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The Lambton Worm #2
Return of the Worm Slayer
It's been fifteen years since John Lambton fought the hellish beast he'd fished out of the River Wear.
Now tales of a second worm have arisen, this time an invisible monster.
The Prior of Durham Cathedral is convinced John Lambton is the only one who can end this fiend's reign of terror.
Unfortunately John Lambton is now a middle-aged man, who hasn't held a sword for over five years.
Only one person can possibly help him, and that's the impish girl who'd advised him on how to fight the Lambton Worm...
This is a short story, approx 6660 words including the footnotes. The actual story is approx 6200 words.
If you enjoy Martyn Stanley's 'The Lambton Worm' and 'Return of the Worm Slayer', why not pick up his 'Deathsworn Arc' series, of which part 1 is free to download.
Now tales of a second worm have arisen, this time an invisible monster.
The Prior of Durham Cathedral is convinced John Lambton is the only one who can end this fiend's reign of terror.
Unfortunately John Lambton is now a middle-aged man, who hasn't held a sword for over five years.
Only one person can possibly help him, and that's the impish girl who'd advised him on how to fight the Lambton Worm...
This is a short story, approx 6660 words including the footnotes. The actual story is approx 6200 words.
If you enjoy Martyn Stanley's 'The Lambton Worm' and 'Return of the Worm Slayer', why not pick up his 'Deathsworn Arc' series, of which part 1 is free to download.
- GenresFantasy
19 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2015
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Martyn Stanley
14 books201 followersAward winning writer, Martyn Stanley is married to his wife, Rachael, and has two young children. He lives in a small village on the Staffordshire, Cheshire border and is a director at a small manufacturing unit. He has always been interested in writing, and over the years has spent many hours writing for pleasure on forums, as well as writing some short stories. "The Last Dragon Slayer" is his first novel, and his second and third books, “The Verkreath Horror” and "The Blood Queen" (along with other planned books), form part of the “Deathsworn Arc” series.
He has also authored the 'Lambton Worm' and 'Return of the Worm Slayer' a re-telling of an old English folktale and a sequel.
He has long been an avid reader of Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld,” and it was partly due to his love of this fantasy series, that he sought to write his own “epic fantasy” books. Unlike Terry Pratchett’s work, his books have a darker tone and address some adult themes, including questions of faith and moral philosophy.
Martyn has many other varied interests. He completed his Open University General Science degree and graduated with First Class Honours in 2019, the course material provided inspiration and ideas for his books. The course has also led him to read a number of other science-based books for pleasure, which has further strengthened his atheist leanings. As part of his degree he studied Creative Writing and Advanced Creative Writing - being awarded a distinction in the latter.
Martyn is interested in video games and gaming culture, particularly fantasy adventure and role-playing games. He enjoys playing the guitar, and spent a few years in a rock band during his miss-spent youth! Besides this, he has an interest in martial arts, and although no longer practising, due to family commitments, he holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. This is something he would like to resume doing, time permitting!
His latest novel is the subversive YA Vampire novel, 'Ofelia'. which won the Literary Titan Silver Book Award for 2021.
Martyn won first prize for the DriveTribe 2017 Award for Best Article.
https://drivetribe.com/p/K8pjfBF2QISZ...
Martyn's 1st prize winning article:-
https://drivetribe.com/p/the-clarkson...
He has also authored the 'Lambton Worm' and 'Return of the Worm Slayer' a re-telling of an old English folktale and a sequel.
He has long been an avid reader of Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld,” and it was partly due to his love of this fantasy series, that he sought to write his own “epic fantasy” books. Unlike Terry Pratchett’s work, his books have a darker tone and address some adult themes, including questions of faith and moral philosophy.
Martyn has many other varied interests. He completed his Open University General Science degree and graduated with First Class Honours in 2019, the course material provided inspiration and ideas for his books. The course has also led him to read a number of other science-based books for pleasure, which has further strengthened his atheist leanings. As part of his degree he studied Creative Writing and Advanced Creative Writing - being awarded a distinction in the latter.
Martyn is interested in video games and gaming culture, particularly fantasy adventure and role-playing games. He enjoys playing the guitar, and spent a few years in a rock band during his miss-spent youth! Besides this, he has an interest in martial arts, and although no longer practising, due to family commitments, he holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. This is something he would like to resume doing, time permitting!
His latest novel is the subversive YA Vampire novel, 'Ofelia'. which won the Literary Titan Silver Book Award for 2021.
Martyn won first prize for the DriveTribe 2017 Award for Best Article.
https://drivetribe.com/p/K8pjfBF2QISZ...
Martyn's 1st prize winning article:-
https://drivetribe.com/p/the-clarkson...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 10, 2016
Another worm! Can anyone conquer the new beast? This time, the supernatural monster is invisible. Can it be outwitted? Martyn Stanley once again puts his own clever twist on the story of the killer Worm. Read The Lambton Worm first to discover the legends origin.
I received a free copy of this e-story from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this e-story from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2017
I am a huge fan of Martyn's 'DeathswarnArc' brilliant epic fantasy series and I am eagerly awaiting the latest and fifth book. I bought and read the first short story of 'The Worm Slayer' and found it an interesting and original interpretation, so was happy to try this second book 'The Return of the Worm Slayer' Both books are short so Martyn has only released them in kindle form. Again I was not disappointed! Martyn has cleverly brought his own unique style with an unexpected and orignal approach to this second story. He builds up the tension throughout but the twist is at the end and that's what makes it even better than the first book. I didn't see the twist coming so had no idea what was going to happen. Yes it is only 39 pages but well worth a read. I recommend it without hesitation.
March 2, 2017
Sometimes going way out of your comfort zone pays off.I never go for fantasy or mythology based books. Not my usual genre but after I read the first short story in this series and loved it I was tempted to taste more.
Martyn Stanley is a true storyteller.He took me to another time, place and adventure in this short story. I even liked this one more than the first story. I'm familiar with the legend of the Lambton Worm, living not far from the locale. So it's local storytelling I enjoyed.
Sir John is back. This time to slay another worm terrorising local folk and Elsa becomes critical to the story. Despite seeing the twist before it came this gave me a huge grin! This is a feel good story and I loved the ending. Really satisfying.
Martyn is a talented writer. He's also the only one to tempt me into the world of fantasy but I'm glad I did. It just goes to show you can be wrong sometimes about what you may or may not enjoy. So...I'll be tackling Martyn's full length fantasy novel at some stage. So watch this space.
If you enjoy fantasy, you'll not go wrong with this author and these 2 short stories about the Lambton Worm are really worth your time. Kudos to Martyn for his actually prose and writing. I tend to think he may somewhat underestimate his own talent as he's very good and I read hundreds of authors each year. 5 stars for sheer reading pleasure.
Martyn Stanley is a true storyteller.He took me to another time, place and adventure in this short story. I even liked this one more than the first story. I'm familiar with the legend of the Lambton Worm, living not far from the locale. So it's local storytelling I enjoyed.
Sir John is back. This time to slay another worm terrorising local folk and Elsa becomes critical to the story. Despite seeing the twist before it came this gave me a huge grin! This is a feel good story and I loved the ending. Really satisfying.
Martyn is a talented writer. He's also the only one to tempt me into the world of fantasy but I'm glad I did. It just goes to show you can be wrong sometimes about what you may or may not enjoy. So...I'll be tackling Martyn's full length fantasy novel at some stage. So watch this space.
If you enjoy fantasy, you'll not go wrong with this author and these 2 short stories about the Lambton Worm are really worth your time. Kudos to Martyn for his actually prose and writing. I tend to think he may somewhat underestimate his own talent as he's very good and I read hundreds of authors each year. 5 stars for sheer reading pleasure.
March 18, 2016
I loved writing this short story. I really felt 'The Lambton Worm' was begging to have a sequel written. I really wanted to explore the future of the young girl and John Lambton. When I actually put pen to paper and got this down, I didn't really plan the clever twist. Once the idea hit me, I had to write it. I was really excited about seeing how I could get it to play out. I did a surprising amount of research into the history and I managed to choose places and names which could have been historical. Obviously I'm not saying this tale of the 'Shincliffe Worm' DID happen, but maybe it could have?
I can't wait for someone who's read my version of 'The Lambton Worm' to give this a go and tell me what they think!
Martyn
I can't wait for someone who's read my version of 'The Lambton Worm' to give this a go and tell me what they think!
Martyn
May 29, 2021
I was given this short story to review and I thought it to be entertaining.
'It is unusual for a man to listen to a woman...' are the words that struck me most. So true! This second part of the re-telling of the 'worm' legend was cleverly done (though I did suspect). Elsa is a brilliant character and why I enjoyed the tale so much.
Worth reading.
'It is unusual for a man to listen to a woman...' are the words that struck me most. So true! This second part of the re-telling of the 'worm' legend was cleverly done (though I did suspect). Elsa is a brilliant character and why I enjoyed the tale so much.
Worth reading.
May 5, 2017
This sequel to the author's retelling of the Lambton Worm legend puts in the twist that the original lacked. It starts out seemingly as traditional sequel fare in the style of everything from Beowulf to Dragonball Z: a bigger and badder version of the original monster has appeared, and it's up to our hero to shape up (maybe with a training montage or two) and save the day again. But then things take an unexpected but believable turn. I was gratified to see this, hence my higher rating.
Writing-wise, the same problem with Captain Obvious narration is present here as in its predecessor, but it was perhaps reduced a bit here and/or less intrusive due to the more satirical/deconstructive tone.
Writing-wise, the same problem with Captain Obvious narration is present here as in its predecessor, but it was perhaps reduced a bit here and/or less intrusive due to the more satirical/deconstructive tone.
January 22, 2016
If you have not read the Lambton Worm, the re-telling please do. Though this book can be read alone it is better if you know the previous part of it. As for this book yet again awesome. The heroine as usual is cunning and quick but must be careful and witty this time to make it all work to her own favor. This second part of the tale is even better than the first and the ending comes with a huge twist you will not see coming!!!
March 3, 2016
Now what a sequel to the first story. Another very interesting tale woven by the author. I love the details given in John's dream. The little details make this a very good short story! And the twist at the end was fantastic!
May 12, 2016
This is a nice follow up to 'The Lambton Worm'. If you enjoyed the first story, this won't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews