 Although British, Russell wrote predominantly for an American audience, and was often assumed to be American by readers.Much of Russell's science fiction is based on what might be described as Fortean themes, with "Sinister Barrier" and "Dreadful Sanctuary" the most notable examples.Another common theme is the single resourceful human pitted against a ponderous alien bureaucracy, as in the novels "Wasp" and "Next of Kin", as well as several shorter works.