SKY FEVER AND OTHER STORIES
First Published in June 1953 - 174 pages
Republished
in paperback by Norman Wright in 2006 – as “Short Sorties & Sky Fever” - 269 pages (Sky
Fever starts on page 147)
This book contains 18 short stories written by W. E. Johns
REUNION
Squadron Leader Luke tells Squadron Leader the Hon. Bertie
Parkinson the story of how Tony Harcourt fell in love with a nun who then
committed suicide.
Now, Harcourt's only wish is to be reunited with her.
This was first published in “Britannia and Eve” magazine in November
1941 – find out more here
A MATTER OF PREFERMENT
Hurricane pilots, Hammond, Prince Shemonenski and Jepperson are
all rivals for the affection of Virginia Dell, the daughter of the local Squire
at Beechborne.
When an attractive blonde called Gloria arrives on the scene, she
causes a distraction that allows Jepperson to lead the field.
As usual, things are not what they seem, and we soon discover that
Jepperson has a secret weapon.
This was first published in “Britannia and Eve” magazine in January
1942 – find out more here
DOUBLE-CROSS
Derek Barrington finds a number of adult evacuees from London at
his Uncle Henry's large country house. Apparently they are friends of friends
but in reality they are a group of spongers and cowards. Derek has a plan to
make them leave involving a nearby RAF Squadron. The butler in this story has
the name Judkins, a name Johns often used for butlers.
This was first published in “Britannia and Eve” magazine in August
1941 – find out more here
SKY FEVER
American pilot Jefferson Gaunt is starting to lose his nerve. When
he spends his leave with his Aunt Agatha and the locals in the New Forest he
finds that he is not
the only one who has to be brave. He soon finds the inspiration to
enable him to return to his duties.
THE CONVERSION OF JOHNNY
Johnny is a professional criminal who specialises in burglary.
When he meets Sally, a member of the domestic staff of a large house, Johnny has
in mind an easy burglary.
The house belongs to Squadron Leader Clinton who is away serving
in the R.A.F. and things do not go as Johnny plans.
THE VOICE OF YESTERDAY
This is the story of two lovers set over a period of 3000 years.
Starting in Troy in 1184 B.C., two lovers swear never to be parted.
They are destined to meet again in Alexandria in 30 B.C. and once
more in Athens in 1941. However, across the years, the sign of the swastika is
a sign that is to impact on their fate.
THE WAY OF AN EAGLE
Why is American ace "Fish" Fitzroy, so named? Does he
really have blue blood in his veins or is it all in his imagination?
Will he ever be able to explain to the lovely Griselda why he has
called off their engagement?
CURLY AND THE DUCHESS
Curly is really a Lord but doesn't want to use his title in wooing
a waitress nicknamed 'the Duchess'. The Duchess really is a duchess but would
rather put the happiness of her father before her own. This is a
tale of what can happen when people keep secrets from each other.
ORIENTAL INTERLUDE
In Northern Iraq, Dennis Brayling falls out of an aircraft and is
saved by his parachute. He lands in an ancient and inaccessible valley.
Here he finds the Princess Dilara bin Lulu in her garden and when
discovered he faces execution. Saved, Dennis gets the chance to marry the
Princess instead.
When the opportunity comes to leave the valley, Dennis returns to
his Squadron with an unusual story to tell as well as unusual things with him.
THE TOURIST
A British tourist, called Henry Smith, on holiday in Germany is
mistaken for a spy.
This was first published in “Pearson’s Magazine” in October 1939 –
find out more here
HONEYMOON DEFERRED
Gillson Durwood is forced to bail out after an aerial collision
during the Second World War. He is pleased to find himself at Monte Carlo, as
being very rich, he had a home there before the war. After making his way to
the house, he is surprised to find a woman living there who claims to be his
wife. His next problem is working out how to escape to Spain and whether he
will be taking anyone with him.
COALS TO NEWCASTLE
Flight Lieutenant Gerry Corder falls in love with his nurse. When
he leaves hospital he has fresh roses sent to her every week until he can
return to see her. When he eventually is able to get leave to go to see her he
finds that he has been wasting his money.
WITHOUT THE TRIMMINGS
After the SS Avonia is torpedoed, Bill Kerslake, the second
officer, finds himself alone in a lifeboat for three days with a famous
actress, Rene Dakeyne. They have plenty of time to get to know each other and
exchange secrets.
SOUVENIR
Captain Vashley and his team of paratroopers are lost in the
desert that borders Iran and Iraq. However a member of his company, Private
Smith, has a local knowledge that proves to be as surprising as it is helpful.
The only problem is that Private Smith has never been here before. Does the
answer lie in the strange and ancient souvenir that Smith has found?
THE RING
A strange and mysterious shopkeeper tells the unique story of an
ancient ring that he has for sale. At the end of the tale, the potential
purchaser has the option of buying the ring or not.
A MATTER OF CHANCE
After Linton has lost all the money he has at roulette in Monte
Carlo, he is open to an offer of £100 to go and fetch a bag from London for a
mysterious Count. This is something that is going to lead him into more trouble
than it is worth.
This was actually written by W. E. Johns in early 1950 as a
potential entry for a writing competition in John Bull magazine. However, after it was submitted to his agent,
W. E. Johns agreed that perhaps it wasn’t really suitable for entry to that
competition and it was collected into this book instead.
EVELYN'S FANCY
When a housemaid finds out the real reason for a Doctor's request
for her hair she takes drastic action.
THE RECKONING
Amelia Shore has died from a drug overdose. Was it suicide or
murder? And what part did her sister, Felicity, play in the events surrounding
the death.
This was written by W. E. Johns in May 1950 as his entry for a
writing competition in John Bull magazine, which his agent did submit.
Sky Fever
Subtitle - and other stories (NB - these words also appear on the
spine of the book below the dust jacket)
Publication Details - originally published by Latimer House
First Edition
Spine of book