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Curfew
When Jamie takes his girlfriend for a summer anniversary getaway by the sea, he thinks only the great British weather can ruin his plans. But he hasn’t accounted for Mrs Heinz, the bizarre proprietor of The Sailor’s Rest, and her obsessive fixation on midnight and curfew...
(with a cover by Adrian Baldwin)
(with a cover by Adrian Baldwin)
- GenresHorror
24 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2020
1 person is currently reading
60 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 22, 2021
When you take your girlfriend for an anniversary getaway, there are certain RULES that one must abide by in order to successfully survive the weekend. Some of them are universal:
You can’t handle the truth!
Double tap.
It puts the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.
There’s no crying in baseball!
If you build it, he will come.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Do NOT go in there!
You do not talk about fight club.
Nobody puts baby in the corner.
Nobody makes me bleed my own blood!
Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.
So, how hard can it be to remember the curfew?!
This short story was atmospheric, but the ending could have been stronger if it wasn’t so abrupt.
*Originally reviewed at IndieMuse
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...
You can’t handle the truth!
Double tap.
It puts the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.
There’s no crying in baseball!
If you build it, he will come.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Do NOT go in there!
You do not talk about fight club.
Nobody puts baby in the corner.
Nobody makes me bleed my own blood!
Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.
So, how hard can it be to remember the curfew?!
This short story was atmospheric, but the ending could have been stronger if it wasn’t so abrupt.
*Originally reviewed at IndieMuse
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...
November 9, 2020
My second Short Sharp Shocks by Demain Publishing read. Kev Harrison previously blew my mind with his novella THE BALANCE a few months ago. I knew I would be making an attempt to find more short fiction from Harrison and CURFEW was a solid follow up.
This is the story of a couple on holiday. They arrive at their quaint bed & breakfast for their weekend getaway. Things seem a little "strange" upon their arrival but as most people do, they brush it off for the sake of convenience.
I love the pace and tone of this tale. Everything unfolds naturally and realistically. Harrison masterfully builds suspense and mystery. The couple's interactions with each other and their situation is so authentic, I kept forgetting this was a fictional account! I am an official fan of Kev Harrison's storytelling-immediately compelling from page one and somehow manages to maintain that initial level of engagement all the way through. Highly recommend!
This is the story of a couple on holiday. They arrive at their quaint bed & breakfast for their weekend getaway. Things seem a little "strange" upon their arrival but as most people do, they brush it off for the sake of convenience.
I love the pace and tone of this tale. Everything unfolds naturally and realistically. Harrison masterfully builds suspense and mystery. The couple's interactions with each other and their situation is so authentic, I kept forgetting this was a fictional account! I am an official fan of Kev Harrison's storytelling-immediately compelling from page one and somehow manages to maintain that initial level of engagement all the way through. Highly recommend!
November 25, 2020
A nice little creepy chiller that will certainly make you sit up and take notice.
A young couple go away to Bournemouth for the weekend and stay in, unknown to them, an old antiquated hotel which is run by one Mrs Heinz and her husband.
The rain hits hard from start to finish and the torrential downpour will only darken the mood for folks unfortunate enough to return back to the hotel after the clock has struck midnight. My goodness, whatever would possess someone to ignore the one, absolute, unbending rule as laid out by the stern, authoritarian old landlady herself. Woe betide the fallen!
A very cleverly, well-written, short (perhaps too short), story which just flows so naturally that it makes it all sound both totally realistic and so utterly believable...before 12am, that is!
Tip -Ideal to read one night, accompanied by a nice glass of claret. Enjoy!
Rating: 4.3 eerily shimmering, golden glow stars.
A young couple go away to Bournemouth for the weekend and stay in, unknown to them, an old antiquated hotel which is run by one Mrs Heinz and her husband.
The rain hits hard from start to finish and the torrential downpour will only darken the mood for folks unfortunate enough to return back to the hotel after the clock has struck midnight. My goodness, whatever would possess someone to ignore the one, absolute, unbending rule as laid out by the stern, authoritarian old landlady herself. Woe betide the fallen!
A very cleverly, well-written, short (perhaps too short), story which just flows so naturally that it makes it all sound both totally realistic and so utterly believable...before 12am, that is!
Tip -Ideal to read one night, accompanied by a nice glass of claret. Enjoy!
Rating: 4.3 eerily shimmering, golden glow stars.
September 18, 2020
Shameful to think this is my first go-around with any of Kevin Harrison’s writing.
I have ‘The Balance‘ on my Kindle to read at some point here, but when the new batch of Demain’s SSS series was announced, I snagged a few to review, making sure to get Mr. Harrison’s.
What I liked: This is a very quick read (think the pdf copy said 38 pages) but it packs a ton into this tight page count. We begin with a husband and wife making their way to a bed and breakfast in a small town, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. When they arrive, they are introduced to the woman who owns it, Mrs. Heinz. She gives them the basic rundown, and then, as the title indicates, lets our characters know that there is a firm curfew at midnight. At 12 sharp, the door is dead-bolted and there is no entry or exit.
I MEAN COME ON! How does this not get alarm bells ringing! But, I guess when celebrating we sometimes gloss over little details that stack up to mean HORROR! Ha!
Harrison of course gets our couple into trouble by having them leave the house and head to dinner and a pub. On night one, returning with no time to spare. But the title is ‘Curfew‘ and trouble is brewing just ahead.
Harrison kept the tension high throughout, and one thing I loved was that he didn’t resort to having the couple bicker or argue over some of the random going’s on that created unease. By doing this, you really connect with both of the characters instead of immediately picking sides.
The ending was a swift kick, something I expected to a point, but also something completely off the wall, which made for a great conclusion.
What I didn’t like: Saying that – I think the ending was a bit rushed. Situationally, it dictated an action-packed finale, but I thought it was very abrupt. It didn’t lower the enjoyment at all, but I wonder if Harrison could’ve gone even darker if it was a few pages longer?
Why you should buy it: Another great entry into the Demain catalog and a swift kick in the teeth for me to go read more Harrison. This was a fun romp through the countryside and another argument I’ll keep in my back pocket when my wife asks why I don’t think staying at a bed and breakfast would be fun.
I have ‘The Balance‘ on my Kindle to read at some point here, but when the new batch of Demain’s SSS series was announced, I snagged a few to review, making sure to get Mr. Harrison’s.
What I liked: This is a very quick read (think the pdf copy said 38 pages) but it packs a ton into this tight page count. We begin with a husband and wife making their way to a bed and breakfast in a small town, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. When they arrive, they are introduced to the woman who owns it, Mrs. Heinz. She gives them the basic rundown, and then, as the title indicates, lets our characters know that there is a firm curfew at midnight. At 12 sharp, the door is dead-bolted and there is no entry or exit.
I MEAN COME ON! How does this not get alarm bells ringing! But, I guess when celebrating we sometimes gloss over little details that stack up to mean HORROR! Ha!
Harrison of course gets our couple into trouble by having them leave the house and head to dinner and a pub. On night one, returning with no time to spare. But the title is ‘Curfew‘ and trouble is brewing just ahead.
Harrison kept the tension high throughout, and one thing I loved was that he didn’t resort to having the couple bicker or argue over some of the random going’s on that created unease. By doing this, you really connect with both of the characters instead of immediately picking sides.
The ending was a swift kick, something I expected to a point, but also something completely off the wall, which made for a great conclusion.
What I didn’t like: Saying that – I think the ending was a bit rushed. Situationally, it dictated an action-packed finale, but I thought it was very abrupt. It didn’t lower the enjoyment at all, but I wonder if Harrison could’ve gone even darker if it was a few pages longer?
Why you should buy it: Another great entry into the Demain catalog and a swift kick in the teeth for me to go read more Harrison. This was a fun romp through the countryside and another argument I’ll keep in my back pocket when my wife asks why I don’t think staying at a bed and breakfast would be fun.
November 10, 2020
Updated as now live on STORGY.com
When I first read Kev Harrison earlier this year (The Balance) I was blown away by his offering, and I made it a conscious effort to support and follow this very talented writer, so I was delighted to see that Demain Publishing (who have published him previously – Cinders of a Blind Man Who Could See) were publishing a new offering from him – and well, I just had to get it.
I picked up Curfew like so many of the Demain titles as I segued between a larger book for review, they are what the tagline says ‘short, sharp, shocks‘ and I tend to use these as a palate cleanser. So having finished a rather large book (‘Salem’s Lot) and before starting another (Salt Blood), I reached out and picked up Curfew.
The rain was pouring down outside my window, storm clouds were dark and brooding and the wind was battering my house, and not to mention a leaky gutter all ensured that my reading experience would be affected in some way – but I wasn’t prepared for how.
I fired up my Kindle (it’s only available in Kindle at the moment – but I’ll be picking up the paperback when it’s out – you gotta keep supporting indie authors) and started reading – and boy what a reading experience; because the rain and wind that I was surrounded with, was also present in the book and by some strange osmosis – these factors seemed to bleed from the book and back into the pages to heighten my reading and I became fully immersed in this dark tale that pours from Harrison’s pen.
We follow two protagonists a couple (man and woman) as they head off to Bournemouth to celebrate their anniversary, they check into a dingy little hotel, one that seems to have been frozen in time and where Harrison lets his imagination run wild, and conjures up an amazing sense of place. Harrison’s work in The Balance also has this real rendering sense of place, his writing seems to pull the reader up by the scruff of their neck, drag them to wherever his stories are set and then he dumps you down right in the middle of a fully realised and painstakingly developed world that there is no escape from.
And so our protagonists find themselves in this hotel in Bournemouth (a place it seems where hope goes to die), whilst the rain is hammering down and they sit awkwardly in the reception room and await the introductions from the owner of the hotel a beautifully rendered and most strange woman, Mrs. Heinze.
Mrs. Heinze introduces herself to the couple and starts to detail the rules of the hotel to them. The first rule is that breakfast is served from 7am – 10:30am, the second rule is that because it is a bank holiday they need to check out at 11am or they’ll face additional charges – quite straight forward rules I hear you say. But the final rule and the most important rule is that there is a curfew, the doors to the hotel will be locked at midnight and that they are then to stay in their rooms and not come down after 1am.
The creeping unease that Harrison weaves into his prose is delightful and it had me thinking about the eeriness of the opening to American Werewolf in London (you know the scene with the pub at the beginning and the eerie walk along the path) small town horror and the dread and fear that our characters feel is palpable – it serves as a major device plot which Harrison weaves like a master of the genre.
The character work by Harrison is also deftly executed and we immediately fall in line with our protagonists and their assumptions. The uncanny is also richly woven into Harrison’s work and that bleeds into the character of Mrs. Heinze, it’s just stunning, his descriptions and they way he has rendered Mrs. Heinze really sets you on edge, it’s also all the subtle hints towards Mrs. Heinze character, detailed from others within the story that makes you break out in a cold sweat!
Well, all I can say is that quite possibly some of the rules are broken and we get a haunting and dread filled experience and one that I’ll never forget – I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where my environment (where I was and the rain etc) has bled its way into my reading and I think this has something to do with how masterfully Harrison was able to portray this and capture the elements in the book.
Curfew is a creepy, haunting and most beguiling horror story from an exciting indie author who is making his mark in the genre; an author who I now eagerly anticipate their next release and an author that I will continue to champion. Small town horror never had it so good… whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss the Curfew!
When I first read Kev Harrison earlier this year (The Balance) I was blown away by his offering, and I made it a conscious effort to support and follow this very talented writer, so I was delighted to see that Demain Publishing (who have published him previously – Cinders of a Blind Man Who Could See) were publishing a new offering from him – and well, I just had to get it.
I picked up Curfew like so many of the Demain titles as I segued between a larger book for review, they are what the tagline says ‘short, sharp, shocks‘ and I tend to use these as a palate cleanser. So having finished a rather large book (‘Salem’s Lot) and before starting another (Salt Blood), I reached out and picked up Curfew.
The rain was pouring down outside my window, storm clouds were dark and brooding and the wind was battering my house, and not to mention a leaky gutter all ensured that my reading experience would be affected in some way – but I wasn’t prepared for how.
I fired up my Kindle (it’s only available in Kindle at the moment – but I’ll be picking up the paperback when it’s out – you gotta keep supporting indie authors) and started reading – and boy what a reading experience; because the rain and wind that I was surrounded with, was also present in the book and by some strange osmosis – these factors seemed to bleed from the book and back into the pages to heighten my reading and I became fully immersed in this dark tale that pours from Harrison’s pen.
We follow two protagonists a couple (man and woman) as they head off to Bournemouth to celebrate their anniversary, they check into a dingy little hotel, one that seems to have been frozen in time and where Harrison lets his imagination run wild, and conjures up an amazing sense of place. Harrison’s work in The Balance also has this real rendering sense of place, his writing seems to pull the reader up by the scruff of their neck, drag them to wherever his stories are set and then he dumps you down right in the middle of a fully realised and painstakingly developed world that there is no escape from.
And so our protagonists find themselves in this hotel in Bournemouth (a place it seems where hope goes to die), whilst the rain is hammering down and they sit awkwardly in the reception room and await the introductions from the owner of the hotel a beautifully rendered and most strange woman, Mrs. Heinze.
Mrs. Heinze introduces herself to the couple and starts to detail the rules of the hotel to them. The first rule is that breakfast is served from 7am – 10:30am, the second rule is that because it is a bank holiday they need to check out at 11am or they’ll face additional charges – quite straight forward rules I hear you say. But the final rule and the most important rule is that there is a curfew, the doors to the hotel will be locked at midnight and that they are then to stay in their rooms and not come down after 1am.
The creeping unease that Harrison weaves into his prose is delightful and it had me thinking about the eeriness of the opening to American Werewolf in London (you know the scene with the pub at the beginning and the eerie walk along the path) small town horror and the dread and fear that our characters feel is palpable – it serves as a major device plot which Harrison weaves like a master of the genre.
The character work by Harrison is also deftly executed and we immediately fall in line with our protagonists and their assumptions. The uncanny is also richly woven into Harrison’s work and that bleeds into the character of Mrs. Heinze, it’s just stunning, his descriptions and they way he has rendered Mrs. Heinze really sets you on edge, it’s also all the subtle hints towards Mrs. Heinze character, detailed from others within the story that makes you break out in a cold sweat!
Well, all I can say is that quite possibly some of the rules are broken and we get a haunting and dread filled experience and one that I’ll never forget – I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where my environment (where I was and the rain etc) has bled its way into my reading and I think this has something to do with how masterfully Harrison was able to portray this and capture the elements in the book.
Curfew is a creepy, haunting and most beguiling horror story from an exciting indie author who is making his mark in the genre; an author who I now eagerly anticipate their next release and an author that I will continue to champion. Small town horror never had it so good… whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss the Curfew!
January 21, 2022
This is why I stay in chain hotels. B&Bs have always creeped me out! Whilst this is an eerie little story I think anyone that's vacationed in a small English town will have a chuckle or two in recognition. Reminded me of a stay in the Cotswolds a couple of years ago when we had the same taxi driver every time we decided to venture into civilisation! Anyway, I really enjoyed this tale and would wholeheartedly recommend if you're looking for someone to read in one sitting with a cosy cup of tea. If it's not raining outside stick on a sounds of rain video in the background to add to the effect.
September 20, 2023
My first foray into Kev Harrison’s work was with his debut novella, The Balance. Since then, I have been obsessed not only with his ability to spin a bloody got horror story but also with his character work, which in my opinion, is one of the biggest hard hitters in the genre. Not only do you get a sense of place, but his main characters always have something you can resonate with. He’s only got better with every piece of work he’s released, The Warding and Below being favourites also.
I’ve been slowly working my way through Demain Publishing’s Short Sharp Shocks! Series and I was delighted to find that they had published some of Harrison’s shorter works. Curfew is quite literally a sharp shock, and I loved it. Even though it was a short piece of fiction Harrison manages to inflect a strong sense of character and place and immediately I was thrown into the heart of the story. It was the perfect book to read while it was bucketing down, the perfect read to start off spooky season.
The couple are heading off to Bournemouth to celebrate their anniversary. The Sailor’s Rest, a place so freaking bleak, I did wonder why the boyfriend thought this was a great place to stay. It was likely the incentive of having a discounted second night stay. It is there that they meet the infamous, Mrs Heinz. Let me tell you, she is one strange egg. She has a real bug bear about Curfew – the door gets locked at midnight and if you’re late then forget about getting in because she will not budge. The couple think this is rather strange, but what is stranger is the weird goings on on their first night. They are almost sure someone is staying alongside them but yet the housekeeper completely denies it. Oh, and why does Mrs Heinz trash the sitting room? The intrigue is off the charts.
The creeping sense of unease is there from the very first page, something that is an absolute must with a short story. You have less time to create that atmosphere so it’s vital that you create that quickly for your reader, Harrison always succeeds in this, and Curfew is no different. Loved it and can’t wait to pick up more of this phenomenal author’s work!
I’ve been slowly working my way through Demain Publishing’s Short Sharp Shocks! Series and I was delighted to find that they had published some of Harrison’s shorter works. Curfew is quite literally a sharp shock, and I loved it. Even though it was a short piece of fiction Harrison manages to inflect a strong sense of character and place and immediately I was thrown into the heart of the story. It was the perfect book to read while it was bucketing down, the perfect read to start off spooky season.
The couple are heading off to Bournemouth to celebrate their anniversary. The Sailor’s Rest, a place so freaking bleak, I did wonder why the boyfriend thought this was a great place to stay. It was likely the incentive of having a discounted second night stay. It is there that they meet the infamous, Mrs Heinz. Let me tell you, she is one strange egg. She has a real bug bear about Curfew – the door gets locked at midnight and if you’re late then forget about getting in because she will not budge. The couple think this is rather strange, but what is stranger is the weird goings on on their first night. They are almost sure someone is staying alongside them but yet the housekeeper completely denies it. Oh, and why does Mrs Heinz trash the sitting room? The intrigue is off the charts.
The creeping sense of unease is there from the very first page, something that is an absolute must with a short story. You have less time to create that atmosphere so it’s vital that you create that quickly for your reader, Harrison always succeeds in this, and Curfew is no different. Loved it and can’t wait to pick up more of this phenomenal author’s work!
February 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this. Just when you think you're ahead of the plot, the story takes a wrong turn. The sandwich shop scene really filled me with dread.
May 14, 2022
This “Short, Sharp Shock!” from Demain Publishing and Kev Harrison delivers on the premise of the series. Given the length of the story (short), I’m not going to summarize the groundwork of the plot, if you want to you can look up that on the cover or on a teaser of the story on Goodreads or Amazon. Instead, I think it’s safer to focus on the writing.
I’ve read a few of Kev’s novellas now, Below, The Balance, Warding, Alone with myself – and his collection of shorts Paths best left untrodden (I’m still looking forward to Cinders of a blind man…) and that voice that powered all of those other stories is in evidence here. There’s something relaxingly familiar about Kev’s writing – it has the effect of being comfortable – it’s very much like seeing an old friend and remembering, all at once, how their accent always made you relax. That might be because (for me) Kev’s accent (English) and mannerisms and language itself, scream Englishman – I can’t say – perhaps that’s my bias – but it has this good-natured contentedness to it that lulls you into the story. You very easily drop into his many worlds, and eagerly await the despicable nastiness that he is going to inflict upon his poor characters. I guess I could sub-classify it as cozy gore. You get all the warm feelings and then can’t wait for Kev to dismantle it all in front of you in just horrible, horrible ways. Case in point - Curfew.
The title suggests the main thread of the story, and the unpicking is all about the why of it all. The breadcrumbs are carefully laid down, and though you might guess at the overall theme, Harrison delivers on the Shock! Part of the series too. There's a kiss scene that tugs at the sensibilities of the reader, and forced me to analyze what exactly I was feeling uncomfortable about - but I can't discuss that here without giving away plot points.
Honestly, this is a bargain at 0.89 cents (Euro), it’s long enough you to feel a little weight but light enough that you will be ready for the next one.
4 out of 5 ⭐ ‘s, and let’s get Cinders on the TBR list.
I’ve read a few of Kev’s novellas now, Below, The Balance, Warding, Alone with myself – and his collection of shorts Paths best left untrodden (I’m still looking forward to Cinders of a blind man…) and that voice that powered all of those other stories is in evidence here. There’s something relaxingly familiar about Kev’s writing – it has the effect of being comfortable – it’s very much like seeing an old friend and remembering, all at once, how their accent always made you relax. That might be because (for me) Kev’s accent (English) and mannerisms and language itself, scream Englishman – I can’t say – perhaps that’s my bias – but it has this good-natured contentedness to it that lulls you into the story. You very easily drop into his many worlds, and eagerly await the despicable nastiness that he is going to inflict upon his poor characters. I guess I could sub-classify it as cozy gore. You get all the warm feelings and then can’t wait for Kev to dismantle it all in front of you in just horrible, horrible ways. Case in point - Curfew.
The title suggests the main thread of the story, and the unpicking is all about the why of it all. The breadcrumbs are carefully laid down, and though you might guess at the overall theme, Harrison delivers on the Shock! Part of the series too. There's a kiss scene that tugs at the sensibilities of the reader, and forced me to analyze what exactly I was feeling uncomfortable about - but I can't discuss that here without giving away plot points.
Honestly, this is a bargain at 0.89 cents (Euro), it’s long enough you to feel a little weight but light enough that you will be ready for the next one.
4 out of 5 ⭐ ‘s, and let’s get Cinders on the TBR list.
April 14, 2021
I hadn't heard of Short Sharp Shocks before, but, I certainly enjoyed this one.
It does exactly what it says on the tin, whilst also being a fun read worth blasting through in a single sitting.
It does exactly what it says on the tin, whilst also being a fun read worth blasting through in a single sitting.
January 16, 2021
Atmospheric One-sitting Story...
No spoilers. 4 stars. When traveling... be sure to observe all local rules...
James Lucas and his girlfriend Laura are going to celebrate their time together by booking into a romantic B & B...
They've traveled to a seaside village near Bournemouth... they arrived late that rainy night...
The proprietor, Mrs. Heinz, sat them next to the fire, gave them tea and explained the house rules with the curfew being the most important...
... the doors will be bolted at midnight and they must be in their room by 1:00 am...
Then they were taken to the seagull room on the third floor... the only guest room up there...
The couple got into the routine of dinner out in the village followed by pub crawls... then back to the B & B just before midnight until...
... One rainy night their hired car broke down causing them to miss curfew...
When traveling, be careful to observe all local rules... Especially curfew...
Kev Harrison is becoming one of my favorite authors. His books are loaded with atmosphere and steeped in local lore. I only wish they were a little longer but for a quick bedtime read they are perfect!
No spoilers. 4 stars. When traveling... be sure to observe all local rules...
James Lucas and his girlfriend Laura are going to celebrate their time together by booking into a romantic B & B...
They've traveled to a seaside village near Bournemouth... they arrived late that rainy night...
The proprietor, Mrs. Heinz, sat them next to the fire, gave them tea and explained the house rules with the curfew being the most important...
... the doors will be bolted at midnight and they must be in their room by 1:00 am...
Then they were taken to the seagull room on the third floor... the only guest room up there...
The couple got into the routine of dinner out in the village followed by pub crawls... then back to the B & B just before midnight until...
... One rainy night their hired car broke down causing them to miss curfew...
When traveling, be careful to observe all local rules... Especially curfew...
Kev Harrison is becoming one of my favorite authors. His books are loaded with atmosphere and steeped in local lore. I only wish they were a little longer but for a quick bedtime read they are perfect!
September 4, 2021
This series of short stories is spectacular. SO great if you want just a small dose of horror in between reads. And
Curfew
is no exception. An atmospheric, thrilling little tale that takes it all the way there at the end.
September 21, 2020
I'm so excited that Demain Publishing is back with another onslaught of horror! Seriously this series is really addictive!
Over the years I've read a lot of Kev Harrison's work. They're all great fun and of course very dark. I loved his previous tale in the series - Cinders of a Bind Man Who Could See. This was an excellent serving of folk horror set in a small community in Northern England.
The last tale I read by Kev was his folk horror novella, The Balance, which I absolutely loved. It's a great reinterpretation of the legendary Baba Yaga folk tale with a modern twist. It's gone on to receive great praise and now's he's back with Curfew.
Curfew is about a fun romantic weekend going very wrong! Jamie takes his girlfriend down to Bournemouth for a fun weekend by the sea. They've been dating for two years and he wants to show her how much she means to him.
Their bed and breakfast is perfect, it's delightfully quaint and old fashioned, clean and well kept. The prefect setting for a romantic weekend except for the proprietor - Mrs Heinz. She expects all her paying guests to be in their rooms by midnight - no exceptions!
Once midnight hits there's a change in the guesthouse located out of town. Jamie grows curious he doesn't like being dictated to by a sour old woman sitting by the fire waiting for something.
This is a quick read, perfect for when you're between books. The tale starts quickly and is great fun throughout. The characters do feel like a real couple who only want to have fun before their daily grind resumes on Monday.
I loved the ending too, but obviously can't say much about that without giving out spoilers!
Over the years I've read a lot of Kev Harrison's work. They're all great fun and of course very dark. I loved his previous tale in the series - Cinders of a Bind Man Who Could See. This was an excellent serving of folk horror set in a small community in Northern England.
The last tale I read by Kev was his folk horror novella, The Balance, which I absolutely loved. It's a great reinterpretation of the legendary Baba Yaga folk tale with a modern twist. It's gone on to receive great praise and now's he's back with Curfew.
Curfew is about a fun romantic weekend going very wrong! Jamie takes his girlfriend down to Bournemouth for a fun weekend by the sea. They've been dating for two years and he wants to show her how much she means to him.
Their bed and breakfast is perfect, it's delightfully quaint and old fashioned, clean and well kept. The prefect setting for a romantic weekend except for the proprietor - Mrs Heinz. She expects all her paying guests to be in their rooms by midnight - no exceptions!
Once midnight hits there's a change in the guesthouse located out of town. Jamie grows curious he doesn't like being dictated to by a sour old woman sitting by the fire waiting for something.
This is a quick read, perfect for when you're between books. The tale starts quickly and is great fun throughout. The characters do feel like a real couple who only want to have fun before their daily grind resumes on Monday.
I loved the ending too, but obviously can't say much about that without giving out spoilers!
December 21, 2020
Curfew is a short tale that I used as a break from a darker book that I’ve been reading. I picked it up because a couple of folks tweeted about it recently. This was paced nicely and flowed naturally. I enjoyed the characters and they were written naturally. I would have liked maybe a few more pages at the end.
April 15, 2022
Well I won’t look at B&B’s the same again! Wine soaked tale about rules and what happens when you break them 😏… quick fun read!! I’m off to read another short story by this author right away… “Cinders of a Blind Man who could See” 👀
October 16, 2022
Good quick read.
September 23, 2020
The series is called "Short Sharp Shocks!" and that is exactly what Harrison has delivered. Unassuming couple Jamie and Laura just want to enjoy a weekend away at a small, British coastal town, and decide to stay in a quaint B&B. But it is pretty clear from the start that something isn't right here. The intrigue and action are paced very well for such a short story; we know that something is up, but the exact nature of it doesn't become clear until the very end. I think the premise could have worked for a slightly longer story, exploring the history of the B&B owner and her... "eccentricities" a little more. But Harrison did a great job delivering a creepy story in such a short format.
November 10, 2020
Seaside Chiller
Dodgy B&B's abound in the UK but I'm sure none as creepy as this one. The setup is great as you certainly don't expect it to take the path it does in the end. I don't live too far from Bournemouth and have enjoyed many a drizzly walk in that area so these pages transported me immediately back there! A great short chiller.
Dodgy B&B's abound in the UK but I'm sure none as creepy as this one. The setup is great as you certainly don't expect it to take the path it does in the end. I don't live too far from Bournemouth and have enjoyed many a drizzly walk in that area so these pages transported me immediately back there! A great short chiller.
September 20, 2020
Short but sweet.
Immaculately written, as I’d expect of Kev, it’s also enjoyably creepy - there’s also more than a hint of Roald Dahl’s The Landlady about this one.
My only complaint is that it could have run longer!
Immaculately written, as I’d expect of Kev, it’s also enjoyably creepy - there’s also more than a hint of Roald Dahl’s The Landlady about this one.
My only complaint is that it could have run longer!
May 1, 2022
This one is short, less than 30 pages I believe, so I'll keep this short and not spoil anything for anyone else.
The blurb sums it up... then there's a climax.
It was good enough that if I'm in the mood for something short, I may check out other stories in the series.
The blurb sums it up... then there's a climax.
It was good enough that if I'm in the mood for something short, I may check out other stories in the series.
October 12, 2023
A short sharp shock indeed. An atmospheric short that had me hooked all the way through. Unique idea, unique and unpredictable ending too. Kev has a great way with describing things, and the details. Really enjoyed this.
December 20, 2020
Another excellent entry in the Short Sharp Shocks series, and another hit for Kev Harrison (Cinders of a Blind Man who Could See, The Balance). Much as I enjoyed Cinders, I think I marginally preferred this tale - the writing is more assured, and Harrison does a superb job of drawing out the tension before the inevitable terror at the ending.
The story starts out on familiar enough territory – a married couple heading to a B&B in Bournemouth for a weekend. The husband and wife are likable characters, but the B&B is creepy and mysterious, and the owner imposes a strict curfew, which becomes the focal point of the story. Harrison does an excellent job of derailing the young couple’s attempts to return to the B&B before the curfew, and what unfolds when they don’t is wholly unexpected.
This story packs a hefty punch in relatively few pages. The pacing was mostly excellent, and the conclusion was satisfyingly fresh (if a little hurried). Overall, another winner - I can very much recommended this for anyone looking for a quick dose of horror.
The story starts out on familiar enough territory – a married couple heading to a B&B in Bournemouth for a weekend. The husband and wife are likable characters, but the B&B is creepy and mysterious, and the owner imposes a strict curfew, which becomes the focal point of the story. Harrison does an excellent job of derailing the young couple’s attempts to return to the B&B before the curfew, and what unfolds when they don’t is wholly unexpected.
This story packs a hefty punch in relatively few pages. The pacing was mostly excellent, and the conclusion was satisfyingly fresh (if a little hurried). Overall, another winner - I can very much recommended this for anyone looking for a quick dose of horror.
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