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Dreams the Ragman
As a young boy Derrick listened to his grandfather’s spooky tales of “The Ragman,” an old junk dealer and boogieman of sorts to the children in the neighborhood who he claimed had followed him throughout his entire life and stalked him from the depths of his own worst nightmares. But as an alcoholic ravaged with senility, his grandfather’s stories were dismissed as delusions.
When years later, murder comes to Derrick’s small hometown, he and his best friend Caleb—both teenage outcasts—discover that the killer is a hobo dressed in rags who rides the rails in and out of town when committing his crimes. They dub him “The Ragman” unaware of just how accurate that nickname may be, but the murders are never solved.
As time passes, Derrick weds and settles into a troubled marriage while Caleb moves to New York City and spirals into drug addiction and madness. Thirty years later, in a dying seaside resort town, the killings have begun again. Has The Ragman returned, or is something even more sinister taking place?
As Derrick and Caleb meet at the scene of the latest grisly murders, they soon find themselves confronted with an unsolved mystery that has haunted them for decades and an eternal evil they may never be able to escape. The rain falls, darkness descends, a train’s whistle blows, and the Ragman begins to dream…
When years later, murder comes to Derrick’s small hometown, he and his best friend Caleb—both teenage outcasts—discover that the killer is a hobo dressed in rags who rides the rails in and out of town when committing his crimes. They dub him “The Ragman” unaware of just how accurate that nickname may be, but the murders are never solved.
As time passes, Derrick weds and settles into a troubled marriage while Caleb moves to New York City and spirals into drug addiction and madness. Thirty years later, in a dying seaside resort town, the killings have begun again. Has The Ragman returned, or is something even more sinister taking place?
As Derrick and Caleb meet at the scene of the latest grisly murders, they soon find themselves confronted with an unsolved mystery that has haunted them for decades and an eternal evil they may never be able to escape. The rain falls, darkness descends, a train’s whistle blows, and the Ragman begins to dream…
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Greg F. Gifune
81 books352 followersCalled "One of the best writers of his generation" by both the Roswell Literary Review and author Brian Keene, Greg F. Gifune is the author of numerous short stories, several novels and two short story collections. His work has been published in a wide range of magazines and anthologies all over the world, and has recently garnered interest from Hollywood. His novels include The Bleeding Season, Deep Night, Saying Uncle, A View From The Lake, Night Work, Drago Descending, Blood In Electric Blue and Dominion.
Along with his short story collections, Down To Sleep and Heretics, his work has been nominated for numerous awards and is consistently praised by readers and critics alike across the globe. For seven years he was Editor-in-Chief of Thievin' Kitty Publications, publishers of the acclaimed fiction magazines The Edge: Tales of Suspense (1998-2004) and Burning Sky: Adventures in Science Fiction Terror (1998-2003), and currently serves as Associate Editor at Delirium Books.
The son of teachers, Greg F. Gifune was educated in Boston and has lived in various places, including New York City and Peru. A trained actor and broadcaster, he has appeared in various stage productions and has worked in radio and television as both an on-air talent and a producer. Earlier in life he held a wide range of jobs, encompassing everything from journalism to promotions.
The author of numerous novels, screenplays and two short story collections, his work has been consistently praised by critics and readers alike, and has been translated into several languages and published all over the world. Greg and his wife Carol live in Massachusetts with a bevy of cats.
Discover more about his writing at GregFGifune.com and UninvitedBooks.com.
Along with his short story collections, Down To Sleep and Heretics, his work has been nominated for numerous awards and is consistently praised by readers and critics alike across the globe. For seven years he was Editor-in-Chief of Thievin' Kitty Publications, publishers of the acclaimed fiction magazines The Edge: Tales of Suspense (1998-2004) and Burning Sky: Adventures in Science Fiction Terror (1998-2003), and currently serves as Associate Editor at Delirium Books.
The son of teachers, Greg F. Gifune was educated in Boston and has lived in various places, including New York City and Peru. A trained actor and broadcaster, he has appeared in various stage productions and has worked in radio and television as both an on-air talent and a producer. Earlier in life he held a wide range of jobs, encompassing everything from journalism to promotions.
The author of numerous novels, screenplays and two short story collections, his work has been consistently praised by critics and readers alike, and has been translated into several languages and published all over the world. Greg and his wife Carol live in Massachusetts with a bevy of cats.
Discover more about his writing at GregFGifune.com and UninvitedBooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 23, 2014
When Derrick Ricci was a boy, his grandfather would tell him and his friend Caleb tales of the Ragman, a junk dealer clothed in rags. The Ragman haunted their dreams from then on. When people are brutally murdered, Derrick and Caleb, now adults, are convinced it is the work of the Ragman. But Derrick is going through a divorce and Caleb is now a junkie. Can they stop the Ragman from killing again?
This is the twenty-second book in my Kindle Unlimited Experiment. For the 30 day trial, I'm only reading books that are part of the program and keeping track what the total cost of the books would have been.
This was an atmospheric little novella from the fine folks at DarkFuse. Dreams the Ragman is a short tale dealing with destiny and growing up. It's more of a character study than anything else.
The Ragman is a creepy figure, a rail-riding hobo carrying a rusty bell and clothed in rags, who may or may not be responsible for some grisly killings. How is he tied to Derrick and Caleb?
Greg Gifune's writing does a great job of conveying the creepiness of the Ragman and the hopelessness Caleb must be feeling. The shifting from the past to the present keeps the book from being predictable.
However, not much actually happens. I think Dreams the Ragman would have been better if it had been expanded into a novel and had more time for the suspense to build. Three out of five stars.
Current Kindle Unlimited Savings Total: $121.88.
This is the twenty-second book in my Kindle Unlimited Experiment. For the 30 day trial, I'm only reading books that are part of the program and keeping track what the total cost of the books would have been.
This was an atmospheric little novella from the fine folks at DarkFuse. Dreams the Ragman is a short tale dealing with destiny and growing up. It's more of a character study than anything else.
The Ragman is a creepy figure, a rail-riding hobo carrying a rusty bell and clothed in rags, who may or may not be responsible for some grisly killings. How is he tied to Derrick and Caleb?
Greg Gifune's writing does a great job of conveying the creepiness of the Ragman and the hopelessness Caleb must be feeling. The shifting from the past to the present keeps the book from being predictable.
However, not much actually happens. I think Dreams the Ragman would have been better if it had been expanded into a novel and had more time for the suspense to build. Three out of five stars.
Current Kindle Unlimited Savings Total: $121.88.
December 13, 2013
Dreams the Ragman is a haunting and completely consuming novella from an author who is fast becoming one of my favourites.
Derrick Ricci and his friend Caleb were affected deeply as children by tales of the Ragman, harmless stories it would seem told by Derrick’s grandfather, stories that would plague their dreams for the rest of their lives.
The Ragman rode a horse drawn cart about the streets collecting rags and other unwanted items, moving from town to town, a figure that warranted tales but it was when Derrick’s grandfather died that murder surfaced and the children never forgot the Ragman. Years later as adults the two friends reunite when the murders start again determined to hunt down the nightmare that was the Ragman.
The author brings characters both flawed and thoroughly real that grasp at your attention, not letting go until their story is told, with an abundance of tension and a chilling atmosphere.
The ending is fantastic set in a dilapidated holiday strip, full of empty shops, a desolate beach and rain that never stops (Greg seems to like his rain, must be nightmares of a rain soaked camping holiday) but it’s incredibly eerie and you truly believe, even endure the horror that Derrick and Caleb feel right down to the bone. Highly recommended.
Derrick Ricci and his friend Caleb were affected deeply as children by tales of the Ragman, harmless stories it would seem told by Derrick’s grandfather, stories that would plague their dreams for the rest of their lives.
The Ragman rode a horse drawn cart about the streets collecting rags and other unwanted items, moving from town to town, a figure that warranted tales but it was when Derrick’s grandfather died that murder surfaced and the children never forgot the Ragman. Years later as adults the two friends reunite when the murders start again determined to hunt down the nightmare that was the Ragman.
The author brings characters both flawed and thoroughly real that grasp at your attention, not letting go until their story is told, with an abundance of tension and a chilling atmosphere.
The ending is fantastic set in a dilapidated holiday strip, full of empty shops, a desolate beach and rain that never stops (Greg seems to like his rain, must be nightmares of a rain soaked camping holiday) but it’s incredibly eerie and you truly believe, even endure the horror that Derrick and Caleb feel right down to the bone. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2013
Greg Gifune is a master of atmospheric, emotionally driven stories. DREAMS THE RAGMAN solidifies my point. This novella is not so much about the legendary "Ragman", as it is about the relationship between two boys-grown-to-men, Derrick and Caleb. This story focus on the changes brought about as the characters lives are entwined with that of of the Ragman. You won't find any answers thrown in your face as to his origins or even motives, but again, that isn't what the story is truly about. Gifune is able to effortlessly transport the reader into another realm, into other lives. Reading one of his tales is always a rewarding experience that leaves me thinking about his setting and characters for weeks afterwards.
August 26, 2012
4.5 Stars
I am a huge fan of horror novelist Greg Gifune. This novella is a well written, tight story that explores a man's lifelong nightmare. Derrick a mid 40's man is struggling with his failing marriage, his haunting past, and his overly heavy relationship with his best friend Caleb.
This short read explore's Derrick's families past with the mythical/imaginary/ghost of a man called the Ragman. Derrick and Caleb, alnog with Derrick's grandfather believe that a series of brutal unsolved murders were committed by the Ragman.
Gifune weaves the story and the plot unfolds quickly as Derrick attempts to rescue his best friend Caleb from his drug induced spiral towards death. They mystery behind the Ragman is explored as Derrick comes to a better understanding of his place in the world.
I enjoyed this very fast read...it is well written!
I am a huge fan of horror novelist Greg Gifune. This novella is a well written, tight story that explores a man's lifelong nightmare. Derrick a mid 40's man is struggling with his failing marriage, his haunting past, and his overly heavy relationship with his best friend Caleb.
This short read explore's Derrick's families past with the mythical/imaginary/ghost of a man called the Ragman. Derrick and Caleb, alnog with Derrick's grandfather believe that a series of brutal unsolved murders were committed by the Ragman.
Gifune weaves the story and the plot unfolds quickly as Derrick attempts to rescue his best friend Caleb from his drug induced spiral towards death. They mystery behind the Ragman is explored as Derrick comes to a better understanding of his place in the world.
I enjoyed this very fast read...it is well written!
February 21, 2019
Greg Gifune continues to write some of the best character driven stories out there. A short tale of friendship, a failed marriage, murder, and a scary ass story told by grandpa to our protagonist as a young boy, which sets the stage for the eerie events to come. Gifune’s writing is gorgeous as always, and keeps you turning the pages. I would classify this as horror, because there’s some serious oh shit moments, The Ragman is creepy as hell, and the tension runs deep in this book, but Gifune plays with many different genres here, and he does it effortlessly. The Ragman was the stuff of nightmares, and I’m more than likely gonna meet him tonight, when I fall asleep. Seriously...that ending. 😳
August 19, 2012
When Derrick was a little boy, his grandfather used to tell him stories about the Ragman. "An impossibly old man crippled with various ailments, his body curved and bent with arthritis, The Ragman rode a derelict, horse-drawn wagon along the city streets...calling out 'Rags!'
This novella grabbed me right from the start, maybe it's because I'm old enough to remember The Ragman, yeah, we had one in the town where I grew up, too. He fit the author's description to a tee. Right down to the "whip in one hand and a rusty bell even older than he was in the other." The Ragman would buy rags, newspapers and assorted bits of junk. In my neighborhood, he would travel up and down the alleys yelling "Rags!" and ringing his bell. I remember my Mother telling me if I didn't behave, she'd sell me to The Ragman.
But Dreams The Ragman is more than a story of a scary old man.
Derrick's grandfather used to tell him of The Ragman. Telling young Derrick that The Ragman needs to eat and never stops until he gets his fill. When asked "What does The Ragman eat?" his grandfather would tell him "Souls."
In his teenage years Derrick came to associate a series of murders with The Ragman. Thirteen victims, over a span of three years and across six states. "While not exactly what his grandfather had described to him, a deranged hobo riding the rails and murdering unsuspecting townsfolk seemed close enough."
At the time of the murders, Derrick's closest friend was Caleb. The two tried to get inside the mind of The Ragman, tried to figure where he would go between murders, but over time Caleb becomes quite the junkie and the friends are separated by distance and circumstance. Now it's 30 years later and when the news comes about a pair of murders in Sheppard Beach, New Hampshire, Derrick knows he must go and that Caleb would be there, too. This could be his last chance to save his friend and possibly himself.
Sheppard Beach was once a luxurious resort that like so many of it's kind has fallen on hard times. The writer's description of such a place is dead on and his characters are genuine and well developed. It is evident throughout that Gifune is, in the words of Ed Gorman, "Among the finest dark suspense writers of our time."
Dreams The Ragman is an expertly layered tale of friendship, choices and redemption. If you're not already reading Greg F. Gifune then let me recommend you start with this brilliant novella.
Now available as an e-book in the Kindle format.
This novella grabbed me right from the start, maybe it's because I'm old enough to remember The Ragman, yeah, we had one in the town where I grew up, too. He fit the author's description to a tee. Right down to the "whip in one hand and a rusty bell even older than he was in the other." The Ragman would buy rags, newspapers and assorted bits of junk. In my neighborhood, he would travel up and down the alleys yelling "Rags!" and ringing his bell. I remember my Mother telling me if I didn't behave, she'd sell me to The Ragman.
But Dreams The Ragman is more than a story of a scary old man.
Derrick's grandfather used to tell him of The Ragman. Telling young Derrick that The Ragman needs to eat and never stops until he gets his fill. When asked "What does The Ragman eat?" his grandfather would tell him "Souls."
In his teenage years Derrick came to associate a series of murders with The Ragman. Thirteen victims, over a span of three years and across six states. "While not exactly what his grandfather had described to him, a deranged hobo riding the rails and murdering unsuspecting townsfolk seemed close enough."
At the time of the murders, Derrick's closest friend was Caleb. The two tried to get inside the mind of The Ragman, tried to figure where he would go between murders, but over time Caleb becomes quite the junkie and the friends are separated by distance and circumstance. Now it's 30 years later and when the news comes about a pair of murders in Sheppard Beach, New Hampshire, Derrick knows he must go and that Caleb would be there, too. This could be his last chance to save his friend and possibly himself.
Sheppard Beach was once a luxurious resort that like so many of it's kind has fallen on hard times. The writer's description of such a place is dead on and his characters are genuine and well developed. It is evident throughout that Gifune is, in the words of Ed Gorman, "Among the finest dark suspense writers of our time."
Dreams The Ragman is an expertly layered tale of friendship, choices and redemption. If you're not already reading Greg F. Gifune then let me recommend you start with this brilliant novella.
Now available as an e-book in the Kindle format.
April 25, 2019
2 stars
Good writing, but flat ending ... 😶
Good writing, but flat ending ... 😶
February 10, 2022
This book wasn't for me. Went on too much about the characters themselves and not enough about the ragman or the background of the ragman.
March 13, 2013
Writers without style are like spaghetti noodles without sauce. Gifune's style--which I've now had the pleasure of exploring six of his works (including a short story, two novels and three novellas)--is all about character. He's a character-driven writer, and a good one. This story seems on its face to be about the shadowy Ragman. Who is this serial murderer that fascinated young Derrick and his friend Caleb?
Fast forward to adulthood and the story begins with Derrick returning to his hometown to find his drug-addled friend Caleb in jail and the memories of what the Ragman was and did in the past are stirred with new murders. The story isn't about the Ragman, despite the title and story description, it's about the relationship between two friends who thought they knew most everything about each other and how the Ragman defined and altered their relationship. It's a gripping character-driven tale that is told in such a way that you really care for Derrick and Caleb. The driving force to keep reading is wondering what will happen to Caleb?
I like how Gifune also ends each scene on a dramatic note(!). He often cuts back and forth from dream scenes to move the plot along at a deliberate, measured pace. This is recommended for those who like character-driven suspense stories. I didn't find it as chilling--nor do I think the author intended it to be--as some other stories by the author, but enjoyed the method and depth of how he made me care about the characters. 1,600 Kindle locations. 3.75 stars.
Fast forward to adulthood and the story begins with Derrick returning to his hometown to find his drug-addled friend Caleb in jail and the memories of what the Ragman was and did in the past are stirred with new murders. The story isn't about the Ragman, despite the title and story description, it's about the relationship between two friends who thought they knew most everything about each other and how the Ragman defined and altered their relationship. It's a gripping character-driven tale that is told in such a way that you really care for Derrick and Caleb. The driving force to keep reading is wondering what will happen to Caleb?
I like how Gifune also ends each scene on a dramatic note(!). He often cuts back and forth from dream scenes to move the plot along at a deliberate, measured pace. This is recommended for those who like character-driven suspense stories. I didn't find it as chilling--nor do I think the author intended it to be--as some other stories by the author, but enjoyed the method and depth of how he made me care about the characters. 1,600 Kindle locations. 3.75 stars.
April 12, 2011
I hovered between a 3 and a 4 on this one. I really like Greg Gifune's works for a variety of reasons, but of the ones that I have read so far, this is the only narrative that left me with a maddening sense of disquiet. As I watched the story unfold via the first person narator, it felt as though I was wearing thick coke bottle lenses that would be periodically splashed with water, thoroughly distorting plot and perspective. As a reader, I certainly felt challenged to distill meaning and emotion from the amalgam of hazy dreams, bloody reality, and everything in between. I ultimately gave this one 4 stars for the challenge.
I also found the mood and setting to be really well done. But... this is a double edge sword. While I thought that the oppressive sense of dread (permeating this entire novella) nicely accented this distorted narrative, ultimately it was a bit of a distraction from character development. I felt an odd sense of detachment from most of the characters... even the main character, despite the novella being told in the first person narative. All the characters in the narative felt like spectres, taking form when called upon, and then dissapating as the narator passed through them as he moved along with the story.
Minor criticisms aside, I liked it and recommend it... although you are in for a tough read. Enjoy!!
I also found the mood and setting to be really well done. But... this is a double edge sword. While I thought that the oppressive sense of dread (permeating this entire novella) nicely accented this distorted narrative, ultimately it was a bit of a distraction from character development. I felt an odd sense of detachment from most of the characters... even the main character, despite the novella being told in the first person narative. All the characters in the narative felt like spectres, taking form when called upon, and then dissapating as the narator passed through them as he moved along with the story.
Minor criticisms aside, I liked it and recommend it... although you are in for a tough read. Enjoy!!
February 21, 2012
This was an imaginative story crafted by Gifune and had some real good lines of writing and i did find other places, for me, that just went through the pace. I was expecting to get slightly more creepiness out of the story due to the title and cover-art, so maybe went into reading this with a different expectation and that did influence me in giving three instead of four.
July 26, 2012
My first Gifune but definitely not my last. Great story. Flowed well and read easy. I only wish it was a bit longer.
July 21, 2014
I'd been looking forward to reading this. After previously reading, and thoroughly enjoying, the bleeding season by the same author. I thought this was going to be brilliant.
Unfortunately I was quite disappointed with this. I don't know if maybe I just wasn't in the mood but it was just so hard to get into this. It seemed to just constantly jump back and forth. And then when it finished I realised that nothing really happened. A lot of memories, sort of, and bits of back stories. But overall nothing major really happened. It was totally uneventful. Sorry
Unfortunately I was quite disappointed with this. I don't know if maybe I just wasn't in the mood but it was just so hard to get into this. It seemed to just constantly jump back and forth. And then when it finished I realised that nothing really happened. A lot of memories, sort of, and bits of back stories. But overall nothing major really happened. It was totally uneventful. Sorry
April 17, 2011
Great atmospheric and suspenseful read.
July 15, 2018
What? Just tell me what was going on with this novella? Really? Huge disappointment. I didn't know it would be end like this!...
What exactly happened in this novella I don't know! Impossible to proceed with the flow of that tale. There's just in my opinion has nothing to fear about. I would say this may be by far one of my worst horror read in 2018. Couldn't believe that the author would be Greg F. Gifune...
Just check the review as I copy paste in the below as I have nothing in my mind to formulate something to write something about this novella!...
"As a young boy Derrick listened to his grandfather’s spooky tales of “The Ragman,” an old junk dealer and boogieman of sorts to the children in the neighborhood who he claimed had followed him throughout his entire life and stalked him from the depths of his own worst nightmares. But as an alcoholic ravaged with senility, his grandfather’s stories were dismissed as delusions.
When years later, murder comes to Derrick’s small hometown, he and his best friend Caleb—both teenage outcasts—discover that the killer is a hobo dressed in rags who rides the rails in and out of town when committing his crimes. They dub him “The Ragman” unaware of just how accurate that nickname may be, but the murders are never solved.
As time passes, Derrick weds and settles into a troubled marriage while Caleb moves to New York City and spirals into drug addiction and madness. Thirty years later, in a dying seaside resort town, the killings have begun again. Has The Ragman returned, or is something even more sinister taking place?
As Derrick and Caleb meet at the scene of the latest grisly murders, they soon find themselves confronted with an unsolved mystery that has haunted them for decades and an eternal evil they may never be able to escape. The rain falls, darkness descends, a train’s whistle blows, and the Ragman begins to dream…"
What Ragman? What about it or him/her. I understood the concept that Ragman was something beyond, that it was a disturbing thing. Well I didn't enjoy it at all. It was like I was reading something but just couldn't get in to the momentum of the story...
Make what kind of thought you want to but I am done here. I hope the next read from that author would be different and will worth my time...
1 out of 5...
November 15, 2017
Dreams the Ragman
Very imaginative tale of murder and deceit. Not knowing what will unravel in a story is a gift to the reader. A very nice read by a creative author.
Very imaginative tale of murder and deceit. Not knowing what will unravel in a story is a gift to the reader. A very nice read by a creative author.
March 14, 2016
Emotional relationships are strong in this novella, whether portrayed with dialogue or exposition. The progress isn't steady, and the choppy narrative flow doesn't seem very well defined. There's a very good subtext going on about wrestling between acceptance of your assigned role in life and whether anger will dig you out of it, or just bury you deeper.
The author's handling of police (not all figures in authority in here--just the three cops) is disappointing. They're cut short on dimensions that are given to all other characters. Prime example: a police chief has learned that a character is a social worker but also has assault convictions. That would be a red flag for all but the most brain-dead among LEOs, and it wouldn't hurt the story to have the cop put two and two together there but instead he just descends into cartoonish reactionary behavior.
The author's handling of police (not all figures in authority in here--just the three cops) is disappointing. They're cut short on dimensions that are given to all other characters. Prime example: a police chief has learned that a character is a social worker but also has assault convictions. That would be a red flag for all but the most brain-dead among LEOs, and it wouldn't hurt the story to have the cop put two and two together there but instead he just descends into cartoonish reactionary behavior.
July 6, 2011
Very good creepy stuff with nice twist ending. This novella is best read in one or two sittings because it flows very well, as though the protagonist is telling you the story. Vivid characters and the truth behind the mystery of The Ragman is unexpected and terrifying. Gifune builds tremendous suspense and provides a great payoff.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews