Telling the Bees

by Emma K. Leadley

In the near-future, two strangers interrupt Sarah’s idyllic rural existence, confronting her with knowledge of a life she has entirely forgotten, insisting she’s a missing part of their hivemind. Their appearance leads her to an abandoned beehive and the strange, transparent cube that lies within. The cube contains memories, that much is certain, but are they her memories?

When corporate soldiers invade her home, Sarah is forced to accept that something is going on and that these two strangers – Brea and Blake – know far more about it than she does. Her only option is to decode the cube, reclaim her memories, and rediscover a life she has tried so hard to avoid. But where exactly will that leave her, and why did she run from it in the first place?

“An enthralling and unnerving tale from a writer to watch.” – Gareth L. Powell

“A pacy and exciting tale of memory, love and what you’d do to protect what it means to be human. Recommended.” – Stewart Hotston

83 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2023

Reviews

[Eamonn Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Telling The Bees’ opens at lunchtime on 14th August 2035 with Sarah surveying her morning’s work on her farmstead. She has weeded multiple vegetable patches. It’s a farmstead because it’s not big enough to be a farm and she lives there happily alone. Then two strangers turn up, Brea and Blake, and tell her that they were once a ‘throuple’, even to the extent of sharing a ‘hivemind’. Sarah, then named Becca, disappeared and took on this new identity.

Now her friends have found her. Unfortunately, so have the corporate soldiers of HexaMediCo who arrive shortly after. Sarah/Becca has to flee her farmstead and her old life to save herself and find out about her even older life. She used to work on memory implants. Clearly, she did a job on herself.

Telling the bees is, we’re told, an old European custom in which bees are told of important events in their keeper’s lives. The old, empty beehive on Sarah’s farmstead is important in the story because it contains a hidden memory cube. As Sarah learns more of her past, we’re taken on a fast-paced adventure story with an evil corporation, a ruthless henchman thereof, family troubles and a solid Science Fiction theme. What more could you ask?

The theme of memory wiping and memory implants is an old one in SF but is not less frightening for that, at least to me. I recently saw an Adam Curtis documentary on BBC i-player which showed how the CIA had worked with psychiatrists back in the 1960s to experiment with turning humans into blank slates. They succeeded. What they couldn’t do was implant fresh memories to create a whole new persona. In ‘Telling The Bees’ that is now possible.

I was drawn to review this novella by its theme of hive minds, recalling ‘Hellstrom’s Hive’ by Frank Herbert which awed and terrified me when young and who doesn’t love a Borg? It was disappointing that the ‘hivemind’ here consisted only of three people, not really a hive by my reckoning. However, they were nice people and the story was easy to read and entertaining so I didn’t mind a bit. ‘Telling The Bees’ is another success in the ongoing history of Newcon Press novellas.

[David Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moreish, science-fiction thriller that fans of Philip K. Dick, Blake Crouch, or Caitlin Starling would love.

'Telling the Bees' is a daring and clever story or identity, memory, and action whilst, as all great sci-fi does, asks questions of the technology dominated future we're heading into. Is it friend, or foe? And do the people behind its creation and advancements have our best interests at heart?

Like the main character, Sarah, the reader is in the dark as to what the truth is, and to the larger picture, but it works extremely well in this setting and genre. The mystery is central, and it propels the narrative. Each and every detail and confirmation handed out is well-earned, and is revealed at the perfect time.

Leadley's story, ultimately, is one of emotion, acceptance, inclusion, and caring. The central relationship between Sarah, Blake, and Brea is wonderfully realised and feels grounded, real. As does the rest of this excellent novella. It comes highly recommended.

[Vanessa Funnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Telling the Bees" is a captivating near-future tale that unravels the mysterious connection between the protagonist, Sarah, two enigmatic strangers, and forgotten memories.

As a Novella, it is a quick read and as such it could have resulted in an underdeveloped plot or characters. That could not be further from the truth in this case. The author's prose is both eloquent and immersive, bringing to life the well-developed characters and locations at the heart of the plot.

For me I felt the romantic element was a little superfluous to the overall story, however, I thoroughly enjoyed “Telling the Bees” and hope the author pen’s more in the series.

"Telling the Bees" masterfully combines elements of science fiction, mystery, and self-discovery.

[Runalong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very impressive SF thriller that delivers an interesting mystery, well paced action and interesting characters as well as exploring memory technology

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...