THE NEW ADVENTURES OF LA CIOCCOLATA
Presenting in one place new stories of the character created by the late Gillian B
We proudly present a very special tale of the day The Cat met a lady with a worldwide reputation, presented with the kind permission of the family of the late Gillian B.
A break-in at a house with no obvious signs of an intruder - not the perfect locked room mystery, but still worthy of special attention. Especially when the professional reputations of both The Cat and a woman named Coco are involved. Co-written by KP and Doctor George, and involving characters created by Gillian B, this clocks in at 44 pages and just under 24,000 words. Enjoy.
While our heroes are visiting a house, they are surprised by a brief visit from their neighbour. That is quickly dealt with, but Mister Tall sees something that leads them to call next on that poor, innocent bystander to their earlier robbery. Sadly for them, there is more to the woman named Colette than meets the eye... Special thanks to Doctor George for his input on this tale.
In the story Occupational Hazards, we first met a girl called Soo. Now, thanks to Doctor George, we learn what happened the day La Cioccolata returned to Soo's house - and how this became the first step to a major change for both Coco and Soo...
Training plans for an administrative assistant are fairly obvious, but for an apprentice to an interntionally renowned jewel thief? As Soo discovers, Coco has some ideas - and friends she can call on...
Soo has reached a crucial stage in her training - and Coco thinks she is ready to go on a job with her. Once she completes one more piece of preparation...
At some point in everybody's career, you need to branch out on your own. On this crisp October night, the time has come for Soo...
A cold November night, and soo is on her second solo job. This time, however, she encounters a lady called Ginger, and learns a valuable lesson...
It was a dark and snowy night, and after a night of food and Scrabble Coco insists that Soo stays the night. As they retire, hwoever, a late supper leads to a most unexpected experience...
Jayes and the Borrowed Burglar
An untold tale of Coco's youth, wherein a nighttime visit to a seaside flat leads to a meeting with a rather older, but still active, Sir Bartholomew J Rhymaes, his wife Gladys and their manservant Jayes...
Just an ordinary day at the offices of Aldington Associates - until a certain trio of ladies in grey pay a surprise visit. What happens next shows why it is never a good idea to upset Coco - or Soo...
John Jacobs calls with an unusual request for Coco and Soo - one that leads to a woman who has met both John and Coco in their professional lives...
The Ethics of Theft: Rainy Day
When Penny asks Coco to do a simple little collection on behalf of Madame X, the young thief has to face two dilemmas - a wheelchair bound woman and her young niece...
The Ethics of Theft: Blind Chance
Coco lives by a strong moral code as well - so when one night, she is interrupted by a young Albino woman and her mother, she faces a dilemma of her own...
The Ethics of Theft: Chickenpox
Soo had timed her entry to the house to ensure only the mother was home - but when she finds out her sick daughter is also there, it causes some problems...
Soo has no hesitation in agreeing to look after the young niece of the Harman twins - but the experience is more than she bargained for...
Coco and John share the driving on a business trip to Ireland - but when there, they get involved in a situation that requires all their skills...
When Penny pays a surprise visit to Aldington Associates, Coco and Soo find themselves working with old friends to end one family's reign of terror - and bring closure to one particular person...
Coco is invited to dinner by Madame X, and learns the history of a very famouse jewel collection - one that is notorious for various reasons...
Coco reads of the time the infamous collection crossed the path of Barty and Jayes.
The last known sighting - and stealing - of the collection was in the late 60's, from the flat of an actress called Debbie Sweetlove. As Coco hears the tale, she learns where an old friend learned their trade - and the reason why Madame X needs her help...
The following morning, and Coco meets with her assistant to start to lay plans, arrange to collect information, and decide how best to approach the latest owners...
The last thing Agnes expected to wake up to was two masked female intruders standing by her bed. For Coco and Soo, on the other hand, it was the start of a typical day...
For Lady Mary Wolverton, the memories have come flooding back. For Caroline, all she sees is a masked woman with a gun. For Coco, she has a job to do...
Who are the two men in the car? What is in the hidden room? Will Coco succeed? All questions are answered - and some asked - as our story concludes.
How did Coco obtain the Foscari brooch, and how did Maria Foscari first meet her? The answer lies in events in Venice over thirty years ago...
After the raid on the Wolverton residence, Mary Wolverton has some questions - and the answers lead to a reunion over thirty years in the making...