Matt McAvoy Book Review

I really enjoy short stories – the darker the better – and whilst they don’t particularly fall into the horror category, these atmospheric tales are pretty dark, and also pretty good.  Harrison is a very clever writer, and the imaginative compendium ranges from outright sci-fi, through simple slice-of-life drama, to the supernatural.  It is hard to pick a favourite; I like them all, to be honest, though I will admit that slick mystery “Joanne” is right up my street.  With “Karma Extra”, Harrison shows his real dark side – a metaphorical, gut-wrencher of a tale, which is as twisted and eyebrow-raising as they come.

The stories are not overly clever, complex or smug in any way, nor do they feel the need to embellish themselves with self-satisfied twists or dramatic endings; they are simply well-written, engrossing narratives, which begin, say what they need to say, then end.  They all feel the same in tone, yet each is unique.  However, if I were to identify one common trait among the eight, it would be that they all explore the murkier streaks of humanity, from a psychological perspective – in this respect, it is clear that the author knows his subject well.

Harrison is a creative talent, and a good, articulate writer, with experience of the craft; his screenplay isn’t bad, too.  I would be intrigued to read a novel from him, and hope to one day soon.  As for the category, I have no doubt that it would be of the same decent quality, whether he were to choose horror, drama, sci-fi or some other.  In fact, Harrison looks to have a real knack for crossing genres, and leaving the lines ambiguous and blurred, which is wonderful.  As well as the themes, if you like a cross between the melancholy and the macabre, these might be right up your street, too.