Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a novella by American author Stephen King, first published in 2020 as part of the collection If It Bleeds. The story is set in the early 2000s and follows Craig, a young boy who befriends a reclusive elderly billionaire named John Harrigan. After winning a lottery ticket given to him by Harrigan, Craig buys his friend an iPhone, and the two develop a close bond through phone calls and texts. When Harrigan dies, Craig buries the phone with him, only to discover that he can still communicate with the dead man through the device, leading to supernatural consequences.
The novella explores themes of grief, technology, and the moral implications of using power beyond the grave. King's characteristic blend of horror and coming-of-age storytelling is evident, with a focus on the relationship between youth and age in a rapidly changing digital world. The story was well-received by critics and readers, praised for its emotional depth and eerie premise. It stands as a modern addition to King's extensive body of work, which often examines the intersection of everyday life and the supernatural.
