I acquired a assessment copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my assessment and all opinions are my very own.

The Supply by Gregg Hurwitz

Mogsy’s Score: 4 of 5 stars

Style: Science Fiction, Horror

Collection: Stand Alone

Writer: Thomas & Mercer (June 30, 2026)

Size: 225 pages

Creator Info: Web site | Twitter

I’ve solely learn a few Gregg Hurwitz’s books earlier than The Supply, however his repute type of precedes him. It’s onerous to like sci-fi and thrillers with out seeing his identify pop up far and wide, and I’ve come to affiliate him with high-concept tales with “what if?” hooks. True to type, this time he turns his consideration to a booming pattern that’s at present related each in style fiction and know-how.

The Supply follows younger couple Rebecca and Mark, who’re barely holding issues collectively. It has been two months since Rebecca suffered a traumatic miscarriage, and each she and Mark are nonetheless struggling to come back to phrases with the grief of what might need been. They’re additionally juggling the calls for of Mark’s high-stress job and elevating their younger daughter, Maddy, whose particular wants require fixed consideration, persistence, and care. Between attempting to heal and coping with the mounting pressures of on a regular basis life, their little household is stretched skinny, leaving them determined for something which may make issues just a bit simpler.

So, when Mark’s boss introduces them to a cutting-edge answer that guarantees to remodel their lives, they resolve to simply accept the provide even with the secrecy surrounding it and the steep price ticket. Earlier than lengthy, supply day arrives, and Mark and Rebecca turn out to be the proud homeowners of a humanoid AI companion that Maddy even affectionately nicknames “Mr. Man.” At first, it looks as if every thing they have been promised and extra, serving to ease the burdens which were weighing on their household. However consolation comes with a worth. As unusual tragedies start unfolding round them, Rebecca begins noticing an unsettling sample, and all of it results in the brand new artificial member of their household. What if Mr. Man isn’t merely following directions however decoding needs that nobody consciously supposed to specific?

The extra I considered The Supply, the extra I used to be reminded of films like A.I. Synthetic Intelligence, particularly in the best way it explores the difficult relationship between people and the robots they create to fulfill their emotional wants. There’s additionally a little bit of M3GAN right here, the place one thing designed to guard and assist us can truly take these directions manner too far. Watch out what you want for! Given how shortly AI has turn out to be a part of our on a regular basis lives, this story feels particularly well timed, and beneath the thriller parts is a cautionary story in regards to the risks of handing over an excessive amount of accountability to one thing we don’t absolutely perceive.

I additionally make no secret that I’m usually not a fan of quick fiction, like quick tales or novellas. Usually, they depart me wishing there had been room to discover the characters or concepts in higher depth. Surprisingly, although, that wasn’t actually a difficulty right here. The Supply truly makes use of its web page size effectively, and at no level did it really feel rushed or incomplete. Pacing felt good with a nicely thought out construction that alternated between present-day and flashbacks, and actually, the shorter format stored the tensions excessive from starting to finish. I additionally appreciated how Hurwitz stored a number of necessary items of knowledge near the vest till simply the fitting second. Somewhat than counting on fixed twists, it creates intrigue by controlling what each the characters and readers know, making it troublesome to foretell precisely the place issues are going.

That stated, there have been a couple of concepts I want the story had spent slightly longer exploring. The know-how behind Mr. Man, for instance. Due to the novella format, a lot of it remained obscure, although I do really feel this will likely have been by design. Nonetheless, I discovered myself wishing there was a bit extra background on how the AI companion was created, which went as far to contain cheek swabs for Mark, Rebecca, and Maddy to acquire their DNA. The method of its “emergence” additionally appeared messy however fascinating, and I needed to know extra. Likewise, whereas a number of of the story’s moments have been undeniably surprising, they occurred so shortly that there wasn’t at all times time for the horror to completely settle. A little bit extra respiration room within the aftermath of those occasions might need allowed their weight to completely sink in, making the scenes much more impactful.

Nonetheless, on that word, I ought to point out that this isn’t at all times a simple learn. Hurwitz tackles some genuinely troublesome materials, from Rebecca’s painful expertise with miscarriage to at least one notably brutal scene involving the household’s pet rabbit that caught me fully off guard. Readers who’re delicate to these matters would possibly wish to be ready.

Finally, The Supply is a tense, thought-provoking thriller that faucets into very related anxieties surrounding synthetic intelligence whereas by no means shedding sight of Mark, Rebecca, and Maddy at its heart. Gregg Hurwitz efficiently delivers an amazing story that may be quick however nonetheless feels full, which is sort of the achievement. In the long run, this novella accomplishes precisely what it units out to do.