A Sting in the Tale

Supernatural Stories Where Darkness Has Consequences

In A Sting in the Tale, Jennie Rose Adams presents a collection of short stories set in a world that mirrors our own—except here, the supernatural quietly intervenes. Beneath ordinary settings and everyday objects, something darker waits, ready to respond when cruelty, greed, or dishonesty goes unchecked.

Each story carries a twist, revealing hidden forces that ensure justice is served in unexpected ways. From a seemingly harmless bottle of perfume to a pair of snakeskin shoes or even an ordinary carpet, the mundane becomes a vessel for unsettling consequences. These tales explore the idea that while wrongdoing may go unpunished in real life, in this parallel world, retribution is inevitable.

Blending suspense, dark humour, and a lingering sense of unease, the collection builds toward its final story, The Follower, leaving behind the impression that something unseen—and dangerous—may still be out there.

Discover a series of chilling, thought-provoking stories where the ordinary turns extraordinary, and every action has its price.

Get your copy of A Sting in the Tale and step into a world where nothing goes unnoticed.

Excerpt from the book

“What do you think?” Cordelia asked me, her head on one side, as she regarded her newest purchase.

It had become a tradition for us to show each other the latest additions to our respective outdoor spaces.

Cordelia had always been a snob, so the plant must have been quite something to catch her discerning eye.

I studied it more closely.

It was unusual, all right, I thought.

The plant stood approximately three feet tall and had dark green, glossy foliage, complete with several flower buds, which were tightly closed.

I frowned. It wasn’t like anything I had ever seen before, and as an ex-Master of Horticulture, that was saying something.

Cordelia was clearly pleased that I was stumped.

“It’s stunning,” I replied honestly, not knowing what else to say.

“The garden centre had no idea what it was, of course, idiots! but I think it will look wonderful alongside my roses. Don’t you agree, Mary?” she trumpeted on, obviously wishing to make the most of her prize.

“Mmmm,” I said, wishing I could place the elusive specimen, but it just wouldn’t come to me.

One of the benefits of old age, I thought wryly, glancing at Cordelia’s self-satisfied face.

And she hadn’t finished bragging yet.

“And do you know the best part of all?” she asked triumphantly.

I suppressed a sigh and gamely played along.

“What’s that, Cordelia?” I asked obediently.

“It was absolutely free!” she crowed, her eyes alight with smug satisfaction.

“What?” I asked, confused.

Hadn’t Cordelia just said that she purchased the plant from the garden centre? It must have cost a pretty penny too, by the look of it.

“The girl at the till never charged me a penny! Of course, I bought a few other things there, but she never rang the plant through! She was one of those stupid work experience girls - you know what they’re like - no brain!”

“But that plant must have been expensive, Cordelia! Won’t she get into trouble?” I asked, frowning.

“Oh no! Anyway, who’s going to tell them? I certainly won’t!” she chortled, and I eyed her with real dislike.

“Perhaps you should contact the garden centre—” I began, but was cut off by Cordelia.

“No, dear! It’s their mistake! They shouldn’t have put that stupid girl on the till. You could see she was away with the fairies half the time,” Cordelia said airily, dismissing my concerns with a wave of a diamond-encrusted hand.

I considered that to be the signal to end my visit. I had just about had enough of Cordelia and her overloaded ego for one day.

It wasn’t until a couple of weeks later that I bumped into her again.

“How’s that plant of yours doing?” I asked her, bracing myself for the inevitable deluge of self-congratulatory bilge that was certain to follow.

“Oh, it’s quite shot up! It must be five feet tall by now—and the flowers! You’ve never seen anything like it in your life!”