Naylor day returns

Yes, it's well overdue - but in the spirit of my new year's resolutions, the next installment of Naylor is finally up after a too-long hiatus. And it's safe to say the Elliot's life is just getting weirder.

For those who don't remember (it has been a while), or who are new to these parts "Naylor's Canberra"; is the tentative title of a crime-novel-in-progress. My objective is to publish 1,000 words a week until I have a finished draft. Some bits were worked over with the help of a writer's group last year and so are more polished than others.

The story so far? Elliot Naylor, a law graduate who has been refused admission to practice for reasons to do with a fatal car accident, is an under-employed part-time law librarian. A former girlfriend of his is missing, Marina - a highflying political staffer to Milton Dawes, Minister for Justice and Customs. Her father, David Carmichael, a prominent local barrister, hires Elliot to find her before he has to report it to the police: an attempt to keep it quiet and close to the family and avoid scandal.

It seems easy enough, until Elliot begins to dig into David's shady business dealings and close ties to the Minister. Further, Elliot is the first to discover that one of Marina's co-workers, Jenny, has been murdered and is (so far) the only person questioned by the police.

Understandably, he's nervous. Worse, he's no closer to finding Marina.

On top of that, he's decided to investigate the background of one Jeremy Ryder, who has business ties to David Carmichael as well as Canberra's legalised prostitution and pornography industries. Marina and Jenny were both involved in a Ministerial task force investigating sexual slavery - is Ryder somehow connectedisappearanceapearence of one and the murder of the other?

Elliot does not yet consider Ryder dangerous - which may be a mistake ...

Apologies if the new instalment is a bit rough round the edges. Suggestions and proof-reading are, as always, welcome.