What do you think?
Rate this book
Paths Best Left Untrodden
The debut collection from Kev Harrison, author of THE BALANCE, this tome brings together tales of ghosts in the machine, folkloric creatures let loose, abandoned places and dystopian nightmares. Containing thirteen stories - three of which are previously unpublished, with three others never before available in print, take your first tentative step onto the PATHS BEST LEFT UNTRODDEN.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
204 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2021
25 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Kev Harrison
38 books133 followersKev Harrison is a writer of dark fiction and English language teacher from England, living and working in Lisbon, Portugal. He has previously lived in various areas of the UK, as well as Turkey and Poland.
His Independent Press Award-winning debut novel, Shadow of the Hidden, is out now from Brigids Gate Press. His latest novella, 'Below' is also available from the same publishing house.
His debut novella 'The Balance', was released through Lycan Valley Press, while his debut collection 'Paths Best Left Untrodden' was released through Northern Republic.
His forthcoming release, Pyres, is a politically-charged novel of supernatural horror, set in the New Forest.
He is a staff writer for This is Horror and has had short fiction published in a variety of magazines and anthologies and podcasts.
His Independent Press Award-winning debut novel, Shadow of the Hidden, is out now from Brigids Gate Press. His latest novella, 'Below' is also available from the same publishing house.
His debut novella 'The Balance', was released through Lycan Valley Press, while his debut collection 'Paths Best Left Untrodden' was released through Northern Republic.
His forthcoming release, Pyres, is a politically-charged novel of supernatural horror, set in the New Forest.
He is a staff writer for This is Horror and has had short fiction published in a variety of magazines and anthologies and podcasts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 8, 2022
Promising title and a good cover. But what about the stories? Well, you get many stories here, some longer, some shorter, but somehow they were simply rushing by. So much dialogue, so much I perspective. Didn't find any favorite for me. Was it horror? It was rather dark and a bit bizarre, so much given. Somehow not my cup of tea. Certainly well written but for me too lengthy and not very intriguing. Sorry. For fans of this author only.
May 23, 2021
I absolutely adored this collection.
Kev Harrison’s stories span myriad times and places, from pre-Industrial Central Europe to contemporary America and post-apocalyptic Italy, and incorporate horrors drawn from folklore and urban legend, sci-fi and real-world politics - but every one hits like a freight train, leaving you shaken and breathless and wondering what the hell just happened.
The breadth and depth of imagination showcased here invite comparison with classics like King’s Night Shift, as well as more recent releases like Tananarive Due’s Ghost Summer. But Harrison, ultimately, dances to the beat of a drum that’s all his own.
His stories deserve to be read widely, and immediately. If you haven’t picked up one of his books already - now’s your chance. You can thank me later.
Kev Harrison’s stories span myriad times and places, from pre-Industrial Central Europe to contemporary America and post-apocalyptic Italy, and incorporate horrors drawn from folklore and urban legend, sci-fi and real-world politics - but every one hits like a freight train, leaving you shaken and breathless and wondering what the hell just happened.
The breadth and depth of imagination showcased here invite comparison with classics like King’s Night Shift, as well as more recent releases like Tananarive Due’s Ghost Summer. But Harrison, ultimately, dances to the beat of a drum that’s all his own.
His stories deserve to be read widely, and immediately. If you haven’t picked up one of his books already - now’s your chance. You can thank me later.
August 10, 2021
Paths Best Left Untrodden reads more like a collection of memories rather than short stories. From Folklore to Cosmic Horror, from Eastern Europe to Britain the setting and myriad of emotions on display are exquisite. Kev Harrison depicts an elegant but deeply heart-breaking and brutal collection of our worst fears. It’s disturbing but oh so perfect. Harrison is an artist of trauma, he knows exactly how to inject a longing and flaw into his characters. I enjoyed his raw examination of the human condition and the consequences of actions wrought upon them.
Big Game is a deeply disturbing story about hunting. Just what happens when the prey isn’t an animal? It’s original, emotionally charged, and full of scenes that have you questioning people’s morality.
Suppression was one of my favourite stories in the collection. The characters are living in a world where impulse suppression is tested for future criminality. I’d love to say that this is an impossible scenario but in today’s world, it may just become a reality. It would lower the number of finances needed by the world’s governments in fighting crime. I found this story wholly terrifying. Harrison tapped into fear and set it alight, I could feel the parents panic, their worry. The world had been building to this point and shit finally hit the fan!
The Solstice, a folklore horror was another stand-out story for me. A story that felt steeped in Eastern European beliefs. A first-born child is called upon to have a mask made out of their fears to ward off the wolves that threaten their village at the Solstice. This story was like liquid gold- valuable and rare. This story was created to unseat you, and boy has it worked. I think there is just something about stories involving children that cut me open.
Special Order was the gem for me. A Cosmic Horror that reminded me of H.G. Wells and Lovecraft, a pizza restaurant owner is approached to make special pizzas that the world will not quickly forget. This is horror and its rawest and it’s the unknown aspect of this story that intrigued me and kept me hooked. I’d love to read more from Harrison in this sub-genre because he created something so palpitatingly dark and addictive.
Paths Best Left Untrodden is exactly that. These are roads that you do not want to walk down, it is filled with hazards, fear, and pain for the traveller. Kev Harrison is nerve-splittingly brilliant at examining the human condition. He has pulled back the layers of life to highlight how fear is a shoestring – pull too hard and it’ll break. He has created a most unapologetic trojan horse. This author cannot write a bad book. I will buy anything he writes.
Big Game is a deeply disturbing story about hunting. Just what happens when the prey isn’t an animal? It’s original, emotionally charged, and full of scenes that have you questioning people’s morality.
Suppression was one of my favourite stories in the collection. The characters are living in a world where impulse suppression is tested for future criminality. I’d love to say that this is an impossible scenario but in today’s world, it may just become a reality. It would lower the number of finances needed by the world’s governments in fighting crime. I found this story wholly terrifying. Harrison tapped into fear and set it alight, I could feel the parents panic, their worry. The world had been building to this point and shit finally hit the fan!
The Solstice, a folklore horror was another stand-out story for me. A story that felt steeped in Eastern European beliefs. A first-born child is called upon to have a mask made out of their fears to ward off the wolves that threaten their village at the Solstice. This story was like liquid gold- valuable and rare. This story was created to unseat you, and boy has it worked. I think there is just something about stories involving children that cut me open.
Special Order was the gem for me. A Cosmic Horror that reminded me of H.G. Wells and Lovecraft, a pizza restaurant owner is approached to make special pizzas that the world will not quickly forget. This is horror and its rawest and it’s the unknown aspect of this story that intrigued me and kept me hooked. I’d love to read more from Harrison in this sub-genre because he created something so palpitatingly dark and addictive.
Paths Best Left Untrodden is exactly that. These are roads that you do not want to walk down, it is filled with hazards, fear, and pain for the traveller. Kev Harrison is nerve-splittingly brilliant at examining the human condition. He has pulled back the layers of life to highlight how fear is a shoestring – pull too hard and it’ll break. He has created a most unapologetic trojan horse. This author cannot write a bad book. I will buy anything he writes.
June 25, 2021
As a rule, I usually read collections slowly, however, after finishing the opening entry "Big Game", I was caught up in the momentum and sped through the rest in no time. If you’ve ever watched the trashy 1990s Jean Claude Van-Damme action movie Hard Target, this story is an entertaining variation on that plot in which a hunting trip which does not exactly go as planned. The main character might not be JCVD, he is still full of his own surprises and is no shrinking violet. This is a great way of opening the collection and sets the bar high.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
May 23, 2021
Kev is a brilliant raconteur and the king of slow burn horror and anything folklore - this collection of stories complies many of his previously published stories and others too into a nightmarish vision where each story sets you in a state of unease and leaves you open to the twisted drippings of his mind. I bloody loved it.
And that cover? Damn tasty... it’s banging!
'Wildly entertaining, deeply unsettling and utterly beguiling. These aren’t just stories - they’re ghosts, phantoms and revenants - all of which will continue to haunt long after reading.' – Ross Jeffery Bram Stoker Nominated author of Tome.
And that cover? Damn tasty... it’s banging!
'Wildly entertaining, deeply unsettling and utterly beguiling. These aren’t just stories - they’re ghosts, phantoms and revenants - all of which will continue to haunt long after reading.' – Ross Jeffery Bram Stoker Nominated author of Tome.
June 8, 2021
If you are going to trod these paths, best to start at a run. Harrison’s world is wildly entertaining, wide ranging and populated with characters running from rituals and revenge, body horrors and bleak reality, loyalty and love.
Thoroughly enjoyed this collection.
Thoroughly enjoyed this collection.
May 31, 2021
This is the debut short story collection from Kev Harrison, and each of these stories takes you on a wild ride of unsettling emotions. Thirteen tales involving hunters becoming the hunted, futuristic tests being performed on kids, places thought to be abandoned revisited only to find dark secrets, crazy nightmarish worlds of dystopia, and a super fungus that just won’t die. Let’s not forget a story on the bit naughty side of things, that makes you wonder how Kev Harrison knew how those websites work.
Overall this is a great collection of stories that truly know how to raise your blood pressure while making your cheeks flush hot red with anticipation and fear. A lot of edge of your seat excitement.
I want to touch on a handful here for you. I won’t get into all of them, but be assured all are great in their own way.
We start things off with “Big Game” where what is believed to be a company camping and hunting trip mixes a bit of virtual reality, and one of the hunters becomes the hunted when he realizes just what exactly they are there to hunt.
In “Suppression,” I got a bit of “Minority Report” feel from a test being performed on kids to see what their future holds, or the odds of them committing crimes.
“The Solstice” is a folkloric coming of age story. Harrison seems to be a master when it comes to Folklore. Read “The Balance” if you haven’t yet.
“Snap” has the “Monster Under Your Bed” feel, except the monster isn’t under the bed. The kid is frightened none the less.
“The Fourth Wall” is the naughty story, that gives you the “well how the eff did that happen?” feel. And someone teach Kev how to erase his browsing history.
I got a James Herbert “Rats” feel from the story “Left Behind” mixed with a Stephen King twist.
Then we get to “Contaminated.” This may be my favorite in the bunch. Not only do we get a reference to the band Goblin, who you may know has done many soundtracks to classic films, a lot of Dario Argento movies, like “Profondo Rosso” also known as Deep Red, and Suspiria, but we also get a Metallica reference. Kev Harrison’s description of the fungus, and what it eventually does brings a claustrophobic feeling of the world caving in. And one particular part will have you blinking. Blinking a lot. You may have some cloudy visions.
I will let you discover all of the others on your own. Trust me there are some jewels I this collection.
Kev Harrison continues to be one of my favorite writers. He is not one who has to rely on jump scares and overly graphic detail to get his point across. Instead he relies heavily on a beautifully flowing prose that is supported and re-enforced by a solid narrative. There is more of an art to his style.
I’ve read Warding, Curfew, and The Balance which will be one of my top books I’ve read this year. This new short story collection fits perfectly into this group of releases from Kev, creating a solid body of work to surely amuse almost anyone. These stories will burn permanent scars on your brain, making you think twice about exploring abandoned places, or skimping on the mold cleaner, or even visiting those questionable websites.
Overall this is a great collection of stories that truly know how to raise your blood pressure while making your cheeks flush hot red with anticipation and fear. A lot of edge of your seat excitement.
I want to touch on a handful here for you. I won’t get into all of them, but be assured all are great in their own way.
We start things off with “Big Game” where what is believed to be a company camping and hunting trip mixes a bit of virtual reality, and one of the hunters becomes the hunted when he realizes just what exactly they are there to hunt.
In “Suppression,” I got a bit of “Minority Report” feel from a test being performed on kids to see what their future holds, or the odds of them committing crimes.
“The Solstice” is a folkloric coming of age story. Harrison seems to be a master when it comes to Folklore. Read “The Balance” if you haven’t yet.
“Snap” has the “Monster Under Your Bed” feel, except the monster isn’t under the bed. The kid is frightened none the less.
“The Fourth Wall” is the naughty story, that gives you the “well how the eff did that happen?” feel. And someone teach Kev how to erase his browsing history.
I got a James Herbert “Rats” feel from the story “Left Behind” mixed with a Stephen King twist.
Then we get to “Contaminated.” This may be my favorite in the bunch. Not only do we get a reference to the band Goblin, who you may know has done many soundtracks to classic films, a lot of Dario Argento movies, like “Profondo Rosso” also known as Deep Red, and Suspiria, but we also get a Metallica reference. Kev Harrison’s description of the fungus, and what it eventually does brings a claustrophobic feeling of the world caving in. And one particular part will have you blinking. Blinking a lot. You may have some cloudy visions.
I will let you discover all of the others on your own. Trust me there are some jewels I this collection.
Kev Harrison continues to be one of my favorite writers. He is not one who has to rely on jump scares and overly graphic detail to get his point across. Instead he relies heavily on a beautifully flowing prose that is supported and re-enforced by a solid narrative. There is more of an art to his style.
I’ve read Warding, Curfew, and The Balance which will be one of my top books I’ve read this year. This new short story collection fits perfectly into this group of releases from Kev, creating a solid body of work to surely amuse almost anyone. These stories will burn permanent scars on your brain, making you think twice about exploring abandoned places, or skimping on the mold cleaner, or even visiting those questionable websites.
June 8, 2021
This was great. There's something for everyone in this collection. Horror, dark tales, a story I would call sci-fi, and some folklore too. It's really great. Very impressive. It's one of those books where its hard, or impossible to pick a favorite
June 19, 2021
Over the years I've read a lot of Kev Harrison's fiction and have loved every word of it. His short stories have been featured in many different magazines and anthologies and he also has some very impressive novellas under his belt.
So when I found out he was releasing a short story collection I was genuinely so excited, Paths Left Best Untrodden went straight to the top of my TBR mountain (it really is that high) and got stuck in.
The collection starts off strong with Big Game. It's set in the future, but it doesn't feel like it's too far into the future that we won't be experiencing this word for ourselves which gives it a dark edge. It's soon realised that this is no ordinary camping trip.
Supression; this story is every parent's nightmare where children are subjected to inhumane laws which dictate their lives. Of course a loving parent would do anything to help their beloveds.
I loved The Solstice Kev Harrison is a master of folk horror and this tale did not disappoint. I loved the setting and atmosphere of this tale it felt so real and vivid. As tradition dictates a young boy must do whatever is required of him to protect his village.
Special Order set in a takeaway pizzeria in Woking of all places! This tale really made me chuckle, thoroughly enjoyed this one. When times are hard you must do what it takes to stay afloat!
Snap is a dark body horror offering of things that go bump in the night!
The Fourth Wall is hands down my favourite! Closely followed by Contaminated. This for me was a really gripping tale, combining mystery with horror. It tells the tale of Valentina, a cam girl who has her life turned upside down by one her loyal customers
Left Behind like Big Game was a eco horror tale set in the near future. The setting is Venice and now this tale has seriously put me off going there! I really liked this one, there's such a build up of foreboding creeping in right from the get go and the ending is truly dark!
There's something about Contaminated that really got to me. This one just felt so real and it feels like this could happen to anyone. This is not a tale for hypochondriacs! It was such an unusual tale which shows that Kev Harrison has such range when it comes to weaving dark tales
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch was dark dark dark tale! I really loved this one!
I found Muscle Memory although obviously horror also quite sweet. A man wakes up in a hospital ward and must discover who he was before the accident
Reasons For My Abscondence shows Kev Harrison can write in so many different styles. This was in a letter form where a young teacher attempts to explain what really happened at Minsterfield House.
I first read The Waiting Game when it was first published in Fangs from Aphotic Realm. I loved it then and I still love it now. A perfect tale of love and retribution.
Last but not least is Communion. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels meets The Silence of the Lambs meets Kev Harrison! Great story!
So when I found out he was releasing a short story collection I was genuinely so excited, Paths Left Best Untrodden went straight to the top of my TBR mountain (it really is that high) and got stuck in.
The collection starts off strong with Big Game. It's set in the future, but it doesn't feel like it's too far into the future that we won't be experiencing this word for ourselves which gives it a dark edge. It's soon realised that this is no ordinary camping trip.
Supression; this story is every parent's nightmare where children are subjected to inhumane laws which dictate their lives. Of course a loving parent would do anything to help their beloveds.
I loved The Solstice Kev Harrison is a master of folk horror and this tale did not disappoint. I loved the setting and atmosphere of this tale it felt so real and vivid. As tradition dictates a young boy must do whatever is required of him to protect his village.
Special Order set in a takeaway pizzeria in Woking of all places! This tale really made me chuckle, thoroughly enjoyed this one. When times are hard you must do what it takes to stay afloat!
Snap is a dark body horror offering of things that go bump in the night!
The Fourth Wall is hands down my favourite! Closely followed by Contaminated. This for me was a really gripping tale, combining mystery with horror. It tells the tale of Valentina, a cam girl who has her life turned upside down by one her loyal customers
Left Behind like Big Game was a eco horror tale set in the near future. The setting is Venice and now this tale has seriously put me off going there! I really liked this one, there's such a build up of foreboding creeping in right from the get go and the ending is truly dark!
There's something about Contaminated that really got to me. This one just felt so real and it feels like this could happen to anyone. This is not a tale for hypochondriacs! It was such an unusual tale which shows that Kev Harrison has such range when it comes to weaving dark tales
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch was dark dark dark tale! I really loved this one!
I found Muscle Memory although obviously horror also quite sweet. A man wakes up in a hospital ward and must discover who he was before the accident
Reasons For My Abscondence shows Kev Harrison can write in so many different styles. This was in a letter form where a young teacher attempts to explain what really happened at Minsterfield House.
I first read The Waiting Game when it was first published in Fangs from Aphotic Realm. I loved it then and I still love it now. A perfect tale of love and retribution.
Last but not least is Communion. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels meets The Silence of the Lambs meets Kev Harrison! Great story!
June 19, 2021
I loved Kev Harrison's folk-horror novella, The Balance, so was very much looking forward to reading his collection.
The openhearted introduction is a must-read. Please don't skip it!
Every story is very well written, as expected, and it was interesting to read about where the stories had been previously published, both on-line and in other anthologies. Perhaps I'm just nosy!
Personal favorites for me were:
Big Game - though not my usual preferred sub-genre, the depiction of the kill kind of hurt a vegetarian of thirty years, but also had a voyeuristic pull that I found irresistible. Gripping!
Special Order - great dark comedy!
The Fourth Wall - really creepy! The thought of someone 'interfering' with you while you sleep, and by supernatural means, is the stuff of nightmares.
Muscle Memory - hooked by the opening, I found myself immediately asking questions.
The absolute favorite for me was The Solstice with its folk-horror feel. Harrison writes this sub-genre so well!
I loved the story notes at the end of the collection which provided a bit of background into the stimuli for the stories. It's always interesting to discover how other writers come up with such great ideas.
All in all, a fabulous collection!
The openhearted introduction is a must-read. Please don't skip it!
Every story is very well written, as expected, and it was interesting to read about where the stories had been previously published, both on-line and in other anthologies. Perhaps I'm just nosy!
Personal favorites for me were:
Big Game - though not my usual preferred sub-genre, the depiction of the kill kind of hurt a vegetarian of thirty years, but also had a voyeuristic pull that I found irresistible. Gripping!
Special Order - great dark comedy!
The Fourth Wall - really creepy! The thought of someone 'interfering' with you while you sleep, and by supernatural means, is the stuff of nightmares.
Muscle Memory - hooked by the opening, I found myself immediately asking questions.
The absolute favorite for me was The Solstice with its folk-horror feel. Harrison writes this sub-genre so well!
I loved the story notes at the end of the collection which provided a bit of background into the stimuli for the stories. It's always interesting to discover how other writers come up with such great ideas.
All in all, a fabulous collection!
May 24, 2021
One for my favourite novellas of 2020 was The Balance by Kev Harrison. I really enjoyed that tale of folk-horror, and thought it was a brilliant read. So, when I got the chance to read an ARC of his debut short story collection, I jumped at the chance.
The big question for me was would his writing continue to impress?
Happily, the answer is yes.
Paths Best Left Untrodden is an excellent collection of horrors, and one that I highly recommend you check out.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover, as I’m sure most readers will. This is definitely a collection without filler. However, there were a trio of stories that ticked all the boxes for me and I reckon these will be the ones folk talk about the most. I know I will be doing so when recommending the book to others.
The first of these is Special Order.
This had a real bizarro feel to it, which I adored. As usual, I will stay away from spoilers, but get ready for a story containing alien invasions, cosmic horror, and pizza.
Seriously, this was a lot of fun and one of the highlights of this collection.
Next up is Contaminated.
Wow, this was just fantastic. What starts as a little trouble with mould, quickly morphs into a nasty slice of body-horror. Absolutely loved this, even though the ending had me squirming!
Finally, I have to mention The Fourth Wall.
For me, this is the masterpiece of the collection. Dark, twisted, and very clever. Definitely a story I will remember for a very long time. Effing brilliant.
As with a couple of other great horror collections I’ve read this year, this book ends with notes from the author. I do love reading these, and their inclusion always gets bonus points from me.
Yep, Paths Best Left Untrodden is another winner from Kev Harrison, and I highly recommend you go purchase a copy. Just don’t read this while eating pizza.
The big question for me was would his writing continue to impress?
Happily, the answer is yes.
Paths Best Left Untrodden is an excellent collection of horrors, and one that I highly recommend you check out.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover, as I’m sure most readers will. This is definitely a collection without filler. However, there were a trio of stories that ticked all the boxes for me and I reckon these will be the ones folk talk about the most. I know I will be doing so when recommending the book to others.
The first of these is Special Order.
This had a real bizarro feel to it, which I adored. As usual, I will stay away from spoilers, but get ready for a story containing alien invasions, cosmic horror, and pizza.
Seriously, this was a lot of fun and one of the highlights of this collection.
Next up is Contaminated.
Wow, this was just fantastic. What starts as a little trouble with mould, quickly morphs into a nasty slice of body-horror. Absolutely loved this, even though the ending had me squirming!
Finally, I have to mention The Fourth Wall.
For me, this is the masterpiece of the collection. Dark, twisted, and very clever. Definitely a story I will remember for a very long time. Effing brilliant.
As with a couple of other great horror collections I’ve read this year, this book ends with notes from the author. I do love reading these, and their inclusion always gets bonus points from me.
Yep, Paths Best Left Untrodden is another winner from Kev Harrison, and I highly recommend you go purchase a copy. Just don’t read this while eating pizza.
July 8, 2021
I've been reading Harrison's fiction for a few years now, (definitely check out his folkloric novella The Balance) and he never fails to entertain and write a damn good yarn; accessible and thought-provoking. This collection has 13 stories - yes, a baker's dozen - a few of which have been published elsewhere, some are original, and at the end, an interesting 'Author Notes' section, where Harrison reveals the back history and inspiration to his stories, which I really liked. The opening one, is a story with bite - Big Game, a powerful (morality) tale of a possible future world where you are either hunter or hunted, the roles are clearly defined, or are they? My standout fave story, which totally creeped me out is 'Contaminated'. It really - excuse the pun - got under my skin, and I was thinking about it later on. Every house has a mould problem, don't they? It's no big deal until - it spreads and the final hospital scenes were horrific. If you are at all squeamish about eyes, don't read this one. 'Left Behind' is set in a future Venice, flooded and abandoned, where Luca and his mum are paying a sentimental visit. I loved Harrison uniquely twisted take on this devastated Venice, a city I've visited a few times. A light in a window draws Luca - and he meets the drowned city's last resident, an old man who is a puppet-maker- great payoff in the final lines there, took my breath away.
So, dip in and test the murky waters of Harrison's fictional worlds- you won't be disappointed.
So, dip in and test the murky waters of Harrison's fictional worlds- you won't be disappointed.
November 25, 2023
Although there were one or two stories which did not appeal to me so much as others, they were all well written. The majority of them were exciting and suspenseful enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. It's hard to pick the one story which horrified me the most, but it might be "Contamination."
The tales presented here are horror with a lot of variation in themes and motifs, and I think that is what makes it a strong collection. A few stories delve into the paranormal, some are dystopian, some post-apocalyptic, and some just describe the consequences of baser human instincts given too much freedom.
Some are tributes to other writers in the genre as we see from Kev Harrison's Author's Notes. There was one tip of the hat to Mary Shelley and another to H.G. Wells. One story, "Reasons for My Abscondence" is apparently based on real events but reminded me of The Turn of the Screw. I do enjoy reading about what sparks creativity, so I appreciated the backstories in the notes.
The tales presented here are horror with a lot of variation in themes and motifs, and I think that is what makes it a strong collection. A few stories delve into the paranormal, some are dystopian, some post-apocalyptic, and some just describe the consequences of baser human instincts given too much freedom.
Some are tributes to other writers in the genre as we see from Kev Harrison's Author's Notes. There was one tip of the hat to Mary Shelley and another to H.G. Wells. One story, "Reasons for My Abscondence" is apparently based on real events but reminded me of The Turn of the Screw. I do enjoy reading about what sparks creativity, so I appreciated the backstories in the notes.
July 15, 2022
Kev Harrison is one of the most consistent writers in horror. That's a FACT. I think this collection of short stories would be a fantastic introduction for new readers to get to know Harrison's work. What was pleasing for me was to see the author move through the gears effortlessly and with great skill. The grit and heart which I associate with Harrison's work was on display but in certain stories I also read new aspects to his ability. I of course appreciated when the gore and action was cracked up a few levels! However, there's much more on display here including moving and poignant tales as well as stories which are just so much FUN. At no point does this dilute what Harrison is about, rather it reinforced my opinion that he's one of the shining lights currently grinding out the words in the horror genre.
August 31, 2025
This was such a great read. Not only was the writing good and well edited, the stories really left their mark. It's hard to pick a favourite, because I loved them all. A few really stood out though.
Big Game was a great opener. I could imagine this happening in real life - if it doesn't already in some dark corner of the world somewhere.
Special Order was both amusing and dark. It definitely was a good sci-fi horror cross over.
No Such Thing As A Free Lunch is another disturbing one, because it leaves you wondering if it could actually happen.
That's just three out of the thirteen to enjoy. If you like horror, this is definitely worth your time.
Big Game was a great opener. I could imagine this happening in real life - if it doesn't already in some dark corner of the world somewhere.
Special Order was both amusing and dark. It definitely was a good sci-fi horror cross over.
No Such Thing As A Free Lunch is another disturbing one, because it leaves you wondering if it could actually happen.
That's just three out of the thirteen to enjoy. If you like horror, this is definitely worth your time.
November 16, 2022
A good mix of stories in this collection from Kev Harrison. A few felt as though they could've been longer (I've read novellas from Kev, so maybe I was just jonesing for longer stories!), but altogether they were very well done. My favourites were The Waiting Game (great revenge story with a twist), Muscle Memory (not exactly horror, but raw, emotional, and beautifully written) and Suppression (a great idea, and one of those I wish were longer). The collection is a good introduction to Harrison's style and excellent writing that he explores further in other books, with more to come (thankfully!).
October 21, 2024
Paths Best Left Untrodden is a stunning collection of dystopian, sci-fi and occult horror.
Do you ever wonder what would happen if your own body went mouldy? Or your pizza attacked you? Neither have I…at least, I hadn’t until I read this.
Beautifully written, Kev’s descriptions are phenomenal, his characters well developed, and his stories cut even deeper emotionally because some of them I can see coming true.
If you want a cleverly written collection that covers creatures, black magic, aliens and body horror then you are most definitely in the right company here. I also really loved reading about the inspiration behind each story at the end, it really added an extra something.
This was my first read by Kev Harrison, and it certainly won’t be my last.
Do you ever wonder what would happen if your own body went mouldy? Or your pizza attacked you? Neither have I…at least, I hadn’t until I read this.
Beautifully written, Kev’s descriptions are phenomenal, his characters well developed, and his stories cut even deeper emotionally because some of them I can see coming true.
If you want a cleverly written collection that covers creatures, black magic, aliens and body horror then you are most definitely in the right company here. I also really loved reading about the inspiration behind each story at the end, it really added an extra something.
This was my first read by Kev Harrison, and it certainly won’t be my last.
January 24, 2022
Paths….
CONTAINS SPOILERS
A varied collection of short horror/thriller stories that are well written and entertaining.
It may be that I’m just well read however I did find several of the plots easy to anticipate, I realised almost immediately it was a Komodo Dragon and that this was a revenge tale. In the hunting story it was obvious to me what the “Big Game” was going to be and similarly just what was in the meatloaf and why eating Frank’s heart was necessary.Personally I would’ve contrived to feed Neil’s portion to the fighting cats which could’ve led to a very different ending.
These comments aside all these stories are well written and I did enjoy them.
CONTAINS SPOILERS
A varied collection of short horror/thriller stories that are well written and entertaining.
It may be that I’m just well read however I did find several of the plots easy to anticipate, I realised almost immediately it was a Komodo Dragon and that this was a revenge tale. In the hunting story it was obvious to me what the “Big Game” was going to be and similarly just what was in the meatloaf and why eating Frank’s heart was necessary.Personally I would’ve contrived to feed Neil’s portion to the fighting cats which could’ve led to a very different ending.
These comments aside all these stories are well written and I did enjoy them.
Read
July 10, 2022Ever since reading The Balance, I've been trying to keep my eye out for more of Harrison's work where I'm able, so when the announcement came for this collection I put it on my TBR as soon as possible - it definitely didn't disappoint!
I loved how varied this ended up being. Whilst I usually appreciate a well-tied in collection, I honestly think I prefer works like this wherein you're given a sort 'sample pack' of the range an author can present. Amid your unsettling horror there's sci-fi, thriller, even the whisper of a bit of romance.
And whilst, admittedly, not all of these were my cup of tea, I can appreciate how that range still benefited the collection overall. Not a single line felt like a slog, even if the piece wasn't entirely on my wavelength. It made me really wish more collections followed this, and weren't afraid to provide range rather than pack everything in tightly with a set theme.
I read the entire thing in two sittings - there's a great sense of momentum to Harrison's work, beautifully lean and precise, and most leave you feeling wary of the world because of their ambiguous conclusions.
My favourites out of the collection have to be The Fourth Wall, Muscle Memory, and The Solstice. Definitely give this collection a go.
I loved how varied this ended up being. Whilst I usually appreciate a well-tied in collection, I honestly think I prefer works like this wherein you're given a sort 'sample pack' of the range an author can present. Amid your unsettling horror there's sci-fi, thriller, even the whisper of a bit of romance.
And whilst, admittedly, not all of these were my cup of tea, I can appreciate how that range still benefited the collection overall. Not a single line felt like a slog, even if the piece wasn't entirely on my wavelength. It made me really wish more collections followed this, and weren't afraid to provide range rather than pack everything in tightly with a set theme.
I read the entire thing in two sittings - there's a great sense of momentum to Harrison's work, beautifully lean and precise, and most leave you feeling wary of the world because of their ambiguous conclusions.
My favourites out of the collection have to be The Fourth Wall, Muscle Memory, and The Solstice. Definitely give this collection a go.
June 18, 2021
There’s a specific feeling I got upon reading Kev Harrison’s collection of Horror shorts, collected under the umbrella title of “Paths best left untrodden” – Unclean. Dirty. Queasy. The stories themselves provide no closure, you go from one unsettling story to the next, each leaving a slightly bitter taste to your palate – as if Kev has cleverly concocted a set of amazing dishes, and spiced them all with something quite rotten, a note of discord that even though it’s presence can almost be ignored, it sours any happiness in the meal you might have had, and turns each one into this thing you know is going to curdle your stomach, only after you’ve eaten every last word up.
Every one of his stories here has, at some point, gone nasty.
How cool is that!
It’s a collection unlike any other I’ve read. There’s this perennial gloom Kev has injected into each of the stories, like a medieval fog that gets everywhere, douses any hope of a happy ending, and leaves you in no doubt that things are going to go bad in all of the tales. It’s a touch gothic, a touch Lovecraft, a touch folklore. Yes, there are modern tales, but you just know that an element of nastiness is around the corner. A couple of the stories were stand-out winners for me, prime amongst them being Contamination – there’s something sinister about mold at the best of times but seeing the words “creeping death” just nailed it for me.
Big Game, the opener, is fluent, well thought out, upfront sudden violence, Snap, similarly has a wonderful tight section of body horror that cuts magnificently. The waiting game was also a great one for me, I liked the premise and I liked the execution of the story.
This collection left me feeling dirty, inexplicably, like I’d just read something psychologically scaring, that was going to contaminate the rest of my books. It’s unforgiving, bleak, yet easy to read. I’m almost wary of it, like I expect it to go rabid on me at any moment, feral at the very least, and I have no clue at all who it is going to bite next. It’s fantastic. I want to pass it onto the next person and watch their face as they read it. Watch them as it bites their fingers off. Watch them as they discover the mold…
5 out of 5 ⭐’s and I think I need to lock the book up somewhere in the cellar before it contaminates the rest of the bookcase with its creeping mold death and finger-snapping nastiness. Kev, you made me squirm. Bravo!
Every one of his stories here has, at some point, gone nasty.
How cool is that!
It’s a collection unlike any other I’ve read. There’s this perennial gloom Kev has injected into each of the stories, like a medieval fog that gets everywhere, douses any hope of a happy ending, and leaves you in no doubt that things are going to go bad in all of the tales. It’s a touch gothic, a touch Lovecraft, a touch folklore. Yes, there are modern tales, but you just know that an element of nastiness is around the corner. A couple of the stories were stand-out winners for me, prime amongst them being Contamination – there’s something sinister about mold at the best of times but seeing the words “creeping death” just nailed it for me.
Big Game, the opener, is fluent, well thought out, upfront sudden violence, Snap, similarly has a wonderful tight section of body horror that cuts magnificently. The waiting game was also a great one for me, I liked the premise and I liked the execution of the story.
This collection left me feeling dirty, inexplicably, like I’d just read something psychologically scaring, that was going to contaminate the rest of my books. It’s unforgiving, bleak, yet easy to read. I’m almost wary of it, like I expect it to go rabid on me at any moment, feral at the very least, and I have no clue at all who it is going to bite next. It’s fantastic. I want to pass it onto the next person and watch their face as they read it. Watch them as it bites their fingers off. Watch them as they discover the mold…
5 out of 5 ⭐’s and I think I need to lock the book up somewhere in the cellar before it contaminates the rest of the bookcase with its creeping mold death and finger-snapping nastiness. Kev, you made me squirm. Bravo!
July 5, 2021
I like anthologies because they’re short and to the point. In this anthology, Kev Harrison delivers thirteen stories that span multiple genres including horror, sci-fi, suspense and thriller. Each story is unique and bizarre, showcasing the authors dark, terrifying thoughts.
One thing that stood out in this collection is the variety of setting within each different story, which makes each story unique. The setting change definitely makes this collection stand out from others.
I particularly enjoyed the stories “Snap,” “The Fourth Wall,” “Contaminated,” “No Such Thing as a Free Lunch,” “The Waiting Game,” and “Communion,” with “The Fourth Wall” being my favorite.
Characters in the stories were fleshed out well and not shallow.
All of the stories were well written and the author’s writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. I like how Harrison incorporates the right amount of supernatural in everyday situations.
If you enjoy short stories that span all different genres within the horror genre, this is for you.
One thing that stood out in this collection is the variety of setting within each different story, which makes each story unique. The setting change definitely makes this collection stand out from others.
I particularly enjoyed the stories “Snap,” “The Fourth Wall,” “Contaminated,” “No Such Thing as a Free Lunch,” “The Waiting Game,” and “Communion,” with “The Fourth Wall” being my favorite.
Characters in the stories were fleshed out well and not shallow.
All of the stories were well written and the author’s writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. I like how Harrison incorporates the right amount of supernatural in everyday situations.
If you enjoy short stories that span all different genres within the horror genre, this is for you.
June 15, 2021
This collection is incredible. I blew through the book so quickly because I just found the entire thing SO engaging.
Every story has something great to offer, and it's not always clear what that is until the conclusion.
Dark, brutal, gory, dark, funny, touching, dark; this collection has it all.
One of the best collections of horror that I've ever read.
Masterful.
Every story has something great to offer, and it's not always clear what that is until the conclusion.
Dark, brutal, gory, dark, funny, touching, dark; this collection has it all.
One of the best collections of horror that I've ever read.
Masterful.
September 15, 2022
Besides the first story, this is a book best left unread.
July 19, 2025
some good ideas but too quickly written and not fleshed out enough to have any real impact.
March 3, 2023
This is a collection of 13 short, creepy stories. I am a big fan of short scary stories because they let me get through them in one sitting. However, sometimes a short story isn’t enough, and I want more from the story.
The first story was one of those times that I wanted more! I knew where this story was headed within the first few paragraphs, but I wanted a more extended version to explain why. Why has the world become dystopian, and why do they need to sneak around (sorry can’t tell you more, or else there would be a spoiler).
Solstice was another story I enjoyed, but I wanted a more in-depth look at the characters and what brought them to where they ended. Suppression intrigued me but should have been a little longer (I know I said I liked short stories, but these were too good to be kept short).
Snap was the perfect amount of story and scare. My favourite story in the collection is Fourth Wall. The right length with a few “OH” moments captivated me to keep reading.
The book is an easy read and perfect for a teen who loves horror. Though, there were a few minor editing mistakes that shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying this masterpiece.
Something I haven’t seen in a short story collection was the author explaining where each idea came from. At the end of the book Kev Harisson describes where he got his great creepy ideas.
I loved this book and know that if you love horror, you will too!
The first story was one of those times that I wanted more! I knew where this story was headed within the first few paragraphs, but I wanted a more extended version to explain why. Why has the world become dystopian, and why do they need to sneak around (sorry can’t tell you more, or else there would be a spoiler).
Solstice was another story I enjoyed, but I wanted a more in-depth look at the characters and what brought them to where they ended. Suppression intrigued me but should have been a little longer (I know I said I liked short stories, but these were too good to be kept short).
Snap was the perfect amount of story and scare. My favourite story in the collection is Fourth Wall. The right length with a few “OH” moments captivated me to keep reading.
The book is an easy read and perfect for a teen who loves horror. Though, there were a few minor editing mistakes that shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying this masterpiece.
Something I haven’t seen in a short story collection was the author explaining where each idea came from. At the end of the book Kev Harisson describes where he got his great creepy ideas.
I loved this book and know that if you love horror, you will too!
December 29, 2023
For anybody searching for a page-turner that has smart plot twists and original storylines that had me wondering until the very end, I would recommend this book to them. I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone.
December 29, 2023
This collection is fantastic. How quickly I read indicates how interested I was in the story.It's never clear what the cool thing is until the story is over. That's how stories go.A real expert.
January 23, 2024
The story of Marco and Paolo's pizzeria business, while fantastical with its alien truffle and feeders, mirrors the real-world ethical dilemmas of progress and greed. As someone from a rapidly developing country, I've witnessed how the promise of wealth can sometimes lead to moral compromises. The author's nuanced exploration of this theme, wrapped in an engaging sci-fi plot, provides much food for thought about the price of prosperity and the essence of human morality.
April 6, 2024
I like anthologies because they’re short and to the point. In this anthology, Kev Harrison delivers thirteen stories that span multiple genres including horror, sci-fi, suspense and thriller. Each story is unique and bizarre, showcasing the authors dark, terrifying thoughts.
One thing that stood out in this collection is the variety of setting within each different story, which makes each story unique. The setting change definitely makes this collection stand out from others.
I particularly enjoyed the stories “Snap,” “The Fourth Wall,” “Contaminated,” “No Such Thing as a Free Lunch,” “The Waiting Game,” and “Communion,” with “The Fourth Wall” being my favorite.
Characters in the stories were fleshed out well and not shallow.
All of the stories were well written and the author’s writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. I like how Harrison incorporates the right amount of supernatural in everyday situations.
If you enjoy short stories that span all different genres within the horror genre, this is for you.
I look forward to reading more from this author as I enjoy the way he writes.
One thing that stood out in this collection is the variety of setting within each different story, which makes each story unique. The setting change definitely makes this collection stand out from others.
I particularly enjoyed the stories “Snap,” “The Fourth Wall,” “Contaminated,” “No Such Thing as a Free Lunch,” “The Waiting Game,” and “Communion,” with “The Fourth Wall” being my favorite.
Characters in the stories were fleshed out well and not shallow.
All of the stories were well written and the author’s writing style is easy to read and enjoyable. I like how Harrison incorporates the right amount of supernatural in everyday situations.
If you enjoy short stories that span all different genres within the horror genre, this is for you.
I look forward to reading more from this author as I enjoy the way he writes.
April 5, 2024
well, these stories were okay, not bad but not great either. Too much he said and all that but more than just this one common fault, some of the endings were inconclusive as well. There’s a lot of strong language in them but then again, you wouldn’t want weak language would you? no, a lot of swearing but that’s how the people in the stories talk so deal with it. That’s not really troublesome to me but they could have been better written. The plots were pretty good, realistic in an unrealistic sort of way which is to say, they were futuristic or some of them were so they might be real one day, and one or two of the ideas had been explored before. The idea of suppression implants crops up a number of times in the works of others but it’s worth looking at I’d say that. Make up your own mind about them. as with most anthologies of short stories some are better than others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews