"A Gray Life" by Red Harvey is a horrifyingly chilling story that takes place in a dystopian world ravaged by an epidemic of crime. The threads of the plot follow three lives; Juniper an intellectual who's turned to prostitution to survive, a twelve year old boy held hostage by a psychopath in a basement, and Ashley Heard who escaped after her home was broken into and her father was murdered. The narrative is well-written in all its stark reality; dark and brooding as humanity disintegrates even further after the loss of electricity. Red Harvey has created a world filled with rage, hate and violence where monsters are not just human but demonic, destroying what is left of the fabric of society as they rip apart their victims.



Like the plot the characters are complex and realistic, driven into an unholy environment where every instinct is tuned to survival. Each adds to the drama, passion and power of this captivating novel. Juniper Jones a smart and generous young woman in love with Christopher refuses to give up her life of prostitution, surviving after she killed a rogue police officer and her pimp. Sickened by the perverts she serves, playing to their dark thoughts which as an empathic she senses, Juniper feels little but self- loathing , hate and pity. Her only deliverance is a fighting spirit, her love of Christopher and the hope she finds in helping youngsters like Ashley. As the world spirals downward into corruption and depravity she exemplifies that one spark of hope that compassion and charity are not dead.



The young Boy held prisoner in a basement keeps a diary of events and memories of those that are raped tortured and killed by a human monster. Watching the insanity after his family are abused and murdered, the Boy is disgusted that he's drawn to the deviant behaviour which has become almost normal in his daily life. Wanting to escape but fearful that something worse lies beyond the cement walls of his prison he makes friends with Michael and Louise who continue to look for an escape from the insanity.



Ashley Heard a twelve year old who hid in a cubby in her closet until the murderers abandoned her father's dead body, has escaped her apartment only to find a haven in the immoral and corrupt atmosphere of the Coach Inn where Juniper takes pity on her. With her help and a forged ID Ashley will be able to escape to London where she hopes to find a new life. Yet even with that flicker of light in the darkness there is the realization that the crime epidemic has reached Europe.



This is a dark apocalyptic story where there seems little love or hope unless you look closely. Even after the three lives connect directly or indirectly and are open to new possibilities, the climax leaves the reader with even more unanswered questions about their futures. This story is emotionally-charged and mesmerizing but should not be read by the faint of heart.