Just Below [Book Review]

By John Michael Alaia

Mar 15, 2026

Just Below by John Michael Alaia starts off like your run-off-the-mill basement body horror, but then promptly morphs into something entirely else. What? I hear it’s different for everyone. You might get enthralled with the gruesome details, or caught up in an escape-roomesque action, or switch to untangling the story’s metaphorical meaning. The narrative is so well written — not that I would expect anything else from John — that it will cater to a wide range of readers, or even change the meaning on a second read through.

Flexibility aside, I’m sure one thing will stand out for everyone: the further you will go into the story, the more personal it will seem. Especially, when you factor in the after word.

And this is the point I want to stress: make sure you read the after word. It’s not a regular thank-you-blah-blah-blah, but rather a very organic and essential extension to the story, and the ballsiest one I ever read, hands down.

As I mentioned to John once, I would’ve not had the guts to admit the shit in there about myself.

In any case, grab this one-sitting-worth of novelette, that will seem smooth, but will leave you with thoughts when you’re done with it.

Just Below is available for pre-order on Kindle Store.

Just Below on Goodreads and Amazon.

Also, check out my review of John’s full-size novel: