Paddy Pest, the ubiquitous Aussie gumshoe, is immersed in a world full of beautiful women, conniving conspirators, and covert agents. Never without his Beretta or fold-up boomerang, Paddy is always prepared--a good thing, since he is about to take a ride on the wild side with his entourage of female associates.Stormy Weathers, Paddy's girlfriend and wing person, is known for her flaming red hair, nice legs, and her ability to hold her own in a fight. Pest surrounds himself with girls with guns and they mean business. Ariadne Vasilis has long black hair, a brutal arm-chop, and a fierce loyalty to her country, as does the delightful French gendarme Yvette Baguette. She wouldn't be seen dead without her Paris fashion labels. From a salacious situation in Salem to a conundrum in Kentucky There's murder in Melbourne and mystery in Moscow, and Paddy's people are playing for keeps. Paddy's People is a collection of short stories laced with treachery, mayhem, and mischievous behavior that encompass some of Paddy's worldwide adventures and acknowledge those men and women who have been inspired by his exploits.

Ask anyone who knows him: Paddy Pest is a real character.

Paddy is an Australian crime fighter with a dubious Irish background, an overwhelming abundance of confidence, and a handful of bad habits. His enthusiasm for finding trouble is only exceeded by his incompetence.

Fortunately, his pal and sometime sidekick, Stormy Weathers, is usually available to rescue him from his ill-advised forays into foolish and reckless situations-frequently involving the fairer sex. From Yvette Baguette, the delightfully French gendarme, to Paddy's nemesis, Nadia Nickoff-the minx from Minsk-Paddy is a lady's man all the way.

Murder and mayhem are all in a day's work for this Aussie crime fighter. He needs his wits to survive the onslaught of the disreputable rogues and villains who are out to get him. Paddy's life is one big, unbelievable adventure after another. And now, he's got a certain lady on a certain train who needs his help-or does she?

The world needs someone like Paddy Pest-and if you doubt that, just ask him

Gerry Burke writes short stories and commentary on subjects relating to politics, entertainment, sport, and travel. In this collection of humorous adult tales, Paddy Pest and the author's other notorious characters really come to life.

PADDY PEST: As a crime fighter, the indefatigable Paddy Pest bumbles around, but he gets things done. His adventures and misadventures require him to confront his own demons, dames, debt-collectors and villains of every description. In his spare time, Paddy likes to relax at the casino, the track, or at his favorite gentlemen's club.

THE ACHIEVERS: Some people will do anything to get where they want to be. Here, politicians, film stars, sport stars, and intrepid entrepreneurs are each obsessively vying for their place in the sun. They have one thing in common: they're all in the hot seat.

TRANSITION: Evolution is not just a philosophical phenomenon; a change of job, an ambitious determination, or an ounce of luck can all be motivation enough to change one's circumstances-though not always for the better. Meet a gaggle of ordinary folks who do extraordinary things, mostly for their own benefit.

Also available by Gerry Burke:

"From Beer to Paternity
One man's journey through life as we know it

Down-Under Shorts
Stories to read while they're fumigating your pants"

Paddy Pest is a hero to himself and others. You'd better believe it. The man has been fighting crime all his life and although he does have his shortcomings, he does try hard. Bless his heart, he really tries. And now, someone has put out a contract on him. Is there no justice?

Luckily for Paddy, his wing-person is the exquisite barmaid, Stormy Weathers, his longtime girlfriend and undercover perative. There is no more potent a force in the fight against corruption and wrongdoing, and the supersleuth is the favored go-to man for any number of international agencies. Admittedly, when the chips are down, they are always prepared to disown him.

Paddy's relationship with Australia's unmarried prime minister has tongues wagging, but in times of trouble, she wouldn't have anyone else by her side. And his relationship with Frankie Hogan, the bordello queen? Well, that's another story.

Paddy's tales of intrigue are unbelievable and even Maxwell Smart would be impressed. He makes that gentleman look like a genius.

Paddy Pest, the ubiquitous Aussie gumshoe, is immersed in a world full of beautiful women, conniving conspirators, and covert agents. Never without his Beretta or fold-up boomerang, Paddy is always prepared--a good thing, since he is about to take a ride on the wild side with his entourage of female associates.Stormy Weathers, Paddy's girlfriend and wing person, is known for her flaming red hair, nice legs, and her ability to hold her own in a fight. Pest surrounds himself with girls with guns and they mean business. Ariadne Vasilis has long black hair, a brutal arm-chop, and a fierce loyalty to her country, as does the delightful French gendarme Yvette Baguette. She wouldn't be seen dead without her Paris fashion labels. From a salacious situation in Salem to a conundrum in Kentucky There's murder in Melbourne and mystery in Moscow, and Paddy's people are playing for keeps. Paddy's People is a collection of short stories laced with treachery, mayhem, and mischievous behavior that encompass some of Paddy's worldwide adventures and acknowledge those men and women who have been inspired by his exploits.

Ask anyone who knows him: Paddy Pest is a real character.

Paddy is an Australian crime fighter with a dubious Irish background, an overwhelming abundance of confidence, and a handful of bad habits. His enthusiasm for finding trouble is only exceeded by his incompetence.

Fortunately, his pal and sometime sidekick, Stormy Weathers, is usually available to rescue him from his ill-advised forays into foolish and reckless situations-frequently involving the fairer sex. From Yvette Baguette, the delightfully French gendarme, to Paddy's nemesis, Nadia Nickoff-the minx from Minsk-Paddy is a lady's man all the way.

Murder and mayhem are all in a day's work for this Aussie crime fighter. He needs his wits to survive the onslaught of the disreputable rogues and villains who are out to get him. Paddy's life is one big, unbelievable adventure after another. And now, he's got a certain lady on a certain train who needs his help-or does she?

The world needs someone like Paddy Pest-and if you doubt that, just ask him

Paddy Pest is a hero to himself and others. You'd better believe it. The man has been fighting crime all his life and although he does have his shortcomings, he does try hard. Bless his heart, he really tries. And now, someone has put out a contract on him. Is there no justice?

Luckily for Paddy, his wing-person is the exquisite barmaid, Stormy Weathers, his longtime girlfriend and undercover perative. There is no more potent a force in the fight against corruption and wrongdoing, and the supersleuth is the favored go-to man for any number of international agencies. Admittedly, when the chips are down, they are always prepared to disown him.

Paddy's relationship with Australia's unmarried prime minister has tongues wagging, but in times of trouble, she wouldn't have anyone else by her side. And his relationship with Frankie Hogan, the bordello queen? Well, that's another story.

Paddy's tales of intrigue are unbelievable and even Maxwell Smart would be impressed. He makes that gentleman look like a genius.

Gerry Burke writes short stories and commentary on subjects relating to politics, entertainment, sport, and travel. In this collection of humorous adult tales, Paddy Pest and the author's other notorious characters really come to life.

PADDY PEST: As a crime fighter, the indefatigable Paddy Pest bumbles around, but he gets things done. His adventures and misadventures require him to confront his own demons, dames, debt-collectors and villains of every description. In his spare time, Paddy likes to relax at the casino, the track, or at his favorite gentlemen's club.

THE ACHIEVERS: Some people will do anything to get where they want to be. Here, politicians, film stars, sport stars, and intrepid entrepreneurs are each obsessively vying for their place in the sun. They have one thing in common: they're all in the hot seat.

TRANSITION: Evolution is not just a philosophical phenomenon; a change of job, an ambitious determination, or an ounce of luck can all be motivation enough to change one's circumstances-though not always for the better. Meet a gaggle of ordinary folks who do extraordinary things, mostly for their own benefit.

Also available by Gerry Burke:

"From Beer to Paternity
One man's journey through life as we know it

Down-Under Shorts
Stories to read while they're fumigating your pants"