Lou Yardley is a brilliantly talented horror and fantasy author who is best known for her werewolf novel Hellhound. This is a review of one of her short stories When the Sun Sets which is available now in paperback and on digital.

What would you do if the sun set… Forever? Lexi finds herself a prisoner in her own home after the sun sets and refuses to rise again. At first, it was an inconvenience; now it’s downright dangerous. In the four weeks since the darkness descended, humanity has all but given up. Violent crime has become part of everyday life and everyone is a potential killer. No-one can be trusted. But, that’s not all Lexi has to worry about. The darkness has brought something with it. Something deadly…

When the Sun Sets is a brilliantly gripping short from writer Lou Yardley, which combines elements of an end of the world scenario, a home invasion and a rational fear of what could be hiding in the shadows.

One of the elements I loved about the book was the scenario in which the events take place. The darkness doesn’t create an apocalyptic scenario; instead the events offer a window of opportunity, where people begin to take advantage of the constant night to cause chaos. A plausible scenario when you consider the violence and looting which occurs following a natural disaster; and things look very different in the night. It creates a world where violence is paramount, fear rife and no one feels safe.

It is here that the book takes a different approach to what you would expect. Rather than concentrating on the chaos of the events outside, the book develops a claustrophobic feel by focusing the story on Lexi. A single woman living alone, she has found herself housebound and living in fear; her only interactions with the outside world being through deliveries drivers who are brave enough to still venture out.

With Lexi living alone, there is a sense of vulnerability. There was no pre-envisioned doomsday scenario, where Lexi has developed a Linda Hamilton style persona where she has been training and is prepared for any scenario. Lexi is a normal woman, who seems lost and almost pitiful at times, ill prepared for the fight or flight situations that she inevitably finds herself.

There is a constant insecurity with the character and I can imagine writer Lou Yardley having great satisfaction as she draws out the tension in the scenes. Brilliantly encapsulating the emotional anguish of Lexi, like the character the reader remains constantly on edge. The focus of the danger constantly changing unexpectedly which gives both a sense of relief and uncertainty.

As we soon learn in the story, when the sun failed to return it saw the rise of two types of dangers. Those who looked to advantage of the chaos on the streets in a seemingly lawless society and a new ‘something’ which has emerged from the shadows of the constant darkness. The monster itself remains slightly ambiguous throughout the story, as it remains masked by the shadows. Although its abilities as a threat are clearly defined and as you would expect from Lou Yardley, blood is spilt.

When the Sun Sets is a brilliantly captivating book which despite being a short has a surprising amount of action, which makes it perfect for a quick read and one you will want to revisit again. Although it does feels complete, there is room for the story to evolve further and I for one would like it to be explored more. Whether it be a continuation of the current events or a fresh take from a different perspective, there is a big world outside and I an eager to learn what else is happening outside.

When the Sun Sets is available now in paper back or digital from Amazon and on the website http://www.louyardley.com/

Philip Rogers

Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!