Novels
Launching E-book in November 2026
Knowing Where To Look
A coming of age, search for identity, contemporary quest novel. Writing to exorcise a traumatic year following the death of her mother, Knowing Where to Look opens as Suzan remembers how she, her mum Cleo, and her Grandad, Tobias, and her mum's finance Fly, were enjoying a successful summer. In letters, arriving after Cleo’s funeral, Suzan realises her mother is still organising her future - as if from beyond the grave... FBSRO 98,000 words Intellectual property of JM Prior 2024
The Fairy Tale Romance of Cleopatra Trevellian is the fairytale allegory, extracted from the novel, explaining Cleo's choice to have a baby at 16.
Observations
A modern family sage told by the omniscient spirit of Juke Rattary. Following the sudden death of Angus Rattary, the family discover the farm estate is almost bankrupt. Elizabeth reluctantly proposes to sell up but her sons, Max, John and Derek, and daughter, Elaine, rally together to salvage the estate. Juke, Derek’s son, provides an omniscient commentary on the family’s efforts. FBSRO 98,000 words
Work in Progress
Magician of Broughty Ferry
A Contemporary 'Portmanteau' Novel - a collection of interconnecting stories revealing each character's points of contact with Oliver Buchanan - the Magician of Brought Ferry. Developed during research into electronic literature, it explores the theme popularised by John Guare's 1990 play "Six Degrees of Separation". The life stories orbiting Oliver Gwillam Buchannan, magician and reluctant psychic. Oliver Gwillam Buchannan, known as Little Ollie as a child performer, performs close magic at the Trattoria in Edinburgh owned by his friend Akkis. When Oliver’s brother Jonathan dies is a tragic accident at New Year 2000, Oliver inherits the family home and proposes to his long term girlfriend. • Janivera Buchanan, nee Caird Lowe, known as Jani, Oliver’s mother, is in a secure care-home having suffered a psychotic breakdown after her husband died. • Stan Buchanan, party magician, Oliver’s father, a member of the Dundee Magic Circle and life long performer. • Dr Jonathan Buchanan, Oliver’s elder brother, grew up in the care of his Grandmother, is politely estranged from both Jani and Oliver. • May Ogilvie, Grandparent's Housekeeper, and guardian of her niece, Grace • Fern Dela Verge, fiancée. • Cyril Montague, theatre agent for the Buchanan’s • Martin Crouch, policeman… long-time acquaintance of Oliver Buchanan having met when Jani had her breakdown. • PC Moaggarty investigating Chitra’s disappearance, working with Martin Crouch. • Kim Monro, journalist, researching theatre magic. • Nez Week, apprentice to Oliver • Keogh Week, Nez father • Skye Week, Nez’s mother • Chitra Raj, Nez’s friend • Dr Mackerechar, Oliver knew her husband and father in law. FBSR offered Approx 100,000 words Intellectual property of JM Prior 2024
Sleight of Hand
Y A Coming of Age novel – developing the apprentice magician’s story in MoBF. Nez wants to be a magician, an ambition in the post-Harry-Potter years that causes much amusement for her foster parents, Frank and Marie Gillespie. Luckily, her guidance teacher is not fazed by this and arranges for her to attend Dundee's Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) on the spring term S3 taster course. Nez persuades her best friend Chitra Raj to take the course too. At DPAC both girls make an impression. Chitra has a beautiful singing voice and is cast as the lead in the end of course production of Grease. Nez’s talent for sleight of hand is spotted by Gil Buchanan, all round performer, magician, conjurer and teacher at DPAC. He agrees to mentor her. Under his guidance, she begins to believe her dream could come true - then, after a birthday party, Chitra goes missing and Gil Buchanan, the party's entertainer, is believed to be the last person to see her. Under suspicion, Gil Buchanan withdraws from teaching Nez and sends her away. Nez refuses to abandon her ambition and sets about finding her friend and clearing Gil Buchanan's name so she can secure her apprenticeship. FBSR offered Approx 70,000 words Intellectual property of JM Prior 2024
The Dream of Sarah Ebliss
A fantasy of dream events ... Jacqueline goes missing at her party followed by Doris O'Hara and Sarah Ebliss watched by Sam Attan from the back seat of his car... I did say it was a fantasy about dreams. Under construction as a development of the short story of the same title.
Fortunes - The Hand that Turns the Wheel
A fantasy epic of succession and inheritance. Under construction