Be careful what you wish for. That’s the theme of this story by SJI Holliday, one of three novellas heralding the arrival of Absinthe Books, the newest imprint from PS Publishing. Holliday’s offering is set in modern times, centred around twenty-something Sophie, who is growing bored of her relationship with dependable yet dull Matthew. On a trip to the seaside – an event organised by Matthew as a last-ditch attempt to keep them together – Sophie stumbles across a gaudy tent, wherein resides Mr Sandman, a voodoo priest who promises to give her whatever she wishes for.
Sophie wants her boyfriend to become more interesting, and the Matthew that follows is certainly that; after almost being killed, she puts his strange behaviour down to a head injury, but events begin to take a darker turn. Alternating between fear and desire, Sophie begins to wonder if Mr Sandman truly has made her dreams come true. Halliday tells this story with great aplomb and it’s never dull, although there are a couple of moments when it would be more sensible for Sophie to simply walk away.
Mr Sandman’s length means it can be easily read in a single sitting, and it certainly benefits from that. Sophie is frustrating at times, but remains on the right side of irritating to keep the reader rooting for her. This may be a familiar story trope, But Holliday ensures there’s a sting in the tail that makes it stand out from the crowd.
