I’m not sure if quiet horror is quite the label I’m looking for here. It’s not even really overtly horror. Dystopian fiction would be accurate. When I say The Sound of Distant Engines isn’t exactly horror, I say in the same way that I might say Ray Bradbury wasn’t known exclusively as a horror writer. The elements are there, but the focus is elsewhere. The storytelling on display does have a bit that Bradburian quality to it, arguably a little bit of Richard Matheson influence in there as well. Hence (I’m assuming here) the homage in the name of the main character.

The plot centers around a photo of Colin Matheson, taken years ago. The photo depicts Matheson making a killshot during war in the Middle East. Our story picks up in modern day in a future where church and state have become inseparable, a good setup for dystopia since it’s not far fetched. The church wants to use the photo as propaganda, and Matheson decides this is the straw that’s going to break the camel’s back. Enough is enough in other words.

The idea of church control over all aspects of life is the horror here, and its well executed. Subtle. This is where the Bradbury comparison comes in. The idea is presented, we’re given the details we need, and then the story plays out. There are no instances of overexplaining and overcomplicating. Dunn lets the idea speak for itself.

Matheson is an interesting enough character, more of an archetype than a nuanced individual. The addition of being haunted by the ghosts of his past is a good one, especially the visual of the red glow from a cigarette coming from the backseat of the car.

The Sound of Distant Engines offers up a bit of different fare compared to other things being released right now. A breath of fresh air. I would have liked a few more pages to wrap things up, or at least give a more clear idea of where the world was headed following culminating events, but as a big fan of letting the reader come to their own conclusions, I can understand the author’s choices here. If you like dystopian fiction where the main characters puts their foot down and says “no more”, The Sound of Distant Engines might just be for you.


I was given a copy by the publisher for review consideration.