Selling Lies by Rachel Jones

Something is not right; Mick and the lads can sense trouble in the air. When it finds them, the truth bites harder than they thought it ever could.

A dystopian future where nothing is as it should be. Who are the keepers of the truth? Mick and his squad of young soldiers set out to fulfil their duties. Are they on the side of right? As the mission becomes increasingly fraught, Mick discovers something that shakes his world to the foundations. What now for the lads? Selling Lies is a short story set in a bleak, dystopian future. It asks the question: What ammoral deeds become acceptable when our species’ survival is at stake?

BBE Review

Selling Lies by Rachel Jones

Selling Lies is a short story and it’s stunning. Brilliant imagination and sting in the tail. A story with gritty realism and emotional depth. Every detail, from the camaraderie between characters to the discomfort from their conditions, feels true. The descriptions are excellent and the dialogue is sharp.

The story’s layering builds tension, making it feel charged with mystery and apprehension, without tipping off the twists too early. If you’ve read this author before, you know something’s coming, you just don’t know what.

Clever and nuanced dialogue reveals character dynamics and motivations, adding authenticity to the story’s moral complexity. The questions about loyalty and survival unfold, and the climactic revelation hits you like a gut punch. Visual elements, the dark humour and Mick’s nightly routines lead us into their harsh lives, enhancing the emotional impact of the story’s revelations when they come. This is a captivating read that combines clever pacing and impactful moral ambiguity, making it a brilliant story.

I’ve heard rumours that the author is working on a novel and if this is the standard to expect, I can’t wait to read it. Recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Blurb

Following hot on the heels of the magnificent “Dregs – The First Batch”, comes a new phenomenon.

“Dregs II – The Aftertaste”. Just when you thought it was safe to pick up an anthology again, here’s something very disturbing indeed.

Yes, it’s true!

Dregs is back; and this time it is wearing shoes.

As before, you will find poetry, short stories, angst, and thoughts about frost-bitten buttocks.

Everything you need to read, but nothing you want to think about.

Give it another go.

You know you want to.

Best Book Editors Review

This is a captivating anthology of short stories that immerse readers in a range of thought-provoking narratives. The storytelling seamlessly transitions between genres and themes. We go from sinister gnomes, through mythical goddesses, to life conditions. We have observational poetry, too. Something for every taste.

While never preachy, and often very funny, we can pull relevant meaning for coping with today’s society from the narrative. It’s funny, it’s sardonic, and sometimes it’s sad. Each story showcases the author’s ability to craft engaging plots and characters within the short story format. Was this book slightly darker than the first one? I’ve read both and loved them. Each diverse story is perfect for a short-of-time dib-in. You will never predict what’s coming next.

The prose is evocative, and laced with subtle social commentary, making these stories linger—the aftertaste. Most readers will find pieces that resonate with them, even if it isn’t based on personal experience. But haven’t we all experienced loneliness for instance? If you’re a fan of speculative fiction or enjoy well-crafted short stories that explore the complexities of the human experience, this anthology is a must-read. It will leave you waiting for more from the author. Dreggs III—The Washing Up?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Rachel Jones

About the author

Writer of things that fascinate,

Rescuer of drowning flies.

Part-time human.

Jim

Sit down, pick up this book, and be captivated.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 September 2023

Verified Purchase

Having previously read Dregs I eagerly awaited Rachel’s next book. It did not disappoint. A varied collection of stories which captured my attention, and once again left me wanting more.
One story in particular buried itself in my mind and left me emotionally captured.
Hopefully Rachel is sitting at her keyboard working on her next collection.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

debsyn

Another fantastic installment

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 August 2023

Verified Purchase

I love the short stories by this author. Well-crafted words that instantly place you in the tale and take you on a journey that may be full of pathos, horror, comedy, or a wonderful combination of them all. I raced through each one and loved every single moment. I would truly love to read a novel next. Some comedic horror for me please!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Steven Ashford

Deliciously lingering!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2023

Verified Purchase

Another wonderfully quirky collection of poems and stories from Rachel Jones. There are gruesome revenge killings, an encounter with the Prince of Hell in an unremarkable Essex town, truly terrifying gnomes, and the best (if creepiest) use of a dating app I’ve ever come across. These tales slip very quickly into darkness, but all are shot through with the author’s trademark humour, and even the blackest have an inner core of deep humanity, even of hope. My only problem with Dregs II: it could have been longer!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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