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Chapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 106 Shell Game - Chapter 45The end of the matter; all has been heard... (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game.
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
It's a brand new day for Evan Gold. He has his whole life ahead of him, but what ki...2023-02-0228 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 105 Shell Game - Chapter 44Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game.
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan has Claire dead to rights. But will Claire give up her lying ways and admit defeat, or does she have another card to play? I hope you enjoy this pen...2023-01-2629 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 104 Shell Game - Chapter 43Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game.
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
With Lillian's loss and Eye Patch's escape, there is only one thing for Evan to focus his attention on: Where was Claire Porter the night Gable Silver was gunned down?2023-01-1924 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 103 Shell Game - Chapter 42Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game.
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
What is his wife Katherine doing here!? If she has Lillian on her person, won't that mean curtains for many people, and all of Evan's hard work will evaporate? Yes. Yes...2023-01-1231 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 102 Shell Game - Chapter 41Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game.
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan Gold, gives up the pearl box he received from the now-deceased train conductor. If Eye Patch takes the bait, then maybe Evan can wrap this whole mess up and ta...2023-01-0528 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 101 Shell Game - Chapters 39 & 40Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game.
For this 101st episode, we are double-packing the chapters as we round the corner out of Act Two and into Act Three!
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan Gold, finally, has all of t...2022-12-2952 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 100 Shell Game - Chapter 38Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
For this 99th episode, experience one last wild goose chase for Evan Gold, taking him to one of my favorite places in my hometown of Emporia, Kansas. Sadly, the Red X...2022-12-2226 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 99 Shell Game - Chapter 37Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan returns from the train depot, but the mystery gets weirder. Then a stranger enters his office... what is he dying to tell Evan? Find out in this 37th chapter of...2022-12-1527 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 98 Shell Game - Chapter 36Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Where is Harold Huber? That is the million-dollar question! Detective Evan Gold gets a slight reprieve from the case when a cinema manager brings in a new case. However, Sophie want...2022-12-0828 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 97 Shell Game - Chapter 35Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Detective Evan Gold meets with the District Attorney police detective Ambrms to buy time before he gets brought in as suspect number one for the recent murders in Athens. But th...2022-12-0136 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 96 Shell Game - Chapter 34Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan Gold lines up three meetings before lunch, and none of them are with the person he most wants to see... Claire Porter, his AWOL client. Where is she? What is...2022-11-2429 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 95 Shell Game - Chapter 33Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan wakes up with a massive headache, and his time is getting even shorter. Now that all of his chess pieces have gone underground, what can he do to solve th...2022-11-1726 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 94 Shell Game - Chapter 32Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Well, well, well, now Evan is in the depths of the lion's den, as it were. What is the case Eye Patch will make for his pursuit of Lillian? Will Eva...2022-11-1034 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 93 Shell Game - Chapter 31Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Not only is Evan in a time crunch before he needs to meet back up with Eye Patch, now his client has gone for a walk-about. Can anything go according to...2022-11-0326 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 92 Shell Game - Chapter 30Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Evan has until 5:00 p.m. to dig up any more information about why Jason Charles let the pearl slip through his grasp. Where will Evan go? Well, back to where it...2022-10-2729 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 91 Shell Game - Chapter 29Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
"The time has come," the Walrus said... This is something my father used to say to let me and my brother know it was time for bed. But for this epi...2022-10-2028 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 90 Shell Game - Chapter 28Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
With Claire safely stowed away from whoever is intimidating her, Evan gets a phone call that will change the entire course of this case. But will he be able to re...2022-10-1326 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 89 Shell Game - Chapter 27Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
It has now come time for Evan to regroup after a very eventful and stressful night of cops, shady characters, and reminders of his crumbling marriage. But things are not ge...2022-10-1327 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 88 Shell Game - Chapter 26Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Now that Evan has finally met the person who has been putting thoughts in his mind, he needs to get back to who killed his partner. The only other person he...2022-10-0629 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 87 Shell Game - Chapter 25Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Well, the long night is over, but the mystery in Evan God's world is not! Strange things are lurking right under his nose. As he takes a quick visit to sno...2022-09-2929 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 86 Shell Game - Chapter 24Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
You might call this Chapter 23 part 2 as we finally hear some version of the truth from Evan's client Claire Porter. But how much truth is in there, really? What is she...2022-09-2226 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 85 Shell Game - Chapter 23Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Lt. Bobby Short has left Evan Gold in a fury. And Evan seems to be no closer to learning who killed his partner and Jason Charles. Will he be able to...2022-09-1521 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 84 Shell Game - Chapter 22Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Now that the police have cause to enter Evan's apartment, what will they see? What will happen when Claire Porter and Harold Huber encounter the police? Will they try to pin...2022-09-0829 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 83 Shell Game - Chapter 21Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the week - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Now we have Harold, Claire, and Evan in the same room... but wait... there's a knock at the door! Who could it be? Does this spell danger or relief for Eva...2022-09-0128 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 82 Shell Game - Chapter 20Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
Now we have Harold, Claire, and Evan in the same room. It feels a little like what might happen if you toss a match onto an open gas can. What wil...2022-08-2524 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 81 Shell Game - Chapter 19Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the recent murders, and Evan needs to find the real murderer before he ends up in Leavenworth.
While they wait for Harold Huber to get the message that he and Claire want to meet with him, Evan chats up Claire to see if she will accidentally let a...2022-08-1824 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 80 Shell Game - Chapter 18Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the murders of last night, and Evan needs to track down the woman who might be the last person his partner saw alive.
In the hopes he can connect Claire Porter and Harold Huber, Evan heads back to his apartment with Claire. In front of his building, he...2022-08-1127 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 79 Shell Game - Chapter 17Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the murders of last night, and Evan needs to track down the woman who might be the last person his partner saw alive.
Evan needs to find some connections, so he heads back to check in on his client Claire Porter. Will she tell him the truth? Doe...2022-08-0428 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 78 Shell Game - Chapter 16Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the murders of last night, and Evan needs to track down the woman who might be the last person his partner saw alive.
Now that Harold Huber has been dealt with, Evan is left to himself to ponder his next steps with the case. But as he he...2022-07-2828 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 77 Shell Game - Chapter 15Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the murders of last night, and Evan needs to track down the woman who might be the last person his partner saw alive.
Meanwhile, an odd man named Harold Huber has threatened Evan at gunpoint to locate a Pearl of Mysterious Qualities. Evan knocked Harold out and nee...2022-07-2127 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 76 Shell Game - Chapter 14Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
FUN FACT: There are now as many episodes of this podcast as there were trombones in the big parade.
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the murders of last night, and Evan needs to track down the woman who might be the last person his partner saw alive. Even though Claire Porter seems to...2022-07-1425 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 75 Shell Game - Chapter 13Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His head is swimming after the strange events of the night - his partner is murdered, the widow and the police name him suspect number one in the murders of last night, and Evan needs to track down the woman who might be the last person his partner saw alive. Even though Claire Porter seems to shoot straight with him about some things, can Evan get her to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing bu...2022-07-0728 min
Chapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 66 Shell Game - Chapter 4Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His agency is on the verge of collapse, as is his marriage. Evan finds himself at the end of the day with nothing to do... at least until his partner Gabe Silver checks in on their new case. Evan decides to go treasure hunting, and will he discovers something valuable or just a pile of junk?
All of the asks:
"Watch" this on YouTube
Get your copy of "Shell Game"
...2022-05-0529 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 65 Shell Game - Chapter 3Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Previously on... Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. He agency is on the verge of collapse as is his marriage. Now he might have a client in Molly Brandt - a woman who wants to find her father. But what will happen when Evan's partner, Gabe Silver, gets involved?
BTW... I got a guest spot on Brain Drop Puzzles podcast (ep.31). You should check it out and it give it some love!
All of the asks:
"Watch" this on...2022-04-2822 min
Chapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 65 Shell Game - Chapter 2Jump back to Ep. 64 for the beginning of Shell Game
Obviously, since this is only chapter 2, there is not much to catch up on, but there is this: Evan Gold is a private detective in Athens, Kansas. His agency is on the verge of collapse as is his marriage. He might be able to solve one problem, but not both... or can he?
All of the asks:
"Watch" this on YouTube
Get your copy of "Shell Game"
Get your own copy of Showdown in the Yukon
Sign up...2022-04-2123 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 64 Shell Game - Prologue & Chapter 1It's a new season, a new name, and a new story!
We continue with the second book in the Pearl Saga series, Shell Game. And give yourself a pat on the back... this is the maiden voyage of that story!
As for the new show name, it seemed to be that if people wanted to find a podcast about stories, they may not know what a Brian Thomas Cropp is. Thus, the title changed.
Also, you can find this on my YouTube channel in case you would like to listen to this there....2022-04-1424 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 63 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 47Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
We have arrived at the final chapter! What an adventure it's been - pirates, betrayal, lost gold, and young love. What's next for Monterey now that he and Paps are back in business at the Hays House and Monterey has given away all of his gold? More adventure? Just wait and see what happens in my oldest daughter's favorite chapter.
All of the asks:
Get your copy of "Shell Game"
Get your own copy of Showdown in the Yukon
2022-04-0719 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 62 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 46Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has returned from his Yukon adventure only to discover that his old boss Paps Montgomery had lost a bet and was about to lose the Hays House Inn. What tricks might Monterey still have up his sleeve to protect his friend from ruin?
All of the asks:
Get your copy of "Shell Game"
Get your own copy of Showdown in the Yukon
Sign up for my email list, and you can get a f...2022-03-3118 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 61 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 45Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers and his old partner, Mack Sutherland, are on their return from their adventure in the Yukon. Along the way, we say goodbye to several friends we met earlier (Mungo, Thomas, etc.). And Monterey ends up back at the Hays House Inn to see if he can make things right with his old boss, Paps Montgomery. So... how do you think that's going to go?
All of the asks:
Get your copy of "Shell Game"
Get you...2022-03-2422 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 60 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 44Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest, and the overthrow of the dastardly Cornelius Brown.
With the showdown concluded and Mrs. Finch on her deathbed, will Monterey have time to reconcile with her before it's too late, or is there one mo...2022-03-1722 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 59 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 43Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest, the overthrow of the dastardly Cornelius Brown. The Penny Canyon folks have sided with Mrs. Finch and her family against pirates, hillbillies, and more, but Monterey was knocked out in the middle of the showdown.
When Monterey aw...2022-03-1022 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 58 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 42Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest, the overthrow of the dastardly Cornelius Brown... and now the citizens of Penny Canyon have allied with Mrs. Finch and her relatives to fight everyone who wants to claim the mine for their own.
In the battle, Mo...2022-03-0321 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 57 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 41Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest, and a showdown with the dastardly Cornelius Brown. Now the Penny Canyon is in ruins and the town leads want Mrs. Finch to help rebuild... but will she budge?
Now that war over the gold mine seems on...2022-02-2421 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 56 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 40Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest, and a showdown with the dastardly Cornelius Brown. Now the Penny Canyon is in ruins and the town leads want Mrs. Finch to help rebuild... but will she budge?
Now that Monterey has given over the claim do...2022-02-1720 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 55 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 39Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest, and a showdown with the dastardly Cornelius Brown.
Now it seems gold lust has griped the heart and soul of Mrs. Finch and Monterey wants to break its spell. So he is on his way to take the...2022-02-1023 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 54 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 38Shell Game (the sequel to Showdown in the Yukon) is now available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and hardcover! Thanks for being a part of this journey to bring good stories into the world!
Speaking of the journey...
Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a...2022-02-0325 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 53 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 37Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now that Cornelius Brown has been dispatched and Mrs. Finch clings to the property... what will happen between her and the townspeople? Can Monterey keep the claim document hidden without giving into greed himself?
All of th...2022-01-2722 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 52 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 36WOOHOO! We're celebrating our first year! Thanks for joining in for the journey.
Speaking of the journey...
Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold cla...2022-01-2028 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 51 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 35Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold claim document.
But now there is an eerie stillness in the Brown house because the owner hasn't returned from h...2022-01-1326 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 50 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 34Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold claim document.
Well, now he's gone and done it! Monterey has started a war... maybe. What will our heroes do...2022-01-1324 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 49 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 33Previously on Showdown in the Yukon... or just go back to Episode 17 :)
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold claim document.
Our hero is at the villain's door, and Mr. Brown is in the mood for a bit o...2022-01-0619 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 48 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 32Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold claim document.
Our adventurers are "in the belly of the beast" as it were - hidden and in the basement of Cornelious Bown's home. What wi...2021-12-3022 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 47 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 31Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold claim document.
They are at the doorstep of the villain Cornelius Brown. What will happen if Brown discovers the photograph Monterey stole from his house?...2021-12-2321 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 46 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 30Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now Monterey must walk the secret passage alone to see if he can find the missing gold claim document.
Will Monterey get caught? Will Monterey be able to locate the gold claim? What will happen to the rest of them while they wai...2021-12-1721 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 45 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 29Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now our adventurers leave Penny Canyon to find the villain Cornelius Brown's operation.
Will Mack's map turn out to be accurate? Will they get caught by Mr. Brown? Will they find the secret passage before the first snowfall? Listen and find out.
2021-12-0922 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 44 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 28Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now our adventures wake up and find themselves in the not-so-thriving gold rush town of Penny Canyon.
Will the good folks of Penny Canyon turn Mrs. Finch out on her ear? Will the Buck return to claim his prisoners? Will they make it...2021-12-0222 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 43 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 27Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a dangerous walk through a devious forest... and now our adventures are captured by ranchers hopefully not too far from Penny Canyon.
Can Monterey free his friends and escape? Will they make it to Penny canyon before the first snowfall? What will happen when they encounter Cornelius Brown in the fle...2021-11-2520 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 42 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 26First...
Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a chance encounter with a native tribe... and now our adventures are trapped in the trees of the wily Lenkua Forest.
Monterey and the team are out of one scrape in the Lenkua, but how much farther till they are out? How much time have they lost? Wil...2021-11-1820 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 41 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 25Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a chance encounter with a native tribe... and now our adventures are trapped in the trees of the wily Lenkua Forest.
Monterey and the team are out of one scrape in the Lenkua, but how much farther till they are out? How much time have they lost? Will they make it...2021-11-1121 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 40 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 24Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, a chance encounter with a native tribe... and now our adventures are trapped in the trees of the wily Lenkua Forest.
How will Monterey be able to rescue them so they don't get forever lost in the forest and still make it to Penny Canyon before the first snowfall? Listen an...2021-11-0423 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 39 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 23Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, and a just-in-time rescue with a native tribe... all leading to meeting a reclusive mountain man named Pete.
In an attempt to help them reach Penny Canyon before the first snowfall, he led them to the edge of the Lenkua Forest. All our adventurers have to do is stay on th...2021-10-2820 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 38 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 22Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, a shipwreck, a mysterious pearl-like stone, and a just-in-time rescue with a native tribe... all leading to meeting a reclusive mountain man named Pete.
Pete has left our adventurers trapped in his sparse shack for three days, guarded by a brown bear named Clara.
Will Pete return and if so, will his return move th...2021-10-2119 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 37 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 21Previously on Showdown in the Yukon:
Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, pirates, a mysterious pearl-like stone, and a just-in-time encounter with a native tribe. It is now morning, and our merry band of adventurers is in the sparse home of a strange hermit named Pete.
Will he give them the help they need to make it to the Yukon before the first snowfall, or will his lack of t...2021-10-1420 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 36 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 20Previously on Showdown in the Yukon: Ex-pickpocket "Monterey" Jack Danvers has been hired by his old partner, Mack Sutherland, to help Mrs. Finch and her daughter Lucy recover a gold deed in the Yukon. The adventure has involved bandits, pirates, a shipwreck, and wandering through mysterious mountain caves. They are now hoping in the kindness of a native tribe to get them safely to the Yukon before the first snowfall, but Mack and the native, Mungo, have a troubled history.
Oh, my what will happen next?
All of the asks:
Get your own copy...2021-10-0722 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 35 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 19If you are new to this story, this is a decent chapter to jump in with... Of course, it would be best if you slid on back to episode 19 where the whole thing starts... but this will work too as a nice catch-up.
There is also the continuation of one of the themes of the novel and we discuss that just a bit.
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Sign up for my email list, and you can get a free starter library of b...2021-09-3023 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 34 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 18For this one we look a little at the green of the American northwest, the greatness of Deus ex Machina, and our heroes jump from the frying pan and into the fire... literally. Or literarily... Both, really.
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2021-09-2321 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 33 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 17So, I got into fiction because I didn't need to do research... I could just make stuff up! However, it turns out, I needed to do just a wee little bit of research to see if hand grenades were used in the Civil War. As it turns out they were, which is good because I needed Mack to do something to throw off the pirates! Anyway, you can find out a bit about them... and more.
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Sign up...2021-09-1617 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 32 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 16No Easter eggs in this one, but we do get a little more of a glimpse into why I plan on naming this series the Pearl Saga... again, I'm terrible at naming things, so if you have a better series title idea, please let me know!
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Send in a voice message...2021-09-0920 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 31 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 15Seriously, if you haven't read the novel Phantom of the Opera and have only see the musical (not terrible) or any of the movies (many of them are), you totally should!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2021-09-0221 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 30 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 14This is the episode I've been telling/warning you about since this whole adventure started. In this episode is the big reveal as to what story spine this book was written... and why!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2021-08-2617 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 29 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 13Hey! Look who's about to turn 30 episodes old in a week!
Thanks for tuning in. This chapter is a fun one and we get to meet some pirates, have a crazy dream, and travel into caves. So much adventure it hurts!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spot...2021-08-1919 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 28 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 12There was a time, many years ago, when my wife and I took a trip to Hawaii. It was only for a week, but even then I started to get what is called "Rock Fever" where you realize you have nowhere to go because you're on an island in the middle of the ocean. In my case, I think it was mostly due to growing up and living most of my years in the Great Plains of the United States - very, very far from water.
Which is to say, I don't know much about water, sailing, sh...2021-08-1217 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 27 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 11I forgot to mention this is in the BTS, but when Mack tells the story of his boss's challenge with the horse, that comes from Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?"
This verse is a consistent reminder to me not to expect to do what is hard, if I can't/won't do what's easy. Or put another way, why would someone trust me with a lot if I haven't been trustworthy with a little (Luke 16:10).
All of the asks:
G...2021-08-0518 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 26 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 10So, in my mind, San Lucas is a cross between the town in Pete's Dragon and Hannibal Missouri. Neither of them remotely close to California. Oh well.
It is the kind of town, I would like to visit someday. There's just something about a harbor filled with masts and sails.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your stay at The San Lucas Hotel (a far cry better than the Hays House Inn), and please give my regards to Thomas.
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Get your own copy of Showdown in the Yuk...2021-07-2916 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 25 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 9I'm told that drama, in its most basic form, is just two people talking. Somehow that's interesting and can move a story along. How does that work?
In a phrase: Dramatic Action.
Dramatic action is the result of two goals in conflict with each other. And two people are enough (sometimes one person is enough) to have enough conflict to drive a scene or story forward.
So, not much happens on the surface of this chapter, but a whole lot of character development goes on and adds more tension in Monterey's adventure.
Ch...2021-07-2216 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 24 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 8Have you ever forgotten to pack something when you go on a long trip? I wish I didn't have stories about this, but traveling is its own adventure :)
So, after you've discovered what you've lost, what do you do? You have to live by your wits for a while until you can scramble and make up for lost resources.
Hopefully, you've never been waylaid by desert bandits, but if you have, I hope you found a cave with helpful weapons and cash!
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Get your own copy of...2021-07-1517 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 23 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 7The adventure has begun!
I feel like I've been writing that for a while now...
A typical story's first quarter is just getting the thing off the launch pad, but we are now squarely past that. Of course, this is an adventure story, so things can't go too smoothly for our hero! :)
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Y...2021-07-0816 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 22 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 6Give yourself a pat on the back, we have made it to the end of act one!
Stick around to the end of the chapter to hear some of the BTS for this particular chapter. It involves accents, rough recordings, and childhood friends.
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Sign up for my email list and you can get a free PDF story of For the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
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Se...2021-07-0116 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 21 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 5I'm told that stories should be broken up 25% Beginning, 50% Middle, and 25% Ending. I'll be honest, if I were to do it over again, I might get Monterey Jack out of town and onto his adventure JUST a little sooner, but we're very close :)
And in this chapter we find just the spark to force Monterey out of town and onto his adventure. Hope you enjoy!
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Sign up for my email list and you can get a fr...2021-06-2415 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 20 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 4The Hays House (the setting where Monterey Jack Danvers works in Goodin Gulch) is based on a real place I frequented while growing up in Kansas.
In Council Grove, a rustic community nestled in the Kansas Flint Hills, has a historic restaurant called The Hays House (https://www.hayshouse.com/). If you are ever in the area, you should totally give it a try. There all kinds of pioneer history in Council Grove, and the food at the Hays House is excellent.
My favorite memory of the place is getting my first piece of Grasshopper Pie...2021-06-1724 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 19 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 3And then SHE walked in...
I'm not sure what it is about a pretty young that makes young men do some of the things they do, but our hero Monterey Jack Danvers is not immune.
In this chapter, you meet Lucy Finch, her mother, Gladys, and the start of Monterey getting hooked into Mack Sutherland's plans.
I hope you enjoy it.
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Sign up for my email list and you can get a free PDF st...2021-06-1016 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 18 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 2Welcome to the introduction of one of my favorite characters Mack Sutherland. After the chapter, find out where I came from and other behind-the-scenes Easter eggs.
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2021-06-0316 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEP. 17 Showdown in the Yukon - Chapter 1Herein starts the first novel I wrote. It was an idea that started more than 10 years ago and many versions that were never satisfactorily completed.
The main character's name is a bit cheesy, but please don't hold that against me. I hope you enjoy the journey.
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Get your own copy of Showdown in the Yukon
Sign up for my email list and you can get a free PDF story of For the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
You can check out all of my books here!...2021-05-2720 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 16 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - How Pottery is MadeI cannot tell you what a happy accident this chapter was. At the time I wrote this, I was not a skilled outliner and I had no plan for how this book was going to end. There's more detail in the episode to this, but let me just say that God really pulled this one out.
The added benefit was He gave me a memorable way to think about what the maturing of a person's character is like and why it's so hard to change our ways.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. And if th...2021-05-2013 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 15 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - The New BookSo now that Sabrina has been unjustly targeted by a predatory "friend," her parents have another story from the Story box for her.
I have to admit, I enjoyed writing this one as it allowed me to bring in one of the most surprising nature videos I've ever seen!
Oh! And! I think the parents come off looking especially brilliant if the father who wrote this story does say so himself. :)
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Sign up...2021-05-1316 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 14 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - Gallery NightMy daughter hates this chapter. Not because it's written badly, but because... oh, the injustice of it all!
I would like to say that her reaction doesn't delight the mischievous parts of my heart, but I can't.
This chapter starts a three-chapter run to the end of the book. I hope you enjoy(?)
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Sign up for my email list and you can get a free PDF story of For the Benefit of Mr. Ki...2021-05-0614 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp. 13 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - Sighs and Swimming PoolsGet your copy of Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace
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You know the saying, "Pride goes before a fall," well, sadly I think we have all experienced that more than a few times. Favorite part of this whole story is that the achievement that the magician thinks makes him better than the king is the very thing that imprisons him.
Kinda like Proverbs 26:27, "If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you ro...2021-04-2914 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.12 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - The Problem with Clipper ShipsGet your copy of Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace
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The Dodo bird is extinct largely because it was not wise to the ways and schemes of its predators. I grew up pridefully making fun of them when I watched versions of them in cartoons. However, now that I've lived a little, I see more and more of me in the domed Dodo. In the many enticing, but ultimately harmful delights of this world, I have either found or seen the tr...2021-04-2215 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.11 Sabrina Cubbins - The BossGet your copy of Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace
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This 3rd chapter of Sabrina Cubbins is the one my wife has used the most with our kids. Each of them (and you and me) are trying to exert some level of control in their life - to reduce anxiety, to "put things right", etc.
But often, I have found my desire for control gets higher the more and more I'm worried about situations that are not mine to h...2021-04-1517 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.10 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - The Story BoxThe fun thing about the different fool types showcased in Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace, is that they are common character archetypes for dramas and comedies. For example, the "easy way" fool is often the dad/husband on a sit-com who seems very irresponsible and causes all kinds of exasperation for his wife.
As I mention in the episode, this is a strategy I lean toward in my not-so-great moments. But it's also likely that 80% of men fall prey to it as well. So, I'm in good company (?)
Here's a link to the sto...2021-04-0814 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.9 Sabrina Cubbins and Mr. Alexander's Pottery Palace - Chapter 1There is a "follow me" painting place in a strip shopping center not far from my house, and it seemed like the kind of place my daughter might want to take art classes... if she didn't like dancing so much!
So my wife requested a book that could be used to help expose our daughter some more categories of foolish life-strategies than she already knew. And here is that book!
I'm terribly indebted to Pastor Harold Bullock and all of the study and research he did and taught on this very topic. It has been so...2021-04-0214 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.8 Fish Tales: The MiracleI hope you listen all the way to the end on this one!
I seriously still think the original ending to this story would have been attention-getting, but there's attention-getting for the right reasons and attention-getting for the wrong reasons :)This is the one that started it all!
It is a common thread of all of the best-known accounts in the Bible deal with people being rescued out of terrible circumstances. I think because God a) wants us to see that our difficulties are normal and not a special attack from Him and b) wants u...2021-03-2514 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.7 Fish Tales: The CoinMy favorite lesson from this account in the Gospels is that as you and I walk with Jesus, He will take care of us. Likely, not in a way we would have predicted, but He will never rip us off.
I also love that Jesus pulls this miracle off to bless Peter and the taxman. The best blessings from God are the ones that are a win-win. Each of us is in a tailor-made training program by God's design, but He weaves all of the unique lessons to work together for our benefit and His glory.
Go...2021-03-1812 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.6 Fish Tales: The Huge FishHow many times have you heard or read about Jonah and the Whale/Big Fish?
How many times have you wondered what the fish/whale was experiencing? I'm assuming a lot less.
I love how God is usually doing at least two things at once. Each event playing in concert with the others. I wanted to highlight that and show that while Jonah had his lessons He was learning, possibly so did the fish.
Next time, I need to write something from the perspective of the sailors on the ship with Jonah!
A...2021-03-1112 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.5 Fish Tales - The Floating Axe HeadHow's this account for obscure?
My original vision for this set of stories (more on that in the episode) was to justify the last scene (see chapter 6 in a couple of episodes).
It was not until I was trying to write a book long enough to get printed by Amazon that I realized I needed to find one or two more stories to include... and this one floated to the surface. ;)
After going to 2020 together, we, like the characters in this chapter, all experienced the same year... but we all experienced those events...2021-03-0411 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.4 Fish Tales - The Red SeaThis is the one that started it all!
I'm told C.S. Lewis started writing The Chronicles of Narnia because he got a mental image of a faun carrying an umbrella and packages through a snowy forest where there also happened to be a gas street lamp.
For me, the image was of a fish looking at the Israelites crossing the Red Sea - what would they be thinking!?
I know I mention this in the episode, but thank you thank you, thank you, Laura Hobbs for adding your vibrant watercolors to the...2021-02-2512 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.3 Fish Tales: The BeginningI finally graduated to chapter books! Well, kinda.
I really wanted to book I could hold, so I dug through the recesses of my mind for what would get me beyond the 24 page minimum for Amazon print on demand.
As it turned out I'd forgotten about a seemingly silly idea for an animated short I'd written a "script" for back in 6th grade I affectionately called "A Fish's Perspective on the Bible."
I ditched that title for "Fish Tales," asked my good friend and artistically talented friend Laura Hobbs to do the illustrations, and...2021-02-1809 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.2 Mindy and the GrudgeThis story is part Little Shop of Horrors and part a real thing that happened to my daughter... who am I kidding, it happens to all of us. This is the second time I tried my hand at self-publishing and would enjoy hearing your thoughts.
Sign up for my email list and you can get a free PDF story of For the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2021-02-1120 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas CroppEp.1 For the Benefit of Mr. KiteWith all apologies to The Beatles, this story has absolutely no mention of Harry the Horse. It does, however, feature my first ever short story and the account of how the story was first written and published.
Sign up for my email list and you can get a free PDF of this very story!
You can check out all of my books here!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2021-02-0415 minChapter by Chapter with Brian Thomas Cropp0.0 IntroductionMy name is Brian Thomas Cropp. I'm a full-time, husband to Glenda, father to my four kids, and pastor at Hope Church in Fort Worth, Texas by day, and in the remaining time, I write stories.
You can find out more about me at https://briancropplive.wordpress.com/
You can see all of my published stories and books at my Amazon author page
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brian-cropp/message2020-12-2804 min