Five Slices of Pie: A Short Story Collection

Life's a disaster. Might as well laugh about it.

Five stories. Five disasters. One brilliant collection.

In Dave Hall's hilarious and heartfelt debut, Five Slices of Pie, the best tales always come from the worst decisions.

From Market Harborough to Newcastle, from cricket clubs to corporate boardrooms, these stories capture the absurdity and beauty of ordinary British life going spectacularly wrong.

Inside you'll find:

• A stand-up comedian who should have quit while he was ahead.
• A November night in Newcastle where three lives intersect.
• A cat and dog with very different views on home security.
• A corporate executive whose morning bike ride goes sideways in the strangest possible way.
• And a man in an expensive suit confronting the ghosts of his school days.

Hall writes with the wit of someone who's failed publicly and learned to laugh about it. His characters are gloriously imperfect: they make terrible decisions, say the wrong thing, and occasionally end up covered in pie. But they're always recognisable.

These are stories about second chances, unexpected consequences, and the uniquely British talent for muddling through when everything's falling apart.

Funny, profane, and unexpectedly moving, this collection is perfect for readers who like their humour dark, their characters flawed, and their endings earned.

For fans of: After Life, Uncle, Colin Bateman, and Chris Brookmyre.

Why readers love it:
✓ Proper British humour (dry, dark, honest)
✓ Characters who feel real (flaws and all)
✓ Heart beneath the cynicism
✓ Stories that make you laugh and think
✓ Perfect for one sitting or slow savouring

Contains: Strong language, adult themes, unexpected grace, and a squirrel who defies explanation.