The Synopsis
Prologue
Set in and around Aberystwyth and Machynlleth, the story follows Dyn Tawel, a shadowy figure determined to stop the desecration of Welsh valleys and heritage. Recruiting terrorists and hardened criminals, he secures a cataclysmic weapon that authorities deny exists. Opposing him is a disgraced ex-detective driven by the kidnapping of his daughter, who is passionately involved with her boss, Ricki.
The action moves swiftly from Shropshire to Wales, across the sea, and to the heart of England, culminating in a thrilling climax.
'Ex-Detective Sergeant Douglas Lincoln Chain tightly grips the grubby steering wheel as the lorry lurches. They are driving too fast, engine racing in every gear as the vehicle navigates the narrow Shropshire Lanes in the early morning mist. The vehicle must cross the canal before a gang of ruthless Welsh Nationalists explodes the bridge, determined to steal his deadly cargo & hold the Government to ransom. He must also find a way to rescue his daughter from a vindictive, hardened criminal A Daily Mirror, dated 10th October 1960, lies on the seat between him and his co-driver.
With a watery sun rising in his rear-view mirror, he shifts down a gear as they approach the narrow, red brick, humpbacked canal bridge; the engine screams in protest; it is freezing cold in the cab, there is no heater, the windscreen mists over, he rubs it frequently with his gloved left hand, the fog thickens as they approach the water.
At that exact moment, a small yellow car hurtles towards them, the hump obscuring any view of their impending impact. The car passenger screams out:
"There's the bridge; we are just in time; get to the other side and park amongst the trees. Remember what the Boss said when the lorry arrives: He wants 'em both gone, no witnesses."
The car hammers on, aiming for the centre of the hump as it is only wide enough for one vehicle. The Sun appears in the windscreen and temporarily blinds them; the driver slams his visor down & shouts:
"What about the girl?"
"Leave her in the back; she's well secured."
They fly up between the old red brick parapets of the bridge.
"Prepare for lift-off." the driver laughs out, the effects of last night's booze calling for no caution.
Below them, rocking gently in the hanging mist on the cut, a unmanned narrow boat silently floats, loaded with explosives, a timer quietly ticking out the last few seconds...'
Prologue
About the Author
Paul Flude is a gifted writer and musician with a taste for creativity. Paul has a passion for songwriting with experience stemming all the way from the 1960's, writing a novel was the next logical step. Paul is a writer whose work explores the intricate intersections of memory, loss, and the shared human experience. With "Drowning in the Valleys," Flude introduces an evocative narrative voice that captures the stark beauty of the landscape and the complexity of the souls that inhabit it. His writing is characterised by a deep sense of place and a meticulous attention to the subtle shifts in emotion that define our closest relationships.
A unique literary collaboration, honoring a timeless pact with a deceased friend to bring this vision to light.
A Collaboration Beyond the Veil
Drowning in the Valleys is a profound literary legacy—a manuscript co-authored across time. Paul Flude brings to life the final, haunting dialogue with a collaborator lost too soon, honoring a promise written in the shadows.