The Tiger Who Starred In Jonathan Creek

A star is born!

For Katherine

Indy Publishing First published in 2014 by Indy Publishing Second edition published August 2024 by Indy Publishing Belvedere, Kent DA17 6HZ Text copyright © Martin D. Hill 2024 Illustrations copyright © Iole Eulalia Rosa 2024 The moral rights of the author and illustrator has been asserted. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Acknowledgement This book is based on the author’s experience and recollection of factual events. The book is not endorsed by the BBC or otherwise connected with its Jonathan Creek series. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-0-9928285-7-8 Designed by Martin D. Hill & Iole Eulalia Rosa

Printed in Poland

Foreword

I first met Martin and Indy when we were filming the television series, Jonathan Creek , in which I appeared with Alan Davies. My character, Adam Klaus, kept a pet tiger in his palatial home in Hertfordshire and Indy fitted the role perfectly. Martin had briefed me on how to handle Indy and my confidence was high. That is, until I saw the paramedic on standby looking hopeful that he might be needed at some point!

Here are some helpful hints when working with a 400 pound Bengal tiger:

Never stroke the loose skin on a tiger’s head forward to cover their eyes. They do not like it, and will let you know they do not like it.

Do not pull your arm away quickly if a tiger playfully holds it in their mouth and paws. They will think you want to rough and tumble, and they will win every time.

Forget it if you want to keep a tiger in one position. If they want to get up and stretch, they will happily drag you along wherever they want to go.

Cuddle them when they have done a good job. They like it and will be happy to try again.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Indy on Jonathan Creek .

Enjoy your adventure. Indy is a real star!

Stuart Milligan (Adam Klaus in Jonathan Creek )

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The morning mist creeps across Paradise Wildlife Park. While the foxes and owls settle down to their day’s rest, the parrots squawk their wake-up ‘hello’ and the monkeys, not to be outdone, chorus their reply.

‘We can sing louder than you!’ they boast.

A squeal of brakes disturbs their chatter as a van shoots through the park gates and skids to a stop in the car park.

Giles and Martin have arrived early today. They must drive Indy to a big house where she’s to star on T.V.

Indy rubs the sleep from her eyes and yawns hard as she gives the biggest of stretches.

‘Morning, TV star!’ calls Giles. Indy pricks up her ears.

‘This is your big moment!’ Martin tells her. Indy is thrilled at the idea of becoming a TV star.

She paces back and forth as she waits for Giles and Martin to open her gate.

‘Come on. Hurry up,’ she grumbles, as Giles clips the lead onto her collar.

Bursting with impatience, she scrambles into the back of the waiting van and settles down for the journey.

With the comforting sound of Giles and Martin’s voices in her ears, and the gentle humming of the van’s engine. Indy closes her eyes and takes a brief snooze. The van travels on…