Author:Roald Dahl

Royal Jelly is a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail.
In Royal Jelly, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a husband and wife, unable to get their new baby to feed, hit upon a novel and disturbing solution . . .
Royal Jelly is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss, which includes ten other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who pawns the mink coat from her lover with unexpected results; the priceless piece of furniture that is the subject of a deceitful bargain; a wronged woman taking revenge on her dead husband, and others.
'Unnerving bedtime stories, subtle, proficient, hair-raising and done to a turn.' (San Francisco Chronicle )
This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Oliver-award-winning actor Adrian Scarborough.
Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.
The absolute master of the twist in the tale
—— ObserverThere are some fantastic action scenes, including a truly great escape and a visceral fight... The plot is cleverly worked-through with all sorts of twists and turns and paced for breathlessness and page-turning
—— The BookbagI was addicted to this from the first chapter... The storyline is compelling, peppered with so many twists and turns that you will question everything, and has an amazingly explosive ending that you will not be expecting. Crusher is a fabulous debut from Niall Leonard that is definitely not to be missed!
—— Fiction FascinationStrong, affecting, vividly depicted . . . It is a pure pleasure to read
—— Lionel Shriver , TelegraphOne of the most brilliant novelists around . . . funny, gripping, wonderfully shrewd
—— Amanda CraigMoving seamlessly between characters, she shines light on barely-conscious thoughts and feelings to great, often ironic effect . . . a sympathetic, psychologically acute and thoroughly involving tale
—— Daily MailHugely enjoyable, classic storytelling
—— RedFerguson should be better known . . . she draws on years of experience working as a nurse and midwife to produce acute, skilful descriptions
—— FTDodger is a book filled with kindness and wisdom. The reason I feel the need to point this out is that it is so rare. The story practically oozes kindness.
—— Ann Giles , BookwitchDodger is a hero who Dickens would love . . . You can't help loving Dodger as he ducks, dives, falls in love and rises in the Victorian world. This is a hero I can't wait to meet again.
—— Amanda Craig , The TimesMuch as I love the Discworld series I also enjoy it when Terry Pratchett takes a break and gives his readers something else . . . Pratchett has the ambience of 1840s London spot on
—— Rachel Hyde , www.myshelf.comFine plot, excellent characters, and fun to read.
—— Irish Inn Book Club blogDodger is an amazing book . . . It creates a great display of historical London, contrasting the above ground cleanliness against the below ground filthy and often-times rotten sewers. Add in a lively set of support characters, funny dialogue, great action, and finish it all off with Dodger, one of the most lovable characters that I have read about.
—— Fantasybookreview.co.ukCompulsively readable
—— Washington PostEscape into Pratchett’s humorous and mysterious world and follow Dodger’s infamous trail through a tale where history and fantasy are entwined.
—— Independent School Parent MagazineTerry Pratchett fans should not miss Dodger, his sassy take on Oliver Twist
—— The Sunday TimesA rollicking good yarn
—— Magpies MagazineDodger’s descriptions of the capital, from its slums and sewers to the homes of the middle classes and the bolt holes of the elite, paint a vivid, immersive picture. The attention to detail in both the break-neck storytelling and historical veracity are mightily impressive . . . characters remain as compelling and three dimensional as ever . . . Dodger feels fresh, vibrant and full of energy, a triumph that should be celebrated as yet another glorious gift from Narrativia.
—— SFX