My Goodreads review: The Outsiders

The Outsiders by Joe Mynhardt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This modern British Lovecraftian thriller is composed of five linked stories set in & around a gated religious community . . . with a difference. If the fact that this community is called Priory -- & that the town nearest is Exham -- gives you a sense of dark amusement, you’re probably going to appreciate that difference a whole lot more.

Discussing Priory’s devotional practices would be a major spoiler, but suffice it to say that it’s easer to join the congregation than to leave it – ever. No matter how safe, secure, and financially comfortable life is inside, every benefit is being paid for in ways none of Priory’s residents care to think about. There’s more than a little social commentary here, though it never gets in the way of the good creepy fun.

I wound up enjoying this book quite a bit more than I was expecting to early on. The stories do interlink and progress, rather than simply offering five views of a static situation. At least a few of the characters are sympathetic, there’s a little tasty science, and the plot pacing is relentless. I was up too late with this one more than once, though I don’t recommend it for bedtime relaxation. As a Lovecraftian beach read, however, it’s probably just the thing.





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