English

Short stories

17 short stories by Jean-Pierre Martinez

The art of making a long story short…

A short story isn’t just a short novel, it’s a literary genre in its own right, with its own defining characteristics. Specifically, the art of writing short stories requires leading the reader to a surprise ending. An ending that must be unpredictable and therefore startling. As the story unfolds, the reader is enthralled by the suspense and carried by the taught narration to the reveal that they are burning to discover … unaware they were following a red herring to a conclusion that, while unexpected, is always flawlessly logical. But of course! exclaims the reader as they reach the last page of a well-constructed and deftly written short story. It was all there, I would have seen it coming but for the author’s clever storytelling. In this short story collection, Jean-Pierre Martinez, who is also a playwright and a scriptwriter of police television series, demonstrates his mastery of delivering the perfect ending to his audience. In each of these seventeen short stories, he takes the reader into a variety of universes to play with (and against) their expectations – and does so brilliantly.

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One marriage out of two

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

One marriage out of two ends in divorce… That night, Steven has to tell his in-laws, who idealise him, that he is getting divorced from their daughter, whom he cheated on. It is at that moment that Mabel’s parents announce to the couple that they are giving them their house in Kensington to raise their future children. How to reignite the flame without appearing simply interested in real estate?


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Bed & Breakfast

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

Seeking to escape the stress of Parisian life, Adam and Eve moved to an old farmhouse where they set up a bed and breakfast, to break the isolation and make ends meet. But their first couple of guests arrive, and they will soon discover that in this little corner of paradise, hell is other people…


This text is available to read for free. However, an authorization is required from the author prior to any public performance, whether by professional or amateur companies. To get in touch with Jean-Pierre Martinez and ask an authorization to represent one of his works CONTACT FORM


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A cuckoo’s nest

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

An aging novelist on the brink of suicide is visited by a young woman who claims to have lost her cat. A visit that will change his life…


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New Year’s Eve at the Morgue

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

On New Year’s Eve, a man is on duty at the Forensic Institute. One hour before midnight, a woman appears in front of him, covered only by a sheet. She doesn’t know who she is or where she comes from. And what was shaping up to be a deadly dull New Year’s Eve at the morgue turns out to be full of surprises… A comedy with multiple twists and turns, absurdly romantic and darkly humorous.


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The window across the courtyard

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

An aging novelist on the brink of suicide is visited by a young woman who claims to have lost her cat. A visit that will change his life…


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The perfect son-in-law

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

When you abandoned your fiancée a year ago, just days before the wedding, leaving only a post-it note on the refrigerator as an explanation, you better never come back…

A pure sitcom based on highly characterized characters facing an extraordinary situation that will precisely reveal the comedic aspects of each individual’s personality, mainly through their flaws and cowardice.


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Four stars

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

Translation by the author

Four passengers who have nothing in common are participating in a tourist trip in space. The cohabitation is going more or less smoothly until the control tower announces to them that due to an oxygen leak, they will have to be evacuated urgently. The problem is: there won’t be enough air for everyone. One of them must sacrifice themselves, otherwise they will all perish. They have one hour to find the one who will show « The Right Stuff ».


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A simple business dinner

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

English translation by Anne-Christine Gasc

A CEO invites a minister to dinner with the aim of getting him to sign a large contract, and hires an escort to help seal the deal. But the escort in question is filling in for a friend who led her to believe it was just a well-paid catering job. She expects to be handing out appetizers, only to find out she’s on the menu. Naturally, nothing will go according to plan…


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Lovestruck at Swindlemore Hall

A comedy by Jean-Pierre Martinez

English translation by Anne-Christine Gasc

Desperate to regain some of her family’s lost prestige, Baroness Swindlemore von Hustlestein is in search of a rich and easily pleased suitor for her daughter, who isn’t much to look at. She thinks she has found the perfect candidate …

A comedy aimed at ridiculing the importance given in our society to the appearance of respectability and wealth. The comedic principle here is based on an unexpected reversal, with the scammers ultimately getting scammed by their presumed victims. To quote Shakespeare: « hoist with his own petard. »


This text is available to read for free. However, an authorisation is required from the author prior to any public performance, whether by professional or amateur companies. To get in touch with Jean-Pierre Martinez and ask an authorisation to represent one of his works CONTACT FORM


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