Ghostshow Live!

by Christopher Degni

Is Tessie Gold chasing ghosts… or running from them?

When Tessie Gold's former reality show co-host contacts her with an idea for one last (live!) reunion episode featuring a unique “haunted” house, she's hesitant to agree. Her bad-tempered mother is dying, and Tessie is struggling to move beyond her Ghostshow past to become an archaeologist. The stain of being a reality TV ghost hunter has finally started to fade. But the residuals are running out, and Tessie needs the money to care for her mother and secure her own future.

As Tessie gets closer to the house, it seems to be taunting her. A vision on a plane ride. A seemingly possessed waitress. A companion back from the dead. But Tessie doesn’t believe in ghosts…

Spooky yet emotional, Ghostshow Live! explores the effect of past trauma on the present, the struggle between looking back and looking forward, and the many meanings of belief. A Head Full of Ghosts meets The Haunting of Hill House in this debut horror novella by Christopher Degni.

Christopher Degni has published numerous short stories in venues such as 99 Tiny Terrors, Deadman Fears of Clown, Sherlock Holmes and the Occult Detectives, and Stupefying Stories. He was part of the editorial team for the Stoker-nominated Tales of Love and Terror and the music-horror anthology Playlist of the Damned. He is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop.

Genres: Horror

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2024

Reviews

[Lady MacDeath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella had a really good premise, and hey, what horror fan doesn’t love a ghost hunting story?!! So I was excited to try this debut from Christopher Degni.

To be honest, I felt that there was something missing throughout. The story sounded really good but it lacked lustre, which I think had something to do with it not being long enough. The story just didn’t get going for me, and I couldn’t gel with the characters, only knowing the bare minimum about them.

This had all the materials for a really great story, but it just needed a bit more meat on its bones.

Thanks to Christopher Degni, and the wonderful Ruth Anna Evans for sending me this free ARC, with which I leave this voluntary review.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost hunting shows are a guilty pleasure of mine, so I was definitely excited to read this one. Overall, this is a fantastic debut, I was pleased with the story and the characters, although it definitely could have been a little more fleshed out. It's still a super creepy and fun book.

I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

[Kyle Rolinatis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me places I did not see it going and I really love that. I was totally invested from the beginning and read it in one sitting. The author has a real gift with writing in emotion and that is what this story is chocked full of. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Trisha Tropiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect cover by Ruth Anna Evans and a fantastic debut by Christopher Degni! It’s a supernatural story, but Tessie’s emotions play a huge role in it. She revisits her past when she agrees to do one more live episode of her famed reality series about ghost hunting. It’s a very emotional book with some great twists and spooky parts. I would definitely check out Christopher’s future work!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Tessie used to be one-half of the ghost hunting duo on Ghostshow until the show ended by mutual agreement. Now, she takes care of her mother in her dying days despite their rather rocky relationship. Her former co-host Rob has a proposition for one last show, a live show with a big payout, and Tessie agrees to help with medical costs. But did she sign up for more than she bargained for?

I'm a bit in two minds with this book. The first half had a lot of buildup to the action, while the second half had all the action, but i didn't feel like the two halves meshed real well. There wasn't much of an explanation as to what was going on, so there was a bit of a disconnect for me in the middle of the story.

I also don't feel like I got to know any of the characters very well. It was hard for me to get invested in their well-being and hope for a good ending because I didn't know enough about them to care that deeply for them. Rob and X were almost complete mysteries to me by the end, I didn't really know what to think of them.

Ghostshow Live had the atmosphere and the cool premise (who doesn't love a crew of ghost hunters?) but I think it would've helped if the story was longer to give the reader the gut punch of emotion that the author was looking for.

[Ali O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostshow Live is an interesting and emotional supernatural horror story! The premise is very original, with a live reality show going to investigate at a haunted house. Once at this house, the story takes some strange and surprising turns. This book isn’t super creepy, but it does have some spooky parts!!
This is the author’s debut novel and he’s off to a great start! I’ll definitely be looking out for more books!

Thank you to Ruth Anna Evans & Christopher Degni for an arc copy of this very entertaining book!

[Craig Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The protagonist of Ghostshow Live!, Tessie, is feeling stuck. The former host of a paranormal investigation TV show, she is now caring for her terminally ill mother, quickly going broke, and staring down yet another rejection letter arriving to dash her hopes of going back to school. When her old co-host Rob gets in touch about a house that is still causing visions and bad fortune even after previously being demolished and rebuilt, Tessie is sceptical but goes along with it for the money. She's never confessed to Rob that she faked all the supernatural finds they made, but when strange things begin to happen and reality begins to shift underneath her, she begins to wonder if he realised what she did and has decided to take revenge—or if there really is something going on in that house.

The debut novella from author Christopher Degni, Ghostshow Live! is a sub-100-page, single-sitting read that had me questioning what was real throughout. As the protagonist's mental state began to deteriorate, I found myself going back and forth about whether these events were really happening, were as a result of the mental stress and trauma of providing end-of-life care to an ungrateful mother, or if her co-workers were just pranking her to get revenge. There's what struck me as a little nod to 1408 at one point, and despite being a very different read, the general atmosphere and mood of this book reminded me of King's short story. I love ambiguity and confusion in my horror, and I felt like that was delivered in spades here.

This is a well-written, fast-paced read for a debut, and I found myself unable to put it down until I'd finished. In fact, my main major criticism of the book is the pacing; in many ways, I'd have loved it to slow down more and expand on events a little more. It's not very often that I read a novella and feel like it could have been just as good, if not better, as a full-length novel, but I did here—more time with those characters, more scope to elaborate on their relationships, would have been a worthwhile addition. This is a personal preference thing, however, and is by no means a slight on the book. Perhaps the length of a novel would have even dulled some of the impact of the creepier, often perplexing moments of horror. 

As it stands, Ghostshow Live! is an incredibly readable story, packing some twists and strong imagery into it's pages, and is even quite moving in places. I'm already looking forward to seeing what Degni writes next, as on this evidence he could very much become an author to watch out for in the horror genre.

I was initially a little torn between a 3.5* and a 4* rating here, but the quality of the prose, and some wonderfully creepy & sometimes surreal imagery made me decide on the latter.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella, Christopher Degni's "Ghostshow Live!" sure packs a lot: emotion sometimes overwhelms the story, never letting go till you have a good grasp of the main character's sober, down-to-earth, practical mindset. This makes for a truly riveting story, as this kind of mindset is challenged repeatedly throughout the tale: Tessie Gold, the female protagonist of this story, faces an unusual kind of dilemma, forced to choose between her ambition to take up archaelogy as a career, and her embarrassing involvement, as a former co-host, in Ghostshow, a popular ghosthunting reality-show. This dilemma drives the novella forward, as Tessie is offered the chance to participate in a revived version of the show, and inspect live a haunted house, along with her co-host Rob - all the while confronting serious personal and family problems of her own, problems which have messed up both her academic ambitions and her emotional priorities.

But ghosts are not real, right? A lucrative live episode won't hurt, right? Well... The house itself demands to be heard and, guess what, it decides to trip her up. At that point, the dilemma transforms into a battle for Tessie's own sanity: the supernatural enters the plot with some emergency, infecting every aspect of Tessie's life. Things escalate fast, and "Ghostshow Live!" ends up being a thoughful, exciting read, about a mind in danger of losing itself, forced to cope with rejection and counterwishful thinking.

Digli's debut novella of "Ghostshow Live!" is the winner of over 100 submissions handpicked by Ruth Anna Evans, who's also done the stunning cover! She wanted a stellar novella; she got it. This is a hugely enjoyable supernatural story of a soul in peril. Hugely recommended!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Degni is a brand-new author for me. But I absolutely wanted in on the inaugural book from new publisher Ruth Anna Evans Horrors.

The MC of this book Tessie is stuck taking care of her sick and elderly mother. The two have a volatile history, Mom was abusive toward Tessie and her older sister Natalie while they were growing up. She found some success as a reality show host in the past on a show similar to Ghost Hunters. Tessie is running low on money and struggling to be accepted into an archelogy graduate studies program when she receives an offer from former co-host Rob to do one more episode of their reality TV hit GhostShow.

Things get spooky quickly as soon as Tessie begins researching the house they will be filming in. And the closer she gets to the place, the worse her experiences become. There are some truly nail-biting scenes in this book, but then those scary occurrences seem to have happened only in Tessie's head. Is there something about the house that is truly haunting her, or has she been pushed so far mentally by her abusive mother that she's lost her grip on reality?

There were a couple of instances in this book where the imagery and descriptive phrasing painted a confusing picture in my mind. I am a very visual reader, I see what's happening in my head as it is described, and I had a difficult time with this in some scenes. I do not think this is necessarily a hinderance to the enjoyment, sometimes making it seem even more like a fever dream, if anything.

I definitely recommend checking this one out, and will for sure be reading whatever this author comes out with next.

[Rhiannon Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐ rounded up

This short little novelette by Christopher Degni is a very promising debut. The story of Tessa, a former reality t.v. host who ‘investigated’ hauntings but who now yearns for a ‘real’ job, has a lot packed into its small size.

The set up of Tessa getting pulled back into the old gig by a former partner was well done and had some very creepy and effective bits. But Tessa brings a lot of baggage – she appears to be a childhood abuse survivor, has drama with her sister, a dying mother, feelings of professional inadequacy, and believes that she’s pretty much a fraud… and halfway through the story it all started to overwhelm the ‘spooky’ factor.

Horror can be a great vehicle for showcasing trauma, but I think there was just a little too much jammed in to such a short story for it to be truly effective. Tessa’s various issues really needed a little more space to breathe and a bit more cohesion.

That being said, it was still a pretty good debut and I will definitely be watching for further work from the author.

I’d like to thank Ruth Anna Evans and the author for providing me with an ARC of Ghostshow Live!

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I coincidentally read this story at the perfect time. I grew up watching Ghost Hunters, catching the season one premiere with my mom. The recent controversy surrounding TCH/Jason Hawes & his daughter have brought up memories of the show and the way personal matters of the cast were portrayed (ie when Steve heartbreakingly missed out on the Scotland trip due to fear of flying). It was an early time in reality tv, and through the lense of a ghost hunting show was a cool thing to watch.
Due to all this, my heart was already with Tessie from the beginning. The struggle of “how far am I willing to push my boundaries/exploit myself (and others?) if it means literally putting food on the table” is very relatable. As is Tessie’s strained relationship with her sister, and her being sole caregiver for her ill mother.
I was absolutely enraptured by the story telling and descriptions, but in the last third of the story I lost that sense of dread in my stomach when the story felt a little rushed and bypassed some opportunities to wrap up some plot points in a stunning (and stressing) way. I was impressed by this author and can’t wait to check out more! Thanks so much to Ruth Anna Evans for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ariel Segall · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and creepy story; what I'd call "existential horror", where the questions of what's real are what's most scary, at least to me. Would love to read a novel version, because there are all kinds of intriguing loose ends that don't get pulled together in the short story format. Note that I consider that a big win, because it makes the worldbuilding feel much more real and leaves you with far more questions about what's going on and why (good for existential horror), but it's not a story for people who like to have everything perfectly resolved in the end. One of the very few short stories I've ever read that's left me wanting to write fanfiction, of all things, just because there are so many interesting themes and questions to explore. I'm not usually a horror reader, so those who like their horror hard-core may find this on the mild side; I didn't regret reading it even though I was still thinking about it at bedtime several hours later.

(Note: received free preread copy, but without any expectations for review contents. I gave the author a longer version of this same opinions.)

[Lisa Slojewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Ruth Anna Evans and the Author Christopher Degni bur sending me an ARC copy of this book to read and review.

This is much more an emotional journey than horror. It is a good story base, set where Tessie returns to her old colleagues after being persuaded to do one more ghost show only this one is live. She leaves her dying mother, with whom she has a very complex relationship, in the care of her sister who she has been estranged from and goes to meet her old friends/colleagues to embark on this new adventure.

This is a short novella and was a very quick read, however I do think it would be better filled out as a full novel as the emotional parts of the story are very full on and hit you right between the eyes hard as they come at you full force at various points in the story. I would have liked this to be a full novel also because when it ended I wanted to read more. I didn't feel like the story should end, it should have carried on with more detail and insight into Tessie's life and the other characters in the book.

I enjoyed this read and would like to read more of Christopher Degni's work.

[Flutter By Night · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostshow Live! does a lot in a short time as a novella, exploring trauma horror, the supernatural, and a haunted house with deep secrets. Torn between taking care of her aging cantankerous mother while trying to push forward with her own life by pursuing her dream of becoming an archeologist, the last thing Tessie Good wants—is to revisit her stint with reality TV. But she desperately needs the money. So when she’s asked to return as the skeptic investigator for a special, live ghost hunting opportunity, she can’t say No.

This is where debut author Christopher Degni truly shines, in the strange shifts of reality Tess experiences. The surreal, temporal ambiguity is skillfully executed and genuinely unsettling. As a reader, there were a few areas concerning story structure in the middle and towards the end of the story that didn’t quite come together, which knocked off one star. Definitely a quick, overall enjoyable, and worthwhile read.

Recommended for those who enjoy trauma horror, supernatural, and haunted houses with a modern reality TV twist.

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghostshow Live takes us on a hauntingly engaging journey with Tessie Gold, a former reality TV star grappling with her past as a ghost hunter. When her old co-host pitches a reunion episode featuring a supposedly haunted house, Tessie is torn and faces a difficult choice: embrace her past for a paycheck or continue moving forward.

Degni created an intriguing story that draws you in from the start. The mix of reality TV nostalgia and supernatural elements makes for a unique story. While the story is compelling, there are moments where details feel sparse. It was a short read, but I feel like more details would have really helped this story out.

Ghostshow Live offers a fresh take on the ghost-hunting genre with an interesting concept. Though it could use more fleshing out in parts, it's still a fun read for those who enjoy supernatural intrigue.

[Jim Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of a reality TV personality, now taking care of her dying mom, who has a chance to regain her popularity (and some much needed cash) with one more episode of her canceled haunted house tour show. Only this one is the Hardee House. And sometimes, things cannot be debunked. The first half was a little slow (character development, of course), and the 2nd half is packed with action, creepiness, and the knowledge that things aren't always as they seem. My issue with the 2nd half is that it felt a tad rushed. Perhaps if it were longer, I would have given it 5 stars. But overall, a terrific debut by Christopher Degni.

[Joan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Christopher Degni

Tessie, the FMC, feels her life spiral out of control. She is helping her dieing mom, and her savings are dwindling. She receives a supernatural letter about a job offer.

This novella us action packed with no filter. Tessie is doubtful about ghosts really existing. There are a lot of twists throughout this brief story.

Ruth Anna Evans designed this spectacular. She is an awesome creator of cover art. She did a wonderful job picking the right story for this cover.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a crazy thrill ride! I found myself re-reading some of the pages because I got lost in Tessie’s awake dreams. She had a lot of ghosts folllowing her; past and present. She was not sure if she should do the show again. She received many signs to rethink her decision to do the show but ignored the signs. I could feel the tension when Tessie got stuck in the shed. The mice scene! I would probably have had a heart attack. I am not a fan of mice so the scene truly made me shiver. This was a quick read but packed a big punch.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ruth Anna Evans for providing a review copy.

This is a quick and nasty debut novella, full of disturbing imagery. I used to love watching ghost hunting shows, so it was also a fun bit of nostalgia for their heyday. Christopher Degni manages to pack a whole lot into a small package, and the book is very well-written. I'm looking forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve in the future. 4 stars

[Janelle Halstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook for Ghostshow Live! Good little haunted house story but definitely agree with others. This just fell short, felt like something was missing. I would have liked an explanation as to why the house was haunted, who haunted the house. Unless I missed it I don’t think that was ever made clear. I look forward to more from the author. I appreciate the audiobook from Ruth Ann Evans.

[Erin Sterett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostshow Live! Is a fast paced, well written novella. It follows Tessie, who is feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next. She is presented with an opportunity to revisit the ghost hunting show she used to be on, so she takes the chance. There are times where you’re not completely sure what is real or not. Overall I really enjoyed it.

[Sammi Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostshow Live written by Christopher Degni is a unique and very interesting story. If you are looking for reality tv, ghost hunting, or haunted house themed, then this fast pace whirlwind of a story just may be exactly what you were looking for. This is more of a novella length story that really packs a punch in a short amount of time with a few twists and a scare here and there.

[Mallory Krebs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very intriguing book. I feel like it was less of a ghost story and more of a story about ptsd and mental health. I really enjoyed it. I would have liked a little more detail, but it was only 70 pages.

[Angelique Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, short and emotional! I liked the concept of it but to be honest I felt that it didn’t make much sense, maybe it’s because it’s such a quick read and there’s just too much going on that I have no idea what was it about or what really happened.

[Leighah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Story was an interesting look behind the curtain of ghost hunting shows. The characters worked well together and were likeable. I did get a little confused in parts but this also worked to keep you guessing. I look forward to future works from this author.

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan
Of ghost hunters this book was so much fun!!!

[Alison Hodyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC copy of Ghostshow Live! and man, what a debut! There were plenty of creepy and unsettling moments packed into this little novella. Degni writes beautifully and has a talent for evoking very distinct emotions through words. I could feel what the characters were feeling. My only complaint is I wanted more! I'd love to have seen the ghost hunting be fleshed out a little more and a little more build-up towards the end, but I think that's always the challenge with shorter books. I thought the ending was perfect, especially for those who love a conclusion tied up in a pretty bow. I definitely look forward to reading more of Degni's work.

[Shannon Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostshow Live!'s immersive quality sets it apart. The detailed descriptions of ghostly phenomena are underpinned by the author's extensive field experience and a wealth of research, creating an engaging narrative that keeps readers spellbound while allowing for moments of contemplation on the profound topics addressed.

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to review this one. I finished it but it did not hold my attention at all. I didn’t like the main character. The story had potential but I feel like it just kinda fell flat. I do want to say that l will read another book by this author.

[Alison Faichney · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an interesting debut! This book had fantastic bones and a really interesting premise. Tessie is caring for her dying mother and struggling financially. She’s done some ghost hunter reality shows in the past and decides to give it another go when her former castmate, Rob, reaches out with a new haunted house. This one goes a bit further than her previous experiences.

I loved the plot and many of the scenes were so creepy and well done. My biggest issue with the book would likely be that I needed more from it. The first half is fairly tame and the second half is a WILD, balls to the walls, horror acid trip. The first half of the book does well to set up the creepy without being over the top, but with the second half I needed more detail. It all comes at you very fast and while I LOVED the vibes of the story, added detail could’ve turned this into a really solid novel.

I enjoyed Tessie’s character but we never get to learn much about X, Rob and Natalie. Certain things are alluded to and further clarity would’ve been beneficial to understand Tessie’s mindset and her childhood.

Overall, this is a great debut. I love wtf-esque horror and Degni has done an excellent job here. I definitely look forward to seeing what he puts out in the future. I feel like this could have used a bit more refinement and dimension, but if you’re looking for a fast paced horror that will have you questioning yourself constantly, this is a solid novella.