Safe Return Doubtful

translated from the Korean by Sophie Bowman – published August 2026

This is the fourth in the very entertaining Lovecraft Reanimated series published by Honford Star which features leading Korean writers of speculative fiction reimagining the works of horror great. This is a retelling of The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

Muyoung, a bodyguard, and her young niece Hyun, are waiting for a train to Haewon, a seaside town, for vacation. Hyun’s parents plan to join them after their business trip, but a large earthquake hits the eastern coast, and they cannot travel. Despite warnings on the internet, Muyoung and Hyun continue their journey.

Three years in time later and Haewon is a desolate place; its inhabitants have largely fallen victim to an ancient plague from the depths of the ocean. Haewon, now completely cut off from the rest of the country, has become a place of humans that resemble sea creatures, filthy beaches, and abandoned buildings. Hyun is lost it seems, and Muyoung spends her days mindlessly hunting villagers who break isolation rules.

On the surface this may seem an all too familiar story about lockdowns and pandemics, rather though, it is a much cleverer one on themes of atonement, acceptance and fear of the unknown.

My GoodReads score 4 / 5