Then a Miracle Occurs: Collection of Short Stories by Trevor Hopkins

This is a collection of short stories which I have been working on - rather intermittently, it seems - for rather more than a decade. My original idea was to bring them together in a collection entitled "...Then a Miracle Occurs" - which is also the title of one of the stories.

When working on these stories, though, it seems that ideas for two very different novel-length works started to emerge. Now, I am beginning to think that some of these stories are better grouped together, based on their fictional universe, and might well end up with a overall title of their own.

Click on the links below to read the stories so far in an online format, or to download as PDF.

Airships Over Africa Steampunk Series

Airships over Africa A Steampunk short story set in an alternate-universe version of the British Empire in East Africa.	African Designs Dark clouds and hidden forces gather over the establishment of a charitable mission.	Observatory Mount A remote mountain-top astronomical observatory is the setting for this Steampunk adventure.
Clockwork Cabaret Strange events by a mechanical dance troupe leads to suspicions about international politics.	Imperial Lifeblood A delicate diplomatic mission turns nasty after an unexplained death.	Camera Obscura An accidental death on the plains of the Masai Mara leads to deeper mysteries.
The Steam Road Investigating a unexpected death in Victorian London turns up a deeper mystery.	The Cassandra Effect A Steampunk short story set in an alternate-universe version of Victorian London and southern England.

Rebellion Science Fiction Series

The Last Asteroid In the aftermath of a punishing war, two men and one woman are feted as heros, although for very different reasons.	The Voyage of the Ice Clipper A fast ship leaves the Solar System so that its crew can escape from oppression.	Hero of the Rebellion (2nd Class) Heros are usually remembered only by the winning side - but not always.
Time Out of Place An unexpected rescue - and an even more unexpected set of consequences.	Consolidation Earth Inconsistent scientific results lead to revelations about the planet.	Garden at the End of the Universe Reunion and betrayal, in a zoo without bars.
Gods and Daemons Strange events in Earth orbit leads to revelations about alien influence.

Other Science Fiction, Fantasy and Ghost Stories

Hearts and Flowers Quite literally, a story of endless, timeless love set in the far distant future.	Lightning Bridge The construction of a new bridge using advanced materials leads to a clue about the aliens among us.	SMS Explores the reasons why we get so many topical jokes delivered as text messages to our mobile phones.
A Short History of Magic A thesis presentation by an earnest student puts the future of the human species at risk.	Stone and Shadows A group of skeptical investigators tackle a haunted bridge in a little West Yorkshire market town.	The Curious Adventure of Damien D'Eath An encounter with a mysterious stranger on a foggy night leads to revelations about an ancient family.
The Lottery Winner's Lair A lucky lottery winner builds himself a residence to be proud of.	Door Bell A strange encounter between an anonymous author and an enigmatic stranger.	The Pink Room Two young university students have a strange encounter in a locked room.
...Then a Miracle Occurs A tale of a first encounter with an alien civilization, with a twist...

Disclaimer: Except where otherwise noted, all stories and other content in these pages are works of fiction, and any similarity with real people, places or incidents is purely coincidental.

I am now working on a new series of Private Eye fantasy novels. The first is called Findo Gask - Goblin Detective, featuring the eponymous Private Detective, Findo Gask himself. I have also completed a sequel called Findo Gask - Gumshoe Glamours. Other stories in the series are still works in progress.

Why not take a look at my Lyndesfarne Bridge series of modern fantasy novels: New Bridge to Lyndesfarne, Bridge at War, Death on the New Bridge and Bridge of Stone and Magic.

If you have enjoyed the stories in the ...Then a Miracle Occurs collection, you may also enjoy my selection of fifteen interlinked short stories under the title Four Square Less One. Can you work out the connection between the stories?