Got a Kindle? Got any space left on it after stuffing the memory with every free download that’s been wafted past you by publishers and self-publishers convinced that if they can saturate the world with product, riches will follow?

Well, here you go again.

Don’t get too excited. It’s just a couple of short stories and they’d only cost you pennies on regular sale. But from now until Friday you can download them from Amazon at no charge.

But Steve, I hear you say, your generosity overwhelms us. Is there not even a catch? While the keen-minded among you will note that the first of the two stories introduces Sebastian Becker, Special Investigator to the Lord Chancellor’s Visitor in Lunacy, the subject and main character of The Bedlam Detective. The UK edition of which is published this week by Ebury Press.

Yes, it’s a barefaced promotional stunt. That first taste of crack cocaine that’ll bring you crawling back for more.

You think you’re stronger than that? Hah. Prove it.