That Which Stands Outside by Mark Morris
I would like to thank Flame Tree Press for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher - Flame Tree Press
Published - Out Now
Price - £12.95 paperback £3.82 Kindle ebook
That Which Stands Outside is a horror novel inspired by Nordic folklore. After Todd Kingston rescues Yrsa Helgerson from muggers one rainy London night, their resulting friendship quickly develops into a romance. When Yrsa’s mother dies, Todd accompanies her back to her childhood home, an isolated Nordic island. The reception they receive there is one of suspicion and hostility. The islanders believe Yrsa to be a child of a mythic race called the Jötnar, a claim which Yrsa dismisses as superstitious nonsense. But as the island is rocked by a series of devastating events, Todd finds himself caught up in a terrifying battle, one which possibly threatens the future of the world itself.
Love can push us to great things, it can also make us take risks and sometimes ignore the danger right in front of us. Is our partner as great as we think they are has been a question many ask and we hope the answer will always be yes. But sometimes nasty surprises await. In Mark Morris’ very entertaining horror novel a young man is bowled over by an enigmatic woman, taken to a remote Nordic island and soon plunged into danger and tragedy. But for the reader a great rollercoaster of a read awaits.
Todd until recently had no major concerns bar would he ever get the successful acting career he dreams of while he also works nights in a London bar just as Covid restrictions start to hit the Industry. However resucing a young woman from a mugging gives him many injuries but also his damsel in distress Yrsa is a smart, attractive and magetic businesswoman who he quickly falls for. All seems to be going well until Yrsa’s mother dies and Yrsa is required to return tot he remote island of Eldfjallaeyja for the family funeral. Yrsa and by association Todd are not welcomed. Yrsa’s life here has many mysteries Todd slowly learns about and Yrsa herself decides its time to find the answer to a mystery from her childhood. But this sets in motion a train of death, disasters and strange occurences that Todd must now navigate or die.
I really enjoyed this read that delivers a very classic horror adventure tale but also has several neat surprises. At heart I really liked how Todd and Yrsa at the start seem a normal couple. Todd is a refreshingly modern male character; avoids conflict if he can, works hard to do the right thing and is a supportive boyfriend. Yrsa is not a femme fatale and more someone who can be fine one minute then full of anger and rage the next lashing out. Todd is working hard to undertand her and the island trip starts to explain why she is so dismissive of her home town but ultimately this is a story where a lover’s hope their partner can sort their issues out means they give her just too many chances to turn a corner. We more often see these gender roles in reverse and Todd is a good Everyman character thrown into what becomes a terrible situation to get out of.
I also really enjoyed how the book’s first act sets up one kind of story and neatly cuts the legs out from us to give a very different one. A man sent to a remote island of strangers does lead to many folk horror ideas and the book at the start has a few characters referencing the Wicker Man and then Morris delivers a different direction still using myths but in a bigger more apocalyptic way. I’m not going to tell you too much as it’s worth the reveal. What I can say is I really enjoyed the way Morris makes the sense of isolation grow. Todd can’t understand the language, he is under suspicion all the time just because he is around Yrsa and it brings a sense of foreboding. Yrsa’s behaviour really gets worse too on the island and you can feel the tension between loving her and feeling she may not be the best for him. I can say when the main story gets up halfway the story gets bigger we see various islanders get wrapped up into things and the results are really well told chilling segments of a larger tale. The slow burn is replaced with rapid action, flight for safety and devastating tragedies. No one feels safe any more and it’s a very creepy set of final chapters making the final outcome uncertain all the way to the last page.
That Which Stands Outside is a very good horror tale. Atmospheric, chilling when it needs to be and yet has some heart in its central character’s dilemma which makes you pull for them throughout. Perfect for a cold and wet summer’s night (of which we seem to have many at the moment!) highly recommended!
