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Work. Rest. Repeat.
Sixty years ago the world was wrecked during a terrible war. The soil was poisoned. The air became toxic. Billions died. Those who survived took refuge in great towered cities, and began constructing giant colony ships that would enable them to escape the ruined Earth.
The work wasn’t completed in their lifetime. The seas rose to swamp the diseased land, and lap against the city walls. Their descendants laboured on, and now the first of the spaceships is nearing completion.
But these cities aren’t dictatorships. An election is scheduled to choose a leader for this last exodus of humanity. With twenty-four hours until voting is due to begin, two workers are murdered. It is the first serious crime in generations, and it is down to the young Constable Ely to solve it. The election must take place. The ships must be launched. Above all, production must come first. (54,000 words)
The work wasn’t completed in their lifetime. The seas rose to swamp the diseased land, and lap against the city walls. Their descendants laboured on, and now the first of the spaceships is nearing completion.
But these cities aren’t dictatorships. An election is scheduled to choose a leader for this last exodus of humanity. With twenty-four hours until voting is due to begin, two workers are murdered. It is the first serious crime in generations, and it is down to the young Constable Ely to solve it. The election must take place. The ships must be launched. Above all, production must come first. (54,000 words)
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2014
23 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Frank Tayell
54 books484 followersAuthor of post-apocalyptic and near-future science fiction, with a focus on democracies struggling against dystopia.
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 9, 2016
A great story, lots of fun to read. I enjoyed watching Ely's character develop as events unfolded and presented him with new challenges. The science fiction setting was interesting, but the mysteries were the best part of the plot. The initial crime is just the beginning, and the plot grows increasingly complex throughout the book. There's plenty of twists and turns in the story. I couldn't guess the ending, and that's my favorite kind of mystery. I'd recommend this book for both science fiction and mystery fans.
January 18, 2016
I wasn't sure what to expect when I downloaded this book, but as I began to read, I'm glad I did. Frank Tayrell does a good job of mixing the sci-fi and mystery genres. "Work. Rest. Repeat" is a fast-paced drama that takes the reader into a post-apocalyptic future in which the populace must live much differently than previous generations yet face many of the same problems we do today. Fans of both genres mentioned will enjoy this book.
December 31, 2018
Not great, but entertaining. I'll stick to the Surviving the Evacuation books for now.
August 15, 2020
A community built on routine and communal sacrifice for the greater good and the chance at a brighter future takes a dark turn in Work. Rest. Repeat. by Frank Tayell.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Years ago their world was ravaged by war, toxins in the air and water, and unrelenting rain flooding the land, leaving those who survived to create a refuge in cities created in towering buildings. Resources are strictly rationed for their population as they work to build ships to get them to Mars, where the plan is to set up civilization in waves. Two workers are discovered murdered in their sleeping pods hours before an upcoming election, driving Constable Ely's curiosity to figure out the truth behind the impossibilities this case presents and mitigate the lost hours of production as much as possible, as he's been conditioned to do. The investigations of the murders lead to larger questions about their society that have far-reaching implications regarding their future.
A quickly-paced story that blends classic elements from sci-fi and mystery to create a post-apocalyptic dystopian narrative that raises contemporary questions and issues our society faces within the context of this futuristic society that continues to face them. The post-apocalyptic and technologically advanced society presented within these pages was reminiscent of an episode of Black Mirror, and specifically "Fifteen Million Merits" with the point system dictating eligibility for something that people strive toward. The story is condensed into a shorter format, leaving some characterization, deeper world-building, and plot development less refined than it could have been for a smoother, more believable flow; however, the narrative did establish main characters, the general world, and points of action well, providing a good base for readers to envision the environment and how things begin to unravel.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Years ago their world was ravaged by war, toxins in the air and water, and unrelenting rain flooding the land, leaving those who survived to create a refuge in cities created in towering buildings. Resources are strictly rationed for their population as they work to build ships to get them to Mars, where the plan is to set up civilization in waves. Two workers are discovered murdered in their sleeping pods hours before an upcoming election, driving Constable Ely's curiosity to figure out the truth behind the impossibilities this case presents and mitigate the lost hours of production as much as possible, as he's been conditioned to do. The investigations of the murders lead to larger questions about their society that have far-reaching implications regarding their future.
A quickly-paced story that blends classic elements from sci-fi and mystery to create a post-apocalyptic dystopian narrative that raises contemporary questions and issues our society faces within the context of this futuristic society that continues to face them. The post-apocalyptic and technologically advanced society presented within these pages was reminiscent of an episode of Black Mirror, and specifically "Fifteen Million Merits" with the point system dictating eligibility for something that people strive toward. The story is condensed into a shorter format, leaving some characterization, deeper world-building, and plot development less refined than it could have been for a smoother, more believable flow; however, the narrative did establish main characters, the general world, and points of action well, providing a good base for readers to envision the environment and how things begin to unravel.
April 16, 2019
This book series is wonderful, thank you FB for advertising it and to Frank Tayell for writing them all.. it kept appearing book 1 free to download and eventually I did, no going back I purchased books through to 12 and didn’t put my kindle down. Now just read book 15 which has just been released and reading them all again for the 4th time.
I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.
Long may they continue
Thank you
I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.
Long may they continue
Thank you
January 7, 2018
A good book if a little short. Enjoyed it.
March 22, 2019
Fun little book, predictable, but an enjoyable read
July 11, 2020
This read was a little slow to start. I got involved halfway through and the plot ran along the lines that I had expected. A good light read.
March 6, 2017
An interesting and intensive book with a nice satisfying ending.
November 11, 2017
Available as a review here too: https://www.starfleetcomms.com/review...
The premise of Work. Rest. Repeat. is not entirely unbelievable. We’ve become accustomed to dystopia through a lavish diet of sci-fi books, movies and tv plots. As we seemingly become more and more inured to a dystopian future being our own future reality there are many people who already believe such a dystopia exists here and now.
So let’s take a look at this wonderful story set in a somewhat close future. We’ve had a disaster affect the world with millions of lives being snuffed out, the population retreats to three separate cities known as the tower blocks.
Over the years, and despite best efforts, the populations are dwindling and there is a race against time to build the ships required to colonise Mars, our last best hope for survival. Strangely, Constable Ely discovers that two people have been murdered and the story starts to take you on a journey through the murky depths of recent history, the underworld in the towers, and a pretty good murder mystery novel.
I loved the naming conventions used throughout the book used to add flavour and locale to otherwise sterile locations. Tower block A sounds pretty boring but as it is named the City of London it starts to take on new life. Add to that, families and characters who have taken surnames that used to belong to well-known locations to keep the memories alive and before long the story is resonating with imagery. Vauxhall and Carlisle for example.
The writing is very skilful, the use of speech anchors in some dialogue-heavy scenes was just right and I always understood who was speaking, the descriptions were great, the exposition was paced just nicely and the twists and turns were exquisite. You’ll be hard pushed to spot them until they pounce.
Summary:
A nicely written and well-executed murder mystery set in a wonderfully crafted dystopian future. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book to keep you entertained for a short while at least.
The premise of Work. Rest. Repeat. is not entirely unbelievable. We’ve become accustomed to dystopia through a lavish diet of sci-fi books, movies and tv plots. As we seemingly become more and more inured to a dystopian future being our own future reality there are many people who already believe such a dystopia exists here and now.
So let’s take a look at this wonderful story set in a somewhat close future. We’ve had a disaster affect the world with millions of lives being snuffed out, the population retreats to three separate cities known as the tower blocks.
Over the years, and despite best efforts, the populations are dwindling and there is a race against time to build the ships required to colonise Mars, our last best hope for survival. Strangely, Constable Ely discovers that two people have been murdered and the story starts to take you on a journey through the murky depths of recent history, the underworld in the towers, and a pretty good murder mystery novel.
I loved the naming conventions used throughout the book used to add flavour and locale to otherwise sterile locations. Tower block A sounds pretty boring but as it is named the City of London it starts to take on new life. Add to that, families and characters who have taken surnames that used to belong to well-known locations to keep the memories alive and before long the story is resonating with imagery. Vauxhall and Carlisle for example.
The writing is very skilful, the use of speech anchors in some dialogue-heavy scenes was just right and I always understood who was speaking, the descriptions were great, the exposition was paced just nicely and the twists and turns were exquisite. You’ll be hard pushed to spot them until they pounce.
Summary:
A nicely written and well-executed murder mystery set in a wonderfully crafted dystopian future. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book to keep you entertained for a short while at least.
September 5, 2016
Interesting
Post-apocalyptic enclosed society. Neat. Not bad, and definitely unexpected. I didn't expect it to be as it was, but the world building was more interesting than I thought.
Post-apocalyptic enclosed society. Neat. Not bad, and definitely unexpected. I didn't expect it to be as it was, but the world building was more interesting than I thought.
August 22, 2016
A gem
Didn't expect to enjoy this book s much as I did - found myself making time to read it - one of those stories that should be alongside the likes of Soylent Green - will definitely be reading more by Frank Tayell
Didn't expect to enjoy this book s much as I did - found myself making time to read it - one of those stories that should be alongside the likes of Soylent Green - will definitely be reading more by Frank Tayell
July 4, 2015
Loved it!!
I loved this story and definitely would be curious to see what happens next. Great dystopian story! Great job to the author!!
I loved this story and definitely would be curious to see what happens next. Great dystopian story! Great job to the author!!
August 19, 2015
this was a pretty good read. I liked the main character and the psce was very good.
August 27, 2015
An entertaining dystopia.
September 29, 2015
An entertaining story. Not all the cogs connect as smoothly as they might, but the story is brave and positively creative.
October 13, 2015
Seems awfully like another series I read recently that was written earlier. Otherwise, probably a bit better rating.
February 2, 2016
I loved this unusual and absorbing sci-fi whodunit! I will definitely read more from this author!
August 5, 2016
Wow!!
I enjoyed reading your books. This really took me unaware but what a surprise. Thank you ever so much. Pat
I enjoyed reading your books. This really took me unaware but what a surprise. Thank you ever so much. Pat
October 20, 2015
not entirely what I was expecting, but interesting.
April 2, 2017
Wow! I just read and enjoyed my first murder mystery.
So... familiar themes to an old sci-fi nerd like me. Apocalypse, Earth all but destroyed, survivors band together, leave Earth for new world. Except... that isn't really what the story is about. It's about a man forced to alter his perspective so he can find truth. It's about a man who was so blinded by his vision of what should be that he couldn't see what was. It's about the truth found in lies and lies that just might be desirable to truth.
It's not an overly complicated story. The clues are there for the taking, but unless you've read certain other stories or watched shows like Black Mirror or Outer Limits, you won't piece it together before the reveal. I've read the stories and watched the episodes and still couldn't fit it all together on my own. I suspected the truth, but managed to get distracted by one of the lies.
4.5 stars. I really was entertained and I already have some folk in mind that I'll be recommending this story to. I don't know which came first, this story or a particular episode of Black mirror. Because my mind kept wandering back to the visuals from the TV, I found myself losing sight of the story I was actively reading.
So... familiar themes to an old sci-fi nerd like me. Apocalypse, Earth all but destroyed, survivors band together, leave Earth for new world. Except... that isn't really what the story is about. It's about a man forced to alter his perspective so he can find truth. It's about a man who was so blinded by his vision of what should be that he couldn't see what was. It's about the truth found in lies and lies that just might be desirable to truth.
It's not an overly complicated story. The clues are there for the taking, but unless you've read certain other stories or watched shows like Black Mirror or Outer Limits, you won't piece it together before the reveal. I've read the stories and watched the episodes and still couldn't fit it all together on my own. I suspected the truth, but managed to get distracted by one of the lies.
4.5 stars. I really was entertained and I already have some folk in mind that I'll be recommending this story to. I don't know which came first, this story or a particular episode of Black mirror. Because my mind kept wandering back to the visuals from the TV, I found myself losing sight of the story I was actively reading.
August 11, 2017
Wow what a thrilling read! I had chills most of the time. I was always rooting for Elk to figure everything out.
April 18, 2019
Quite a short book only 166 pages but it kept me interested, would be good to have a follow on book telling the next phase of the characters story
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews