Death On The Press Trip – Mark McCrum

Andy, meanwhile, was everywhere, taking photographs of everything in sight, even the lumps of hard and apparently very ancient rock that Diego was keen to point out to them buried in the soft, mud-like walls of the gorge. ‘I think Women’s Life are going to have to do a special South American supplement,’ said Conor.

Nick laughed. ‘Sometimes these tours get pretty desperate for stuff to show you, don’t they? I was in the Northern Territory of Australia one time and the guide showed us an ant.’ ‘An ant?’ ‘A single ant. Okay, it was called something like a lion ant, and it was a little bigger than the others, but it was basically an ant.’

‘So do you do a lot of these trips?’ Conor asked. It turned out that, despite appearances, and what he’d told them, Conor didn’t. Press trips, he went on, were a nice break from the office for him, but he wasn’t paid any extra for doing them, and in fact the management made you take the time as holiday. ‘That’s outrageous,’ Nick said. ‘But they’re great trips, eh?

Imagine what this one would cost you if you paid for it.’ ‘Even if you do have to spend the time with a bunch of journalists.’ ‘I don’t mind that. You can always keep yourself to yourself. Anyway, sometimes journalists can be as interesting as anyone else you know.’ Conor gave Nick his characteristic wry smile. ‘At least as anyone I know.’ ‘Andy?’ Nick ventured. ‘Yeah, well. Every holiday needs its cabaret, doesn’t it?’ ‘I have moments when I think, is he for real?’

‘Don’t we all. He’s pretty harmless, mate. Just very young and a bit gauche.’ ‘Why’s he even here?’ ‘Nepo baby would be my guess. His dad probably owns Women’s Life or something and he’s got some kind of privileged role as an intern plus. He did say this was his first ever press trip.’ ‘And his last.’ ‘I very much doubt it. I’m sure he’ll go from strength to strength.’ ‘I was under the impression that Gen Z types were right-on and woke and PC and all that.’ ‘Yeah, well.

The exception proves the rule, no? He probably models himself on Andrew Tate or one of those famous toxic males. It’s something I notice, though, with the mainstream media. As soon as they work out that a generation or a group demonstrates some particular characteristic, lo and behold, five minutes later, along comes something to prove the exact opposite. Gen Z are super abstemious, never touch a drop, whoops, suddenly Gen Z are completely rat-arsed.

Gen Z don’t smoke, they only vape, then suddenly they’re all into pipes. Gen Z aren’t interested in sex, they’re all celibate, whoops, suddenly they’re all in polyamorous relationships, choking and slapping each other like there’s no tomorrow.’

Copyright © 2026 Mark McCrum The right of Mark McCrum to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published in 2026 by Bloodhound Books. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publisher or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. www.bloodhoundbooks.com Print ISBN: 978-1917705882 OceanofPDF.com CONTENTS Newsletter sign-up Prologue Two months earlier… Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 From the author Also by Mark McCrum You will also enjoy: Newsletter sign-up Acknowledgements A note from the publisher OceanofPDF.com OceanofPDF.com ‘I have found out there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.’

— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad It’s relatively easy for a PR to handle the press when a trip goes well. But when things go wrong tensions can mount.’ — Jane Ridley, The Guardian OceanofPDF.com PROLOGUE It was a strange sort of funeral without a body; but that was how it had to be, given the circumstances. After the service, the press pack stood in a tight posse outside the grey, flint-built church.

The dreary English drizzle was something of a contrast, they agreed, to the glorious weather they’d had on their South American adventure. They were all here, nobody missing, except of course the one who was missing. It was – ha! – the reunion they had argued about (‘Always a bad idea after a press trip,’ Jonathan had insisted) but never imagined in this version, with all these extras, these stunned, sobbing groups of relatives and friends. Despite their bright greetings and how’ve-you-been small talk, the six of them were shocked and sad themselves as they were confronted with the reality of what had happened – for who could ever have predicted this tragic and mysterious end?

To such a life. To such a trip.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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