s Knightsbridge.

8 years travelling found me back in New Zealand armed with a host of memorable experiences. I had left a senior position with a tailoring company in Australia. The job was without doubt the best I ever had… It must have been – I ‘walked’ across the Nullabor Desert bereft of money from Perth to Sydney to get it – I was in good company.The people working with me were the best I had experienced in the rag trade.

The travel provided insights in to a world of opportunities not apparent in the day to day reality of merely existing- this is what experiencing life is about…the good bits and not so good bits.

Ray and his wife Sandra (editor of Ink Pen books) reside in Central Otago where together they continue to publish Ray’s stories in historical fiction genre..

Why Central Otago?

In one word – MAGIC. The magic of a landscape as old as time itself. Vistas of such contrast and beauty to leave you breathless. A powerful dominating landscape.

The magical light and sheer power continually speaks dictating to your mind – and your soul.

It is a place demanding one to utilize expression, the divine expression residing within the consciousness. We only have to search within to touch the magic. As a writer, the ensuing storyline does the rest.

Featured Titles

The French Laundry

By Ray Drayton

The French Riviera, part of the sun drenched Cote d’Azure region of France, straddling the Mediterranean Sea.

The area is recognized as a ‘Playground of the Mega Rich’ where dreams are realized amidst a Bohemian lifestyle, meaning all things are possible and attainable.

The majority of ‘Players’ in this magical playground are not aware that there exists a dark undercurrent lurking in the shadows. Where for some, life is regarded as cheap and expendable.

Criminal Cartels ply their lethal trade utilizing ill-gotten gains from money laundering, using currencies untraceable by the authorities. The Cartels play for high stakes, amassing their ill-gotten riches to astronomical proportions.

They are not alone. Within the darkness, another foe who plays by the same deadly rules – ie ‘no rules,’ to track the criminals down. Spies of the French ‘Counter Espionage’ service secretly infiltrates the French Laundry in Nice. Their intelligence informs them there are more ‘French Laundries’ scattered throughout France, including Paris, indulging in the same nefarious activities.

‘THE FRENCH LAUNDRY’ is not only a story of the Rich and Infamous, and heinous crimes committed to protect their Blood Money.

All Titles

A Murder of Crows

By Ray Drayton

“If we lose The Battle of Britain – we will lose England.” This powerful Historical Fiction narrative provides a glimpse into lives of desperate people in desperate times. These service personnel have virtually nothing left to give – only their lives. The recently formed RAF ‘Black Crow’ Night Fighter Squadron were one of the remaining few with their backs…

The Sound Runners of Fiordland

By Ray Drayton

Ancient Māori named Fiordland – ‘Te Rua o Te Moko’ – Shadowland. Mystical rainforests, rugged mountains and deep fiords. A timeless land ensconced in folklore and legend regarded by some as ‘The Land God Forgot.’ Those assumptions are wrong. The Māori God of Dusky Sound is ‘Tamatea’… A God who resides there for eternity. The Giant Moa, a flightless…

The Midnight Cuckoo

By Ray Drayton

The storyline takes the reader on an incredible journey into a magical world of Germanic Folklore within the confines of The Black Forest. Goblins, Witches, and a host of characters come to life in a seemingly ‘Parallel Universe.’ The narrative now takes an unexpected twist… The timeline is during WW2, September 1944. The Battle of The Hurtgen Forest near…

The Puppeteer of Potsdam

By Ray Drayton

Brigadier Albert Dexter is a British Commander of the Secret SOE. He had operated covertly behind enemy lines in occupied Europe during World War two. Brigadier Dexter emerged from retirement in the latter stages of the Cold War, at the behest of MI6. He utilizes a childhood fetish of Puppetry for purposes of infiltration and exfiltration of spies within…

Thaddeus Fogg- Phantom Spy

By Ray Drayton

“There will be an hour, believe it, there will be. When liberated Russia will ask each of us, ‘what have you done to accelerate my rebirth?” The professor of Slavonic Studies stares impassively at the faces showing fear and hesitation. The walls of a study within Cambridge University join in the silence demanding the students’ attention. He turns to…

The Secret Learning

By Ray Drayton

‘The journey is the thing.’ Homer – Greek poet and philosopher. 800 BCE – 701 BC. Homer is best known as author of ‘The Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey.’ He was believed by the ancient Greeks as the first and greatest of the Epic Poets. From the legendary Trojan Wars to World War Two, the Grecian Cyclades have been subjected…

The Florist Of East Berlin

By Ray Drayton

‘Whether you like it or not. History is on our side. We will bury you.’ Speech of Cold War Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. November 1956. Losses of Agents East of the Wall warns MI6 and CIA a deadly Spy is unleashed in East Berlin. His code name is ‘Black Iris’, a brilliant chemist brainwashed by the Stasi to become…

A Place Called Paradise

By Ray Drayton

Armageddon finally descends upon earth. The thunderous noise is horrific, savagely wrenching Olivia from a pitiful sleep. Her eyes open wide in fear and confusion, feeling the hard unyielding ground shaking under her. Louder and louder, the noise continues to thunder above her head, paralysing Olivia with mind numbing terror. Now there is nothing, only an equally fearful silence….

Escape out of Bosnia

By Ray Drayton

After the tragic mountaineering accident resulting in the death of his wife, Robert Munroe wanders aimlessly through a world of dark depression. He is desperate to find the only thing he has left to find – himself. His interest is sparked when he reads an article about an English ex army officer rescuing war orphaned children covertly out of…

The Violin Maker

By Ray Drayton

The boy needs no second bidding and starts running in the darkness, dragging his sister with him. Light from a Border Guard’s flare reflects off dense fog closing in and blinding them. Joska knows he must run in a straight line directly into the border fence somewhere in front of them. A sense of panic overwhelms him when Lilla’s…

Secrets of a French Summer

By Ray Drayton

Chateau la Croix was a ‘Safe House’ during German occupation of France in WW2. Lives of many Allied escapees were saved by the brave la Croix family who faced certain death if their secret was discovered. In present day France, Chateau la Croix guards secrets from Nazi extremist groups intent on exposing the la Croix family. The grandson of…

The Devil’s Soul Garden

By Ray Drayton

“Would you not be buyin’ me a drink?” A pretty woman appears from nowhere. “Sorry darlin’ – I’ve got to go.” I reply in a strong Ulster accent. Her blue eyes framed by curly blonde hair show disappointment. “Are you on a promise, then?” She pouts her full red lips provocatively. The warning bells scream in my head. One…

The Impressionist of Provence

By Ray Drayton

Dedication to ‘Baptiste Dubois.’ The greatest art impressionist of our era in wartime France. Thank you for saving my life. I am sorry that I could not save yours. – The Protagonist. 1944 – RAF Bomber Command. Elsham Wolds Aerodrome Lincolnshire. The young Flight Lieutenant brakes to a halt on his ancient bicycle. In his mind male voices…

Straight Circle

By Ray Drayton

‘My Honour is Loyalty.’ – Waffen SS motto. The Neo Nazi arm of the National Front extremists protect ‘The Milice’ – traitors who exposed French Resistance members to the Gestapo in World War Two. The Milice hold positions of power in commerce, politics and the high church within present day France. Alison and Philippe vow to track The Milice…

The House of Solomon

By Ray Drayton

‘The Beginning of Wisdom is the Fear of God.’ – – King Solomon. King Solomon was a reputed Philosopher, Master of Metaphysics and Alchemy. Professor of Egyptology at Oxford University, Magnus Penn wants to discover the truth concerning King Solomon – and the whereabouts of his vast fortune which has never been found. Magnus returns to Egypt and…

Dead Heroes

By Ray Drayton

‘I stood there listening to the moans and threats coming out of his broken mouth. Suddenly I felt immensely proud. I had bagged my first British soldier, and I was only twelve years old…’ The streets in the slums of Belfast where young adolescents learn when to fight, when to run and when to do both. Their…

The SS Express

By Ray Drayton

A Nazi WW2 train lies hidden in an unknown tunnel of The Alps bordering Italy and Austria. Rumours abound of a secret train carrying gold bullion and priceless artworks plundered by the Nazis in the last days of the war. Does the train actually exist, or is it a ghostly relic from a war torn past? A former RAF…

Battle Ghost

By Ray Drayton

Summer 1943. Italy under German occupation. “Kommt Schon!!” The order in harsh German shatters the silence. The cold grey eyes of a German Major stare directly at Captain Mark Anders. A discarded shovel remains on the ground. “Come on, pick it up Captain.” This time the German officer repeats the order in precise English. “Officers are not required to…

The Celestial Looking Glass

By Ray Drayton

Alison endures an upbringing by parents who never wanted her. She seeks solace with the one person Alison is closest to and who means everything to her. Madeleine is her grandmother who lives with a secret past. During World War Two, Madeleine served with British led secret ‘S O E’ and parachuted into France to fight beside the French…

Eye Spy

By Ray Drayton

“Incoming!!!” The booming voice of Roddy Fennick fills the confines of the bar, cutting through the boisterous hum of conversation like a knife through butter. The Sub Editor of a London Tabloid looks around expectantly. The room full of journalists does not hesitate. We dive under tables, clutching our drinks while awaiting sounds of incoming artillery fire. “All clear!…

The Windrush Song

By Ray Drayton

“Dudley, that sounds exciting!” His mother exclaims. “We are composing a flute solo for our principle Flautist to perform. I think the title will resonate with you two.” Dudley watches Lizzie and me. “Indeed?” I ask, “what is the title?” He pauses before replying.” The Windrush Song.” His mother and I exchange furtive glances. Neither of us have the…

The Judas Man

By Ray Drayton

‘THE JUDAS MAN.’ A rogue superspy in East Berlin must be found to avert nuclear war between the superpowers. His code name is ‘JUDAS’. He has turned against the Stasi spy masters who created him… ‘Knowing your enemy is very important indeed.’ A former MI6 Controller. The ornate ceiling of the German State Opera House reverberates to…

The Hibiscus Code

By Ray Drayton

MI6 and CIA orchestrate a coup in the islands of Fiji. WHY??? My former days as an SAS officer provided astute knowledge of how the secret world of intelligence works. Then things go horribly wrong. My wife Claire walked out, telling me she was sick of being married to a ghost who lived in the shadows. The bullet…

Yellow Fever

By Ray Drayton

‘YELLOW FEVER.’ “Gold!!!” A cry heralding the precious yellow metal sets men’s hearts racing with anticipation of untold riches. Countless men proclaim the yellow metal is worth more than human life, including their own. Like insects scurrying across a corpse searching for elusive treasure, mankind throws himself upon the ground in a feeding frenzy… The man standing in…

When Angels Weep

By Ray Drayton

“Really Charles, it would be better for all concerned.” Peter Ramsay offers Charles Mounsey a brandy balloon of French Cognac. “Special Branch will continue maintaining surveillance at Thorncroft Hall, of course.” The M16 Officer allows himself a petulant grimace before continuing. “However, should the boys from The Balkans be determined to get at you, they will. Special Branch or…