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Tales Of
Deception: Tales of Intrigue and Lies
Why do we lie? Why do we deceive those we love most? What do we fear revealing? In these ten tales of deception master storyteller Roald Dahl explores our tireless efforts to hide the truth about ourselves.
Here, among many others, you'll read about how to get away with the perfect murder, the old man whose wagers end in a most disturbing payment, how revenge is sweeter when it is carried out by someone else and the card sharp so good at cheating he does something surprising with his life.
Roald Dahl reveals even more about the darker side of human nature in the four centenary editions: Deception, Lust, Madness and Cruelty.
Here, among many others, you'll read about how to get away with the perfect murder, the old man whose wagers end in a most disturbing payment, how revenge is sweeter when it is carried out by someone else and the card sharp so good at cheating he does something surprising with his life.
Roald Dahl reveals even more about the darker side of human nature in the four centenary editions: Deception, Lust, Madness and Cruelty.
286 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2016
115 people are currently reading
2394 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,472 books26.6k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
July 13, 2017
A bit of a mixed bag, but some of the stories were excellent.
January 24, 2019
A collection of Roald Dahl’s short stories, all connected to the theme of deception. The stories in this collection aren’t as disturbing and interesting compared to the Cruelty collection, a lot of the stories were average or worse. My ratings of all the stories individually are as follows:
‘My Lady, My Dove’ - 3 stars.
‘The Mildenhall Treasure’ - 3 stars.
‘Parson’s Pleasure’ - 3.5 stars.
‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ - 4 stars.
‘The Umbrella Man’ - 3 stars.
‘The Bookseller’ - 3.5 stars.
‘Vengeance is Mine Inc.’ - 2 stars.
‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ - 4 stars.
‘Mr Botibol’ - 2 stars.
‘Man from the South’ - 3.5 stars.
The stand out stories were: ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’, which I read as a child and it has always stuck with me, it was great reading it again; and ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ was also pretty good.
Although this collection didn’t blow me away, Roald Dahl has such an impressive talent for story telling, I’m always in awe of his stories. He really does deserve the title of the greatest storyteller of all time, and I would recommend his short story collections to everyone.
‘My Lady, My Dove’ - 3 stars.
‘The Mildenhall Treasure’ - 3 stars.
‘Parson’s Pleasure’ - 3.5 stars.
‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ - 4 stars.
‘The Umbrella Man’ - 3 stars.
‘The Bookseller’ - 3.5 stars.
‘Vengeance is Mine Inc.’ - 2 stars.
‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ - 4 stars.
‘Mr Botibol’ - 2 stars.
‘Man from the South’ - 3.5 stars.
The stand out stories were: ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’, which I read as a child and it has always stuck with me, it was great reading it again; and ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ was also pretty good.
Although this collection didn’t blow me away, Roald Dahl has such an impressive talent for story telling, I’m always in awe of his stories. He really does deserve the title of the greatest storyteller of all time, and I would recommend his short story collections to everyone.
September 1, 2025
Deception is one of eight centenary editions of Dahl’s short stories for adults, grouped together by theme, and collects ten short stories published in the span of forty years (The Mildenhall Treasure, 1947, and The Bookseller, 1987, are the earliest and most recent, respectively) that explore the tireless efforts people will go through to manipulate or hide the truth.
Thematically, the stories in this collection perfectly lent themselves to plot-twists, which Dahl was a master of. While there was no story I disliked, there were definite highlights: Lamb to the Slaughter was my favorite, followed by The Bookseller, The Man from the South, and Parson’s Pleasure in no particular order. Most of these feature either a scheme to con people out of money (the success rate varies), or an… obfuscation of the truth either for gain or self-preservation. Most, even the ones involving murder and bodily harm, had a rather humorous edge to them, and I was really fascinated by all the inventive cons he came up with.
My Lady Love, My Dove · ★★
A wealthy, mismatched couple (the wife a contemptuous and unpleasant harpy, the husband a cowardly push-over) have invited a younger couple, new to the neighborhood and very good bridge-players, over for a game—but as the hosts cross over the bounds of decency and decide to eavesdrop on their guests, it turns out that not everything about the young couple is as it seems… and their deception may give the wife some ideas of her own.
The Mildenhall Treasure · ★★★
This differs from Dahl’s usual work because it is based on a fascinating true story he read about in the newspaper (I think this context is important, but it goes unmentioned here), yet it fits the collection’s theme perfectly: During WWII, a British plowman discovers the greatest Roman silver treasure ever found in the British Isles, but is cheated out of the finder’s fortune by the man who hired him. The hoard was taken to the British Museum after the war, where it can still be viewed… but the prose in this is so evocative, I felt like I’d seen it before looking up a picture of it.
Parson’s Pleasure · ★★★★
An unscrupulous dealer in antique furniture spends his Sundays combing decrepit farmhouses in the countryside, disguised as a clergyman, trying to get a bargain on valuable antiques he can sell for a massive profit back in the city. I can’t say that the ending came entirely as a surprise, but it was deliciously maddening—a perfect study in how being deceitful can backfire into a disaster.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar · ★★★½
In this story within a story (within a story), an egocentric rich bloke reads about an Indian yogi who taught himself how to see without his eyes, and he decides to apply himself to learning this trick so he can read cards and get even richer. However, the practice brings an unexpected change of heart, and he decides to cheat casinos all over the world in order to fund orphanages—a sort of modern, gambling Robin Hood. This was the longest story in the collection, taking up a little over a quarter of it, and as such it dragged a little bit (for instance, I don’t think the Indian man’s story had to be included in such detail for it to work), but it worked as a surprisingly wholesome if sometimes cheeky tale, the outlier in the collection.
The Umbrella Man · ★★½
A brisk story about a mother and daughter caught in the rain until they meet a gentlemanly old man on a street corner, who offers them a beautiful silk umbrella in exchange for a pound note. For all the silly jolliness on the surface of what was surely intended to be a cautionary tale about how appearances can be deceiving, a little deeper down I found it to be desperate and tragic.
The Bookseller · ★★★★
A coarse rare book seller and his secretary successfully run the same old con on a string of wealthy old widows from the back room… until they make a mistake and the jig is up. I really hated the casual misogyny in this one, but that aside, this was a perfectly crafted story with an unexpected and deeply satisfying twist—I guess him being such a seedy character made the comeuppance even sweeter. It felt vaguely familiar to me though, and now that I’m looking it up, there was a plagiarism controversy surrounding this particular story, so it seems it’s not an original idea and I may have come across it elsewhere.
Vengeance is Mine Inc. · ★★★
Two hard up men come up with a way to make quick and easy money by offering rich and famous New Yorkers who’ve been insulted by columnists to take discreet revenge. This one was a bit of an outlier in that it doesn’t involve a con, so I’m not sure where the titular deception lies, and the ending felt a little rushed and anti-climactic.
Lamb to the Slaughter · ★★★★★
A pregnant wife about to be abandoned by her police officer husband kills him in the spur of the moment with a frozen leg of mutton, and it’s the perfect crime. I read this story in English class in middle or early high school and never forgot it… but couldn’t remember the title or author. This was such a great surprise, and it was just as great as I remembered it, a perfect blend of black humor and horror.
Mr. Botibol · ★★★
An odd-looking, middle-aged bachelor who feels he has achieved nothing in life finds joy in pretending to be a great composer, conducting an imaginary orchestra along to gramophone records. There was something tender and oddly moving about this one, and while the twist at the end may come as a surprise, I think it’s the one that fits the theme of deception the least.
Man from the South · ★★★★
Jamaica, poolside: A South American gentleman offers a young American sailor a bet involving a lighter, a Cadillac, a little finger, and a meat cleaver. This one was great—it’s been adapted countless times, and Tarantino used it as basis in his segment of the anthology film Four Rooms, so it had a certain predictability about it that felt almost archetypal. I also wonder if Stephen King got a spark of inspiration from it to write his own short story Quitters Inc.?
—————
My other reviews of Dahl's centenary editions of tales for adults (work in progress):
Cruelty: Tales of Malice and Greed · ★★★ [2.95]
Deception: Tales of Intrigue and Lies · ★★★ [3.4]
Fear: Tales of Terror and Suspense · ★★★ [2.89]
Innocence: Tales of Youth and Guile · ★★★★ [3.6]
Lust: Tales of Craving and Desire · ★★ [1.8]
Madness: Tales of Fear and Unreason · ★★★★ [3.6]
Trickery: Tales of Deceit and Cunning
War: Tales of Conflict and Strife
Thematically, the stories in this collection perfectly lent themselves to plot-twists, which Dahl was a master of. While there was no story I disliked, there were definite highlights: Lamb to the Slaughter was my favorite, followed by The Bookseller, The Man from the South, and Parson’s Pleasure in no particular order. Most of these feature either a scheme to con people out of money (the success rate varies), or an… obfuscation of the truth either for gain or self-preservation. Most, even the ones involving murder and bodily harm, had a rather humorous edge to them, and I was really fascinated by all the inventive cons he came up with.
My Lady Love, My Dove · ★★
A wealthy, mismatched couple (the wife a contemptuous and unpleasant harpy, the husband a cowardly push-over) have invited a younger couple, new to the neighborhood and very good bridge-players, over for a game—but as the hosts cross over the bounds of decency and decide to eavesdrop on their guests, it turns out that not everything about the young couple is as it seems… and their deception may give the wife some ideas of her own.
The Mildenhall Treasure · ★★★
This differs from Dahl’s usual work because it is based on a fascinating true story he read about in the newspaper (I think this context is important, but it goes unmentioned here), yet it fits the collection’s theme perfectly: During WWII, a British plowman discovers the greatest Roman silver treasure ever found in the British Isles, but is cheated out of the finder’s fortune by the man who hired him. The hoard was taken to the British Museum after the war, where it can still be viewed… but the prose in this is so evocative, I felt like I’d seen it before looking up a picture of it.
Parson’s Pleasure · ★★★★
An unscrupulous dealer in antique furniture spends his Sundays combing decrepit farmhouses in the countryside, disguised as a clergyman, trying to get a bargain on valuable antiques he can sell for a massive profit back in the city. I can’t say that the ending came entirely as a surprise, but it was deliciously maddening—a perfect study in how being deceitful can backfire into a disaster.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar · ★★★½
In this story within a story (within a story), an egocentric rich bloke reads about an Indian yogi who taught himself how to see without his eyes, and he decides to apply himself to learning this trick so he can read cards and get even richer. However, the practice brings an unexpected change of heart, and he decides to cheat casinos all over the world in order to fund orphanages—a sort of modern, gambling Robin Hood. This was the longest story in the collection, taking up a little over a quarter of it, and as such it dragged a little bit (for instance, I don’t think the Indian man’s story had to be included in such detail for it to work), but it worked as a surprisingly wholesome if sometimes cheeky tale, the outlier in the collection.
The Umbrella Man · ★★½
A brisk story about a mother and daughter caught in the rain until they meet a gentlemanly old man on a street corner, who offers them a beautiful silk umbrella in exchange for a pound note. For all the silly jolliness on the surface of what was surely intended to be a cautionary tale about how appearances can be deceiving, a little deeper down I found it to be desperate and tragic.
The Bookseller · ★★★★
A coarse rare book seller and his secretary successfully run the same old con on a string of wealthy old widows from the back room… until they make a mistake and the jig is up. I really hated the casual misogyny in this one, but that aside, this was a perfectly crafted story with an unexpected and deeply satisfying twist—I guess him being such a seedy character made the comeuppance even sweeter. It felt vaguely familiar to me though, and now that I’m looking it up, there was a plagiarism controversy surrounding this particular story, so it seems it’s not an original idea and I may have come across it elsewhere.
Vengeance is Mine Inc. · ★★★
Two hard up men come up with a way to make quick and easy money by offering rich and famous New Yorkers who’ve been insulted by columnists to take discreet revenge. This one was a bit of an outlier in that it doesn’t involve a con, so I’m not sure where the titular deception lies, and the ending felt a little rushed and anti-climactic.
Lamb to the Slaughter · ★★★★★
A pregnant wife about to be abandoned by her police officer husband kills him in the spur of the moment with a frozen leg of mutton, and it’s the perfect crime. I read this story in English class in middle or early high school and never forgot it… but couldn’t remember the title or author. This was such a great surprise, and it was just as great as I remembered it, a perfect blend of black humor and horror.
Mr. Botibol · ★★★
An odd-looking, middle-aged bachelor who feels he has achieved nothing in life finds joy in pretending to be a great composer, conducting an imaginary orchestra along to gramophone records. There was something tender and oddly moving about this one, and while the twist at the end may come as a surprise, I think it’s the one that fits the theme of deception the least.
Man from the South · ★★★★
Jamaica, poolside: A South American gentleman offers a young American sailor a bet involving a lighter, a Cadillac, a little finger, and a meat cleaver. This one was great—it’s been adapted countless times, and Tarantino used it as basis in his segment of the anthology film Four Rooms, so it had a certain predictability about it that felt almost archetypal. I also wonder if Stephen King got a spark of inspiration from it to write his own short story Quitters Inc.?
—————
My other reviews of Dahl's centenary editions of tales for adults (work in progress):
Cruelty: Tales of Malice and Greed · ★★★ [2.95]
Deception: Tales of Intrigue and Lies · ★★★ [3.4]
Fear: Tales of Terror and Suspense · ★★★ [2.89]
Innocence: Tales of Youth and Guile · ★★★★ [3.6]
Lust: Tales of Craving and Desire · ★★ [1.8]
Madness: Tales of Fear and Unreason · ★★★★ [3.6]
Trickery: Tales of Deceit and Cunning
War: Tales of Conflict and Strife
January 21, 2023
I liked Lamb to the Slaughter (still iconic after five years) and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, but the rest were kind of forgettable to me. Well, I’m not sure what this says about me, but in my opinion, the most memorable parts other than these two stories were probably the pettiness in Vengeance Is Mine, Inc. and the delusional tendency in Mr. Botibol. I sort of expected more from Roald Dahl since I’ve only read his middle-grade books before, and his writing was very witty in those books, yet the writing in this book felt flat in comparison.
August 21, 2020
A collection of delectable short stories by Dahl; will leave you having thoroughly enjoyed when you reach the end. I will rate each story individually with a few lines of my opinions on them without giving anything (or much) away.
1. My Lady Love, My Dove (3/5) – A quirky couple who takes advantage of their hospitality to turn it into an exhibition of invading others privacy; almost voyeuristic, or so I thought.
2. The Mildenhall Treasure (2/5) – In my opinion this is perhaps one of the weaker story in this collection. If you’re just perusing through, you might as well skip this.
3. Parson’s Pleasure (5/5) – This is the story that got me excited with this collection. The end is gut-wrenching, and the irony will have you cringing and laughing at the same time.
4. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (5/5) – This is the longest one of the collection, and reading it made me wish there was an actual full-length book on this story. It’s another robin-hoodesque story with its own twists and ‘magic’.
5. The Umbrella Man (5/5) – If you want to know what this collection is all about and have the patience for just one story – THIS is it! It’s the shortest, but the end will have you laughing out loud at Dahl’s genius.
6. The Bookseller (4/5) – This is made of the same thread as the - The Umbrella Man. It’s a genius of a plot, and makes you wonder if the con job can be pulled off even in this day and age.
7. Vengeance is Mine Inc. (3/5) – This is a silly one, but nevertheless a fun one. Two friends come together to form a company called Vengeance is Mine Inc. – yes you heard it right. Check it out.
8. Lamb to the Slaughter (4/5) – The perfect crime doesn’t exist….. The female lead giggles at the end of this, and so will you.
9. Mr Botibol (5/5) – This has to be my favourite one. At first, you’ll find the character of Mr Botibol rather pitiable. But there is something relatable about him. If you’ve ever sung to an invisible crowd in your shower, or gave Oscar acceptance speeches front of a mirror - Mr Botibol takes it to a whole different level and in turn finds a lot he wished for, but could never dare of.
10. Man from the South (2/5) – I’m rating this low maybe because I expected a lot coming from the other story, but in all earnest it’s at best an average one. Skippable I dare to say.
1. My Lady Love, My Dove (3/5) – A quirky couple who takes advantage of their hospitality to turn it into an exhibition of invading others privacy; almost voyeuristic, or so I thought.
2. The Mildenhall Treasure (2/5) – In my opinion this is perhaps one of the weaker story in this collection. If you’re just perusing through, you might as well skip this.
3. Parson’s Pleasure (5/5) – This is the story that got me excited with this collection. The end is gut-wrenching, and the irony will have you cringing and laughing at the same time.
4. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (5/5) – This is the longest one of the collection, and reading it made me wish there was an actual full-length book on this story. It’s another robin-hoodesque story with its own twists and ‘magic’.
5. The Umbrella Man (5/5) – If you want to know what this collection is all about and have the patience for just one story – THIS is it! It’s the shortest, but the end will have you laughing out loud at Dahl’s genius.
6. The Bookseller (4/5) – This is made of the same thread as the - The Umbrella Man. It’s a genius of a plot, and makes you wonder if the con job can be pulled off even in this day and age.
7. Vengeance is Mine Inc. (3/5) – This is a silly one, but nevertheless a fun one. Two friends come together to form a company called Vengeance is Mine Inc. – yes you heard it right. Check it out.
8. Lamb to the Slaughter (4/5) – The perfect crime doesn’t exist….. The female lead giggles at the end of this, and so will you.
9. Mr Botibol (5/5) – This has to be my favourite one. At first, you’ll find the character of Mr Botibol rather pitiable. But there is something relatable about him. If you’ve ever sung to an invisible crowd in your shower, or gave Oscar acceptance speeches front of a mirror - Mr Botibol takes it to a whole different level and in turn finds a lot he wished for, but could never dare of.
10. Man from the South (2/5) – I’m rating this low maybe because I expected a lot coming from the other story, but in all earnest it’s at best an average one. Skippable I dare to say.
January 22, 2023
Really lovely collection of short stories. Some left me in agony, some left me laughing and one was just simply beautiful. Personal favorites are "Parson's Pleasure" and "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar".
June 13, 2024
Roald Dahl’s short stories are always a delight. Darker than his children’s fiction, each story typically has an unexpected twist at the end, a conclusion to make you laugh at the sheer irony, or gasp out loud in shock. They’re quick reads, and a few of my favourites in this one were ‘The Wonderful story of Henry Sugar’, ‘The Bookseller’, and ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ (an old favourite).
August 15, 2018
This is a collection of Roald Dahl stories, all on the theme of intrigues and lies.
I love Roald Dahl’s children’s books, the unconventionality of them. And these short stories (for an adult audience) are like I think short stories should be: unexpected and fun.
I especially liked Vengeance is Mine Inc. and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Lamb to the Slaughter is quite well-known, and I had read that before, but that story is of course brilliant.
I love Roald Dahl’s children’s books, the unconventionality of them. And these short stories (for an adult audience) are like I think short stories should be: unexpected and fun.
I especially liked Vengeance is Mine Inc. and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Lamb to the Slaughter is quite well-known, and I had read that before, but that story is of course brilliant.
April 14, 2022
It was a wonderful experience and truly love the collections.
December 5, 2021
To be super honest I found this kind of underwhelming... sorry Roald Dahl... most of the stories were kind of average... I feel like a lot of the stories don't have a proper narrative arc? Like there is no climax to the story and when you think things are going to get exciting or that there will be a twist they just end abruptly. So the conclusions are super unsatisfying. Also wonder how the publishing format plays into it because unlike the other short story anthologies I've read, these were all originally in magazines/newspapers then recompiled (probably why it's kind of inconsistent... and also probably why some are so rushed)
From least to most favourite:
The Mildenhall Treasure (kind of dull)
My Lady Love, My Dove (ending was a let-down)
Man from the South (ending also a let-down)
Vengeance is Mine, Inc. (cool premise but ended prematurely)
The Umbrella Man (cute story! but I didn't really like it)
Parson's Pleasure (liked the ending)
Mr Botibol (I relate to Mr Botibol tbh)
The Bookseller (I really enjoyed this one)
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (thought the ending could have been stronger but I liked it)
Lamb to the Slaughter (read it in P5 and left a deep impression on me)
From least to most favourite:
The Mildenhall Treasure (kind of dull)
My Lady Love, My Dove (ending was a let-down)
Man from the South (ending also a let-down)
Vengeance is Mine, Inc. (cool premise but ended prematurely)
The Umbrella Man (cute story! but I didn't really like it)
Parson's Pleasure (liked the ending)
Mr Botibol (I relate to Mr Botibol tbh)
The Bookseller (I really enjoyed this one)
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (thought the ending could have been stronger but I liked it)
Lamb to the Slaughter (read it in P5 and left a deep impression on me)
April 14, 2024
Maybe it’s because the first few stories were my least favourites, but initially I was quite worried that this book was going to be incredibly boring and slow. I’ve read lots of Roald Dahl but only his children’s books, because he’s widely read accords British schools and especially in Welsh schools, also he’s one of the few popular authors from my country so I wanted to read more of his stuff and see what it’s like. I’ve also been doing the same with Dylan Thomas lately.
But I actually ended up mostly enjoying this book. As a collection of short stories, naturally some parts I liked a lot more than others, but overall it was very entertaining and fun to read. I’d consider reading more of his works in the future !
But I actually ended up mostly enjoying this book. As a collection of short stories, naturally some parts I liked a lot more than others, but overall it was very entertaining and fun to read. I’d consider reading more of his works in the future !
August 12, 2023
I love myself some short stories— thanks to Roald Dahl for keeping me stocked.
Working through this set was interesting. I generally like how Dahl creates these ugly, unappealing caricatures of people and uses the outward ugliness to accentuate the inward ugliness. I liked how there was such a range of lies portrayed in different stories, with mild to severe consequences. I also appreciated Dahl's endings— sometimes people were caught, and sometimes people got away with it, just like how it is in real life.
I can't say I was in love with these stories, simply because it's shitty people doing shitty things. That's all it there is to it. The title of this collection is ironically not deceiving in the slightest.
Working through this set was interesting. I generally like how Dahl creates these ugly, unappealing caricatures of people and uses the outward ugliness to accentuate the inward ugliness. I liked how there was such a range of lies portrayed in different stories, with mild to severe consequences. I also appreciated Dahl's endings— sometimes people were caught, and sometimes people got away with it, just like how it is in real life.
I can't say I was in love with these stories, simply because it's shitty people doing shitty things. That's all it there is to it. The title of this collection is ironically not deceiving in the slightest.
June 4, 2024
Who knew that Roald Dahl wrote short stories for adults? The only one I'd previously read was 'Lamb to the Slaughter' -- which a lot of us have undoubtedly read and just not realised who the author is. Varying quality -- some were great, others just were. Nice, easy reads though.
October 8, 2025
What a fun short story collection! I really loved most of these stories, and it was my first time reading any of Dahl's work for adults. Pleasantly surprised. Will definitely reread some of the stories.
May 2, 2020
Another wonderful collection of short stories, my second favourite after "Madness".
April 5, 2021
An entertaining lot of short stories---all of them engaging and enjoyable. a light and easy read.
8/10
8/10
May 22, 2023
Really fun to read while traveling! Some stories were classic thrillers and others were just silly and fun. Perfectly packaged little stories.
July 29, 2025
hehe fun
August 13, 2025
really wanted to like this but some of the stories were such a drag to finish….id reread Matilda instead ngl
November 18, 2024
Great (and at times pretty funny)set of short stories, beautifully narrated on audible too!
May 14, 2018
Intriguing indeed :)
I got hold of the audio version with Andrew Scott reading most of the of short stories that makes you smile.
I got hold of the audio version with Andrew Scott reading most of the of short stories that makes you smile.
December 12, 2025
Uncovering Lies, Craving to Clear the Deception
A review on Roald Dahl’s Deception
Title: Deception: Tales of Intrigue and Lies
Author: Roald Dahl
Rank: 50th book in 2025
I’ve officially hit my reading goal of 50 books this year, and I couldn’t be happier. Despite not being fully immersed in reading for most of the year, the past few months gave me the chance to dive back in. Wrapping up the year with Deception felt like the perfect way to celebrate this personal milestone.
This book is part of a 8 books collection, and among the titles I’ve read so far, Deception stands out as one of my favorites. It’s packed with ten short stories that are both hilarious and deeply intriguing. Some plots had me laughing out loud, while others left me stunned with their unexpected twists. That mix of humor and shock made the reading experience incredibly addictive. I finished the entire book in just 24 hours because once you start, it’s nearly impossible to put down. Time flew by, and I didn’t even notice.
While every story in the collection has its own charm, three in particular felt like the holy trinity of this volume: Parson’s Pleasure, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, and Lamb to the Slaughter. Each one deserves a solid five-star rating. Lamb to the Slaughter especially left a lasting impression. I even watched the Alfred Hitchcock adaptation on YouTube right after reading it. The way Dahl crafts deception and lies into each narrative is masterful. His creativity shines through every twist and turn, making you crave more with each page.
This is the seventh book I’ve read from the series, and I’m now down to the final one. If you’re looking for something clever, entertaining, and a little wicked, Deception is a must-read. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys short stories that surprise and delight.
May 30, 2018
3.5
Overall, I liked this less than Cruelty and Madness (which is my favorite out of the 3). I'm not sure if it's because of the subject matter of deception (I don't much care about card tricks or bets, only a small percentage of the stories deal with these topics though) or because some of the twists weren't as satisfying as other Dahl stories. Nevertheless, I still immensely enjoyed the reading process because Dahl's prose is so simple, yet vivid and descriptive. My favorite stories were the 3 last ones: Lamb to the Slaughter (I'm sure you've all heard of this famous murder weapon), Mr Botibol (so heart-warming and such a saucy ending), and Man from the South (this turned creepy fast!).
Overall, I liked this less than Cruelty and Madness (which is my favorite out of the 3). I'm not sure if it's because of the subject matter of deception (I don't much care about card tricks or bets, only a small percentage of the stories deal with these topics though) or because some of the twists weren't as satisfying as other Dahl stories. Nevertheless, I still immensely enjoyed the reading process because Dahl's prose is so simple, yet vivid and descriptive. My favorite stories were the 3 last ones: Lamb to the Slaughter (I'm sure you've all heard of this famous murder weapon), Mr Botibol (so heart-warming and such a saucy ending), and Man from the South (this turned creepy fast!).
March 10, 2023
I remember (vaguely) watching Tales of the Unexpected many years ago, and recall being fascinated by the twists at the end. Scroll forward to many years later after enjoying many of Roald Dahl's children's books, to discover he wrote adult fiction, of course I had to seek some out and to my joy found that it was the indeed Tales of the Unexpected.
Whilst some elements of his stories are dated, they are still a fantastic read.
My favourite in this collection is Lamb to the Slaughter, First published in Haper's (September 1953) ,
We see a housewife waiting for her policeman husband coming home form a days work, She is content with her lot in life and looks forward to this moment every evening, well until this evening when her husband breaks some awful news to her and she then snaps.
I cannot say any more than this but lets say it goes quite dark, and at the end will leave you with a wry smile.
Whilst some elements of his stories are dated, they are still a fantastic read.
My favourite in this collection is Lamb to the Slaughter, First published in Haper's (September 1953) ,
We see a housewife waiting for her policeman husband coming home form a days work, She is content with her lot in life and looks forward to this moment every evening, well until this evening when her husband breaks some awful news to her and she then snaps.
I cannot say any more than this but lets say it goes quite dark, and at the end will leave you with a wry smile.
September 17, 2019
This book ignited the same excitement that I experienced as a child when reading a great book. Short stories don’t usually appeal to me but I adore Roald Dahl and this collection did not disappoint. The characters are so vivid that you can picture them as though they are beside you. ‘I found myself almost enveloped by her, as though she were a great tub of cream and I had fallen in’ is a line that I really enjoyed and resonated with me as I was enveloped into each of the stories. It’s very hard for to choose which I liked best, it’s a toss up between ‘The Mildenhall Treasure’ and ‘Parson’s Pleasure’. Delightfully suspenseful and although the latter is predictable, it is fantastic.
October 27, 2016
"Lots of deception but no disappointment"
A great set of short stories that are varied and entertaining, a cornucopia of examples of the meaning of the word that names the book. Some are nasty, others funny, and some are purely historical; of that one I could have read and entire book, but they are all well accomplished and worth the read.
A great set of short stories that are varied and entertaining, a cornucopia of examples of the meaning of the word that names the book. Some are nasty, others funny, and some are purely historical; of that one I could have read and entire book, but they are all well accomplished and worth the read.
July 11, 2017
This is the first adult Roald Dahl book I've read and I sadly found it pretty beige. It may be other people's cup of tea, but I found the subject matter and "twist" in each story, while clever in a sense, honestly kind of dull. Not a bad read because he's a wonderful writer, but after the 2nd or 3rd story, I couldn't be bothered continuing.
October 7, 2018
More hits than misses here. Delicious to see how one's lies can catch up with them. The most dangerous thing about not telling the truth is people following the logic of your alternate reality to an unwanted conclusion. Chop chop.
October 3, 2020
I read this book a few years ago and enjoyed it but reading it again was even better because of how I had experienced with the topics in the book. That is why is like this book because your opinion on the stories changes every read.
May 25, 2022
Would’ve been 3 stars but i docked off another one because I’m sick of Dahl’s racist undertones and the flat out racist language in the last one
(I know they’re dated and a product of their time but that’s no excuse)
(I know they’re dated and a product of their time but that’s no excuse)
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