Hate Story
COMING SOON from DRAGONFLY PUBLISHING:
“From Twitterized mobthink to Facebook fact-bashing to knuckle-dragging attacks on science, our current reality – online or off – presents formidable problems for the satirist. Cottrill takes up that challenge and runs with it, skewering journalists, online vigilantes, and cyberbullies with undisguised glee. Keep an eye on this one; he may be just the outrageous chronicler outrageous times demand.”
– Giles Blunt, international bestselling author of the John Cardinal mysteries
* * * * *
ONLINE SHAMING IS A MYTH.
… or IS IT?
A violent mob disrupts the East Toronto funeral service for unemployed loner Paul Shoreditch. The riot attracts sensational media attention, especially online, but is soon forgotten. Meanwhile, aspiring journalist, film fanatic and Internet addict Jackie Roberts discovers a bizarre online community that has been sullying Paul’s name for years.
What did Paul do to these people? Why is their animosity so intense? Why are they so secretive? As Jackie learns about Paul’s life story, she finds herself empathizing with him despite her gut feelings – but nothing prepares her for the truth.
This offbeat mix of satire and mystery dares to tackle some of the most fiery and controversial social topics of our generation. Darkly funny, subversive and sometimes outrageous, Hate Story takes a sledgehammer to the disturbing modern trend of Internet bullying and shaming.
“Hate Story is a fresh, funny, original and oh-so-timely tale of the dark side of social media and Internet shaming. Jeff Cottrill is that rare male author who can write compelling and authentic female characters: Jackie is sarcastic, funny and very relatable. Told with biting satirical humour, Hate Story goes down easy and hits hard.”
– Heather Babcock, author of Filthy Sugar
“Refreshingly unique, Hate Story is as far from formulaic fiction as one could get. A master of satire, Cottrill captures the ugly side of human nature, in a day and age when social media allows the ugly to hide behind a keyboard, to perfection.”
– Skylar J. Wynter, bestselling author of Pieces of Humanity
“Jeff Cottrill throws himself into the novel-publishing arena with one hell of a debut. Equal parts mystery, character study and cautionary tale, Hate Story gives cancel culture, the Twitterazzi and social-justice warriors a well-deserved kick in the trigger!”
– Timothy Carter, author of Epoch, Evil? and Young Nostradamus
“I spend hours trawling bookshops for a gem that breaks the mold, and with Hate Story, I found it. Jeff Cottrill pens a picture of humanity that is razor-sharp, dark, but above all else, uniquely original. From funeral scenes to social media trolling, the satire does not stop unearthing the absurdities of family, friends, enemies, strangers… and life. The narrative hurtles along at breakneck speed and does not let up for a second. These beautifully constructed characters left me with the knowledge that we should be ashamed of ourselves to be taking up space in this world, but for now, while we are here, I’m going to recommend indulging in this five-star baby to give some much needed relief from our very own flawed existence.”
– Kelly Van Nelson, bestselling author of Punch & Judy