John Harrison has produced one of the most original and creepy stories in recent memory with his intriguing novel, DID YOU GET THE PACKAGE?

Mira and Kieran Carpenter have moved into their first home, and it is indeed a major fixer-upper. This is seen as a challenge for Mira, an exceptionally talented architect, and Kieran looks forward to composing and writing music there. The prologue, which is set in the present, depicts how Mira regrets destroying her greatest work to save herself and her husband. When the action jumps back in time six months, we begin to see the nightmare they are about to endure that brought Mira to that fateful decision.

"John Harrison has produced one of the most original and creepy stories in recent memory... DID YOU GET THE PACKAGE? is a masterwork in terror that is never predictable and builds to an unbearably suspenseful climax."

As they are moving in and getting organized, the couple finds a package from Amazon on their front doorstep. Neither recall ordering anything and are confused when they unwrap a wooden box with no paperwork to decipher what it’s supposed to be. There are interesting markings within the box; it is obviously very old and not a new item from an antique shop. They are further startled when they are awoken at 3am by an “unknown caller” whose scratchy voice, which is buried within a bad connection, simply asks, “Did you get the package?” Nothing else is said, and Mira and Kieran understandably are creeped out.

The calls begin to occur with more frequency, all with a raspy voice asking the same question and nothing more. When a frustrated Mira yells into the phone that they are going to smash the box to bits and throw it out, the voice responds, “I wouldn’t do that.” As if that isn’t enough to lose sleep over, they fear their basement and at times feel like someone is watching them.

Mira and Kieran begin behaving strangely and losing time via blackouts that find them in parts of the house they do not remember entering. Their nightmares turn vivid and chilling, and the box seems to relocate itself around their house at will, even when they attempt to discard it. An archaeology professor who is a friend of Mira identifies the writing on the box as Sumerian cuneiform. She wants an expert to take a look and provide his or her own opinion. When that happens, we learn what might be the meaning of the box --- and it is beyond frightening.

Meanwhile, Mira’s work on a huge assignment starts to turn surreal and becomes a point of concern with her colleagues. At the same time, Kieran begins to compose what sounds like some kind of religious chant that he claims was inspired by the markings on the box. The calls persist, and the answers Mira learns when she meets with the house’s previous owners will chill you to the bone. 

DID YOU GET THE PACKAGE? is a masterwork in terror that is never predictable and builds to an unbearably suspenseful climax. When those markings are eventually deciphered, you will be able to hear a pin drop due to the stunned silence that will surround you during this unique and fun reading experience.