The Cargo

by Donald Morrison

The crew of starship Antori have been hired to transport a shipping container to a nearby star system, and it's their biggest payday yet. But when one of the crew accidentally opens the container, they find themselves up against a terrifying extraterrestrial. Now, the crew must fight to stay alive as the deadly creature begins its hunt.

The Cargo is a 55,000 word, science fiction horror in the vein of Aliens and Mimic. Tonally, the story is dark, with an ever-looming sense of impending horror just beyond the next hatchway.
It’s tense, foreboding and teetering at the edge of hopelessness, a frighteningly visceral journey of survival.

Genres: Horror

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2023

About the author

A contemporary American author and master storyteller, Donald Morrison is renowned for weaving intricate tapestries of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Boasting an impressive catalog of over 30 published works, Morrison captivates his readers with narratives that delve into the dark and thought-provoking corners of the human experience. His ability to blend spine-chilling suspense with a profound sense of dread sets him apart in the literary landscape. Synonymous with names like King and Koontz, Morrison's writings are not just a journey through terrifying realms and thrilling escapades; they're an exploration of the shadows that lurk within us all.

Reviews

[Amber Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haha

Vampire Mosquito is terrifying. The crew is royally betrayed and has to deal with a deadly alien while also fighting each other. I love how it goes so fast.

[Jaden Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most feminist book I’ve ever read but nothing wrong with dudes being bros

[Corbin Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2023
Where to start. This book may contain elements reminiscent from stories like Alien, Mimic and other 80s/90s classics, but the beautiful thing, is that it is not afraid to wear that on its sleeve. The characters are flushed out and unique, each with their own personalities and ways of speech. The action is well written and to the point, with the perfect splash of violence. Not once during this afternoon read did I find myself feeling reader fatigue, or that gnawing, need to skip ahead a few pages feeling. The creature itself... It wasn't the usual "alien/xenomorph" trope and I loved that. The way the author used descriptive narrative to ensure the creature was always just behind you was amazing. This story is tense and unique and I loved every word of it for that! Have already read a few other of this authors works. Can't wait to see some of these adapted to film!

[Terry and dog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this blast of horror in space. It has tough men, (some disgusting) and paints a bleak picture of the future. Not a nice place to be for a woman, for sure. The creature is great and it's in space, so points for that. The young man this the sensitive one, but as we get to know him, there is another side that we don't expect. I'm sure there are some plot holes, but I wasn't looking for them. Just liked the ride.

[Beatrix Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second book from Donald Morrison - and i absolutely loved Derivative!
He writes my favourite type of sci-fi horror: something goes wrong, something is on the loose, a cat and mouse game esnsues. I can read any amount of that.
This book was straight in horror, showing the best and worst in human nature. The alien was creepy and it was just an easy awesome read.
Ps ... it's "would have". Not "would of". Please, don't be that person.

[Matt Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alien insect runs amok on a freighter after one of the crew stupidly opens the cargo container it was being transported in. All but one character does, basically, the dumbest possible thing in a given situation. That said, its a short and run read.

[Marc Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

You're on a simple run through space to deliver some cargo and a couple of the crew decide to check out the cargo hold after getting inebriated. You know that most alcohol doesn't always lead to making good decisions, and this was one of them. Quick paced book with a cool monster, IMO.

[Liz Shorter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy read. not much to it, but a good palate cleanse.

[Patrice S. Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Semi-scary. (It takes a lot to scary me) I gave it 3 stars instead of 4 due to the AI narrative.