Delusions of Euphoria

by Brent Matley

2085. The world is in recovery from an almost apocalyptic event; economic and environmental pressures subdue the population who are not in the lucky 5%. The city is Euphoria, a city with an unending growth of poverty and desperation. For two detectives, they are about to discover a killer with nothing to lose is willing to fight back against the wealthy elite.

180 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2023

About the author

Writing and reading has always been my passion from a young age. I tend to pick up books which interest me greatly, thus leading to many 5* reviews.

My favourite traditionally published authors are: J.R.R Tolkien, Le Guin, Lord Dunsany, Cormac McCarthy, David Foster Wallace, Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck, Mary Shelley and Louisa May Alcott.

Reviews

[Leane Redmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems like it was written from the future , really great story . I strongly recommend , i rated it 4stars because i expected a different kind of ending to the story but thats my perspective , overall the book is really great !

[Stewart Bint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim, And Gripping, Tale Of A Plausible Dystopian Future


As well as being an action thriller, this novella is also a grim warning of how the world could turn out if we're not careful. If we're not very careful.

As we start to move into the story, it quickly becomes clear that this could also loosely be classed as prophetic satire, dealing as it does, with how huge corrupt and powerful corporations have virtually taken over the role of Government. I found the way Brent Matley describes this dystopian world to be eerily chilling. And plausible.

I really wanted to believe in the characterisation of the two detectives as they're called upon to solve a number of particularly brutal murders of top corporate executives. But the reason this falls a little short, in my personal opinion, and is why I've deducted a star from this excellent story, is the occasional strange choice of words and clunky construction.

But don't let my comment put you off reading Delusions Of Euphoria. In fact, I'm doing just the opposite. I thoroughly recommend it. The author says he wants to focus on creating engaging stories. And that's exactly what he's done.

Prolific author Jeffrey Archer says: "Don't call me a writer, because I'm not. I'm a storyteller." That description fits Brent Matley to a tee. He weaves his tale with an unconventional type of magic, which works.

I guess that's the beauty of the self-publishing, indie author, industry, which is now thriving in the world of books. In the olden days, publishers would only look at a book if it was well written. But nowadays, the actual quality of writing doesn't really matter, as long as the author is a first-class storyteller. And, in my opinion, Brent Matley is certainly that.

[Shahid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delusions of Euphoria by Brent Matley offers a gripping dive into a dystopian 2085 where society is starkly divided between the wealthy elite and impoverished masses. Set in the city of Euphoria, the story follows two detectives as they pursue a killer driven by desperation and a desire for justice against the elite. Matley vividly portrays a world ravaged by economic and environmental collapse, creating an immersive, unsettling atmosphere. Despite its brevity at 118 pages, the novel is fast-paced and impactful, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot. The detectives' journey through the city challenges their morals and beliefs, making for an engaging read. While some may wish for more detailed world-building, Delusions of Euphoria succeeds as a thought-provoking and thrilling narrative, perfect for fans of dystopian fiction and detective stories.

[Marilyn Mackay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish

This is definitely the worst example of an attempt to write a book I have ever seen. The grammar spelling and punctuation are atrocious. Possibly written by someone whose language is not English. I do not recommend anyone to waste time with this.

[Brandon Skanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting detective story in a dystopian world.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, it was thought provoking and I liked the setting.