24 Oct 2025 5:13 am
Hi everyone! Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m sharing my review of the horror novella Mr. Harrigan’s Phone by Stephen King.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone was published for the first time in April 2020 as part of the short story collection If it Bleeds by Scribner and is 80 pages long.
The Plot
At its heart, the novella begins with an unlikely friendship between Craig, a boy living in a small town in Maine, and the reclusive, wealthy Mr. Harrigan. After winning a lottery scratch card given to him by Harrigan, Craig gifts him an iPhone, igniting a key relationship not just between the two but also between Harrigan and the device itself.
Characters
Craig
Craig’s character anchors the story with his earnestness and curiosity, and from the beginning, you sense his drive for connection. His relationship with Mr. Harrigan feels genuine and warm yet tinged with the natural awkwardness of a friendship that spans generations.
His reflective voice effectively draws you into his perspective. He is a relatable protagonist, wrestling with the moral ambiguity of his actions in the story as he grapples with grief, adolescence, and the strange events tied to Mr. Harrigan’s phone. His arc feels authentic, and I appreciated how King portrayed him as a genuinely kind person rather than the clichéd “dark, troubled teen” on which some horror stories lean.
Mr. Harrigan
Mr. Harrigan, on the other hand, is a more layered character than you might expect at first. On the surface, he’s gruff and slightly intimidating, a wealthy man whose business dealings were likely morally grey. What I loved about him was how utterly real he felt. His gruff exterior hides a man who appreciates loyalty, cares deeply for Craig in his own way, and, despite his age, is enchanted by new technology.
Supporting Cast
Other characters, such as Craig’s father, his science teacher and his school bully, serve their roles well. They aren’t as fleshed out because there isn’t really room, being that this is a novella, but their presence adds texture to Craig’s life. Each of them, subtly or overtly, shapes the choices he makes.
Writing Style
This is classic Stephen King, plain and simple. The words flow beautifully, with enough detail to paint vivid pictures of the world and characters—but not so much to be bogged down in overwriting.
The story is also presented in a manner that’s easy to read. It is told in chunks—short scenes of only a few paragraphs, making it brilliant for bedtime reading—though, if you’re like me, you’ll find it hard to put down.
Speaking of the book’s compelling nature, King’s characterization is strong in this one, notably in the depiction of Craig as a sincere and emotionally vulnerable protagonist whose moral compass is tested by supernatural circumstances. Mr. Harrigan emerges as an enigmatic figure whose austerity and mysterious past add depth and complexity to the narrative. The dynamic between these two characters is genuinely lovely, bridging generational divides through shared loneliness and mutual respect.
Although this is quintessentially King, and it is a horror story, don’t expect jump scares or overt terror here. The horror in Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is quiet and psychological, leaning on suspense and dread rather than outright gore or fright, which makes for a super creepy tale.
What stands out most about the novella is the way King has layered its themes. On one hand, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is a creepy ghost story. On the other, it’s a nuanced commentary on modern technology and the ways it can bring people together—but also amplify our worst traits. King doesn’t spell out his message, but he certainly leaves you chewing over it long after you’ve finished the book.
Final Thoughts
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone might not be as terrifying as some of Stephen King’s other works (anybody read IT?!)—but it demonstrates his mastery of blending human emotion with the unnerving. It’s equal parts a coming-of-age story and cautionary tale about technology—with characters that linger in your mind.
As I said above, if you’re after jump scares, this probably isn’t the King story for you. But if you’re in the mood for something introspective, nuanced, and delightfully eerie, please give it a read.
I’m giving this one a full 10/10.
Have you read Mr. Harrigan’s Phone or watched the film adaptation? I watched it after reading the novella, and I think the novella is far superior.
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review!
Until next time,
George
© 2025 GLT
Posted by georgelthomas
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
Tags: book review, horror, novella, review, short story, Stephen King, supernatural, Technology
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Oh, King & a haunted phone? My Halloween reading is sorted! So spooky! 🎃
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By The Brit Beard on 24 Oct 2025 at 4:48 pm