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Gothic
El día de su cumpleaños, Tyson Parks —un escritor de terror famoso en horas bajas— recibe como regalo un escritorio antiguo con la esperanza de que reavive su creatividad. Tal vez le inspire para escribir otro superventas y demostrar que sus mejores años no han quedado atrás...
A medida que Tyson empieza a utilizar el nuevo escritorio, se encuentra redactando textos a una velocidad imposible; se concentra tanto en la escritura que teclea horas y horas sin parar, lo que repercute en su salud física y mental.
Pronto, Tyson comienza a actuar de forma extraña.
A medida que una serie de fuerzas extrañas convergen en el mundo de Tyson, este debe enfrentarse a la decisión más difícil de su vida: ¿Debe dejar ir a su nueva musa? ¿O seguirá viviendo como portavoz del escritorio, no solo recuperando sus días de gloria como escritor, sino alcanzando niveles de éxito con los que ni tan siquiera había soñado?
Tyson se ve en la tesitura de tener que elegir antes de que sea demasiado tarde.
A medida que Tyson empieza a utilizar el nuevo escritorio, se encuentra redactando textos a una velocidad imposible; se concentra tanto en la escritura que teclea horas y horas sin parar, lo que repercute en su salud física y mental.
Pronto, Tyson comienza a actuar de forma extraña.
A medida que una serie de fuerzas extrañas convergen en el mundo de Tyson, este debe enfrentarse a la decisión más difícil de su vida: ¿Debe dejar ir a su nueva musa? ¿O seguirá viviendo como portavoz del escritorio, no solo recuperando sus días de gloria como escritor, sino alcanzando niveles de éxito con los que ni tan siquiera había soñado?
Tyson se ve en la tesitura de tener que elegir antes de que sea demasiado tarde.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2023
139 people are currently reading
7127 people want to read
About the author
Philip Fracassi
74 books1,841 followersPHILIP FRACASSI is the Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award-nominated author of the novels A Child Alone with Strangers, Gothic, Boys in the Valley, The Third Rule of Time Travel, and The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre. He is also the author of the story collections Behold the Void, Beneath a Pale Sky, and No One is Safe!
His stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Black Static, Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Interzone, and Southwest Review.
Philip lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Copps Literary Services, Circle M + P, and WME. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, or visit pfracassi.com.
His stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Black Static, Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Interzone, and Southwest Review.
Philip lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Copps Literary Services, Circle M + P, and WME. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, or visit pfracassi.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
June 21, 2025
Do This In Remembrance of Me...
GOTHIC
by Philip Fracassi
4 stars. In NYC, Tyson Parks is a bestselling horror author experiencing a writer's block...
He needs to write a follow-up novel to his latest story, and he has a deadline to meet...
Meanwhile...
In another part of the world...
Wealthy Diana Montressor is spending a fortune looking for a desk which was once an ancient altar...
Diana will spend whatever it takes and dispose of anyone who gets in her way trying to retrieve the artifact...
The solution to both their problems can be found in a NYC antique store...
But...
This antique desk demands blood. It is engraved with the words: Do This In Remembrance of Me...
Just what does that phrase mean?...
This was a well-written story centering around a desk/altar that gives its owner whatever they desire but not without paying a great price.
This novel was just as good as this author's excellent novella SHILOH.
GOTHIC
by Philip Fracassi
4 stars. In NYC, Tyson Parks is a bestselling horror author experiencing a writer's block...
He needs to write a follow-up novel to his latest story, and he has a deadline to meet...
Meanwhile...
In another part of the world...
Wealthy Diana Montressor is spending a fortune looking for a desk which was once an ancient altar...
Diana will spend whatever it takes and dispose of anyone who gets in her way trying to retrieve the artifact...
The solution to both their problems can be found in a NYC antique store...
But...
This antique desk demands blood. It is engraved with the words: Do This In Remembrance of Me...
Just what does that phrase mean?...
This was a well-written story centering around a desk/altar that gives its owner whatever they desire but not without paying a great price.
This novel was just as good as this author's excellent novella SHILOH.
December 8, 2024
4⭐️s
Sometimes I think my desk is evil, but then I realize it’s just the corporate hellscape I exist within for hours whilst inhabiting it that has turned me into a soulless automaton… so false alarm on the desk.
This book was real good, and terrifying. It was terrifyingly good. A creeping haunt that slithered into my veins with a deliberate and determined potency. It takes a lot to get under my skin because, you know, I’m dead inside from years of systemic deprogramming, but this managed to break through my supercharged fright tolerance.
The good…
The Jack Torrence vibes were real. And the supernatural violence was as vivid as it was formidable.
The less good…
I could have done without the flashback chapters, but I have an inexplicable aversion to anything that takes place prior to the 20th century. It loses me. Maybe because I relate so hard to indoor plumbing.
Best line…
A glowing red lake breaking through the dam of her skull, spreading across a landscape of white tiles.
Sometimes I think my desk is evil, but then I realize it’s just the corporate hellscape I exist within for hours whilst inhabiting it that has turned me into a soulless automaton… so false alarm on the desk.
This book was real good, and terrifying. It was terrifyingly good. A creeping haunt that slithered into my veins with a deliberate and determined potency. It takes a lot to get under my skin because, you know, I’m dead inside from years of systemic deprogramming, but this managed to break through my supercharged fright tolerance.
The good…
The Jack Torrence vibes were real. And the supernatural violence was as vivid as it was formidable.
The less good…
I could have done without the flashback chapters, but I have an inexplicable aversion to anything that takes place prior to the 20th century. It loses me. Maybe because I relate so hard to indoor plumbing.
Best line…
A glowing red lake breaking through the dam of her skull, spreading across a landscape of white tiles.
March 9, 2023
Gothic by Philip Fracassi reads like one of those horror novels from the late 70s and early 80s where a demonic item comes into the hands of an innocent family and lays wreckage to their whole world.
It was like I stumbled onto a forgotten John Farris classic. And fans of 80s horror know what I mean when I say John Farris. They're getting out the peroxide to wash away the stains as we speak.
But for the rest of you younger kids, it means that this book is as nasty as a rusty fish hook stuck in your testicle.
Make no mistake: GOTHIC is mean.
Not in quantity of gore or nastiness, but in quality.
It leaves a lot to your imagination but it's got such a cruel streak that leaving those images to your imagination doesn't feel exactly kind or tasteful. Like the book will heavily detail a spiral fracture and then leave you with just enough description to visualise the godawful aftermath in your mind's eye. OH DEAR. So. Much. Blood.
Most of Fracassi's work has teeth, but this one is coming for your teeth. For a story that's basically about a killer demonic desk, GOTHIC is rushing out of the gate with gut-punches like Bas Rutten in a bar-fight. I was double-checking my underwear for Dr. Pepper stains after this novel was finished laying body shots into my kidneys.
Right from the beginning we get a castle siege full of plundering, we get ravished women, we get demon worship, human sacrifice and acid-spitting wizards. And then we get tables crushing people. We get soul-splitting corruption and spousal abuse. We get an evil drawer turning a character's hand into gory guacamole. We get decorative wooden tentacle violation that makes the Tree from Evil Dead look like a wholesome Paul Rudd character. All that and a desk-top becoming a portal to a dimensional hell like something out of The Manitou.
And then the end goes full In the Mouth of Madness meta-horror commentary as a series of horror novels warp America's fragile little mind and lead to self-inflicted slaughter on the scale of a Sion Sono film.
All this and a horror author basically telling a censor-happy nimrod what every horror author would secretly like to say to a censor-happy nimrod.
It's short, it's funny, I laughed, I cried, I noticed a lot of parallels between this book and stuff like Son of the Endless Night, The Ceremonies, Stephen King and old school Lovecraft.
It's about indulging our worst impulses and how that ultimately leads to our own self-destruction, not only physically, but emotionally and on a personal level. How chasing one kind of demon can lead to so much of what you think you want at the expense of everything that made up your life. And in the end, when the collecting comes due, you owe a lot more than just money.
GOTHIC sets the characters up against a powerful supernatural horror and just when you think there might be a solution, that a heroic figure might appear, things escalate in the worst direction imaginable. Suffocating you with a sense of superficial gain at the expense of incalculable loss.
GOTHIC is swimming in the deep waters of cosmic horror. And like the best of the genre, the climatic duel is a huge mismatch. Puny, fragile little humans walk into the path of ancient dread magic from beyond the stars. So what's gonna happen? Who's cuisine will reign supreme? If you're being honest with the readers? Humans are gonna go splat.
GOTHIC doesn't try to cheat the reader from the inevitable finale. So on one hand you'll see it coming from a mile away, but on the other hand, YOU SEE IT COMING FROM A MILE AWAY.
There's a Hitchcock level dread going on here.
It's not poetic. It's not polished. It's a mean old book. There's something awful and dark sitting in the pages of this novel that's hard to wrestle with emotionally.
I like that.
I like horror that sometimes just flips you the bird and spits in your eye. Horror has to do that every now and again. It can't always be safe mittens and friendship is magic. Sometimes horror has to remind you what it is, and why it's here. And describe some boobies at exhaustive length.
GOTHIC is both absurd and cruel. Nostalgic, funny and deadly serious at the same time.
You've heard of the bed that eats? Well this is the desk that fucks.
So if that's what you want, baby, that's what you'll get.
8.5/10
It was like I stumbled onto a forgotten John Farris classic. And fans of 80s horror know what I mean when I say John Farris. They're getting out the peroxide to wash away the stains as we speak.
But for the rest of you younger kids, it means that this book is as nasty as a rusty fish hook stuck in your testicle.
Make no mistake: GOTHIC is mean.
Not in quantity of gore or nastiness, but in quality.
It leaves a lot to your imagination but it's got such a cruel streak that leaving those images to your imagination doesn't feel exactly kind or tasteful. Like the book will heavily detail a spiral fracture and then leave you with just enough description to visualise the godawful aftermath in your mind's eye. OH DEAR. So. Much. Blood.
Most of Fracassi's work has teeth, but this one is coming for your teeth. For a story that's basically about a killer demonic desk, GOTHIC is rushing out of the gate with gut-punches like Bas Rutten in a bar-fight. I was double-checking my underwear for Dr. Pepper stains after this novel was finished laying body shots into my kidneys.
Right from the beginning we get a castle siege full of plundering, we get ravished women, we get demon worship, human sacrifice and acid-spitting wizards. And then we get tables crushing people. We get soul-splitting corruption and spousal abuse. We get an evil drawer turning a character's hand into gory guacamole. We get decorative wooden tentacle violation that makes the Tree from Evil Dead look like a wholesome Paul Rudd character. All that and a desk-top becoming a portal to a dimensional hell like something out of The Manitou.
And then the end goes full In the Mouth of Madness meta-horror commentary as a series of horror novels warp America's fragile little mind and lead to self-inflicted slaughter on the scale of a Sion Sono film.
All this and a horror author basically telling a censor-happy nimrod what every horror author would secretly like to say to a censor-happy nimrod.
It's short, it's funny, I laughed, I cried, I noticed a lot of parallels between this book and stuff like Son of the Endless Night, The Ceremonies, Stephen King and old school Lovecraft.
It's about indulging our worst impulses and how that ultimately leads to our own self-destruction, not only physically, but emotionally and on a personal level. How chasing one kind of demon can lead to so much of what you think you want at the expense of everything that made up your life. And in the end, when the collecting comes due, you owe a lot more than just money.
GOTHIC sets the characters up against a powerful supernatural horror and just when you think there might be a solution, that a heroic figure might appear, things escalate in the worst direction imaginable. Suffocating you with a sense of superficial gain at the expense of incalculable loss.
GOTHIC is swimming in the deep waters of cosmic horror. And like the best of the genre, the climatic duel is a huge mismatch. Puny, fragile little humans walk into the path of ancient dread magic from beyond the stars. So what's gonna happen? Who's cuisine will reign supreme? If you're being honest with the readers? Humans are gonna go splat.
GOTHIC doesn't try to cheat the reader from the inevitable finale. So on one hand you'll see it coming from a mile away, but on the other hand, YOU SEE IT COMING FROM A MILE AWAY.
There's a Hitchcock level dread going on here.
It's not poetic. It's not polished. It's a mean old book. There's something awful and dark sitting in the pages of this novel that's hard to wrestle with emotionally.
I like that.
I like horror that sometimes just flips you the bird and spits in your eye. Horror has to do that every now and again. It can't always be safe mittens and friendship is magic. Sometimes horror has to remind you what it is, and why it's here. And describe some boobies at exhaustive length.
GOTHIC is both absurd and cruel. Nostalgic, funny and deadly serious at the same time.
You've heard of the bed that eats? Well this is the desk that fucks.
So if that's what you want, baby, that's what you'll get.
8.5/10
July 20, 2023
Gothic is a hateful book about a possessed author writing a hateful book. "Hateful" is not my word of choice but a character's, and I thought it was apt.
The first half of the book was rough for me. None of the characters were likeable and I couldn't find a reason to care about the plot whatsoever. But the second half really brought it together. There was a lightbulb moment about two-thirds of the way in where I just got it.
Gothic is purposely grim. It has the atmosphere of classic horror and cleverly takes us on a twisted journey so bleak it will stay with you for a while.
The first half of the book was rough for me. None of the characters were likeable and I couldn't find a reason to care about the plot whatsoever. But the second half really brought it together. There was a lightbulb moment about two-thirds of the way in where I just got it.
Gothic is purposely grim. It has the atmosphere of classic horror and cleverly takes us on a twisted journey so bleak it will stay with you for a while.
January 31, 2023
"Do this in remembrance of me."
Tyson Parks was once a best selling author but nowadays not so much. It appears his ideas and creativity have all but dried up. He has a deadline looming, one his agent won't let him forget about, and the stress of it all is weighing on him.
His lovely girlfriend, Sarah, has found the perfect gift for his 59th birthday: A new writing desk! An antique to be sure, high shine finish, engraved wood, intricate detailing make this a one of a kind showpiece and one that she hopes rekindles his writing spirit.
Tyson has never seen anything so beautiful. As soon as he sits at the desk it's as if it's talking to him, becoming him, giving him the very ideas he needs for his next best-selling book. While the desk seems to be giving him everything he could ever ask for it's also taking from him the very essence of his being. Turning a once mild-mannered man into a monster of his own making.
Obviously if your reading a book about a possessed desk some suspension of disbelief has to be involved. While this bothers me in almost every other genre I am much more forgiving in horror. Hey, I know what I signed up for after all. That being said I wish I had liked Tyson more right from the get go because I would have been a lot more invested in this story had I of been. Tyson went from a whiney slouch to a violent prick and neither version resonated with me as a reader. Did this story really need a rape scene? No, it did not. There are many ways you can show a characters descent into madness without resorting to that.
Where's the scares? Beats me. I didn't get so much as a chill or a goosebump reading this.
One of my most common complaints is going to rear its ugly head yet again: this book is too long. While Tyson may have been struggling for words Fracassi suffers from no such ailment. I personally think this book would have been much more successful at a 300 page count rather than 400+. That's a big investment so the pay-off had better be stellar.
And the pay-off? It's pretty darn good considering.
So there are highlights, lowlights, and a little in-between. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author, he definitely knows his way around keyboard, and I hope his future offerings give me the chills I'm looking for. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publication for my complimentary copy.
Tyson Parks was once a best selling author but nowadays not so much. It appears his ideas and creativity have all but dried up. He has a deadline looming, one his agent won't let him forget about, and the stress of it all is weighing on him.
His lovely girlfriend, Sarah, has found the perfect gift for his 59th birthday: A new writing desk! An antique to be sure, high shine finish, engraved wood, intricate detailing make this a one of a kind showpiece and one that she hopes rekindles his writing spirit.
Tyson has never seen anything so beautiful. As soon as he sits at the desk it's as if it's talking to him, becoming him, giving him the very ideas he needs for his next best-selling book. While the desk seems to be giving him everything he could ever ask for it's also taking from him the very essence of his being. Turning a once mild-mannered man into a monster of his own making.
Obviously if your reading a book about a possessed desk some suspension of disbelief has to be involved. While this bothers me in almost every other genre I am much more forgiving in horror. Hey, I know what I signed up for after all. That being said I wish I had liked Tyson more right from the get go because I would have been a lot more invested in this story had I of been. Tyson went from a whiney slouch to a violent prick and neither version resonated with me as a reader. Did this story really need a rape scene? No, it did not. There are many ways you can show a characters descent into madness without resorting to that.
Where's the scares? Beats me. I didn't get so much as a chill or a goosebump reading this.
One of my most common complaints is going to rear its ugly head yet again: this book is too long. While Tyson may have been struggling for words Fracassi suffers from no such ailment. I personally think this book would have been much more successful at a 300 page count rather than 400+. That's a big investment so the pay-off had better be stellar.
And the pay-off? It's pretty darn good considering.
So there are highlights, lowlights, and a little in-between. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author, he definitely knows his way around keyboard, and I hope his future offerings give me the chills I'm looking for. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publication for my complimentary copy.
October 1, 2025
Para la lectura conjunta de este mes de septiembre, mi querida Devoradora de libros escogió esta novela de Philip Fracassi. Yo ya había leído anteriormente varios de sus trabajos; la antología "Bajo un cielo lívido", una colección de relatos de gran calidad, y "Los chicos del valle", que me gustó bastante más que esta que les reseño hoy.
A mí ya saben que me ponen terror y niños y ya me tienen ganada 😂
En "Gothic" la premisa la sentí bastante manida, muy entretenida pero algo vista.
El tema de un escritor que pierde la inspiración y necesita encontrarla como sea, no es algo que suela entusiasmarme pero Fracassi logra siempre sorprenderme, en un ejercicio de metaliteratura con mucho ritmo y un logrado ambiente opresivo, aunque el inicio es algo lento, aviso, y un estilo tan visual que hace que parezca que estás viendo una serie o una película, ha conseguido mantener mi atención en una historia que a priori parecía una más sobre un objeto maldito pero en lugar de un coche como en "Christine" de Stephen King, aquí el antagonista y el que hará que las musas vuelvan al escritor venido a menos Tyson Parks no es otro que un escritorio que esconde una sangrienta historia detrás, una historia que se remonta nada menos que a la Edad Media.
Alternando pasado y presente ha hecho que me sumerja en la narración y que fuera poco a poco cayendo en las garras de este puzle macabro tan adictivo como sangriento que Fracassi ha sabido crear tan bien, rozando lo gore en no pocas ocasiones, y al igual que nuestro desdichado protagonista he ido entrando muy sutilmente en su juego casi sin darme cuenta, siendo así inevitable encontrarme rápidamente bajo el influjo y el poder de "Gothic."
Me ha gustado muchísimo encontrarme con tantas referencias tanto literarias como cinematográficas (John Carpenter, Edgar Allan Poe, Joyce Carol Oates o John Farris, entre otros muchos), haciendo un claro homenaje al género.
Una gozada para todo friki del terror, como yo 😂🖤
También habrá espacio para hacer una mordaz crítica al mundo editorial y a la presión a la que se ven sometidos los escritores/as por mantener siempre el nivel (algo del todo inviable) y por no pasar de moda en un mundo cada vez más competitivo.
👌🏻En definitiva, "Gothic" es una propuesta ideal para todo amante del terror, y aunque he tenido una sensación constante de déjà vu por el tipo de historia, eso no le ha restado un ápice de disfrute porque tiene un toque muy original y que, yo por lo menos, no había visto/leído.
Es más, Fracassi se ha convertido en todo un referente dentro del panorama de terror actual, no hay más que leer cualquiera de sus obras para comprobarlo 🖤✨👌🏻
No pienso perderme nada de lo que publique, ¿y tú?
También logró sacarme alguna que otra sonrisa, en especial con esta parte ⤵️
"Es como Christine... ¡pero de madera!"
Tal cual 😂😂
🔍 No me puedo ir sin dar un pequeño tirón de orejas a la editorial porque la traducción no me ha convencido. Me encontré con algunas partes mal redactadas como el de la página 282; "se oye un destello y un crujido..."
Desconozco si ya venía así en su versión original o fue un error de traducción.
Y también un buen puñado de erratas que no he apuntado porque destesto perder el ritmo de lectura.
Hice una excepción con el destello que se oye porque me pareció muy llamativo e incluso lo leí varias veces porque algo no me cuadraba 😅
De resto, sus ediciones me fascinan, la maquetación es impecable y en ese sentido no tengo queja pero cada vez me vuelvo más quisquillosa con el tema de los "fallos", me sacan de la lectura y es muy molesto.
Sin más, ¡me despido hasta la próxima reseña! 🤓✨📚
Pronto reseña ⤵️
https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 🖤✨💀📖
A mí ya saben que me ponen terror y niños y ya me tienen ganada 😂
En "Gothic" la premisa la sentí bastante manida, muy entretenida pero algo vista.
El tema de un escritor que pierde la inspiración y necesita encontrarla como sea, no es algo que suela entusiasmarme pero Fracassi logra siempre sorprenderme, en un ejercicio de metaliteratura con mucho ritmo y un logrado ambiente opresivo, aunque el inicio es algo lento, aviso, y un estilo tan visual que hace que parezca que estás viendo una serie o una película, ha conseguido mantener mi atención en una historia que a priori parecía una más sobre un objeto maldito pero en lugar de un coche como en "Christine" de Stephen King, aquí el antagonista y el que hará que las musas vuelvan al escritor venido a menos Tyson Parks no es otro que un escritorio que esconde una sangrienta historia detrás, una historia que se remonta nada menos que a la Edad Media.
Alternando pasado y presente ha hecho que me sumerja en la narración y que fuera poco a poco cayendo en las garras de este puzle macabro tan adictivo como sangriento que Fracassi ha sabido crear tan bien, rozando lo gore en no pocas ocasiones, y al igual que nuestro desdichado protagonista he ido entrando muy sutilmente en su juego casi sin darme cuenta, siendo así inevitable encontrarme rápidamente bajo el influjo y el poder de "Gothic."
Me ha gustado muchísimo encontrarme con tantas referencias tanto literarias como cinematográficas (John Carpenter, Edgar Allan Poe, Joyce Carol Oates o John Farris, entre otros muchos), haciendo un claro homenaje al género.
Una gozada para todo friki del terror, como yo 😂🖤
También habrá espacio para hacer una mordaz crítica al mundo editorial y a la presión a la que se ven sometidos los escritores/as por mantener siempre el nivel (algo del todo inviable) y por no pasar de moda en un mundo cada vez más competitivo.
👌🏻En definitiva, "Gothic" es una propuesta ideal para todo amante del terror, y aunque he tenido una sensación constante de déjà vu por el tipo de historia, eso no le ha restado un ápice de disfrute porque tiene un toque muy original y que, yo por lo menos, no había visto/leído.
Es más, Fracassi se ha convertido en todo un referente dentro del panorama de terror actual, no hay más que leer cualquiera de sus obras para comprobarlo 🖤✨👌🏻
No pienso perderme nada de lo que publique, ¿y tú?
También logró sacarme alguna que otra sonrisa, en especial con esta parte ⤵️
"Es como Christine... ¡pero de madera!"
Tal cual 😂😂
🔍 No me puedo ir sin dar un pequeño tirón de orejas a la editorial porque la traducción no me ha convencido. Me encontré con algunas partes mal redactadas como el de la página 282; "se oye un destello y un crujido..."
Desconozco si ya venía así en su versión original o fue un error de traducción.
Y también un buen puñado de erratas que no he apuntado porque destesto perder el ritmo de lectura.
Hice una excepción con el destello que se oye porque me pareció muy llamativo e incluso lo leí varias veces porque algo no me cuadraba 😅
De resto, sus ediciones me fascinan, la maquetación es impecable y en ese sentido no tengo queja pero cada vez me vuelvo más quisquillosa con el tema de los "fallos", me sacan de la lectura y es muy molesto.
Sin más, ¡me despido hasta la próxima reseña! 🤓✨📚
Pronto reseña ⤵️
https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 🖤✨💀📖
December 1, 2025
EXCERPT: After the death of her parents, Diana finished school and was taught all there was to know about the family's history and its intimate relationship to the arts, dark and otherwise. Her grandfather raised her, trained her. He instructed her, throughout all the years of her upbringing, about the importance of finding what was taken from them, the importance - the need - to correct the past. And, God willing, prevent a future darkened by evil, erase the threat of having murder and despair spread like a global virus.
The one thing in her favor is the knowledge that the relic needs a host, someone it can control, someone to spread the power that lies behind the portal, the hidden world on the other side of the stone, an all-consuming dimension located next door to Hell.
The host could be anyone, but it will need someone who will listen, who craves the things it can offer, who will sell their soul - wittingly or unwittingly, perhaps too naive or foolish to know the difference.
She opens the first email, and her eyes go wide.
ABOUT 'GOTHIC': Horror author Tyson Parks thinks his best days are behind him. He misses the heydays of the 1980s and 90s, when he was ruling the horror fiction charts, and now finds himself scrambling to remain a relevant author. He hasn’t had a hit in years, his agent won’t take his calls, and he’s never felt older.
Then, on his 59th birthday, his girlfriend gives him the gift of a monstrous antique desk. Rejuvenated by the desk’s mysterious energy, he begins writing with an all-consuming passion—and a savage darkness - he hasn’t felt in decades and is eager to get his career back on track. Unfortunately, the desk, and the evil spirit that harbors within, has other plans. It won’t stop until it gets what it wants—even if it must destroy Tyson, and everyone he holds dear, in the process.
MY THOUGHTS: Sorry, but this just didn't work for me. It was a 'wham, bam, thank you mam' rendition of a story that had a great deal of undeveloped potential; IMHO it needed a lot more subtlety, a great deal less telling and a lot more showing.
I like my horror to sneak up on me, to catch me unawares. I felt none of the spine-tingling chills I was expecting, not even a frisson of one. I was just insanely glad when it was all over. Sorry, but I'm going to liken the writing to deciding to crack a walnut by running over it with a bulldozer.
I really didn't like the main character. Petulant and whiney, he grated on my nerves. While devastated at the fates of some other characters, I really didn't care what happened to him. It would have been so much more effective had Tyson been likeable!
Gothic is gruesomely violent in places but sadly lacking in suspense and creepiness. And, despite its unnecessary length, it felt unfinished. I would have loved an ending where the desk was safely ensconced in its next home, ready to seduce its new owner and wreak havoc all over again rather than the weak ending we were presented with.
If you like sledgehammer horror - you'll love this. I'm just sorry I didn't.
On reflection, this may make a far better movie than book.
⭐⭐.3
#Gothic #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: PHILIP FRACASSI lives in Los Angeles and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Clash Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Gothic by Philip Fracassi for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The one thing in her favor is the knowledge that the relic needs a host, someone it can control, someone to spread the power that lies behind the portal, the hidden world on the other side of the stone, an all-consuming dimension located next door to Hell.
The host could be anyone, but it will need someone who will listen, who craves the things it can offer, who will sell their soul - wittingly or unwittingly, perhaps too naive or foolish to know the difference.
She opens the first email, and her eyes go wide.
ABOUT 'GOTHIC': Horror author Tyson Parks thinks his best days are behind him. He misses the heydays of the 1980s and 90s, when he was ruling the horror fiction charts, and now finds himself scrambling to remain a relevant author. He hasn’t had a hit in years, his agent won’t take his calls, and he’s never felt older.
Then, on his 59th birthday, his girlfriend gives him the gift of a monstrous antique desk. Rejuvenated by the desk’s mysterious energy, he begins writing with an all-consuming passion—and a savage darkness - he hasn’t felt in decades and is eager to get his career back on track. Unfortunately, the desk, and the evil spirit that harbors within, has other plans. It won’t stop until it gets what it wants—even if it must destroy Tyson, and everyone he holds dear, in the process.
MY THOUGHTS: Sorry, but this just didn't work for me. It was a 'wham, bam, thank you mam' rendition of a story that had a great deal of undeveloped potential; IMHO it needed a lot more subtlety, a great deal less telling and a lot more showing.
I like my horror to sneak up on me, to catch me unawares. I felt none of the spine-tingling chills I was expecting, not even a frisson of one. I was just insanely glad when it was all over. Sorry, but I'm going to liken the writing to deciding to crack a walnut by running over it with a bulldozer.
I really didn't like the main character. Petulant and whiney, he grated on my nerves. While devastated at the fates of some other characters, I really didn't care what happened to him. It would have been so much more effective had Tyson been likeable!
Gothic is gruesomely violent in places but sadly lacking in suspense and creepiness. And, despite its unnecessary length, it felt unfinished. I would have loved an ending where the desk was safely ensconced in its next home, ready to seduce its new owner and wreak havoc all over again rather than the weak ending we were presented with.
If you like sledgehammer horror - you'll love this. I'm just sorry I didn't.
On reflection, this may make a far better movie than book.
⭐⭐.3
#Gothic #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: PHILIP FRACASSI lives in Los Angeles and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Clash Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Gothic by Philip Fracassi for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 27, 2025
I really thought this was going to be a win for me after reading the synopsis but it wasn't meant to be. Tyson is an a bitter pretty unlikable character and I really couldn't connect with him.
I did enjoy the nods to popular authors and the insights into the publishing world. The main premise of this book was about a man and his family being tormented and driven insane by a writing desk, it sounds so weird and wonderful and yet it fell flat for me. I noticed the mention of SK's Christine, but this is no comparison. The body horror was well written, but very drawn out and often sexual in nature it did remind me of Richard Laymon who was also named dropped.
So why didn't this book work for me, well there a numerous reasons, one of which being the timeline the plot flicked between past and present events poorly it completely took me out of the story and it felt like I was reading two different books at once. I think this book suffers from how much it tries to do to, there's a demon, there's sexual and mental abuse, madness, a portal to hell and plenty of messy deaths and I don't feel like any part of it was done well because there was just too much happening.
For a book that sounded so original and interesting it left me pretty underwhelmed and disappointed, if I was someone who DNF'd I think I would have ended this read about 40% in.
I did enjoy the nods to popular authors and the insights into the publishing world. The main premise of this book was about a man and his family being tormented and driven insane by a writing desk, it sounds so weird and wonderful and yet it fell flat for me. I noticed the mention of SK's Christine, but this is no comparison. The body horror was well written, but very drawn out and often sexual in nature it did remind me of Richard Laymon who was also named dropped.
So why didn't this book work for me, well there a numerous reasons, one of which being the timeline the plot flicked between past and present events poorly it completely took me out of the story and it felt like I was reading two different books at once. I think this book suffers from how much it tries to do to, there's a demon, there's sexual and mental abuse, madness, a portal to hell and plenty of messy deaths and I don't feel like any part of it was done well because there was just too much happening.
For a book that sounded so original and interesting it left me pretty underwhelmed and disappointed, if I was someone who DNF'd I think I would have ended this read about 40% in.
April 16, 2022
Not since Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’ and Jack Torrance - has the descent of a writer into madness been so masterfully rendered on the page.
Philip Fracassi’s ‘Gothic’ forces the reader to run the gamut of inner turmoil and suffering; as they are held captive to his beguiling storytelling and transcendent prose that ensure to leave the reader in slack-jawed in amazement and trembling with fear. Gothic cements Fracassi as one of the major horror writers working today.
In ‘Gothic’ we witness the fragility of the human condition in all its ghastly shades, a story that enraptures the reader with the premise of getting everything you’ve ever wished for; but at what cost?
Fracassi pulls at ours and the protagonists heartstrings throughout, until all that is left is a blackened, atrophying heart the centre of this suspenseful and addictive story.
‘Gothic’ is triumph of a book and one not to be missed.
Philip Fracassi’s ‘Gothic’ forces the reader to run the gamut of inner turmoil and suffering; as they are held captive to his beguiling storytelling and transcendent prose that ensure to leave the reader in slack-jawed in amazement and trembling with fear. Gothic cements Fracassi as one of the major horror writers working today.
In ‘Gothic’ we witness the fragility of the human condition in all its ghastly shades, a story that enraptures the reader with the premise of getting everything you’ve ever wished for; but at what cost?
Fracassi pulls at ours and the protagonists heartstrings throughout, until all that is left is a blackened, atrophying heart the centre of this suspenseful and addictive story.
‘Gothic’ is triumph of a book and one not to be missed.
November 27, 2025
Dark, twisted, and oh so very disturbing, Gothic was a brilliant mashup of The Twilight Zone and Stephen King. Taking me on a grim, delightfully unhinged ride into the depths of Mr. Fracassi’s talented mind, it was most definitely a tale you’ll want to read with the lights turned on. You see, not only was it at times gruesome and violent, but the underlying message was also uncomfortable in the extreme. Bringing to mind some of the best horror films to grace the screen in my lifetime, the nightmarish scenes documented a delicious descent into madness in the best possible way. Was this fever-dream of terror both creepy and sinister? You got that right, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. After all, once I got past the blood and gore, the mind-f***erky of the unguessable twists took me on the ride of my life as I drank up each and every page.
All said and done, despite the fact that I’m a relative newbie to the world of nightmare-inducing words, this tale of supernatural horror kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. With immersive storytelling, compelling multiple POVs, and short, addictive chapters, I couldn’t put the book down and flew through it in one short evening of nonstop reading. I mean, who was I to pause at any point between the enigmatic prologue and the mildly open-ended conclusion? Peppered with unlikeable characters, thought-provoking themes, and dread-fueled cliffhangers, I’m just hoping there’s a sequel coming my way soon. Intertwining ancient evils and modern-day traumas, just be sure to check out the triggers if needed. After all, Fracassi held nothing back and delivered a novel that kept me glued to my chair despite the fear. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Horror author Tyson Parks thinks his best days are behind him. He misses the heydays of the 1980s and 90s, when he was ruling the horror fiction charts, and now finds himself scrambling to remain a relevant author. He hasn’t had a hit in years, his agent won’t take his calls, and he’s never felt older.
Then, on his 59th birthday, his girlfriend gives him the gift of a lifetime: a monstrous antique desk. Rejuvenated by the desk’s mysterious energy, he begins writing with an all-consuming passion—and a savage darkness—he hasn’t felt in decades, and is eager to get his career back on track. Unfortunately, the desk, and the evil spirit that harbors within, has other plans. It won’t stop until it gets what it wants—even if it must destroy Tyson, and everyone he holds dear, in the process.
Thank you Philip Fracassi and Clash Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 11, 2025
Content warning: violence, rape, domestic violence, cursing, gun violence, murder, fatphobia, suicide
All said and done, despite the fact that I’m a relative newbie to the world of nightmare-inducing words, this tale of supernatural horror kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. With immersive storytelling, compelling multiple POVs, and short, addictive chapters, I couldn’t put the book down and flew through it in one short evening of nonstop reading. I mean, who was I to pause at any point between the enigmatic prologue and the mildly open-ended conclusion? Peppered with unlikeable characters, thought-provoking themes, and dread-fueled cliffhangers, I’m just hoping there’s a sequel coming my way soon. Intertwining ancient evils and modern-day traumas, just be sure to check out the triggers if needed. After all, Fracassi held nothing back and delivered a novel that kept me glued to my chair despite the fear. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Horror author Tyson Parks thinks his best days are behind him. He misses the heydays of the 1980s and 90s, when he was ruling the horror fiction charts, and now finds himself scrambling to remain a relevant author. He hasn’t had a hit in years, his agent won’t take his calls, and he’s never felt older.
Then, on his 59th birthday, his girlfriend gives him the gift of a lifetime: a monstrous antique desk. Rejuvenated by the desk’s mysterious energy, he begins writing with an all-consuming passion—and a savage darkness—he hasn’t felt in decades, and is eager to get his career back on track. Unfortunately, the desk, and the evil spirit that harbors within, has other plans. It won’t stop until it gets what it wants—even if it must destroy Tyson, and everyone he holds dear, in the process.
Thank you Philip Fracassi and Clash Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 11, 2025
Content warning: violence, rape, domestic violence, cursing, gun violence, murder, fatphobia, suicide
January 19, 2023
Tyson Parks is a famous horror novelist who is in desperate need of a hot selling book. His partner Sarah presents him with a very expensive and gothic looking desk for him to write his next bestseller on. At the same time, a mysterious woman is desperately seeking this desk in order to destroy it and end the evil curse attached to it. Immediately upon working at the desk, a gory, violent story begins and Tyson literally cannot type fast enough. I really enjoyed this story and honestly could not believe how violent, gory and just downright evil it becomes. A true horror story. I thank Netgalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 29, 2025
Whoa! Just so you know, there is another Gothic book to come out and I’m highly anticipating it!
Philip Fracassi is one of the best voices in horror! He always amazes me with his ability to write each story so differently. No book is the same. They are all so different and I’ve loved them all.
Tyson is a famous author who has hit a rough patch. He has been suffering from a bad case of writers block. His partner, Sarah, gifts him an extravagant gift for his birthday, in hopes of it being his muse. A beautiful antique desk that is quite the muse, I must add.
The desk is something that is possessed of pure evil and not of this world. Tyson begins to write again, but at what cost? Get ready, because it’s coming.
Holy hell this story was frightening. There were parts that really freaked me out. The tale takes some truly dark turns that only horror fans can appreciate. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read the next installment. Count me as a Fracassi fan for life!
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Clash Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC
Paperback edition to be released 11/7/25 through Clash Books
Philip Fracassi is one of the best voices in horror! He always amazes me with his ability to write each story so differently. No book is the same. They are all so different and I’ve loved them all.
Tyson is a famous author who has hit a rough patch. He has been suffering from a bad case of writers block. His partner, Sarah, gifts him an extravagant gift for his birthday, in hopes of it being his muse. A beautiful antique desk that is quite the muse, I must add.
The desk is something that is possessed of pure evil and not of this world. Tyson begins to write again, but at what cost? Get ready, because it’s coming.
Holy hell this story was frightening. There were parts that really freaked me out. The tale takes some truly dark turns that only horror fans can appreciate. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read the next installment. Count me as a Fracassi fan for life!
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Clash Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC
Paperback edition to be released 11/7/25 through Clash Books
August 15, 2023
I absolutely love horror books, and Gothic certainly delivered.
The book centers around Tyson Parks-once a celebrated horror writer- he’s now much older, in serious debt and desperately trying to write his next great hit. Everything is a struggle for him and he’s desperate to change his “has-been” reputation- he just needs to find inspiration and motivation.
The desk! On Tyson’s 59th birthday, he is gifted a beautiful and ornate desk by his girlfriend and Tyson’s luck suddenly changes, at least at first.
No spoilers but Gothic is a very creepy and atmospheric book. I throughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend to readers that love horror/dark books.
The book centers around Tyson Parks-once a celebrated horror writer- he’s now much older, in serious debt and desperately trying to write his next great hit. Everything is a struggle for him and he’s desperate to change his “has-been” reputation- he just needs to find inspiration and motivation.
The desk! On Tyson’s 59th birthday, he is gifted a beautiful and ornate desk by his girlfriend and Tyson’s luck suddenly changes, at least at first.
No spoilers but Gothic is a very creepy and atmospheric book. I throughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend to readers that love horror/dark books.
February 26, 2023
3.0 Stars
This is a very traditional horror novel that hits on the usual tropes of the genres. For a book published in 2023, it read more like a piece of vintage horror. I typically prefer more modern narratives that subvert the classic tropes more.
I have previously read the author's previous novel, A Child Among Strangers, and was surprised how different this one read. I honestly wouldn't have figured out that these two books were written by the same author if I hadn't seen the name.
As far as the story, it was incredibly slow burning and I just never got fully invested in the characters or the plot. I would primarily recommend this one to fans of older horror because they'll likely get more out of the story than I did.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a very traditional horror novel that hits on the usual tropes of the genres. For a book published in 2023, it read more like a piece of vintage horror. I typically prefer more modern narratives that subvert the classic tropes more.
I have previously read the author's previous novel, A Child Among Strangers, and was surprised how different this one read. I honestly wouldn't have figured out that these two books were written by the same author if I hadn't seen the name.
As far as the story, it was incredibly slow burning and I just never got fully invested in the characters or the plot. I would primarily recommend this one to fans of older horror because they'll likely get more out of the story than I did.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
August 22, 2024
Me ha encantado! Que el antagonista de la historia sea "un escritorio" me parece sublime!
Engancha desde el principio, crea muy buena atmósfera y el desenlace es espectacular. El homenaje al King más clásico me ha parecido todo un detalle. Pero eso sí, lo mejor de todo la ambientación tan opresiva que es capaz de crear dentro del estudio de un escrito... INCREÍBLE! al más puro estilo de la novela gótica!
Engancha desde el principio, crea muy buena atmósfera y el desenlace es espectacular. El homenaje al King más clásico me ha parecido todo un detalle. Pero eso sí, lo mejor de todo la ambientación tan opresiva que es capaz de crear dentro del estudio de un escrito... INCREÍBLE! al más puro estilo de la novela gótica!
September 12, 2025
Gothic reads like one of those Tales from the Crypt episodes we all loved so much. I could hear the inner thoughts of the characters in the legendary Crypt Keeper’s voice.
It’s truly unsettling to think of bringing what you consider an ordinary antique into yer home and finding out it’s an evil ancient relic.
I loved the additional characters in the book. Our MC is likable but it’s the secondary ones that I felt brought the story to life.
If you are looking for gruesome and unnerving, this one’s for you.
It’s truly unsettling to think of bringing what you consider an ordinary antique into yer home and finding out it’s an evil ancient relic.
I loved the additional characters in the book. Our MC is likable but it’s the secondary ones that I felt brought the story to life.
If you are looking for gruesome and unnerving, this one’s for you.
October 2, 2022
Fracassi has become a must-read author for me. And it didn’t take long. Boys in the Valley was fantastic and now Gothic solidifies Fracassi as a master of dark, twisted fun.
Gothic is a story about a famous author, Tyson Parks, whose career is fading. He has grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle that’s become nearly unaffordable with his waning book sales. He’s feeling desperate and old even as he has a loving family and all he truly needs. When his special lady friend gifts him a gorgeous sculpted deep dark wood desk for his birthday, his fortunes flip almost immediately.
At its heart it’s a story about addiction and compulsion and the destructive force of obsession. It’s an exploration of the overwhelming corrosive effects of power.
I loved it. It was dark and bloody and more fun than I expected. You have to know what’s next and you’re never disappointed by what’s next. Fracassi upends expectations and if you’re looking for the standard Hollywood ending you won’t find it here.
There are notes of The Shining with a desperate author on his last second chance. And Hellbound Heart with a cursed item that opens a door to a place no one wants to go.
It’s a page turner that makes you question love and power between each page. It’s as thought-provoking as it is pulse-pounding. You can also just enjoy the ride. It’s a fun one with a lot of dark areas. And those dark passages might not have any light but they’re filled with other things. Things that reach and rend and never stop even after you stop screaming.
Highly recommend!! 4.5 stars.
Gothic is a story about a famous author, Tyson Parks, whose career is fading. He has grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle that’s become nearly unaffordable with his waning book sales. He’s feeling desperate and old even as he has a loving family and all he truly needs. When his special lady friend gifts him a gorgeous sculpted deep dark wood desk for his birthday, his fortunes flip almost immediately.
At its heart it’s a story about addiction and compulsion and the destructive force of obsession. It’s an exploration of the overwhelming corrosive effects of power.
I loved it. It was dark and bloody and more fun than I expected. You have to know what’s next and you’re never disappointed by what’s next. Fracassi upends expectations and if you’re looking for the standard Hollywood ending you won’t find it here.
There are notes of The Shining with a desperate author on his last second chance. And Hellbound Heart with a cursed item that opens a door to a place no one wants to go.
It’s a page turner that makes you question love and power between each page. It’s as thought-provoking as it is pulse-pounding. You can also just enjoy the ride. It’s a fun one with a lot of dark areas. And those dark passages might not have any light but they’re filled with other things. Things that reach and rend and never stop even after you stop screaming.
Highly recommend!! 4.5 stars.
February 2, 2023
Reading this book gave me chills! It was so creepy and atmospheric. Some parts left me terrified! It is a but graphic at times so be aware if you plan on reading this but I loved it!
Tyson Parks receives antique desk for his 59th birthday. The perfect gift for a famous, struggling horror writer, his partner Sarah got it for a good price. She’s hoping it’ll give him inspiration to write. Tyson begins using the desk and after awhile begins acting unlike himself. He’s become angry and violent. His is writing faster and more than ever before. But his writing is disturbing. His publishers are ecstatic with the turnaround are believe it will be very successful. Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his success even at the expense of his family and his own sanity.
Gothic is available February 3, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and cemetery dance publications for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Tyson Parks receives antique desk for his 59th birthday. The perfect gift for a famous, struggling horror writer, his partner Sarah got it for a good price. She’s hoping it’ll give him inspiration to write. Tyson begins using the desk and after awhile begins acting unlike himself. He’s become angry and violent. His is writing faster and more than ever before. But his writing is disturbing. His publishers are ecstatic with the turnaround are believe it will be very successful. Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his success even at the expense of his family and his own sanity.
Gothic is available February 3, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and cemetery dance publications for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2023
Like a mix between The Shining, Christine (and really soooo many other King books and filled with King-isms), but about a haunted desk.
Everything reminded me of a King book. To the dialogue, the internal monologues and the way that capitalization was used, and so much more.
That being said, I enjoyed it for the most part!! It’s pretty vivid, and doesn’t shy away from the gore and dark imagery. One scene with a desk drawer made my arm sore just thinking about it 😂
There is rape/sexual violence and I think how that was written+the aftermath is my biggest gripe with the story. It’s also just in general pretty misogynistic.
If you’re looking for a new retro-king-esq horror, look no further!!
Everything reminded me of a King book. To the dialogue, the internal monologues and the way that capitalization was used, and so much more.
That being said, I enjoyed it for the most part!! It’s pretty vivid, and doesn’t shy away from the gore and dark imagery. One scene with a desk drawer made my arm sore just thinking about it 😂
There is rape/sexual violence and I think how that was written+the aftermath is my biggest gripe with the story. It’s also just in general pretty misogynistic.
If you’re looking for a new retro-king-esq horror, look no further!!
Read
October 4, 2025Este ha sido mi primer Fracassi y además en lectura conjunta con La loca de los libros, ¿qué más puedo pedir?
Me ha gustado muchísimo la historia y la atmósfera que va creando el autor.
Como premisa nos vamos a encontrar con un tema recurrente, el escritor de terror que en sus inicios fue bestial y que ahora lucha con la temida página en blanco, lucha por volver a sacar una novela que despierte el interés de sus inicios...como vemos no es un tema novedoso ni original, lo que va a marcar la diferencia es el regalo que le hace Sarah, la mujer de nuestro escritor, por su cumpleaños.
Un maravilloso escritorio de madera, con casi tanta historia como filigranas y grabados tiene. Va a sustituir su antigua y destartalada mesa de escribir, porque casi ni escritorio puede denominarse. Este regalo será el empujoncito que Tyson necesita para empezar su nueva novela, una nueva musa si se prefiere.
Pero todo el ambiente festivo se empieza a enrarecer y parece que el escritorio viene acompañado de unas energías negativas que hacen que Tyson pierda la noción hasta de su propio cuerpo. Sentado horas y horas y horas tecleando en el ordenador sin descanso. Sus dedos se cuartean y sangran pero él sigue dándole a las teclas sin inmutarse.
Cuanto más tiempo pasa en su despacho, más se va hundiendo en una espiral demencial...pero por otro lado le proporciona ese resurgimiento que tanto ansiaba. Al fin una novela con la esencia y fuerza de las primeras, aunque también con una sombra oscura que hace que quienes la lean caigan en un abismo que se propaga como una infección. Nadie da nada por nada y Tyson se verá en la tesitura de seguir cosechando éxitos o dejar marchar a la gallina de los huevos de oro.
Si has leído Christine de Stephen King, mucho de lo que cuenta la novela te sonará familiar.
Cabe destacar la edición de Dilatando Mentes que como siempre hace que sea toda una delicia para el lector. En cada página hay un mini escritorio que te acecha y está pendiente de cada una de tus reacciones al leer.
Una lectura totalmente recomendada.
Me ha gustado muchísimo la historia y la atmósfera que va creando el autor.
Como premisa nos vamos a encontrar con un tema recurrente, el escritor de terror que en sus inicios fue bestial y que ahora lucha con la temida página en blanco, lucha por volver a sacar una novela que despierte el interés de sus inicios...como vemos no es un tema novedoso ni original, lo que va a marcar la diferencia es el regalo que le hace Sarah, la mujer de nuestro escritor, por su cumpleaños.
Un maravilloso escritorio de madera, con casi tanta historia como filigranas y grabados tiene. Va a sustituir su antigua y destartalada mesa de escribir, porque casi ni escritorio puede denominarse. Este regalo será el empujoncito que Tyson necesita para empezar su nueva novela, una nueva musa si se prefiere.
Pero todo el ambiente festivo se empieza a enrarecer y parece que el escritorio viene acompañado de unas energías negativas que hacen que Tyson pierda la noción hasta de su propio cuerpo. Sentado horas y horas y horas tecleando en el ordenador sin descanso. Sus dedos se cuartean y sangran pero él sigue dándole a las teclas sin inmutarse.
Cuanto más tiempo pasa en su despacho, más se va hundiendo en una espiral demencial...pero por otro lado le proporciona ese resurgimiento que tanto ansiaba. Al fin una novela con la esencia y fuerza de las primeras, aunque también con una sombra oscura que hace que quienes la lean caigan en un abismo que se propaga como una infección. Nadie da nada por nada y Tyson se verá en la tesitura de seguir cosechando éxitos o dejar marchar a la gallina de los huevos de oro.
Si has leído Christine de Stephen King, mucho de lo que cuenta la novela te sonará familiar.
Cabe destacar la edición de Dilatando Mentes que como siempre hace que sea toda una delicia para el lector. En cada página hay un mini escritorio que te acecha y está pendiente de cada una de tus reacciones al leer.
Una lectura totalmente recomendada.
September 6, 2023
Gothic is my second book of this author and while it seemed to take a while for me to get into making it look like a 4⭐, the last one third was pure craziness, so grim that I had to give it a 5⭐. A down on the luck horror author finds a new muse that slowly splinters his mind making him a mere pawn. The presence of the muse doesn't just turn his luck on writing though. Dun dun dunnnn. This book had a slithering quality to it, that's the best way I can describe it.
September 19, 2023
EDIT: I initially wrote a kind of mean review for this. I have since removed it from Goodreads (it's still on my blog, I don't think I should pretend I never wrote it at all.) At any rate, I am sorry, Philip Fracassi. I am not actually a mean person. This book grossed me out and made me angry but it's just one book and I may give your other stories a try in the future.
August 21, 2024
Tengo la sensación de que con el paso de los años se ha perdido una determinada manera de enfocar la narración de terror para tener que adaptarse al momento actual en el que vivimos. En cierto modo, los autores de género actuales se han visto esclavos a tener que justificar todo aquello que te quieren contar, perdiendo sus palabras en tener que encontrar explicaciones a lo que se esconde tras la propia esencia de la maldad. Esa manera de narrar no es mala, aunque en cierta medida suaviza el impacto que te produce una buena historia de terror. No hay que olvidar que horror brilla en los relatos, sin que las páginas requieran una exposición innecesaria de lo que se quiere contar. Limitarse a esas tendencias termina trayendo consigo un cierto distanciamiento de la propia esencia del horror, de aquello que no puede ser controlado, que genera inquietud, desasosiego, incomodidad en el lector cuya imaginación se ve guía hacia un descenso a sus infiernos personales.
Sin embargo, no se puede crecer sin contar con el soporte de aquellas historias que nos nutrían en el pasado. No existe Lovecraft sin Poe ni King sin la estela de Jackson. Los autores de terror que hoy en día nos invitan a sus moradas sustentan sus miedos entre los escombros de la literatura que les vio crecer, sin que la herencia les impida probar nuevos caminos que les confiera su propia personalidad.
En el caso de Ghotic, la nueva propuesta de Phillip Fracassi tras el éxito de Los chicos del valle, nos adentramos en una historia cuyos ecos de décadas pasadas resuenan en cada página. Ni siquiera trata de ocultar esa fascinación por esa manera de narrar historias, referenciando abiertamente a obras y autores entre los sucesos que se desencadenan en Ghotic. Cualquier aficionado al género sonreirá ante el saludo de referencias que les llevará a tantas historias que les cobijaron en su pasado.
En el caso de esta novela nos encontramos con un escritor frustrado por su declive que, tras recibir un objeto maldito, comienza a recuperar su inspiración. Creo que cualquiera que lea esa premisa podría hacerse una idea de todos los acontecimientos que pasarán en la novela y, de seguro, acertarán. Ya lo vimos en la pata de mono de Jacobs. Como también conocemos la fijación por esas narraciones pseudo autobiográficas en donde los narradores forman parte de la propia ficción o en donde el infierno se presenta más oscuro tras el velo de la conciencia.
Todo eso lastra una historia que, por otra parte, se lee y disfruta de una sentada. O quizás sea esa innecesaria comparación con la obra previa de Fracassi y con la sorpresa que supuso entre los que nos aterrorizamos ante la frescura y crueldad de la historia que nos presentaban sus chicos. En Ghotic lo que nos presenta el autor fractura cualquier expectativa que tenga el lector, puesto que los acontecimientos que se narran entre sus páginas los saborea sin sentir el placer de lo exótico.
Pero Fracassi escribe muy bien sus historias y confía en el poder que se desprende de sus palabras. Y, por encima de todo, confía en la necesidad de tomarse todo el tiempo del mundo en presentar a sus personajes, en acompañarlos, en reír y sufrir con ellos, sentirlos, empatizar con lo que ocurre en esas vidas que podrían ser la de cualquiera de sus lectores para, a continuación, hacer con ellos lo que tenía planeado desde un principio.
De ahí que esta obra suponga todo un deleite para aquellos que, como comentaba en un inicio, disfruten de una manera de enfocar el terror propia de la década de los setenta, o principios de los ochenta, en la que la maldad adquiere su aspecto más devastador. Y que los lectores ávidos de los rasgos característicos de la narrativa de Fracassi vuelvan a encontrar entre sus páginas aquellos elementos que lo convierten en un escritor dispuesto a todo para conseguir estremecer entre sus páginas. El último tercio de esta historia es una buena muestra de ello, poniendo sobre la mesa toda ese plato que había ido cocinando mientras hablaba contigo tomándose una copa de vino para, después, limpiarse los labios con una servilleta de seda.
Porque apenas recuerdo todas las dudas que me generaba la historia mientras la leía. Lo que me cuesta olvidar es el mal cuerpo que me quedó al final
Sin embargo, no se puede crecer sin contar con el soporte de aquellas historias que nos nutrían en el pasado. No existe Lovecraft sin Poe ni King sin la estela de Jackson. Los autores de terror que hoy en día nos invitan a sus moradas sustentan sus miedos entre los escombros de la literatura que les vio crecer, sin que la herencia les impida probar nuevos caminos que les confiera su propia personalidad.
En el caso de Ghotic, la nueva propuesta de Phillip Fracassi tras el éxito de Los chicos del valle, nos adentramos en una historia cuyos ecos de décadas pasadas resuenan en cada página. Ni siquiera trata de ocultar esa fascinación por esa manera de narrar historias, referenciando abiertamente a obras y autores entre los sucesos que se desencadenan en Ghotic. Cualquier aficionado al género sonreirá ante el saludo de referencias que les llevará a tantas historias que les cobijaron en su pasado.
En el caso de esta novela nos encontramos con un escritor frustrado por su declive que, tras recibir un objeto maldito, comienza a recuperar su inspiración. Creo que cualquiera que lea esa premisa podría hacerse una idea de todos los acontecimientos que pasarán en la novela y, de seguro, acertarán. Ya lo vimos en la pata de mono de Jacobs. Como también conocemos la fijación por esas narraciones pseudo autobiográficas en donde los narradores forman parte de la propia ficción o en donde el infierno se presenta más oscuro tras el velo de la conciencia.
Todo eso lastra una historia que, por otra parte, se lee y disfruta de una sentada. O quizás sea esa innecesaria comparación con la obra previa de Fracassi y con la sorpresa que supuso entre los que nos aterrorizamos ante la frescura y crueldad de la historia que nos presentaban sus chicos. En Ghotic lo que nos presenta el autor fractura cualquier expectativa que tenga el lector, puesto que los acontecimientos que se narran entre sus páginas los saborea sin sentir el placer de lo exótico.
Pero Fracassi escribe muy bien sus historias y confía en el poder que se desprende de sus palabras. Y, por encima de todo, confía en la necesidad de tomarse todo el tiempo del mundo en presentar a sus personajes, en acompañarlos, en reír y sufrir con ellos, sentirlos, empatizar con lo que ocurre en esas vidas que podrían ser la de cualquiera de sus lectores para, a continuación, hacer con ellos lo que tenía planeado desde un principio.
De ahí que esta obra suponga todo un deleite para aquellos que, como comentaba en un inicio, disfruten de una manera de enfocar el terror propia de la década de los setenta, o principios de los ochenta, en la que la maldad adquiere su aspecto más devastador. Y que los lectores ávidos de los rasgos característicos de la narrativa de Fracassi vuelvan a encontrar entre sus páginas aquellos elementos que lo convierten en un escritor dispuesto a todo para conseguir estremecer entre sus páginas. El último tercio de esta historia es una buena muestra de ello, poniendo sobre la mesa toda ese plato que había ido cocinando mientras hablaba contigo tomándose una copa de vino para, después, limpiarse los labios con una servilleta de seda.
Porque apenas recuerdo todas las dudas que me generaba la historia mientras la leía. Lo que me cuesta olvidar es el mal cuerpo que me quedó al final
December 31, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb 3, 2023
Horror author and screenwriter Philip Fracassi’s new novel, “Gothic” adds a haunting, no-holds-barred, next level creep factor to the genre, with a terrifyingly dark premise and a pulse-pounding plot.
Author Tyson Parks receives an antique desk for his fifty-ninth birthday from his partner, Sarah, in hopes that it will free him of his writer’s block. Across the continent, a young woman named Diana has paid a lot of money in hopes of finding a long-lost family heirloom, an item with a dark and tragic past that Diana knows she must locate in order to keep it, and the people around it, safe from harm. Her investigation leads her to the home of Tyson Parks. The desk, however, is inspiring Tyson, and he’s not willing to part with it. Tyson has written more books with the desk as its muse than he has in years, even though the desk is causing Tyson to have dark thoughts, and causing even darker actions, Tyson will not give the desk up. Nor is it willing to give him up…..
Fracassi is an award-winning author, with so many books in his repertoire that I can’t even count. That being said, I am disappointed to admit that “Gothic” was my introduction to this author and screenwriter.
Tyson is the main protagonist of this story, although Sarah and Diana (and Tyson’s daughter, Violet) do share their thoughts in small segments periodically. As a middle-aged author, desperate to once again have the fame his first novels brought to him, Tyson is likable and relatable- until he isn’t (this is an intentional move on Fracassi’s part), although I was too enraptured in the plot to not want to see how Tyson’s arc ended. As strange as it seems to me to classify the desk as a “living entity”, this is entirely the case. Fracassi’s depictions of the antique behemoth are terrifying, and they will definitely give you chills.
Tyson, the character, has an understandable envy and adulation of the great Stephen King, and it is obvious from Fracassi’s writing that he has a fair amount of love for the King as well. In fact, Tyson even makes a quip about his desk being similar to the possessed car, Christine, in King’s novel by the same name. Although it is hard to compete with the Great One (of Horror, not Hockey), Fracassi definitely has the talent to come close. “Gothic” is paralyzingly scary, and I loved every minute of it.
Expected publication date: Feb 3, 2023
Horror author and screenwriter Philip Fracassi’s new novel, “Gothic” adds a haunting, no-holds-barred, next level creep factor to the genre, with a terrifyingly dark premise and a pulse-pounding plot.
Author Tyson Parks receives an antique desk for his fifty-ninth birthday from his partner, Sarah, in hopes that it will free him of his writer’s block. Across the continent, a young woman named Diana has paid a lot of money in hopes of finding a long-lost family heirloom, an item with a dark and tragic past that Diana knows she must locate in order to keep it, and the people around it, safe from harm. Her investigation leads her to the home of Tyson Parks. The desk, however, is inspiring Tyson, and he’s not willing to part with it. Tyson has written more books with the desk as its muse than he has in years, even though the desk is causing Tyson to have dark thoughts, and causing even darker actions, Tyson will not give the desk up. Nor is it willing to give him up…..
Fracassi is an award-winning author, with so many books in his repertoire that I can’t even count. That being said, I am disappointed to admit that “Gothic” was my introduction to this author and screenwriter.
Tyson is the main protagonist of this story, although Sarah and Diana (and Tyson’s daughter, Violet) do share their thoughts in small segments periodically. As a middle-aged author, desperate to once again have the fame his first novels brought to him, Tyson is likable and relatable- until he isn’t (this is an intentional move on Fracassi’s part), although I was too enraptured in the plot to not want to see how Tyson’s arc ended. As strange as it seems to me to classify the desk as a “living entity”, this is entirely the case. Fracassi’s depictions of the antique behemoth are terrifying, and they will definitely give you chills.
Tyson, the character, has an understandable envy and adulation of the great Stephen King, and it is obvious from Fracassi’s writing that he has a fair amount of love for the King as well. In fact, Tyson even makes a quip about his desk being similar to the possessed car, Christine, in King’s novel by the same name. Although it is hard to compete with the Great One (of Horror, not Hockey), Fracassi definitely has the talent to come close. “Gothic” is paralyzingly scary, and I loved every minute of it.
October 16, 2024
Las primeras 200 páginas me han parecido muy lentas pero necesarias para narrar esta obra. A partir de ahí, todo lo que acontece me ha parecido brutal.
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The first 200 pages seemed very slow to me but necessary to narrate this book. From then on, everything that happens seemed brutal to me.
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The first 200 pages seemed very slow to me but necessary to narrate this book. From then on, everything that happens seemed brutal to me.
October 25, 2022
Philip Fracassi is an auto buy author for me, so when I saw the opportunity to get an advance copy of this one on NetGalley, I jumped all over it.
Author Tyson Parks finds inspiration and renewed success after receiving a very unique 59th birthday present. A real one-of-a-kind antique writing desk. Suddenly he is churning out the best work of his career. All due to his new muse. But there is a price to be paid for fame, and when the bill comes due, it will be a heavy price indeed.
Fracassi sets the table so well that by the time it all starts hitting the fan you are heavily invested and consumed in the narrative. Makes his work very hard to put down.
4.5 Stars and Highly Recommended (Rounded up to 5 stars because I didn't have a half-star option and Fracassi is so damn good)
Author Tyson Parks finds inspiration and renewed success after receiving a very unique 59th birthday present. A real one-of-a-kind antique writing desk. Suddenly he is churning out the best work of his career. All due to his new muse. But there is a price to be paid for fame, and when the bill comes due, it will be a heavy price indeed.
Fracassi sets the table so well that by the time it all starts hitting the fan you are heavily invested and consumed in the narrative. Makes his work very hard to put down.
4.5 Stars and Highly Recommended (Rounded up to 5 stars because I didn't have a half-star option and Fracassi is so damn good)
December 27, 2022
Tyson Parks, once upon a bestselling author, is struggling both creatively and financially. He’s already spent the advance he received for the book he was supposed to be writing and his agent isn’t exactly thrilled that the work in progress Tyson presents to him doesn’t even remotely resemble the pitch. Sent away with an impossible deadline and strict instructions to write the book he was supposed to be writing, Tyson feels defeated.
Sarah, Tyson’s partner, goes all out for his birthday, buying him a one of a kind antique desk. They both hope this will give Tyson the boost he needs to get back in the game.
Now, instead of completing the historical horror novel he wanted to write, Tyson finds himself embroiled in a real life historical horror, one that’s almost three hundred years in the making.
I found this book easy to get into and I was keen to see how the history of Tyson’s desk impacted on his present. Almost immediately I started comparing Tyson to Jack Torrance. It was hard not to. The author even references Jack, and adds a few other King references in for good measure.
I was completely on board until the
If it wasn’t for this scene, I probably would have continued to enjoy this read. It coloured everything I read after it, though, and I never made it back to my initial enjoyment.
Because I really liked the way this novel started, I’d be interested in trying another book by this author. I’d definitely check out the reviews first to make sure I chose one that’s right for me.
Content warnings include domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 2.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Sarah, Tyson’s partner, goes all out for his birthday, buying him a one of a kind antique desk. They both hope this will give Tyson the boost he needs to get back in the game.
Now, instead of completing the historical horror novel he wanted to write, Tyson finds himself embroiled in a real life historical horror, one that’s almost three hundred years in the making.
I found this book easy to get into and I was keen to see how the history of Tyson’s desk impacted on his present. Almost immediately I started comparing Tyson to Jack Torrance. It was hard not to. The author even references Jack, and adds a few other King references in for good measure.
I was completely on board until the
If it wasn’t for this scene, I probably would have continued to enjoy this read. It coloured everything I read after it, though, and I never made it back to my initial enjoyment.
Because I really liked the way this novel started, I’d be interested in trying another book by this author. I’d definitely check out the reviews first to make sure I chose one that’s right for me.
Content warnings include domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 2.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Read
July 23, 2022As a horror writer myself, the whole premise of this novel had me hooked. A former best-selling author, now run dry, turns his life around when he is gifted a mysterious desk as a birthday present. As writers, we all experience that sense of dread from time to time, so I could well imagine the MC's euphoria when he discovered that suddenly the words just flowed. Another bonus for me was the use of the desk as a magical item/cursed object with a life of its own. Anthropomorphism is always a winner if done well, and it was done well. Exceedingly so.
The opening chapters had me hooked, then we were provided a bit of back story. When we arrived at Part Three and the back story, I have to admit my heart sank a little, because I thought the rest of the novel was going to travel back and fore in time. However, this was not the case, and the back story was entirely necessary.
With the arrival of the desk the story moved up another notch, and I found myself more and more engrossed. Tyson's lust for greed and fame is his undoing. We sense this, we feel it in our bones, but when an opportunity arrives to undo the damage I willed him with all my heart to grab it with both hands, knowing all the while he wouldn't.
Did I sympathize with the MC? No, for the reason stated above. Could I empathize, though? Yes.
To sum up: well written, as I knew it would be. Great story-telling and just the right amount of horror.
I would like to thank the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this novel.
The opening chapters had me hooked, then we were provided a bit of back story. When we arrived at Part Three and the back story, I have to admit my heart sank a little, because I thought the rest of the novel was going to travel back and fore in time. However, this was not the case, and the back story was entirely necessary.
With the arrival of the desk the story moved up another notch, and I found myself more and more engrossed. Tyson's lust for greed and fame is his undoing. We sense this, we feel it in our bones, but when an opportunity arrives to undo the damage I willed him with all my heart to grab it with both hands, knowing all the while he wouldn't.
Did I sympathize with the MC? No, for the reason stated above. Could I empathize, though? Yes.
To sum up: well written, as I knew it would be. Great story-telling and just the right amount of horror.
I would like to thank the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this novel.
August 24, 2023
It's amazing to witness the rise of Fracassi's career as he has steadily planted his flag among the crowd in the literary horror genre. I've been reading his work since I discovered his short stories and novellas early on and he has quickly become a priority author for me. He's recently been on a roll with his novel releases and this one does not disappoint!
The setup is simple, introducing Tyson Park, a washed-up horror novelist with writer's block, who is gifted a new desk that ends up being a bit more than just new furniture. Turns out that the desk is made of material from an ancient occult altar and Tyson begins to succumb to its influence. It's pretty unnerving to witness Tyson's gradual corruption, rotating between seeing it from his POV and the view of others around him. I felt dirty being in his head with his thoughts as they became more and more disturbing until I realized that the person that I was reading about is not the same person I was introduced to earlier.
There are effective horror sequences in this book as well, right up there with the best of the best. So if you're looking for engaging classic King-style horror storytelling, by an author flexing his powers, check out this great novel.
The setup is simple, introducing Tyson Park, a washed-up horror novelist with writer's block, who is gifted a new desk that ends up being a bit more than just new furniture. Turns out that the desk is made of material from an ancient occult altar and Tyson begins to succumb to its influence. It's pretty unnerving to witness Tyson's gradual corruption, rotating between seeing it from his POV and the view of others around him. I felt dirty being in his head with his thoughts as they became more and more disturbing until I realized that the person that I was reading about is not the same person I was introduced to earlier.
There are effective horror sequences in this book as well, right up there with the best of the best. So if you're looking for engaging classic King-style horror storytelling, by an author flexing his powers, check out this great novel.
August 25, 2023
This might be my favorite horror novel this year. I've been wanting to read a book from this author for a while now and I'm glad that I finally did. Now I have to get all of his other books. The TBR list grows. 5 🌟
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