Dead Bluff

The Professionals Fanfiction
Title:	Dead Bluff
Author(s):	Linda S. Maclaren and Gina Martin
Date(s):	1985
Length:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	The Professionals
External Links:	online here
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Dead Bluffis a Professionals story by Linda S. Maclaren and Gina Martin.

It was published in the zine Media Rare #1 and is online.

Reactions and Reviews

As far as 'straight' B&D fanfic goes - I can recommend the story DEAD BLUFF from the MEDIA RARE zine. It's about 60 pages long, and besides being a good 'action' story, B&D are right in character, and they play off each other exactly as they did in the better episodes of the show - and we get to see Bodie as the 'hero', and what he goes through to rescue Doyle from a sadistic madman. I don't own the zine myself, but a friend made a copy of the story for me - I think it was the major story in the zine.... I love B/D, and prefer the B/D relationship, but 'straight' B&D stuff is so hard to come by, I grab it up every chance I get!

And another gen story! So few are listed here [at Crack Van] that I don't think to be abusive. I deem they deserve a little light and a little space when they are good, well written, thrilling, full of action, friendship and suspense, like this one.

I had also a favourable prejudice because I know well and appreciate Gina Martin's stories in my other fandom: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." I wasn't wrong; I found in this work, fruit of her collaboration with Linda Maclaren the same attractive qualities: a simple but neat style, a clever plot skillfully developed to build up the dramatic tension and a deep understanding of what is a true partnership.

The authors, obviously, are writing for a public of readers who don't belong primarily to the "Pros" fandom; therefrom, at the beginning, a maybe too explicit, though sketchy presentation of the characters which may stir smiles from the seasoned fans. For example, it's the first time I see Doyle described as having "a boyish face"; it's usually and more rightly Bodie. And I sometimes felt that some other characteristic features have been permutated as well. But that's very subjective, indeed, and such slight inaccuracies don't spoil for me the interest and emotional power of the narrative, no more than the exclusively gen approach of the relationship, because of the absolute predominance given to the friendship and the indissoluble bond between the partners.

This is what makes their strength, actually, as is also their independance of mind and their capacity, and willingness, of bending rules. Even their boss has to acknowledge it. The ending of the story gives it's moral and meaning.

This is a violent and vicious story that is well plotted and well paced, and the Bodie and Doyle friendship and partnership is very well depicted.