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Martin Skate
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The Spike collection: Ten random short stories Kindle Edition

by Martin Skate (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 77 ratings
The Spike Collection, ten short stories randomly thrown together to take you on a ride of emotions, thought provocation, and charm. Each story focuses on the key characters’ thoughts, challenges, and how they are richer for their experiences. The stories cover tales from suburbia, life changing moments, superstardom, and what to do if you do not fancy door-to-door selling for the day.


If you enjoy short stories that take you through a rollercoaster ride of emotions then this is for you. Ten thought provoking and random short stories that truly entertain.


The Spike: Sam is flying through life getting fired at every job he gets, until one day he finally realises where his major talents lie. This is Sam’s journey up until he reaches his realisation that defines his whole life.


The Siren: All the boys turned to jelly when they were around Tina, so what happened when Brad was the only one to get close to the Siren?


Rocco: It is tough being galaxy-wide famous, follow Rocco on his life of fame, adulation, and on meeting the love of his life, Eve.


Twenty Pence Pieces: During the summer holidays Ted and Dee have a simple plan to buy something super cool, and they have a fun and enterprising method on how to get the money to do it.


The Bridge: Helen, Stefano, Roland, they all have their hobbies and goals which ultimately drive them to a meeting-crescendo of devastating circumstance.


Time Travel Tim: A little boy’s wish comes true when his fictional television hero suddenly appears in his bedroom and takes him on a quick adventure.


Snapshot: Being away at sea for long periods of time can be fatal on a relationship, as this account of a returning sailor tells us.


Nine Coffees: Russ worked in a boring office, he needed more, but what to do? He found what he was looking for one morning in a coffee shop, Luka was the shot of caffeine he needed.


Chelmsford: During a day of door-to-door selling Jason has the great fortune to be joined by someone who decides to play this would-be humdrum day ever so slightly different.


Hear-dunnit: Retired and widowed Pat awakes to plan his final hurrah, and looks back on some fond memories.

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  1. Print length
    159 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 11, 2014
  5. File size
    296 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin Skate clearly doesn't like to waste time, and when one morning on his commute to work his Kindle battery ran out he began to write his own collection of short stories, within one journey he had sketched out the first story, within one week he had written one entire short, and then in the space of a few months he had completed ten short stories.

Working in the travel industry and having covered half of the globe on cruise ships, Martin always left a trail of creative writing, either in blogs or within travel articles. This is Skate's first publication, a collection of short stories entitled 'The Spike Collection'.

Martin lives just outside of London, he has held a variety of roles including working at sea, on land, antique furniture removal man (for one day), creator, singer, marathon runner, and most recently avid dog-walker. This is his first attempt of writing something that does not involve monkeys, superheroes, or monkey superheroes. Martin also writes a blog at www.martinskate.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00G05WZPW
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 11, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 296 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 159 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 77 ratings

About the author

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Martin Skate

Martin Skate

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Martin lives just outside of London, he has held a variety of roles including working at sea, on land, in space, he is also a creator, music-lover, marathon runner, part-time starer, and more recently dog-walker extraordinaire.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
77 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy these short stories for their variety, with each tale being totally different. Moreover, the writing style is interesting, and customers find them thought-provoking and hilarious. Additionally, the collection receives positive feedback for its emotional content, with one customer noting how it evokes its own emotional response.

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13 customers mention "Story variety"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the variety of stories in this collection, with each one being totally different and serving as an interesting way to fill time.

"...Each story so totally different, drew me in with descriptive, REAL, memorable characters and a plot that held a steady pace from the first few words..." Read more

"...But the stories are not preachy. This is an entirely new genre, not fiction, too real and transformative to be called fiction...." Read more

"...The genre is probably mainstream. The stories are slice of life. Tales we can easily identify with because we've probably all been there...." Read more

"...These are memorable tales that you will read and reread. And there are PLENTY of laugh-out-loud moments...." Read more

12 customers mention "Humor"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it hilarious and thought-provoking, with one customer noting how it provides something for every mood and mindset.

"...Each story so totally different, drew me in with descriptive, REAL, memorable characters and a plot that held a steady pace from the first few words..." Read more

"...But it's not nonfiction. It's slap you in the face story telling. I wish these stories had been written years ago...." Read more

"...that for me were only so-so, but the overall collection was filled with quirky humor and several of the stories were quite thought provoking...." Read more

"...And there are PLENTY of laugh-out-loud moments. I mean, truly hilarious stuff that will make you have to explain to a stranger on the subway 'what..." Read more

9 customers mention "Enjoyment"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as an absolute delight.

"...Impressive! My favourite was the second tale, The Siren. Poor guy. Head over heals for this beautiful goddess, Tina. He did his time...." Read more

"...The Spike Collection was a delightful read, proving that such anthologies can be a bag of mixed goodies...." Read more

"...And there are PLENTY of laugh-out-loud moments. I mean, truly hilarious stuff that will make you have to explain to a stranger on the subway 'what..." Read more

"This is a refreshingly different collection of writings that kept me entertained but more than that...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as interesting and original.

"...To me, that's the sign of a good writer. One that can take me away from my everyday and let me get lost in the story...." Read more

"This is a refreshingly different collection of writings that kept me entertained but more than that...." Read more

"...It's a great testament to the author that he is able to produce such a wide variety of stories, each evoking its own emotional response...." Read more

"A series of short stories that are written in a most interesting style in that I felt like the author was reading it to me...." Read more

4 customers mention "Collection"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this collection, with one mentioning it's a great year-end selection.

"...was a delightful read, proving that such anthologies can be a bag of mixed goodies...." Read more

"Really enjoyable stories and all are so diverse. What a collection, in fact, there's probably a little bit for just about every reader type...." Read more

"A Wonderful Collection..." Read more

"A great collection for the year end!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Emotional content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, with one customer noting how it evokes its own emotional response, while another finds it touching and personal.

"...is able to produce such a wide variety of stories, each evoking its own emotional response. I would definitely read future works by Martin Skate." Read more

"...like spending time with an old friend, listening to his stories, some touching, some chilling, some laugh-out-loud funny...." Read more

"What a refreshing read. The personal, conversational style of this highly talented author sections out deft slices of life with his well-cultivated..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Cathy Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasure to Read!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The Spike Collection: Ten Random Short Stories by Martin Skate is a group of stories, each with personality. Skate is definitely a writer at heart that thinks outside the box. Each story so totally different, drew me in with descriptive, REAL, memorable characters and a plot that held a steady pace from the first few words until the last. Impressive! My favourite was the second tale, The Siren. Poor guy. Head over heals for this beautiful goddess, Tina. He did his time. Got to really know her first. Taking his time to make the connection and right when he thought he was about to score his hopes were shattered, along with his heart. I was sitting at the airport reading it and had all eyes on me when I burst out laughing. To me, that's the sign of a good writer. One that can take me away from my everyday and let me get lost in the story. Nice job Skate and I look forward to reading great things about you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • William Beckler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Only read it if you're sitting down! Funny as hell! And it will change your life!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Remember when, In Dead Poets Society, teacher John Keating makes fun of this made up essay by Professor Pritchard?
    'To fully understand poetry, we must first be fluent with its meter, rhyme and figures of speech, then ask two questions:
    1) How artfully has the objective of the poem been rendered and
    2) How important is that objective?
    Question 1 rates the poem’s perfection; question 2 rates its importance. And once these questions have been answered, determining the poem’s greatness becomes a relatively simple matter. If the poem’s score for perfection is plotted on the horizontal of a graph and its importance is plotted on the vertical, then calculating the total area of the poem yields the measure of its greatness.'

    Then he makes his students rip these pages out of their high school anthologies.

    I'm a weirdo, because I actually like to consider separately how well put is a story and how meaningful is a story. Did I just learn something that will change my life for the better? And did I enjoy myself while reading it? The stories here are completely off the charts on both dimensions. You will not be able to get them out of your head, and you will be inspired. The main message here is carpe diem, but it is carpe diem put in a way that will hit you in the butt and get you out there making a difference in the world right away. But the stories are not preachy. This is an entirely new genre, not fiction, too real and transformative to be called fiction. But it's not nonfiction. It's slap you in the face story telling.

    I wish these stories had been written years ago. Everyone needs to read this. You will laugh your head off and you will live a better life.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • CW Hawes
    4.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and thought provoking slice of life stories
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Short story collections are always a mixed bag. The Spike Collection was a delightful read, proving that such anthologies can be a bag of mixed goodies. Of course I had my favorites and ones that for me were only so-so, but the overall collection was filled with quirky humor and several of the stories were quite thought provoking. The genre is probably mainstream. The stories are slice of life. Tales we can easily identify with because we've probably all been there.

    This collection is well worth the money to buy and well worth the time to read. I'm definitely hoping Mr Skate gives us more delightful reads in the future.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    If you have ever drowned your sorrows by over-indulging, or denied watching reality tv to avoid judgment, or hit the snooze button for the better part of an hour, you are a regular person and will love this book. Martin Skate's brand of quirky, offbeat short stories are an absolute delight, each one a witty exploration into the human psyche.There is something here for every mood and mindset, and the endings are always a unique surprise. Skate's writing moves swiftly, but remains thoughtful and endearing. These are memorable tales that you will read and reread. And there are PLENTY of laugh-out-loud moments. I mean, truly hilarious stuff that will make you have to explain to a stranger on the subway 'what on earth is so damn funny'. Yup, that happened.
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  • B Nelson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure to read.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a refreshingly different collection of writings that kept me entertained but more than that. Reading these stories left me feeling like I was having a conversation with a really interesting friend. There is humor, wisdom and fascinating slices of life.
    The Spike collection: Ten random short stories by Martin Skate delivers on many levels – the writing is fluid and engaging – it made me think. Time Travel Tim was my favorite but I really enjoyed them all. Highly recommended – hope there’s another volume coming or even a full-length novel. 5-stars!
    One person found this helpful
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  • CGW
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Collection
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The ten short stories comprising this book had me at times laughing out loud, while at other times reflective, and at least once filled with childlike wonder. It's a great testament to the author that he is able to produce such a wide variety of stories, each evoking its own emotional response. I would definitely read future works by Martin Skate.
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  • Janice Clark
    4.0 out of 5 stars A wild carnival ride
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    What can I say about this eclectic story collection? How do you describe the indescribable?

    Each story is unique. Some are written as stream-of-consciousness with odd but interesting chains of association; some are more conventional in presentation but not in content. There are elements of Walter Mitty-like fantasy.

    The overall effect is something like biting into a multi-flavored sweet and sour candy, that produces a taste explosion in your mouth and sends your brain into a tailspin trying to sort it out. Or maybe it’s like a wild carnival ride, in which you careen around corners, with bizarre scenes flashing and disappearing in sort of a strobe-light effect, and when you get to the end you’re not sure what you’ve seen, but wow, that was fun, let’s do it again.

    A good solid four stars, with moments of fiveishness. (Is that a word?) I suggest you read it yourself. Enjoy.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jason Greensides
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Collection of Short Stories
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Trying to land the right job or fit into an absurd and frequently monotonous modern life or otherwise search for fulfilment in some other small, almost obtainable dream, seems to be the theme that runs through this wonderful, engaging, and often funny collection of short stories. All ten stories are well-crafted and feature sympathetic characters whose goals are entirely relatable. The opener - 'The Spike' - really did make me laugh out loud; while 'Chelmsford' contains some dazzling London slang and vernacular, as well as having the audacity to lift the veil on the horror of all horrors: door-to-door sales.

    For me, however, the real gem of the collection was the fifth story, 'The Bridge', which successfully intertwined three characters in surprising, funny, and downright creative ways, while never loosing sight of the characters' humanity. Even the obnoxious Stefano is weirdly compelling, and I couldn't help taking pleasure in how he left scathing reviews on Amazon for products he doesn't even need or want. (I'm hoping the author will send me a signed copy of his next collection in an egg box.)

    Crazy wordplay, surprising sentences, a bizarre fascination with instruments, and a love for the nostalgic, The Spike Collection is inventive, original and quirky and a great way to take a break from your preferred genre, whatever that may be. These stories may even inspire you to try to lead a more fulfilling life.
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  • David Binelli
    3.0 out of 5 stars An easy read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the stories...they were entertaining and easy to read
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  • Kevin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Boisterous, intimate and hilarious!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I defy anyone to read this jocular selection of short stories without at least once blurting out a raspberry of brassy laughter.
    Martin Skate serves up a smörgåsbord of innovative, post-modern essays that will resonate with those dreamers among us whose young adulthood was blighted by unachievable fantasies.
    The author has an ebullient imagination and one senses that his own boyhood dreams have piggybacked him into middle-aged maturity.
    Told in first-person-singular accounts, each narrator invites us into an angst-ridden world of demeaning jobs, ketchup-smushed-children and first date crotch-fumbles.
    And, decisions, decisions: what does a young boy wear while time-travelling from the 1980s? David Essex's Hawaiian shirt, complete with sunglasses in chest pocket, obviously!
    Within these tales we learn about banjo soup, Dracula ice lollies, and a far-flung bar where a mixed grill and an upstairs shag is served for a very thrifty ten dollars.
    Skate has a rare knack of making the mundane seem exciting; the fantasia of his writing is laced with irony and there is more tongue-in-cheekness here than could be seen at a New Year's Eve party.

    My read ended all too soon and I was left *please sir* gagging for more.
    A true fun-filled delight.
    Enjoy!
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  • Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bizarre
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A nice little compilation for killing time. The stories were bizarre and short, some were sweet and some were utterly ridiculous. An interesting mix.one story really irritated me, one I loved. A bit short, maybe a half hour of entertainment. You'd get more quantity from a paper or magazine of the same price but maybe not so much quality.
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  • Carole Anne Goodman, author The Shenanigans of Champagne Charlie
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not for me
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Must be just me - I found this book completely unreadable. The first story had such strange punctuation I had to read sentences several times over to get the sense. By 8% into the book I gave up. Must stop buying cheap books - there's clearly a reason for the price.
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