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October '94: A Horror Novel
DO YOU ACCEPT YOUR FATE…?
London, October 2019 - Gabriel Dumont is swept up in a tide of buried secrets. The news of the suicide of his biological father, Tony Smith, an iconic 90s rocker from Argentina, awakens shadows lurking in his memory.
Urged by his maternal grandfather, Gabriel travels to Buenos Aires to deal with his father's inheritance, whose life was marked by suspicions in the murder of his wife and Gabriel's mother. But what appears to be a simple succession turns into a descent into madness when Gabriel finds a VCR with a cassette marked with his name on the floor of the late Tony Smith's house.
When he plays the cassette, the inexplicable a peculiar static transports him to October 1994, two days before his mother's tragic murder. Amidst this enigma, Gabriel is forced to confront his own demons and uncover the hidden truth behind the shadows that have darkened his life.
What dark link connects his childhood amnesia, nightmares, and the mysterious cassette that enables him to time travel?
******
Nicolás Francis (Buenos Aires, 1988) Journalist and graphic designer. His horror stories are heavily influenced by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, Stephen King, and Ray Bradbury, as well as the films of John Carpenter, Wes Craven, and Sergio Leone.
London, October 2019 - Gabriel Dumont is swept up in a tide of buried secrets. The news of the suicide of his biological father, Tony Smith, an iconic 90s rocker from Argentina, awakens shadows lurking in his memory.
Urged by his maternal grandfather, Gabriel travels to Buenos Aires to deal with his father's inheritance, whose life was marked by suspicions in the murder of his wife and Gabriel's mother. But what appears to be a simple succession turns into a descent into madness when Gabriel finds a VCR with a cassette marked with his name on the floor of the late Tony Smith's house.
When he plays the cassette, the inexplicable a peculiar static transports him to October 1994, two days before his mother's tragic murder. Amidst this enigma, Gabriel is forced to confront his own demons and uncover the hidden truth behind the shadows that have darkened his life.
What dark link connects his childhood amnesia, nightmares, and the mysterious cassette that enables him to time travel?
******
Nicolás Francis (Buenos Aires, 1988) Journalist and graphic designer. His horror stories are heavily influenced by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, Stephen King, and Ray Bradbury, as well as the films of John Carpenter, Wes Craven, and Sergio Leone.
- GenresHorror
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2024
64 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Nicolás Francis
31 books117 followersPeriodista, diseñador gráfico y uno de los autores independientes de terror más influyentes de Argentina. Ha desarrollado trabajos de branding, diseño editorial e identidad visual para empresas de Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Estados Unidos y China.
Su obra literaria está marcada por influencias profundas de H. P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, Stephen King y Ray Bradbury, y por la estética del cine de John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Sergio Leone y David Lynch.
Debutó en 2021 con El Dios Pálido y otros relatos de terror, una antología que combina horror cósmico, dimensiones paralelas, rituales demoníacos, asesinos seriales y mitología nórdica.
En 2022 publicó Black Metal, su segunda colección de relatos extremos y atmosféricos.
En 2023 lanzó su primera novela, Octubre 94’, una obra de culto que fue censurada por Amazon, generando repercusión en los principales medios de Argentina. Ese mismo año cofundó el Nuevo Terror Argentino y participó en sus tres antologías oficiales.
En 2024 publicó From Kragerø, el primer ensayo sobre Theodor Kittelsen y su influencia en el black metal, con notable recepción en Noruega. A finales del mismo año editó Kuronami, una antología de J-horror con ilustraciones originales.
En 2025 lanzó Yo Soy el Terror, su novela más ambiciosa, además de participar como editor y autor invitado en Horror Animal, una antología pionera en la que cada relato está narrado desde el punto de vista de un animal.
Sus libros combinan atmósfera, pesadilla y un enfoque estético único, construyendo un universo donde lo extraño, lo ritual y lo imposible se manifiestan con brutal claridad. Su obra continúa expandiéndose con proyectos en alemán, italiano y nuevas series de terror en desarrollo.
Su obra literaria está marcada por influencias profundas de H. P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, Stephen King y Ray Bradbury, y por la estética del cine de John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Sergio Leone y David Lynch.
Debutó en 2021 con El Dios Pálido y otros relatos de terror, una antología que combina horror cósmico, dimensiones paralelas, rituales demoníacos, asesinos seriales y mitología nórdica.
En 2022 publicó Black Metal, su segunda colección de relatos extremos y atmosféricos.
En 2023 lanzó su primera novela, Octubre 94’, una obra de culto que fue censurada por Amazon, generando repercusión en los principales medios de Argentina. Ese mismo año cofundó el Nuevo Terror Argentino y participó en sus tres antologías oficiales.
En 2024 publicó From Kragerø, el primer ensayo sobre Theodor Kittelsen y su influencia en el black metal, con notable recepción en Noruega. A finales del mismo año editó Kuronami, una antología de J-horror con ilustraciones originales.
En 2025 lanzó Yo Soy el Terror, su novela más ambiciosa, además de participar como editor y autor invitado en Horror Animal, una antología pionera en la que cada relato está narrado desde el punto de vista de un animal.
Sus libros combinan atmósfera, pesadilla y un enfoque estético único, construyendo un universo donde lo extraño, lo ritual y lo imposible se manifiestan con brutal claridad. Su obra continúa expandiéndose con proyectos en alemán, italiano y nuevas series de terror en desarrollo.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October '94 by Nicolás Francis is a tour de force in independent horror fiction. The novel plunges readers into the dark, twisted journey of Gabriel Dumont, whose quest to uncover buried family secrets takes him from the streets of London to the shadowy corners of Buenos Aires. The sudden death of his estranged father, Tony Smith—a legendary 90s rocker—sets off a chain of events that are as mysterious as they are terrifying.
What truly sets this novel apart is Francis’s ability to blend the supernatural with psychological horror. The eerie discovery of a VCR tape marked with Gabriel’s name catapults him into the past, forcing him to relive the days leading up to his mother’s brutal murder in 1994. The way Francis handles time travel as a narrative device is nothing short of brilliant, adding layers of tension and dread as Gabriel delves deeper into a nightmare he cannot escape.
October '94 by Nicolás Francis is a tour de force in independent horror fiction. The novel plunges readers into the dark, twisted journey of Gabriel Dumont, whose quest to uncover buried family secrets takes him from the streets of London to the shadowy corners of Buenos Aires. The sudden death of his estranged father, Tony Smith—a legendary 90s rocker—sets off a chain of events that are as mysterious as they are terrifying.
What truly sets this novel apart is Francis’s ability to blend the supernatural with psychological horror. The eerie discovery of a VCR tape marked with Gabriel’s name catapults him into the past, forcing him to relive the days leading up to his mother’s brutal murder in 1994. The way Francis handles time travel as a narrative device is nothing short of brilliant, adding layers of tension and dread as Gabriel delves deeper into a nightmare he cannot escape.
December 31, 2024
Format: Ebook via Kindle
Rating: 5 STARS
This story was short, but the feel of it was definitely spooky and grotesque. I would read more of this author for sure! A trigger warning for sure!
Synopsis: A young man named Gabriel was viewing murders being committed, his dreams. He could not help the victims, just watch them meet their deaths. As Gabriel begins to learn more about his father’s past, it reveals more about his Grandfather and his mother as well. There are religious aspects, and several references to music.
Rating: 5 STARS
This story was short, but the feel of it was definitely spooky and grotesque. I would read more of this author for sure! A trigger warning for sure!
Synopsis: A young man named Gabriel was viewing murders being committed, his dreams. He could not help the victims, just watch them meet their deaths. As Gabriel begins to learn more about his father’s past, it reveals more about his Grandfather and his mother as well. There are religious aspects, and several references to music.
October 19, 2024
I thought the ending was rushed & could have been further explained as to what the hell was going on! I know it was probably for a shock factor but I was just confused.
February 4, 2025
I downloaded this book in the middle of 2024 but never actually got around to reading it until now.
And wow, did it a take a turn.
It gets really gory nearing the end of the book, describing some really graphic and sad deaths. And I loved it.
The thing I like about this book the most is that the main character, Gabriel, gets a lot of great character development. And that ending was tense... things went batshit. And kind of religious so I wasn't a fan of that.
Overall, this was a okay book. Not a page-turner that I couldn't put down, that's for sure, but it was a nice experience. Also that the chapters were named after metal/rock songs was a nice touch.
And wow, did it a take a turn.
It gets really gory nearing the end of the book, describing some really graphic and sad deaths. And I loved it.
The thing I like about this book the most is that the main character, Gabriel, gets a lot of great character development. And that ending was tense... things went batshit. And kind of religious so I wasn't a fan of that.
Overall, this was a okay book. Not a page-turner that I couldn't put down, that's for sure, but it was a nice experience. Also that the chapters were named after metal/rock songs was a nice touch.
January 27, 2024
A book that undeniably draws comparisons to the works of Clive Barker, and in many ways, it stands as a worthy contemporary counterpart to Barker's legacy in the horror genre.
Like Clive Barker, Nicolás Francis possesses a remarkable talent for crafting dark and imaginative worlds that push the boundaries of conventional horror. Both authors excel at blending horror with elements of fantasy and the supernatural, creating stories that are not only terrifying but also intellectually stimulating.
One of the key similarities between the two authors is their mastery of atmosphere. Just as Clive Barker can transport readers to eerie and otherworldly settings, Nicolás Francis accomplishes the same with his vivid descriptions and attention to detail. The settings in "October '94" feel palpable, and the sense of dread is ever-present, a hallmark of Barker's writing style.
However, what sets Nicolás Francis apart is his unique approach to storytelling, particularly in the realm of time travel and the manipulation of reality. While Clive Barker often focuses on the merging of the supernatural and the mundane, Francis introduces a temporal element that adds an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to the narrative.
In summary, "October '94: A Horror Novel" and Clive Barker's works share a common thread in their exploration of psychological horror, their ability to create immersive atmospheres, and their penchant for pushing the boundaries of the genre. Nicolás Francis proves himself as a writer who can stand alongside Clive Barker in the world of horror literature, and "October '94" is a testament to his talent and potential. Fans of Clive Barker will find in Francis a fresh and exciting voice that is well worth exploring.
Like Clive Barker, Nicolás Francis possesses a remarkable talent for crafting dark and imaginative worlds that push the boundaries of conventional horror. Both authors excel at blending horror with elements of fantasy and the supernatural, creating stories that are not only terrifying but also intellectually stimulating.
One of the key similarities between the two authors is their mastery of atmosphere. Just as Clive Barker can transport readers to eerie and otherworldly settings, Nicolás Francis accomplishes the same with his vivid descriptions and attention to detail. The settings in "October '94" feel palpable, and the sense of dread is ever-present, a hallmark of Barker's writing style.
However, what sets Nicolás Francis apart is his unique approach to storytelling, particularly in the realm of time travel and the manipulation of reality. While Clive Barker often focuses on the merging of the supernatural and the mundane, Francis introduces a temporal element that adds an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to the narrative.
In summary, "October '94: A Horror Novel" and Clive Barker's works share a common thread in their exploration of psychological horror, their ability to create immersive atmospheres, and their penchant for pushing the boundaries of the genre. Nicolás Francis proves himself as a writer who can stand alongside Clive Barker in the world of horror literature, and "October '94" is a testament to his talent and potential. Fans of Clive Barker will find in Francis a fresh and exciting voice that is well worth exploring.
January 27, 2024
What sets "October '94" apart is its ability to seamlessly blend supernatural terror with a mind-bending exploration of time and reality. While Stephen King has mastered the art of instilling fear through the ordinary, Nicolás Francis pushes the boundaries further, inviting readers to question the very nature of existence itself.
Francis's writing style, reminiscent of King's ability to craft vivid imagery, adds another layer of brilliance to the narrative. The atmosphere he creates is nothing short of haunting, immersing readers in a world where the lines between the real and the surreal blur into oblivion.
Gabriel Dumont, one of the finest characters of recent years, leads us on a journey that not only rivals but surpasses the great Stephen King. This book challenges the boundaries of the genre, forces us to confront our deepest fears and uncertainties, and ultimately leaves us questioning the very fabric of reality. For those who seek a fresh and daring narrative in the world of horror, Nicolás Francis is a writer who has earned a place alongside the literary giants of the genre.
Francis's writing style, reminiscent of King's ability to craft vivid imagery, adds another layer of brilliance to the narrative. The atmosphere he creates is nothing short of haunting, immersing readers in a world where the lines between the real and the surreal blur into oblivion.
Gabriel Dumont, one of the finest characters of recent years, leads us on a journey that not only rivals but surpasses the great Stephen King. This book challenges the boundaries of the genre, forces us to confront our deepest fears and uncertainties, and ultimately leaves us questioning the very fabric of reality. For those who seek a fresh and daring narrative in the world of horror, Nicolás Francis is a writer who has earned a place alongside the literary giants of the genre.
January 27, 2024
Nicolás Francis has unleashed a literary tour de force with "October '94: A Horror Novel." It's not just a book; it's a journey into the darkest corners of the human psyche.
The author's ability to blend elements of horror, mystery, and time travel into a coherent and utterly absorbing narrative is nothing short of genius. I'm convinced that Nicolás Francis is the best Argentine author in the horror genre, and this book is the crown jewel of his body of work.
Outstanding book!
The author's ability to blend elements of horror, mystery, and time travel into a coherent and utterly absorbing narrative is nothing short of genius. I'm convinced that Nicolás Francis is the best Argentine author in the horror genre, and this book is the crown jewel of his body of work.
Outstanding book!
January 27, 2024
"October '94" by Nicolás Francis is an absolute masterpiece and easily the best independent book I've read all year. It's a gripping tale that seamlessly combines elements of horror, mystery, and time travel, making it an unforgettable reading experience.
January 27, 2024
I can confidently say that is the best independent book I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Nicolás Francis has a talent for weaving a dark and intricate tale that will keep you guessing until the very end.
November 23, 2024
A book that I enjoyed from beginning to end, October 94 is one of the best I have read in a long time.
March 20, 2025
The whole book was a fun read. The ending felt like a Twilight Zone episode. I really enjoyed it though.
October 11, 2025
this is to dark for me warning there is child decapitation in this I couldn't go more sorry
December 14, 2025
A book that blends ’90s rock—lots of grunge—with rituals, sects, cults, and nightmares straight out of Dario Argento. Some chapters feel very Phenomena. It’s brilliant how it opens with a homage to KORN.
Anything else? Yes: DON’T LISTEN TO THE HATERS AND MORALISTS LEAVING 1-STAR REVIEWS. THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE!
Anything else? Yes: DON’T LISTEN TO THE HATERS AND MORALISTS LEAVING 1-STAR REVIEWS. THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews