Outpost 9

The Incredible Machines of Thinkery
By Linnhe Harrison
© July 24, 2024
File size: 53.4 MB
103 pages
ASIN: B0D5S846NZ

I was drawn into this story, and into Edwin Cooper’s devotion to his beloved Betsy, from the very first chapter. There is a mystery here, standing as backdrop to why Edwin has agreed to help man a godforsaken outpost. The pacing is a slow burn. You won’t find high-thrills action on every page. Instead, author Linnhe Harrison drops crumbs along the pathway of the story, pieces to an enormous puzzle that, when I began to see the shape, raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Outpost 9 is a true dystopian tale set in a dark, horrific world.

The main character, Edwin Cooper, is relatable. He’s an impoverished man in love with his wife, Betsy, who is childless, but oh-so-smart in a world where smart women are not welcome. When she’s offered the chance to participate in a major project at The Institute, she convinces Edwin it’s for the best. He’ll be part of The Institute’s structure, too, and they’ll be paid handsomely, and the separation will be temporary. Edwin isn’t so sure, but he can’t say no to Betsy. Although his circumstances and his isolation at the outpost are cause enough to be stressed, Edwin sometimes tends toward arrogance. I didn’t always like him. But humans are imperfect beings. I could understand the why of his reactions. Harrison did an excellent job of making him vulnerable. I couldn’t help but root for him, especially when the largest chunk of the mystery was revealed.

The settings, scenery, and technology made me think “steampunk,” but the book is classified as “Cyberpunk.” There is a mix of high-tech (for the year 1892) and the grit of poverty, which is one of the driving factors behind why Edwin is in the right place at the wrong time. Overall, the story is about how wrong things can go when enormous governmental initiatives take over the lives of everyone they touch. It’s also about the hulking shadow behind the door that everyone explains away—until it’s exposed in the light of truth.

While the major mystery is revealed in this book, Outpost 9 does not resolve all the issues. Some remain to be covered in book 2, Future’s End, which came out in May of 2025. Highly intriguing and beautifully written. Definitely recommended.