Vixie's stories

Read Tirips Shade, my supernatural detective novel, for free here

2026-07-09T22:21:27.209+01:00

My Victorian detective novel with a supernatural and steampunk edge, Tirips Shade, is free to read here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mxugIivOPyKdjq4rp4ejeKhzuReWVLpt/view?usp=drive_link

Victorian London’s finest detective, Tirips Shade, 33, hunts a serial killer while investigating his own murder, assisted by his closest friend, Harold Walker.

Whether alive or in spirit, Victorian London is a thrilling but dangerous place for everyone.

With a serial killer on the loose, Sarah Ann Bartley, who runs a safehouse for former prostitutes and fights for women’s rights, asks Tirips to help stop the man before more women are murdered.

Tomas Malachide, the owner of the steam-powered Museum of Machinations, finds himself the toast of the city, but the real passion of his life is his fiancé, Elsa, a flower seller.

In the spirit world, a young boy finds himself alone on the city streets, but he just might find a friend in a streetwise girl. Cynical Willie Lynch is given the job of guide for the newly dead, while an older guide, Angelina, has her own sad secrets.

Who is the mysterious Abraham Askew whom nearly every spirit seems to fear and what other perils loiter in Victorian London’s graveyards?

I started writing it on a writing course in 2016, where we spent a lot of time on the opening page and paragraph one. Lots of rewrites!

REVIEWS

By Keithtj on April 26, 2023

"Ms Johnson has a wonderful way of describing situations and times, indeed she paints with words. Managing to evoke images and the atmosphere of the time. The characters are believable to the point you care what happens to them, and the story line is suitably gripping and nicely twisted, catching you out, just when you think you have worked it who the baddie is. A thoroughly wonderful and entertaining read more of Tirips and his world please!"

By Ed Drury on April 8, 2023

"I've followed Vickie Johnson's books since I stumbled on the Kiwi books. I've watched her effortlessly shift between genres and styles, but she's kept me a loyal reader the entire time, primarily because of her excellent storytelling and fascinating characters. This book reaffirmed my confidence in her to deliver a compelling story with beautiful characters. With this one, I think she has all the ingredients for another successful series of books, and I will undoubtedly read them all. I would recommend it to readers of young adults, paranormal, and cozy mysteries without reservation. It does have some edgy scenes, but it is, in my opinion, done within the context of the story and not the least bit gratuitous."

My poetry book, Ink, is free to read here

2026-07-09T17:01:47.013+01:00

Ink is free to read here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wXPU0XSt50DB8K1R4q_GOlEYc25-mWvU/view?usp=drive_link

A collection of 74 poems. All of these poems, except for Judder, were written between April 2, 2022 and May 14, 2023.

WILD HORSES

She sees horses in the streets,
tearing down the tarmac,
silvery manes of flowing water
twisting in the wind’s hands.

Pale white streaks of ghosts
leaving translucent trails of light,
black eyes glistening, nostrils flared, silent in their insistency...

My middle-grade book, Kiwi in Cat City, is free to read here

2026-07-07T12:40:10.693+01:00

Hi, you can read Kiwi in Cat City, the first of 6 books for kids aged 7-100, for free here. The series was selling well until 2015, so I thought why not make it free, because the whole idea was to be read.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ihUVY_CmQpq-n9w5Y5NcfesjSv8zpE8L/view?usp=drive_link

(60 reviews on Amazon)

Book 1 in the Kiwi Series about a magical cat

Have you ever wished your cat could talk or wondered where he/she goes when you are not around? Kiwi is a black cat with a big secret – she is magical and comes from a city of catizens. One night when the moon is shaped like a cat’s claw, Amy and James follow their pet cat to see where she goes. With a flick of her tail, Kiwi turns the kids into kittens and leads them to the blue-lit Cat City, where the budding detectives help Inspector Furrball to investigate a catnapping and Kiwi meets her nemesis.

KIRKUS REVIEW – “Though the book is a mystery, the bloodshed-free crime means that the book is safe enough for younger readers to enjoy, and funny moments – provided by the bumbling Paws and lots of “cat” wordplay – keep the story light. The sleuthing will captivate young readers... Cats, a dash of fantasy, and a puzzling mystery are a recipe for a fun read...”

In the Kiwi Series, Amy, James and Kiwi go on different adventures, dealing with catnappings, jewel thieves, giant mice, time travel, haunted houses, Father Christmas, pyramids and more. The fun stories contain positive messages about loyalty, friendship, honesty, bullying and the power of friendship.

With illustrations by Nikki McBroom.

Book 4 in the series was a finalist in the Children's Books category of the National Indie Excellence Book Awards 2013.