An Unkindness of Shadows: The Strange Encounters of Justin Margrave

Grant (Where All Is Night, and Starless) crafts an awkward frame narrative to connect an otherwise delightful collection of stories that ably straddle the line between horror and historical fantasy. That frame, following the struggles of queer Black gallery owner Marcus Evanche in 2015 Camden, England, feels oddly disjointed from the short tales, 1970s escapades narrated by white art critic and appraiser Justin Margrave. The best entries focus on female vengeance, as in “The Madness of Queen George,” in which a sculptor seeks revenge for her brother, who died of an overdose, and “The Smoke Market,” about a pottery workshop that offers curious protection to the battered women who work there. Other tales take their cue from The Wicker Man and focus on haunting folk traditions, among them “The Beasts of Kemberdale,” “Elk Boys,” and “The Children of Angles and Corners.” Throughout, Grant offers a nuanced and sympathetic portrait of British gay life from the late 1940s to the days of Thatcher. While the twist bringing together Margrave’s past and Evanche’s present falls flat, the short stories themselves are well worth reading. Grant’s fans will find plenty to enjoy. (July)