Short Story Collection, Neglect Of Duty By Martin Gosling, Relives A Life Of Challenge And Resolution

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Martin Gosling’s Neglect Of Duty And Other Tales provides authentic, experience-driven fictional glimpses into mounted police, military, and prison life in Britain.

Neglect Of Duty

Have you ever stumbled across a book that feels like a time machine, pulling you into a world both unfamiliar and utterly captivating? That’s exactly what happened when I picked up Martin Gosling’s Neglect of Duty And Other Tales.

This isn’t just another memoir or a dusty recounting of someone’s career—it’s a vivid, gripping collection of thirteen short stories that blend truth and fiction into a cocktail of amusement, intrigue, and reflection. If you’re a fan of storytelling that’s raw, authentic, and charged with consequence, this book might just be your next obsession.

Gosling’s life reads like something out of an adventure novel. Picture this: patrolling the bustling streets of 1960s London on horseback as part of the Mounted Police, sweating through military exercises in the scorching Libyan desert with the British Army, or working behind the iron bars of Her Majesty’s Prisons as a probation officer, guiding men grasping for a second chance.

These aren’t just random anecdotes—they’re the threads of a tapestry woven from decades of diverse, hands-on experience. And Gosling doesn’t stop there. His later years as a journalist sharpened his eye for detail, giving his tales an authenticity that’s rare in today’s storytelling landscape.

What makes Neglect of Duty stand out is how it transforms these real-life moments into something more. Dressed as fiction, each story carries a kernel of truth, distilled from Gosling’s own memories. Take, for instance, the image of a mounted officer clopping through London’s foggy streets, or the tense camaraderie of soldiers under a merciless desert sun. These aren’t dry reminiscences—they’re yarns that pulse with life, pulling you into a bygone era where every decision mattered. It’s the kind of book that reminds you: the truth is often stranger, and far more compelling, than anything a writer could dream up.

The short story format is having a moment right now, and Gosling’s collection fits perfectly into this renaissance. Each tale is a standalone gem, yet together they paint a portrait of a man who’s lived a dozen lives—and isn’t afraid to let you in on the messy, fascinating details. Whether it’s a darkly funny encounter in a prison cell or a reflective pause amid a chaotic military drill, there’s something here to amuse, provoke, and stick with you long after the last page.

If you’re the type who believes that the best stories come from those who’ve truly lived them, Neglect of Duty And Other Tales deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s a window into a world that feels both distant and immediate, delivered with a voice that’s as engaging as it is unflinchingly honest.

Martin Gosling

The stories involving police horses draw heavily on the structure of the mounted branch in the
1960s. Two hundred horses stabled across London and riders had to have previously completed two years of foot duty.

At the time I was with them in the mid-1960s, all had previous experience in the Armed Forces –
mostly cavalry regiments and horse artillery. Some of the older men had been regulars before
WWII and others had completed their National Service. This meant a distinct air of camaraderie
prevailed in each stable. Nearly everybody was a pipe smoker then; practical jokes were
commonplace. But overall, horsemanship, pride in appearance, self-discipline and the care of the
animals prevailed.

–Martin Gosling

Martin Gosling was born in Surrey, England, and educated at Ottershaw School, where his journey into a life of diverse experiences began. Before donning a uniform, he cut his teeth at The Daily Telegraph, a stint that hinted at the sharp observation skills he’d later bring to his writing. From there, he enlisted in the British Army, serving three years with the Royal Artillery, followed by seven years in the saddle with London’s Metropolitan Mounted Police—patrolling the city’s streets with a front-row seat to its chaos and charm.

Later, Gosling traded his spurs for a new challenge, becoming a probation officer. This role plunged him into the gritty world of criminal courts and prisons, where he worked on secondment, gaining a deep understanding of deviant behavior. Supervising probationers and parolees—including ‘lifers’—in the community, he saw humanity at its rawest.

Now a full-time writer, his work graces the pages of criminal law, police, and regional magazines, reflecting a lifetime of hard-earned insight. Living in Suffolk, he was honored with an MBE in 2003—a nod to a career as remarkable as the stories he tells.

Find more from Martin Gosling now:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/4kuSNp2

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4i0GvDg