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Below
Nick has revered his grandfather his entire life. The absent hero, his namesake, buried alive in his final act of courage an ocean and thousands of miles away. Jess has outgrown her status as an all-action social media celebrity and the endless demands that come with it.
Adventure Travel TV has thrown this unlikely duo together, promising Jess the launchpad she craves and Nick the chance to tell his grandfather’s story first-hand, in the newly uncovered mine that still holds his remains from the twilight days of the gold rush. Is it a dream come true or a nightmare as someone or something stirs…BELOW.
Adventure Travel TV has thrown this unlikely duo together, promising Jess the launchpad she craves and Nick the chance to tell his grandfather’s story first-hand, in the newly uncovered mine that still holds his remains from the twilight days of the gold rush. Is it a dream come true or a nightmare as someone or something stirs…BELOW.
146 pages, Paperback
Published August 17, 2021
7 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Kev Harrison
38 books157 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
July 1, 2024
Okay
Nicolas Jones and Jess, an instagram influencer, leave England and travel to the United States to film inside an abandoned mine.
His grandfather became a hero in 1957 when the mine caved in and he helped most of the miners escape from the mine.
After 60 years Nick, Jess and Sofia are filming a reality show about his grandfather heroics, when they are trapped underground with danger.
Still can’t understand how the Americans allowed a British film crew into a dangerous, abandoned mine.
Three happy stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicolas Jones and Jess, an instagram influencer, leave England and travel to the United States to film inside an abandoned mine.
His grandfather became a hero in 1957 when the mine caved in and he helped most of the miners escape from the mine.
After 60 years Nick, Jess and Sofia are filming a reality show about his grandfather heroics, when they are trapped underground with danger.
Still can’t understand how the Americans allowed a British film crew into a dangerous, abandoned mine.
Three happy stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 13, 2021
What a great read! It was so hard to put down, I read it in one day. The story flows so easy, you get caught right up in it. The characters are good and felt real. The setting is absolutely terrifying! An abandoned mine?! Every time the team stepped through the entrance I felt like they were tempting fate. Do they meet their untimely end in the mine? What is down in those depths? You’ll have to read it to find out!
October 13, 2021
Well, this book definitely brought several of my favorite claustrophobic movies to mind as I was reading! I thought of The Decent a lot. Some of the elements of The Cave also reverberated here, but this had its own way that was separate. This is Nick Jones trying to trace the path of his grandfather; a miner in the late fifties.
Mines are deep, dark, tunnels ripe with superstition and loaded with danger at the best of times. So, no matter when you visit them it’s a mixed bag; but trying to find what happened during a previous collapse is rather creepy.
They just might find a lot more than they bargained for as the three of them take footage and try to use the time they have wisely. What did happen in the late fifties with Nick’s grandfather? What will they find ? My curiosity grew as they went. A short, quick, but interesting read!
Mines are deep, dark, tunnels ripe with superstition and loaded with danger at the best of times. So, no matter when you visit them it’s a mixed bag; but trying to find what happened during a previous collapse is rather creepy.
They just might find a lot more than they bargained for as the three of them take footage and try to use the time they have wisely. What did happen in the late fifties with Nick’s grandfather? What will they find ? My curiosity grew as they went. A short, quick, but interesting read!
September 22, 2021
BELOW, by Kev Harrison, started off strong, and just got better from there. So many little details had my mind whirling, trying to figure out what was going on.
Nothing prepared me.
Recommended.
Nothing prepared me.
Recommended.
January 7, 2025
A very interesting, engaging story. I loved the claustrophobic atmosphere and the tension. I truly enjoyed this novella.
October 27, 2025
"The irises stretched, as if belonging to a cat about to strike, then the thing moved forward, crawling down the rockface towards her, inverted."
4✨
4✨
June 26, 2022
Below has everything you would come to expect from Kev Harrison. Right from the start, we have the folklore contact. A dangerous mine that has a history of caving in. A grandfather with hero status. A presenter looking for her big break. The characters have bigger balls than I, the mere thought of being caved in is enough for me to put the breaks on. The breath you rely on running short, the darkness making you question reality, only your thoughts for company, no siree, I am out!
This is the third novella I have read from Kev Harrison (previously read The Balance and Warding) and it gives us something different. Nick has revered his grandfather for many years. He’s the ultimate idol, someone to base your life choices on. He’s studied the events of the 1957 cave-in where his grandfather managed to save many people but ultimately, he lost his life. He is given the opportunity to explore this mine in person as part of a new TV show for Adventure TV. He jumps at the chance – it’s one thing agreeing to this from the comfort of your home in Wales but it’s another thing entirely stepping into a mine that instantly triggers your claustrophobia.
The events that transpire are pure horror. The horror of mankind and all the intricacies of a destroyed mind. It examines the heavy weight of action and consequence.
Jess his co-host has had enough of vlogging everything. She’s sick of always having to be on display, immaculate appearance, and fake smile. IGTV is not where she wants to be, and this opportunity is her big break. One thing I adore about Harrison’s writing is the fact that he values characterisation as equally important as the plot. The duo’s adventure below the surface is distilled in fear and a chilling sense of doom.
Below could be compared with The Descent or As Above so Below but I think it’s in a league of its own, no comparison would do it justice and Harrison has created a story that would chill you to stone quicker than a Medusa stare.
Below ensnares the reader with its intoxicating atmosphere. From the descriptions of the impenetrable dark to the descriptions of the rock surface and the random noises that seem to assault their senses were expertly done. You always get an immersive experience and I felt like I was there with Nick and Jess, close enough to hold their hands and try and drag them back to the surface because they clearly aren’t thinking straight! HA!
Below is a testament to Kev Harrison and his skill. Master of folklore. Disturbing and relentless, this author is on a roll.
This is the third novella I have read from Kev Harrison (previously read The Balance and Warding) and it gives us something different. Nick has revered his grandfather for many years. He’s the ultimate idol, someone to base your life choices on. He’s studied the events of the 1957 cave-in where his grandfather managed to save many people but ultimately, he lost his life. He is given the opportunity to explore this mine in person as part of a new TV show for Adventure TV. He jumps at the chance – it’s one thing agreeing to this from the comfort of your home in Wales but it’s another thing entirely stepping into a mine that instantly triggers your claustrophobia.
The events that transpire are pure horror. The horror of mankind and all the intricacies of a destroyed mind. It examines the heavy weight of action and consequence.
Jess his co-host has had enough of vlogging everything. She’s sick of always having to be on display, immaculate appearance, and fake smile. IGTV is not where she wants to be, and this opportunity is her big break. One thing I adore about Harrison’s writing is the fact that he values characterisation as equally important as the plot. The duo’s adventure below the surface is distilled in fear and a chilling sense of doom.
Below could be compared with The Descent or As Above so Below but I think it’s in a league of its own, no comparison would do it justice and Harrison has created a story that would chill you to stone quicker than a Medusa stare.
Below ensnares the reader with its intoxicating atmosphere. From the descriptions of the impenetrable dark to the descriptions of the rock surface and the random noises that seem to assault their senses were expertly done. You always get an immersive experience and I felt like I was there with Nick and Jess, close enough to hold their hands and try and drag them back to the surface because they clearly aren’t thinking straight! HA!
Below is a testament to Kev Harrison and his skill. Master of folklore. Disturbing and relentless, this author is on a roll.
August 22, 2021
‘The Descent' meets ‘As Above, So Below’
Having tackled the folk-horror sub-genre with ‘The Balance’, horror author Kev Harrison has turned his attention to a more oppressive and taut tale of underground monsters and ill-fated film crews.
Nick is a mining engineer who is signed on to star in a documentary about a tragic accident in a gold mine over sixty years ago. It is a tragedy that Nick has a personal connection to and one that he hopes will become a focal point of the work he is doing. Alongside his co-star Jess, a famous internet influencer with a taste for adventure, and camera operator Sofia, he sets off to tell the world about his family’s story.
What the team soon discover is that this particular story is far from over. When they hear unusual and unexplainable sounds deep down in the mines, and their only exit is sabotaged, the trio finds themselves trapped with no light, no food and no chance of escape, at the mercy of a creature that calls the abandoned mines home. A creature that is hungry…
It’s a familiar sounding set-up, and one rife for a fun-filled horror novella, but Harrison has his own twist on the underground horror sub-genre and the story goes in directions that are both unique and unexpected. Would you expect anything less from an author whose debut novella was a spin on the Baba Yaga fable?
‘Below’ starts out with an intriguing set-up, and spends a lot of time introducing us to our main three characters. It is time well spent, as Nick, Jess and Sofia are all distinct and well-rounded characters, Harrison deftly avoiding caricature. All three are very different, personality-wise (Jess is the bold and adventurous yin to Nicks more reserved and considered yang) but gel so well together as a team and the book's highlights tend to be when all three are together on the page.
Comparisons to movies such as ‘The Descent' or ‘As Above, So Below’ perhaps suggest a certain level of action and bloodshed and, while there is no shortage of either in ‘Below’, the pacing is very methodical and deliberate, hinting very early on at what’s to come, but taking no pains to rush to the scary set-pieces that we know are just around the corner. Harrison is far more concerned at building tension and making us care about the characters before plunging them into peril, making the finale all the more exciting for it. If you’re here for gore and gut-munching, then ‘Below’ may not be the book for you. While it doesn’t shy away in this regard, that isn’t the focus and the action is there to propel the story, not the other way round.
I particularly enjoyed the hints at backstory we’re given in the forms of diary pages from a witness to the mining accident our protagonists are there to investigate. They crop up throughout the book, revealing more about the increasingly extreme circumstances that followed as the tension builds more and more in the present-day story. It’s effectively done and gives some much appreciated context, history and, dare I say, even sympathy to the monster.
Tense and claustrophobic, building to a satisfying and action-packed finale, ‘Below’ is an engrossing and undeniably fun read, elevated by its focus on character and story over empty spectacle. The slow build-up builds dread effectively and the story remains surprisingly grounded throughout. Whatever sub-genre Kev Harrison chooses to tackle with his next book, you can count me in.
Having tackled the folk-horror sub-genre with ‘The Balance’, horror author Kev Harrison has turned his attention to a more oppressive and taut tale of underground monsters and ill-fated film crews.
Nick is a mining engineer who is signed on to star in a documentary about a tragic accident in a gold mine over sixty years ago. It is a tragedy that Nick has a personal connection to and one that he hopes will become a focal point of the work he is doing. Alongside his co-star Jess, a famous internet influencer with a taste for adventure, and camera operator Sofia, he sets off to tell the world about his family’s story.
What the team soon discover is that this particular story is far from over. When they hear unusual and unexplainable sounds deep down in the mines, and their only exit is sabotaged, the trio finds themselves trapped with no light, no food and no chance of escape, at the mercy of a creature that calls the abandoned mines home. A creature that is hungry…
It’s a familiar sounding set-up, and one rife for a fun-filled horror novella, but Harrison has his own twist on the underground horror sub-genre and the story goes in directions that are both unique and unexpected. Would you expect anything less from an author whose debut novella was a spin on the Baba Yaga fable?
‘Below’ starts out with an intriguing set-up, and spends a lot of time introducing us to our main three characters. It is time well spent, as Nick, Jess and Sofia are all distinct and well-rounded characters, Harrison deftly avoiding caricature. All three are very different, personality-wise (Jess is the bold and adventurous yin to Nicks more reserved and considered yang) but gel so well together as a team and the book's highlights tend to be when all three are together on the page.
Comparisons to movies such as ‘The Descent' or ‘As Above, So Below’ perhaps suggest a certain level of action and bloodshed and, while there is no shortage of either in ‘Below’, the pacing is very methodical and deliberate, hinting very early on at what’s to come, but taking no pains to rush to the scary set-pieces that we know are just around the corner. Harrison is far more concerned at building tension and making us care about the characters before plunging them into peril, making the finale all the more exciting for it. If you’re here for gore and gut-munching, then ‘Below’ may not be the book for you. While it doesn’t shy away in this regard, that isn’t the focus and the action is there to propel the story, not the other way round.
I particularly enjoyed the hints at backstory we’re given in the forms of diary pages from a witness to the mining accident our protagonists are there to investigate. They crop up throughout the book, revealing more about the increasingly extreme circumstances that followed as the tension builds more and more in the present-day story. It’s effectively done and gives some much appreciated context, history and, dare I say, even sympathy to the monster.
Tense and claustrophobic, building to a satisfying and action-packed finale, ‘Below’ is an engrossing and undeniably fun read, elevated by its focus on character and story over empty spectacle. The slow build-up builds dread effectively and the story remains surprisingly grounded throughout. Whatever sub-genre Kev Harrison chooses to tackle with his next book, you can count me in.
January 8, 2025
The author wastes no time getting to the action with this one. Within a few pages Nick, Jess, and Sofia are about enter an old collapsed mine where Nicks grandfather and other miners died in 1957. Nick, a mining engineer, Jess a social media adventure influencer, and Sofia a camera operator enter the mine to capture footage and hopefully create a successful documentary. Right upon entering the cave they hear odd sounds and get the feeling of something watching them. Along the way they find artifacts, and pages of journal entries from Nicks grandfather shedding light on the days they were trapped in the cave. Reading the journal entries really pull you into the story as if you were there. As they descend deeper in the mine disturbing items are found along with a sinister creature. Faced paced adventure thriller with a supernatural creature.
August 28, 2021
First off, this has an amazing, draw you in, cover! One of my favorites I’ve seen this year!
This story follows Nick, Jess and Sophia as they investigate an abandoned gold mine. Nick is pursuing information regarding his grandfather, who was buried alive in the mine along with some of his crew. Jess is the face behind the documentary being filmed and Sophia is the camera operator. The characters were well fleshed out for such a short story. Especially loved the character of Nick, who seemed so authentic.
Of course things go wrong and the horror ensues. I love dark, isolating horror. Caves, mines, old cabins snowed in…this story really made the reader think about what they would do, stuck there in the darkness. The fear was palpable.
This made me recall a visit to Merrimack Caverns when I was a kid. The echoing voices, the weird lighting, the ghostly stalactites and stalagmites. The atmosphere was what made the book for me!
This story follows Nick, Jess and Sophia as they investigate an abandoned gold mine. Nick is pursuing information regarding his grandfather, who was buried alive in the mine along with some of his crew. Jess is the face behind the documentary being filmed and Sophia is the camera operator. The characters were well fleshed out for such a short story. Especially loved the character of Nick, who seemed so authentic.
Of course things go wrong and the horror ensues. I love dark, isolating horror. Caves, mines, old cabins snowed in…this story really made the reader think about what they would do, stuck there in the darkness. The fear was palpable.
This made me recall a visit to Merrimack Caverns when I was a kid. The echoing voices, the weird lighting, the ghostly stalactites and stalagmites. The atmosphere was what made the book for me!
September 28, 2021
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
The second novella I’ve read from Kev Harrison, ‘Below’ was a highly anticipated read for myself the moment I saw the announcement news.
I’ve quickly become a fan of Kev as both a writer and a champion of the Horror Community. He’s always supporting myself, Kendall Reviews and a myriad of other fantastic authors and review sites, but also knowing just how awesome of a writer he is, he’s a must-read author already at this point.
With ‘Below,’ I was curious to see what he would do with a confined space story. His previous novella ‘The Balance’ was set in a forested community, but holding tension when the set pieces are restricted can sometimes be the toughest task. I was confident in Harrison being able to do so, but how effectively?
What I liked: The story follows Nick, a man who has looked up to his grandfather his entire life. His grandfather was hailed as a hero when the mine he was working in collapsed some fifty years ago. So, armed with a social media star and a camera person, Nick films his return to the site and their re-entry into the mine, which hasn’t been reopened since that fateful collapse.
This book bristles with nervous tension. Short, snappy chapters propel it along and you desperately want to know what is going on. Even when odd things happen (an example – clanging metal from within when that sound shouldn’t be possible) and the characters seemingly shrug it off, I found myself pushing that aside, because I frantically NEEDED to know what was going to happen.
I really enjoyed the three characters that make up the main cast. Each one was introduced briefly, but we came to really understand them and care for them in a short time, and it was also nice to see that the producer/Hollywood TV man was a caring individual. When things take a turn, we don’t get a section where he berates the people and tells them to push on and keep filming, instead, we get someone who devises a plan to help them to safety.
What I didn’t like: For a short book with such quick chapters, nothing really happens until about the 75% mark and even by that point you’ve pretty much figured out the what and the who. Not that it diminishes Nick and his story any, in fact, it really drives a lot of the impact home, but when dealing with a short page count, I was expecting the main action moment earlier followed by a survival tale taking up most of the back half.
Why you should buy this: Harrison really seems to have found his command of delivering eerie tales that nestle nicely in the novella-length form. Between his folklore tellings of ‘The Balance’ and now his biblical-infused subterranean piece ‘Below’ we’re getting some fantastic dark fiction.
If you’re wanting to read something that’ll make you feel claustrophobic and on the verge of hyperventilating, look no further.
The second novella I’ve read from Kev Harrison, ‘Below’ was a highly anticipated read for myself the moment I saw the announcement news.
I’ve quickly become a fan of Kev as both a writer and a champion of the Horror Community. He’s always supporting myself, Kendall Reviews and a myriad of other fantastic authors and review sites, but also knowing just how awesome of a writer he is, he’s a must-read author already at this point.
With ‘Below,’ I was curious to see what he would do with a confined space story. His previous novella ‘The Balance’ was set in a forested community, but holding tension when the set pieces are restricted can sometimes be the toughest task. I was confident in Harrison being able to do so, but how effectively?
What I liked: The story follows Nick, a man who has looked up to his grandfather his entire life. His grandfather was hailed as a hero when the mine he was working in collapsed some fifty years ago. So, armed with a social media star and a camera person, Nick films his return to the site and their re-entry into the mine, which hasn’t been reopened since that fateful collapse.
This book bristles with nervous tension. Short, snappy chapters propel it along and you desperately want to know what is going on. Even when odd things happen (an example – clanging metal from within when that sound shouldn’t be possible) and the characters seemingly shrug it off, I found myself pushing that aside, because I frantically NEEDED to know what was going to happen.
I really enjoyed the three characters that make up the main cast. Each one was introduced briefly, but we came to really understand them and care for them in a short time, and it was also nice to see that the producer/Hollywood TV man was a caring individual. When things take a turn, we don’t get a section where he berates the people and tells them to push on and keep filming, instead, we get someone who devises a plan to help them to safety.
What I didn’t like: For a short book with such quick chapters, nothing really happens until about the 75% mark and even by that point you’ve pretty much figured out the what and the who. Not that it diminishes Nick and his story any, in fact, it really drives a lot of the impact home, but when dealing with a short page count, I was expecting the main action moment earlier followed by a survival tale taking up most of the back half.
Why you should buy this: Harrison really seems to have found his command of delivering eerie tales that nestle nicely in the novella-length form. Between his folklore tellings of ‘The Balance’ and now his biblical-infused subterranean piece ‘Below’ we’re getting some fantastic dark fiction.
If you’re wanting to read something that’ll make you feel claustrophobic and on the verge of hyperventilating, look no further.
October 6, 2021
Kev Harrison delivers a dark little subterranean tale which manages to be both unsettling and thought-provoking.
Nick Jones revisits the old mining caves where his grandfather perished, and discovers the horror of what the human mind will allow as necessary when death stares you in the face...
The underground scenes were brilliantly done. You can feel the oppression of the pitch dark, of the narrow passages where no human has trodden for decades, the weight of the rock above you separating you from the world outside.
The chapters are short, keeping you reading. There's an atmosphere that *something* is about to happen, and, as you are led in the dark, following in Nick and his companions footsteps, you want to hang back, to look for that chink of light from the cave opening...
If you're looking for a fast-paced, well-crafted story, and don't mind a heavy dose of claustrophobia, pick this one up!
Nick Jones revisits the old mining caves where his grandfather perished, and discovers the horror of what the human mind will allow as necessary when death stares you in the face...
The underground scenes were brilliantly done. You can feel the oppression of the pitch dark, of the narrow passages where no human has trodden for decades, the weight of the rock above you separating you from the world outside.
The chapters are short, keeping you reading. There's an atmosphere that *something* is about to happen, and, as you are led in the dark, following in Nick and his companions footsteps, you want to hang back, to look for that chink of light from the cave opening...
If you're looking for a fast-paced, well-crafted story, and don't mind a heavy dose of claustrophobia, pick this one up!
September 4, 2021
I've read a couple of Kev Harrison's stories now and I've really enjoyed them, but BELOW felt a little too familiar to me, like I'd seen it all before. It's not that it's bad. In fact it's quite good. It's pieced together well. The characters are fine, and there is nothing really wrong with the writing either, but here just weren't enough surprises, and that's what let it down.
Look, I'm 47, I've seen a lot of movies, read a lot of books. It's gonna happen.
Anyway, I did enjoy certain aspects of this: the journal entries, the pacing of the book. It didn't hang around.
I was just hoping for a little more meat on the bones.
3 out of 5 stars feels right for me here.
Look, I'm 47, I've seen a lot of movies, read a lot of books. It's gonna happen.
Anyway, I did enjoy certain aspects of this: the journal entries, the pacing of the book. It didn't hang around.
I was just hoping for a little more meat on the bones.
3 out of 5 stars feels right for me here.
Read
January 14, 2024Stopping at 57% Maybe for now. Maybe forever.
Cave/ Underground horror has quickly become my favorite, and I’ve been pushing myself forward more because I want it to be good rather than it actually giving me what I want. There’s enough here that I could potentially see myself recommending it even if I don’t come back to it, but for now, I’m not sure I’m picking it back up.
Cave/ Underground horror has quickly become my favorite, and I’ve been pushing myself forward more because I want it to be good rather than it actually giving me what I want. There’s enough here that I could potentially see myself recommending it even if I don’t come back to it, but for now, I’m not sure I’m picking it back up.
August 10, 2021
A chilling, thrilling and claustrophobic descent into the bowels of the earth. Past and present collide as Nick Jones, faces his fears, and goes in search of the story of his grandfather - the man after whom he was named.
With terrific action and engaging characters, this dark story also shows how a spark of humanity can remain - even in the most monstrous form. Harrison's well-judged pacing and atmospheric skill bury you in the story as if you were one of the explorers yourself. But at least you can escape - can't you?'
With terrific action and engaging characters, this dark story also shows how a spark of humanity can remain - even in the most monstrous form. Harrison's well-judged pacing and atmospheric skill bury you in the story as if you were one of the explorers yourself. But at least you can escape - can't you?'
February 17, 2025
Below by Kev Harrison delivers a chilling slice of horror that will have readers up at night. The story follows Nick Jones, a miner whose life has been shaped by tales of his grandfather, who perished in a mining disaster. At 28, Nick is determined to reopen the mine where his grandfather died over sixty years ago, hoping to recover his remains. Accompanied by influencer Jess and camerawoman Sophia, Nick descends into the mine, only to realize they’re not alone.
Harrison excels in crafting a claustrophobic, dark setting that pulls readers into the tension of the underground. As the explorers venture deeper, the suspense builds, creating a visceral sense of unease. The oppressive atmosphere grips the reader, making it hard to shake the feeling of impending danger.
This most definitely should be a movie—no questions asked. The eerie found footage vibe, combined with the documentary-style narrative and the hauntingly abandoned mines, creates an atmosphere thick with dread. The constant threat of another collapse adds a spine-chilling layer of danger, leaving you unsure of who—or what—might be buried next. The writing amps up the tension with every page, pulling you deeper into the suffocating darkness. It's a book that gnaws at you, and the suspense builds with a slow, relentless grip. I’d recommend this to any horror fan looking for a story that will linger long after the lights go out. Below is a fast-paced, atmospheric read that will leave you uneasy—best enjoyed with the lights on.
Harrison excels in crafting a claustrophobic, dark setting that pulls readers into the tension of the underground. As the explorers venture deeper, the suspense builds, creating a visceral sense of unease. The oppressive atmosphere grips the reader, making it hard to shake the feeling of impending danger.
This most definitely should be a movie—no questions asked. The eerie found footage vibe, combined with the documentary-style narrative and the hauntingly abandoned mines, creates an atmosphere thick with dread. The constant threat of another collapse adds a spine-chilling layer of danger, leaving you unsure of who—or what—might be buried next. The writing amps up the tension with every page, pulling you deeper into the suffocating darkness. It's a book that gnaws at you, and the suspense builds with a slow, relentless grip. I’d recommend this to any horror fan looking for a story that will linger long after the lights go out. Below is a fast-paced, atmospheric read that will leave you uneasy—best enjoyed with the lights on.
July 5, 2022
This was definitely a fun book!
While it was a wee bit predictable, I loved our characters and our very eerie setting.
Expect some truly chilling scenes and to definitely get creeped out by what happens in that mine!
This is my first book by the author, and I can tell you it won't be my last. I enjoyed his storytelling style immensely and found myself feeling like I was stuck in that mine with our characters!
*ARC via Publisher
While it was a wee bit predictable, I loved our characters and our very eerie setting.
Expect some truly chilling scenes and to definitely get creeped out by what happens in that mine!
This is my first book by the author, and I can tell you it won't be my last. I enjoyed his storytelling style immensely and found myself feeling like I was stuck in that mine with our characters!
*ARC via Publisher
June 27, 2022
Below by author Kev Harrison is a delicious slice of horror that will have readers all over the world sleeping with the lights on.
The story is that of Nick Jones, a man whose life has been in many ways shaped by the grandfather he knew only through the stories told to him. Nicholas Jones was a twenty eight year old miner when he heroically spirited fellow workers to safety during a mine collapse. As his turn to exit the mine arrived, the entire shaft disintegrated, burying he and two other miners alive. Nick has heard the stories all of his life, stories that sparked his own interest in mining and led to his pursuit of a PhD in mining engineering. The mine where Nick’s grandfather perished was never reopened, and Nick is on a funded mission to reopen the entrance and retrieve his grandfather’s remains—remains that have been in the collapsed mine for over sixty years. Nick is accompanied on his journey by upwardly mobile influencer Jess and camera operator Sophia. Together they descend into the darkness, where they discover that they are not alone.
Harrison’s strength is in creating a setting that is claustrophobic, dark and disturbing. The reader is immersed in this underground world, and it isn’t difficult to feel as if the walls are closing in. As the three explorers descend into the bowels of the mine, the tension builds in an edge-of-the-seat way that is physically experienced by the reader.
The weakness in this book, however, destabilizes reader engagement. The characters are two-dimensional—never fully explored or developed enough to warrant investment. I wanted to know more about Nick particularly, and of the specifics in the stories he had been told. I wanted his background so that I could feel some sort of emotion regarding his experiences in that mine. I also felt like the relationship between Jess and Sophia was forced as a way to make the story seem “woke” and on pointe with contemporary culture. It just wasn’t organic enough to be believable, a shortcoming that would be easily remedied by the inclusion of their back stories.
Overall, an atmospheric book that is a quick read—preferably with the lights on.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing me a free copy for review. Below is available now at major booksellers.
The story is that of Nick Jones, a man whose life has been in many ways shaped by the grandfather he knew only through the stories told to him. Nicholas Jones was a twenty eight year old miner when he heroically spirited fellow workers to safety during a mine collapse. As his turn to exit the mine arrived, the entire shaft disintegrated, burying he and two other miners alive. Nick has heard the stories all of his life, stories that sparked his own interest in mining and led to his pursuit of a PhD in mining engineering. The mine where Nick’s grandfather perished was never reopened, and Nick is on a funded mission to reopen the entrance and retrieve his grandfather’s remains—remains that have been in the collapsed mine for over sixty years. Nick is accompanied on his journey by upwardly mobile influencer Jess and camera operator Sophia. Together they descend into the darkness, where they discover that they are not alone.
Harrison’s strength is in creating a setting that is claustrophobic, dark and disturbing. The reader is immersed in this underground world, and it isn’t difficult to feel as if the walls are closing in. As the three explorers descend into the bowels of the mine, the tension builds in an edge-of-the-seat way that is physically experienced by the reader.
The weakness in this book, however, destabilizes reader engagement. The characters are two-dimensional—never fully explored or developed enough to warrant investment. I wanted to know more about Nick particularly, and of the specifics in the stories he had been told. I wanted his background so that I could feel some sort of emotion regarding his experiences in that mine. I also felt like the relationship between Jess and Sophia was forced as a way to make the story seem “woke” and on pointe with contemporary culture. It just wasn’t organic enough to be believable, a shortcoming that would be easily remedied by the inclusion of their back stories.
Overall, an atmospheric book that is a quick read—preferably with the lights on.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing me a free copy for review. Below is available now at major booksellers.
September 3, 2022
"There is no danger down here, Not as long as they can get us out. Eventhen, its only slow danger. Thirst. Starvation. Suffocation."
In 1957, several miners were trapped inside a gold mine after it collapses. They manage to stay alive for several days but are unfortunately never recovered from the collapsed mine.
Some 60 years later, Nick, the grandson to one of the miners trapped, works as a mining engineer and grew up with a granddad portrayed as a hero by the locals. He decides to go back to theold mine, bringing a social media influencer, Jess, and her camera operator Sofia, to try and uncover the secrets of what really happened in the mine. They soon discover unsettling clues to the workers last moments alive, but are they really alone in the deep, dark mine? Or is there something, or someone waiting for them down in the abandoned mine?
If this was a movie I'd be on it ASAP! It has a kind of found footage-feeling to it with the documentary trope and the old abandoned mines which I really love, it added to the creepy atmosphere and added another level of threat with the chance of another collapse. I liked the writing style, it really added to the suspense and my enjoyment of the book. I would definitely recommend this to any horror reader.
The ending was a bit drawn out I think, but the plot twist was fun and the method of the characters figuring things out and piecing the events together with the help of the diary pages found in the cave was a nice detail.
TW: cannibalism, body horror, kidnapping, claustrophobia, injury detail, death
Genres: horror
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
*MILD SPOILER*
"With his own breats silenced, it was undeniable. The unmistakable sound of someone panting." "His vision darted up, the cone of light following close behind. But there was no one. Nothing."
I was reading this in bed at night and managed to scare my husband trying to sleep next to me when I shouted "SOMETHING IS BREATHING INSIDE THE CAVE!"
In 1957, several miners were trapped inside a gold mine after it collapses. They manage to stay alive for several days but are unfortunately never recovered from the collapsed mine.
Some 60 years later, Nick, the grandson to one of the miners trapped, works as a mining engineer and grew up with a granddad portrayed as a hero by the locals. He decides to go back to theold mine, bringing a social media influencer, Jess, and her camera operator Sofia, to try and uncover the secrets of what really happened in the mine. They soon discover unsettling clues to the workers last moments alive, but are they really alone in the deep, dark mine? Or is there something, or someone waiting for them down in the abandoned mine?
If this was a movie I'd be on it ASAP! It has a kind of found footage-feeling to it with the documentary trope and the old abandoned mines which I really love, it added to the creepy atmosphere and added another level of threat with the chance of another collapse. I liked the writing style, it really added to the suspense and my enjoyment of the book. I would definitely recommend this to any horror reader.
The ending was a bit drawn out I think, but the plot twist was fun and the method of the characters figuring things out and piecing the events together with the help of the diary pages found in the cave was a nice detail.
TW: cannibalism, body horror, kidnapping, claustrophobia, injury detail, death
Genres: horror
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
*MILD SPOILER*
"With his own breats silenced, it was undeniable. The unmistakable sound of someone panting." "His vision darted up, the cone of light following close behind. But there was no one. Nothing."
I was reading this in bed at night and managed to scare my husband trying to sleep next to me when I shouted "SOMETHING IS BREATHING INSIDE THE CAVE!"
August 9, 2021
Isolation is a key element in any horror story. Below captivates that perfectly. We get to know the main characters, get to care about them, and, for me anyways, generally like them. That sets up a need to see them survive whatever lies ahead. That sets up danger and anticipation for a darkness so dense that no light can penetrate it within the caverns of an abandoned mine.
Once we're inside the underground network, the buildup to the final scene has a natural and, at times, eerie tone. You know there has to be some kind of payoff through the epistolary device Harrison uses throughout the story. I find epistolary's can either make or break a story. When executed well, they suck me into the story and I could read that style for as long as the author dictates it's length. When done poorly, I lose interest in the story entirely. Harrison does the former.
The technical side of mining and how real everything feels comes with Harrison's obvious research he did to get every detail just right. He doesn't over explain anything and he says just enough before it turns into boring jargon.
My absolute favorite part of this story is the payoff. What everything was building up to. Nicholas's grandfather and what sort of state he is in decades after the cave he had been working in collapses. Grandfather gives me the creeps, and I sure as hell hope I never run into a man like that.
Last thing to think about with this review. Just look at that cover. If that doesn't scream a contender for cover of the year, I'm not sure what does. But it does the novel justice without spoiling anything. If you look at that cover and think, "I need to know more," then I implore you to order a copy today.
Once we're inside the underground network, the buildup to the final scene has a natural and, at times, eerie tone. You know there has to be some kind of payoff through the epistolary device Harrison uses throughout the story. I find epistolary's can either make or break a story. When executed well, they suck me into the story and I could read that style for as long as the author dictates it's length. When done poorly, I lose interest in the story entirely. Harrison does the former.
The technical side of mining and how real everything feels comes with Harrison's obvious research he did to get every detail just right. He doesn't over explain anything and he says just enough before it turns into boring jargon.
My absolute favorite part of this story is the payoff. What everything was building up to. Nicholas's grandfather and what sort of state he is in decades after the cave he had been working in collapses. Grandfather gives me the creeps, and I sure as hell hope I never run into a man like that.
Last thing to think about with this review. Just look at that cover. If that doesn't scream a contender for cover of the year, I'm not sure what does. But it does the novel justice without spoiling anything. If you look at that cover and think, "I need to know more," then I implore you to order a copy today.
January 1, 2022
BELOW - by Kev Harrison
‘Nick has revered his grandfather his entire life. The absent hero, his namesake, buried alive in his final act of courage an ocean and thousands of miles away.’
‘Jess has outgrown her status as an all-action social media celebrity and the endless demands that come with it. Adventure Travel TV has thrown this unlikely duo together, promising Jess the launchpad she craves and Nick the chance to tell his grandfather’s story first-hand…’
That was a fun ride—though not as intense as I expected throughout—the women are bad*ss, and the ending was perfect!
Recommend!
Thank you, Silver Shamrock Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of BELOW at the request of an honest review.
July 18, 2022
Twisty spooky novella
Nick Jones, a mining engineer from North Wales, comes to the U.S. with Jess, a social media celebrity, to make a television documentary about his grandfather, who was trapped in a gold mine collapse in 1957.
His grandfather was Nick's namesake and was a hero, rescuing most of the miners during the collapse in 1957. Now Nick, Jess with Sofia on camera will film the documentary as they enter the mine after the collapsed section is opened for them.
But they find more than they thought they would and are trapped underground with an entity that doesn't want them to get out.
Spooky, well-written, and quick read. There were a few cumbersome spots I think because the author was British and the setting was the U.S. and didn't quite mesh but it was still fun.
I received this advanced reading copy from Brigade Gate through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Nick Jones, a mining engineer from North Wales, comes to the U.S. with Jess, a social media celebrity, to make a television documentary about his grandfather, who was trapped in a gold mine collapse in 1957.
His grandfather was Nick's namesake and was a hero, rescuing most of the miners during the collapse in 1957. Now Nick, Jess with Sofia on camera will film the documentary as they enter the mine after the collapsed section is opened for them.
But they find more than they thought they would and are trapped underground with an entity that doesn't want them to get out.
Spooky, well-written, and quick read. There were a few cumbersome spots I think because the author was British and the setting was the U.S. and didn't quite mesh but it was still fun.
I received this advanced reading copy from Brigade Gate through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
May 29, 2025
Had to stop bc I just didn’t like it. Just couldn’t get into it.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
August 18, 2021
Well Kev Harrison has done it again - another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!
He’s crafted a delightfully dark and mischievous tale of caving, or exploring and folklore - the Knockers are something I know about from my own research and was delighted to see them mentioned in this story.
With prose that is quick and sharp as a blade Harrison drags the reader by the scruff of the neck into the dark and oppressive environment of what’s below, our fingers reach out blindly for purchase but as the story progresses and the energy that is in the prose ramps up, our nails that have found purchase are pulled from their fleshy homes and we’re dragged bloody and bruised into the mine and what awaits us.
The characters that Harrison has born in this story live long in the memory, and that is something Harrison does well, fully rounded individuals that are grounded in reality, some you like, some you hate, some remind you of that annoying friend you once had. They are the gel that holds this claustrophobic tale together and we journey with them and are fully invested in their plight.
I love how Harrison also keeps the horrors hidden in this story, leaving it to the reader to conjure what stalks in the shadows, it harks back to the best of horror fiction and films where you don’t show the horrors. And in doing this Harrison also showcases a sensory journey for us, where sight is limited our characters are forced to hear and feel and smell things and this all adds to the claustrophobic vibe that is the rich pulse in the book.
I loved it and read the whole thing in a day, the prose just pulls the reader through, thinking… I’ll just read one more chapter, and before you know it you’ve read several. It had vibes of ‘The Descent’ in its chilling terror and sense of isolation - but it was gripping in all the right ways.
The only issue I have is with the ending, it’s nothing that deserves stars to be removed, and is probably more down to personal taste but I was wanting something to happen and it didn’t, but I can also see the beauty in the resolution that Harrison came to.
He’s crafted a delightfully dark and mischievous tale of caving, or exploring and folklore - the Knockers are something I know about from my own research and was delighted to see them mentioned in this story.
With prose that is quick and sharp as a blade Harrison drags the reader by the scruff of the neck into the dark and oppressive environment of what’s below, our fingers reach out blindly for purchase but as the story progresses and the energy that is in the prose ramps up, our nails that have found purchase are pulled from their fleshy homes and we’re dragged bloody and bruised into the mine and what awaits us.
The characters that Harrison has born in this story live long in the memory, and that is something Harrison does well, fully rounded individuals that are grounded in reality, some you like, some you hate, some remind you of that annoying friend you once had. They are the gel that holds this claustrophobic tale together and we journey with them and are fully invested in their plight.
I love how Harrison also keeps the horrors hidden in this story, leaving it to the reader to conjure what stalks in the shadows, it harks back to the best of horror fiction and films where you don’t show the horrors. And in doing this Harrison also showcases a sensory journey for us, where sight is limited our characters are forced to hear and feel and smell things and this all adds to the claustrophobic vibe that is the rich pulse in the book.
I loved it and read the whole thing in a day, the prose just pulls the reader through, thinking… I’ll just read one more chapter, and before you know it you’ve read several. It had vibes of ‘The Descent’ in its chilling terror and sense of isolation - but it was gripping in all the right ways.
The only issue I have is with the ending, it’s nothing that deserves stars to be removed, and is probably more down to personal taste but I was wanting something to happen and it didn’t, but I can also see the beauty in the resolution that Harrison came to.
February 12, 2024
Nick is traveling back to the California gold mine where his grandfather was trapped and died more than 60 years ago. Along for the ride are Jess, a social media influencer, and their camera tech, because this is going to be filmed as a docu series for some TV network.
When they finally arrive at the mine and have the opening excavated by a professional crew, the trio begins exploring the abandoned cave system. They soon begin hearing strange noises from the depths of the mine. Then on the first day of exploring, they become trapped when the hydraulics shoring up the cave entrance collapse. Upon being rescued it becomes obvious the equipment was sabotaged. Who or what is causing all this and what secrets to what happened in the mine do they keep?
I found the story to be OK. It sped by at a nice clip. There were some genuine horror moments within.
Where I had issues were - It really strained credulity that a TV network finances a gig where three people (one claustrophobic) who have zero spelunking experience are set loose to film in a long abandoned mine and other than a SAT phone, don't even wear basic safety equipment; frightening things are going on, earthquakes, mine collapses, possible unwelcoming creatures, but.... there's time for some lesbian sexy time. I soooo hate that trope of "OMG we're in serious danger! Let's get it on!" And I totally figured out what was waiting in the mines almost from the beginning.
But if you want a short, fast read, this isn't bad.
And hate to disappoint, but I read the character's name wrong the first time and thought the book starred Nick Jonas. (It was actually Nick Jones.)
When they finally arrive at the mine and have the opening excavated by a professional crew, the trio begins exploring the abandoned cave system. They soon begin hearing strange noises from the depths of the mine. Then on the first day of exploring, they become trapped when the hydraulics shoring up the cave entrance collapse. Upon being rescued it becomes obvious the equipment was sabotaged. Who or what is causing all this and what secrets to what happened in the mine do they keep?
I found the story to be OK. It sped by at a nice clip. There were some genuine horror moments within.
Where I had issues were - It really strained credulity that a TV network finances a gig where three people (one claustrophobic) who have zero spelunking experience are set loose to film in a long abandoned mine and other than a SAT phone, don't even wear basic safety equipment; frightening things are going on, earthquakes, mine collapses, possible unwelcoming creatures, but.... there's time for some lesbian sexy time. I soooo hate that trope of "OMG we're in serious danger! Let's get it on!" And I totally figured out what was waiting in the mines almost from the beginning.
But if you want a short, fast read, this isn't bad.
And hate to disappoint, but I read the character's name wrong the first time and thought the book starred Nick Jonas. (It was actually Nick Jones.)
June 30, 2022
The final straw for me was when the TV show dude told them they may have to stay in the collapsed tunnel over night because "it'll be after 5pm by time the excavation crew arrives." WHAT. I was not aware that we don't rescue people out of old abandoned mines outside of fucking business hours. 😂
The notebook entries were campy as hell, too. They are somehow perfectly written, legible, preserved, and left behind in proper reading order to explain what ole Grandpa went through. It was a lazy way to explain what happened in the past.
I found the characters to be flat, I really didn't understand their motivations for doing this show from the start. There is far more "telling" than "showing" in this book. I was so removed from the story because of all these elements, so unfortunately I did not find the atmosphere scary at all.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
The notebook entries were campy as hell, too. They are somehow perfectly written, legible, preserved, and left behind in proper reading order to explain what ole Grandpa went through. It was a lazy way to explain what happened in the past.
I found the characters to be flat, I really didn't understand their motivations for doing this show from the start. There is far more "telling" than "showing" in this book. I was so removed from the story because of all these elements, so unfortunately I did not find the atmosphere scary at all.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2023
A fast paced adventure thriller! For those who love claustrophobic horror, creature features, and near hopeless situations.
Nick is on a quest to follow in his heroic grandfather’s footsteps; he is part of a documentary filming the abandoned Californian mine. Little do he and the crew know the horrors they will uncover.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kev Harrison, and Brigids Gate Press for a copy.
Nick is on a quest to follow in his heroic grandfather’s footsteps; he is part of a documentary filming the abandoned Californian mine. Little do he and the crew know the horrors they will uncover.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kev Harrison, and Brigids Gate Press for a copy.
January 1, 2023
This wasn’t what I was expecting, but I wish people would stay out of caves!! Enjoyed this one - I'm definitely reading more of Kev Harrison in 2023.
August 21, 2021
4 1/2 stars
So Kev Harrison just made everyone’s claustrophobia come to the surface.
Horror can be real life fears coming true. Kev Harrison decided to mess with us by doing this. By bringing everyone’s Claustrophobia to the surface. That wasn’t enough. Not at all. He had to go a step further. Throw in a “thought to be dead cannibal” to boot. Thanks so much Kev. I will never look at Beef Jerky the same again.
“Below” is a story about a mining engineer named Nick, who plans to make a documentary about his grandfather, Nicholas, who was with a group of people that got stuck in a mine 60 years ago or so. He teams up with Jess, who is a Social Media Celebrity. I guess you can call her one of those “Influencers.” You can call her that. I won’t. I hate that term.
The duo flies off to the Mine, which is newly reopened by a crew. Nick and Jess have a whole crew at their disposal basically. This is going to be a big documentary. But of course things go wrong.
Harrison is able to tie in some of his Folkloric Mastery and mix it with a new creature that lives down in these dark caves. Parts of the book felt like a scavenger hunt as Nick and the crew find old tools and journal entries and signs that something currently alive is there. Almost like putting together a puzzle.
It's when bones and strangely written messages are found Nick starts to think the worse, and this is where you may never eat beef jerky again.
Harrison has the ability to create the dread of being enclosed for a long period of time. I’ve never been mining before but I know the rooms are tight, and this all reflects in the writing. Being in these tight quarters, the real personalities of the characters start to come out. These are all somewhat likable characters. Nick is a bit whiny. You get attached. I think my overall thoughts about Jess changed the most as the story unfolds. I had certain feelings about her initially and saw her in a different light by the end of the book. She actually becomes a complete bad ass.
I enjoy Kev Harrison’s work and this is no exception. He doesn’t need to rely on over the top or in your face horror with jump scares or extreme violence. This is more of a feeling you know the horror is there, and the suspense is building the whole time. It works giving you the unsettling feeling with added goosebumps.
I did have a couple of issues mainly with the ending. Although I said Kev Harrison doesn’t have to rely on in your face horror or extreme stuff, there was a chance to at the ending. And this is one of those times I wished he took the opportunity and did something a bit vicious. The ending is good. In fact there is a twist at the end that is almost glazed over you will miss if you’re not paying attention. Just a couple of sentences subtly changes the outlook of the book. But with the folklore of this cave, and what they found in the cave, and with this cover, this was a chance for Kev to really make an extreme gory bloody ending.
This is why he’s the writer and I’m the reader. He takes the higher road and makes it more finesse. And it doesn’t take away the horror. This is still horror. You will still get chills. The story is well assembled, well crafted. I dug it. All pun intended. It’s very enticing. Unsettling but enticing. Harrison has good balance throughout with conversations and the fear from the character.
So Kev Harrison just made everyone’s claustrophobia come to the surface.
Horror can be real life fears coming true. Kev Harrison decided to mess with us by doing this. By bringing everyone’s Claustrophobia to the surface. That wasn’t enough. Not at all. He had to go a step further. Throw in a “thought to be dead cannibal” to boot. Thanks so much Kev. I will never look at Beef Jerky the same again.
“Below” is a story about a mining engineer named Nick, who plans to make a documentary about his grandfather, Nicholas, who was with a group of people that got stuck in a mine 60 years ago or so. He teams up with Jess, who is a Social Media Celebrity. I guess you can call her one of those “Influencers.” You can call her that. I won’t. I hate that term.
The duo flies off to the Mine, which is newly reopened by a crew. Nick and Jess have a whole crew at their disposal basically. This is going to be a big documentary. But of course things go wrong.
Harrison is able to tie in some of his Folkloric Mastery and mix it with a new creature that lives down in these dark caves. Parts of the book felt like a scavenger hunt as Nick and the crew find old tools and journal entries and signs that something currently alive is there. Almost like putting together a puzzle.
It's when bones and strangely written messages are found Nick starts to think the worse, and this is where you may never eat beef jerky again.
Harrison has the ability to create the dread of being enclosed for a long period of time. I’ve never been mining before but I know the rooms are tight, and this all reflects in the writing. Being in these tight quarters, the real personalities of the characters start to come out. These are all somewhat likable characters. Nick is a bit whiny. You get attached. I think my overall thoughts about Jess changed the most as the story unfolds. I had certain feelings about her initially and saw her in a different light by the end of the book. She actually becomes a complete bad ass.
I enjoy Kev Harrison’s work and this is no exception. He doesn’t need to rely on over the top or in your face horror with jump scares or extreme violence. This is more of a feeling you know the horror is there, and the suspense is building the whole time. It works giving you the unsettling feeling with added goosebumps.
I did have a couple of issues mainly with the ending. Although I said Kev Harrison doesn’t have to rely on in your face horror or extreme stuff, there was a chance to at the ending. And this is one of those times I wished he took the opportunity and did something a bit vicious. The ending is good. In fact there is a twist at the end that is almost glazed over you will miss if you’re not paying attention. Just a couple of sentences subtly changes the outlook of the book. But with the folklore of this cave, and what they found in the cave, and with this cover, this was a chance for Kev to really make an extreme gory bloody ending.
This is why he’s the writer and I’m the reader. He takes the higher road and makes it more finesse. And it doesn’t take away the horror. This is still horror. You will still get chills. The story is well assembled, well crafted. I dug it. All pun intended. It’s very enticing. Unsettling but enticing. Harrison has good balance throughout with conversations and the fear from the character.
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