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The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre
Brimming with dark humor, violence, and mystery,
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre
is a blood-soaked slasher sure to keep listeners guessing until the very end. This program is read by January LaVoy, seven-time Audie Award-winner, Grammy nominee and AudioFile Golden Voice.
Rose DuBois is not your average final girl.
Rose is in her late 70s, living out her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home.
When one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose isn’t too concerned. Accidents happen, especially at this age!
Then another resident drops dead. And another. With bodies stacking up, Rose can’t help but are these accidents? Old age? Or something far more sinister?
Together with her best friend Miller, Rose begins to investigate. The further she digs, the more convinced she there’s a killer on the loose at Autumn Springs, and if she isn’t careful, Rose may be their next victim.
Also by Philip
Boys in the Valley
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire
Rose DuBois is not your average final girl.
Rose is in her late 70s, living out her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home.
When one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose isn’t too concerned. Accidents happen, especially at this age!
Then another resident drops dead. And another. With bodies stacking up, Rose can’t help but are these accidents? Old age? Or something far more sinister?
Together with her best friend Miller, Rose begins to investigate. The further she digs, the more convinced she there’s a killer on the loose at Autumn Springs, and if she isn’t careful, Rose may be their next victim.
Also by Philip
Boys in the Valley
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Nightfire
Audible Audio
First published September 30, 2025
366 people are currently reading
15334 people want to read
About the author
Philip Fracassi
74 books1,838 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 1,131 reviews
October 21, 2025
⛧⛧⛧⛧
Maybe it was the general chaos of my personal apocalypse, or maybe it was the endless parade of prose so flavorless even a starving seagull would spit it out, but either way, the fact is that for months, I’d been dragging myself through a reading slump so stiff it could’ve used a toe tag. A literary rigor mortis. I started checking obituaries for character arcs and rereading a shampoo bottle for plot development.
Then 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 kicked down the door and shredded through my fog like a demon guitarist in orthopedic shoes, slapped the defibrillator onto my imagination, and yelled, 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳! I was resurrected, veins lit like runway lights, my soul headbanging in a celestial moshpit.
The book opens with a nod to The Seventh Seal, one of my favorite films and an existential gem where death plays chess with humanity and always wins. Fracassi invocation isn’t just cinematic flair, but an omen and a promise. This story, too, will look death in the eye and maybe laugh a little while at it. After all, we’re all mid checkmate already.
Autumn Springs Retirement Home glows with manufactured serenity. The faint odor of sanctity is just a refined stench of existence where mortality is being politely managed. Fracassi nails the way calm spaces always hum with something feral beneath the peaceful, lively surface, like utopia dreaming while sleeping in the open grave. Then, someone microdose the pudding with LSD (sort of), and the body count starts piling up. Bingo night becomes Burning Man for the bone density challenged. One resident dies mid erection (a tragic yet heroic way to go if you ask me). Another hallucinates god in the jello, and god, naturally, looks like the legendary Lemmy from Motörhead.
And speaking of legends, the residents of Autumn Springs are. They gossip like assassins, flirt like it’s cardio, and plot like Bond villains with high cholesterol. Each one’s a spark trying to outshine the dimming bulb of their own mortality. Fracassi writes them with radical compassion, alive, messy, hilarious. My favorite is Rose DuBois. Step aside, teen scream queens. Rose is here to prove final girls come in all ages, and she’ll beat you with her cardigan if you disagree.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 isn’t just about death and suspense, but also about presence. About the people we stop seeing once the mirror stops flattering them. About their children, too busy for the souls who still feel young inside wrinkled shells. It’s a hymn to survival, sung through cracked voices, gallows humor, and false teeth.
It starts with Death playing chess and ends with the living flipping the board and saying:
Checkmate, darling.
Maybe it was the general chaos of my personal apocalypse, or maybe it was the endless parade of prose so flavorless even a starving seagull would spit it out, but either way, the fact is that for months, I’d been dragging myself through a reading slump so stiff it could’ve used a toe tag. A literary rigor mortis. I started checking obituaries for character arcs and rereading a shampoo bottle for plot development.
Then 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 kicked down the door and shredded through my fog like a demon guitarist in orthopedic shoes, slapped the defibrillator onto my imagination, and yelled, 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳! I was resurrected, veins lit like runway lights, my soul headbanging in a celestial moshpit.
The book opens with a nod to The Seventh Seal, one of my favorite films and an existential gem where death plays chess with humanity and always wins. Fracassi invocation isn’t just cinematic flair, but an omen and a promise. This story, too, will look death in the eye and maybe laugh a little while at it. After all, we’re all mid checkmate already.
Autumn Springs Retirement Home glows with manufactured serenity. The faint odor of sanctity is just a refined stench of existence where mortality is being politely managed. Fracassi nails the way calm spaces always hum with something feral beneath the peaceful, lively surface, like utopia dreaming while sleeping in the open grave. Then, someone microdose the pudding with LSD (sort of), and the body count starts piling up. Bingo night becomes Burning Man for the bone density challenged. One resident dies mid erection (a tragic yet heroic way to go if you ask me). Another hallucinates god in the jello, and god, naturally, looks like the legendary Lemmy from Motörhead.
And speaking of legends, the residents of Autumn Springs are. They gossip like assassins, flirt like it’s cardio, and plot like Bond villains with high cholesterol. Each one’s a spark trying to outshine the dimming bulb of their own mortality. Fracassi writes them with radical compassion, alive, messy, hilarious. My favorite is Rose DuBois. Step aside, teen scream queens. Rose is here to prove final girls come in all ages, and she’ll beat you with her cardigan if you disagree.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 isn’t just about death and suspense, but also about presence. About the people we stop seeing once the mirror stops flattering them. About their children, too busy for the souls who still feel young inside wrinkled shells. It’s a hymn to survival, sung through cracked voices, gallows humor, and false teeth.
It starts with Death playing chess and ends with the living flipping the board and saying:
Checkmate, darling.
June 5, 2025
I'd like to think that in ten or twelve years' time, someone is going to make The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre into a movie starring Jamie Lee Curtis as Rose DuBois. Because, well … duh. Don't get me wrong, I'd be perfectly content if it happened sooner, but Curtis is still a decade+ too young and looks incredibly good for her age, so there's going to need to be some heavy duty makeup involved. And, I mean, you should really probably just call me, John Carpenter, because we've got lots of details to discuss. You've got my number.
Anyway, this was fun. It's got lots of spunky senior citizens, some murdery bits, a tiny bit of gore, some romance, some humor, a few witches, and just a tiny, tiny hint of the supernatural. It's suspenseful and funny and sad and heartwarming, and the final girl is pretty badass for being a septuagenarian. It perhaps requires some suspension of disbelief, which isn't entirely surprising considering the subject matter, but it's certainly entertaining. The mystery (who is doing all the killing?) is well-done and I had no idea who the Big Bad was until near the end. I did have a couple of suspects in mind and I'm actually a little disappointed that it wasn't one of the two (either would have made for a more shocking big reveal than the actual killer did for … reasons), but overall I have no real complaints.
I do wonder where the LSD in this story came from, though. I have a … friend (he lives in Canada, you wouldn't know him) who has only seen it on blotter paper for years but somehow unsuspecting senior citizens are just casually getting (what are presumably) microdots?? My Canadian friend is super envious and would very much like to know the name of your drug dealer, Philip Fracassi. I, uh ... he might be on the phone with John Carpenter when you call, so just leave a message if necessary and he'll get right back to you.**
Ahem.
Anyway, there's not really much more to say about this one. It's a slasher story filled with elderly people and it's super entertaining. If you've ever watched Halloween or Friday the 13th and thought “this movie would be a lot more enjoyable if Bea Arthur were the final girl,” this is almost certainly the book for you.
4.25 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 30, 2025.
** This whole paragraph is a joke. Really. Please don't call the DEA on me.
Anyway, this was fun. It's got lots of spunky senior citizens, some murdery bits, a tiny bit of gore, some romance, some humor, a few witches, and just a tiny, tiny hint of the supernatural. It's suspenseful and funny and sad and heartwarming, and the final girl is pretty badass for being a septuagenarian. It perhaps requires some suspension of disbelief, which isn't entirely surprising considering the subject matter, but it's certainly entertaining. The mystery (who is doing all the killing?) is well-done and I had no idea who the Big Bad was until near the end. I did have a couple of suspects in mind and I'm actually a little disappointed that it wasn't one of the two (either would have made for a more shocking big reveal than the actual killer did for … reasons), but overall I have no real complaints.
I do wonder where the LSD in this story came from, though. I have a … friend (he lives in Canada, you wouldn't know him) who has only seen it on blotter paper for years but somehow unsuspecting senior citizens are just casually getting (what are presumably) microdots?? My Canadian friend is super envious and would very much like to know the name of your drug dealer, Philip Fracassi. I, uh ... he might be on the phone with John Carpenter when you call, so just leave a message if necessary and he'll get right back to you.**
Ahem.
Anyway, there's not really much more to say about this one. It's a slasher story filled with elderly people and it's super entertaining. If you've ever watched Halloween or Friday the 13th and thought “this movie would be a lot more enjoyable if Bea Arthur were the final girl,” this is almost certainly the book for you.
4.25 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 30, 2025.
** This whole paragraph is a joke. Really. Please don't call the DEA on me.
September 30, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
Finding ways to successfully subvert a trope is harder than finding a lost pair of dentures. Or so I’ve heard. I often can’t find my glasses, and sometimes they’re on my face, so I’m well on my way.
This novel was a blast. It took a tried-and-true slasher formula, and completely obliterated it — in all the best ways. Over the course of its 400 pages, I got to know each of these characters intimately, and I cared for each one of them. This was not a surface-level examination of emotion as the description on the dust jacket might make you think. Fracassi took his time dishing out details to build real depth. I love how this story creates connective tissue between who we are and the events that shape us, but also gives us room to break free from their stranglehold.
The elderly are so rarely featured in fiction, and when they are, it is often done to elicit a sense of disgust from the reader. This portrayal, in contrast, was done with reverence and had an empathetic, tender and compassionate touch. This is a story that reminds you that life on the downslope of the age curve can be gratifying and full. Bravery and beauty aren’t bound by age. Neither is murder, however.
The pace of this novel was perfect. It was snappy without feeling cursory. The ending was surprising and satisfying. The tension was taut throughout, and only relented in perfectly timed increments.
I feel lucky to have read an advanced copy of this book, so thank you to Tor Publishing Group for the approval! I hope my review did it justice.
Finding ways to successfully subvert a trope is harder than finding a lost pair of dentures. Or so I’ve heard. I often can’t find my glasses, and sometimes they’re on my face, so I’m well on my way.
This novel was a blast. It took a tried-and-true slasher formula, and completely obliterated it — in all the best ways. Over the course of its 400 pages, I got to know each of these characters intimately, and I cared for each one of them. This was not a surface-level examination of emotion as the description on the dust jacket might make you think. Fracassi took his time dishing out details to build real depth. I love how this story creates connective tissue between who we are and the events that shape us, but also gives us room to break free from their stranglehold.
The elderly are so rarely featured in fiction, and when they are, it is often done to elicit a sense of disgust from the reader. This portrayal, in contrast, was done with reverence and had an empathetic, tender and compassionate touch. This is a story that reminds you that life on the downslope of the age curve can be gratifying and full. Bravery and beauty aren’t bound by age. Neither is murder, however.
The pace of this novel was perfect. It was snappy without feeling cursory. The ending was surprising and satisfying. The tension was taut throughout, and only relented in perfectly timed increments.
I feel lucky to have read an advanced copy of this book, so thank you to Tor Publishing Group for the approval! I hope my review did it justice.
October 24, 2025
* Spooky Season 2025*
DARK, DISTURBING & HEARTBREAKING 💔
Septuagenarian Rose DuBois is NOT your average FINAL GIRL.
She is living out her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home, nestled in the woody confines of Upstate, N.Y., surrounded by trees and babbling brooks.
So, when one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose isn’t alarmed. Even the second death doesn’t make her feel too apprehensive.
But as the cooler October days start creeping closer to Halloween and the bodies continue to stack up-Rose can’t help but wonder if these deaths are really accidents?
OR SOMETHING FAR MORE SINISTER
Curfews don’t help because most of the gruesome deaths have occurred inside resident apartments, where the Victims should have been safe, but because the doors don’t have deadbolts, they were anything but.
COULD THIS BE AN INSIDE JOB?
Together with her best friend, Beauregard Mason Miller, Rose begins to investigate. And, as she gets closer to the truth, she becomes even more convinced that there’s a serial killer on the loose at The Autumn Springs Retirement Home-one who is targeting her friends.
Initially, Detective Ernie Hastings doesn’t give much credence to her concerns, and when he finally does-he URGES the terrified residents to leave. But many have no family left, and those who do plea with family members who brush off their concerns and offer excuses about why “coming to visit” just won’t work right now. 💔
Described in the blurb as “a blood soaked slasher, sure to keep readers cringing, laughing and guessing until the very last page”, I thought this would be a fun “spooky season” read for me, but MAKE NO MISTAKE-this is NOT A COZY story just because it takes place in a retirement home.
The key word in this title is MASSACRE, and although I was warned that I might cringe, I was NOT EXPECTING how GRAPHIC and DISTURBING the murders would be. TOO MUCH SO for my personal taste-crimes against the vulnerable elderly seem particularly cruel.
This book gave me NIGHTMARES.
And, the ending-DEFINITELY BLOOD SOAKED SLASHER as advertised-with the killer having no clear motive for all of the brutality.
I have realized that true HORROR is NOT a fit for me-enjoyment wise, but I rate within genre and despite how upsetting I found this book to be-I DO BELIEVE that if HORROR is something you love to read-this will be a 4 or 5 star read for you.
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Tor for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
DARK, DISTURBING & HEARTBREAKING 💔
Septuagenarian Rose DuBois is NOT your average FINAL GIRL.
She is living out her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home, nestled in the woody confines of Upstate, N.Y., surrounded by trees and babbling brooks.
So, when one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose isn’t alarmed. Even the second death doesn’t make her feel too apprehensive.
But as the cooler October days start creeping closer to Halloween and the bodies continue to stack up-Rose can’t help but wonder if these deaths are really accidents?
OR SOMETHING FAR MORE SINISTER
Curfews don’t help because most of the gruesome deaths have occurred inside resident apartments, where the Victims should have been safe, but because the doors don’t have deadbolts, they were anything but.
COULD THIS BE AN INSIDE JOB?
Together with her best friend, Beauregard Mason Miller, Rose begins to investigate. And, as she gets closer to the truth, she becomes even more convinced that there’s a serial killer on the loose at The Autumn Springs Retirement Home-one who is targeting her friends.
Initially, Detective Ernie Hastings doesn’t give much credence to her concerns, and when he finally does-he URGES the terrified residents to leave. But many have no family left, and those who do plea with family members who brush off their concerns and offer excuses about why “coming to visit” just won’t work right now. 💔
Described in the blurb as “a blood soaked slasher, sure to keep readers cringing, laughing and guessing until the very last page”, I thought this would be a fun “spooky season” read for me, but MAKE NO MISTAKE-this is NOT A COZY story just because it takes place in a retirement home.
The key word in this title is MASSACRE, and although I was warned that I might cringe, I was NOT EXPECTING how GRAPHIC and DISTURBING the murders would be. TOO MUCH SO for my personal taste-crimes against the vulnerable elderly seem particularly cruel.
This book gave me NIGHTMARES.
And, the ending-DEFINITELY BLOOD SOAKED SLASHER as advertised-with the killer having no clear motive for all of the brutality.
I have realized that true HORROR is NOT a fit for me-enjoyment wise, but I rate within genre and despite how upsetting I found this book to be-I DO BELIEVE that if HORROR is something you love to read-this will be a 4 or 5 star read for you.
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Tor for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.
October 24, 2025
4⭐️
I’ve read more horror this Halloween season than I have in past years, and although I’m a bit of a scaredy cat, I’ve been branching out and trying different types of horror. What I’ve learned is that there are so many varieties, some gory and gruesome, others more psychological.
This book delivers all the classic slasher vibes but is so much more. It features great characters, a unique retirement community setting, a mystery to solve, dark humor, and a cast of elderly characters who are anything but frail. I got surprisingly attached to a few of them. Rose Dubois may be one of my all-time favorite final girls. She’s astute, clever, and more than capable of holding her own.
What I didn’t expect was to feel quite so emotional while reading a horror book. The aspect of so many characters having no family to care for them, or family who were simply too busy to care, really got to me.
When I wasn’t able to read on my Kindle, I listened to the audiobook, beautifully narrated by January LaVoy, one of my favorite narrators. I can easily recommend either format.
I think this is my favorite horror read so far this year. I had such a great time with it and highly recommend it.
I’ve read more horror this Halloween season than I have in past years, and although I’m a bit of a scaredy cat, I’ve been branching out and trying different types of horror. What I’ve learned is that there are so many varieties, some gory and gruesome, others more psychological.
This book delivers all the classic slasher vibes but is so much more. It features great characters, a unique retirement community setting, a mystery to solve, dark humor, and a cast of elderly characters who are anything but frail. I got surprisingly attached to a few of them. Rose Dubois may be one of my all-time favorite final girls. She’s astute, clever, and more than capable of holding her own.
What I didn’t expect was to feel quite so emotional while reading a horror book. The aspect of so many characters having no family to care for them, or family who were simply too busy to care, really got to me.
When I wasn’t able to read on my Kindle, I listened to the audiobook, beautifully narrated by January LaVoy, one of my favorite narrators. I can easily recommend either format.
I think this is my favorite horror read so far this year. I had such a great time with it and highly recommend it.
August 30, 2025
Dark, horrific, gripping, and dripping with blood! Philip Fracassi delivered the thrills and chills in the The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre! This book was bloody good, and I had a hard time putting this killer of a book down! From the very beginning, I was absorbed in this book, and the bodies began to pile up and my list of suspects began to dwindle.
Rose DuBois may be in her late 70's, but she will not go down without a fight! As poet Dylan Thomas wrote she will not "not go gentle into that good night." Rose proves that she is an ultimate final girl when her friends begin to die! She isn't initially concerned when a fellow resident is found dead. They are in a retirement home and getting up there in years but when another resident dies, Rose just can't shake the fact that something isn't quite right. Will her concerns be taken seriously or will she be viewed as a senile old woman who isn't willing to face the fact that accidents happen????
This book was a hoot! It has some humor mixed in with the horrific and violent murders. This is not for the faint of heart - it is a horror novel after all. This book is reminiscent of the slasher films of the 80's. Someone is in the retirement home and is ready to slice and dice them if you will. But Rose is on the case. She wants to know who the killer is and why they are taking out the residents of the Autumn Springs Retirement Home!
I had a good time reading this book! It is bloody good, dark, horrific, and entertaining! If you can stomach it, this is a worthwhile read. I enjoyed the mounting tension, danger, dread, and mystery surrounding the identity of the killer!
*I had both the book and the audiobook which made for a fully enjoyable read! The narration of the audiobook was very well done!
Thank you to Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Rose DuBois may be in her late 70's, but she will not go down without a fight! As poet Dylan Thomas wrote she will not "not go gentle into that good night." Rose proves that she is an ultimate final girl when her friends begin to die! She isn't initially concerned when a fellow resident is found dead. They are in a retirement home and getting up there in years but when another resident dies, Rose just can't shake the fact that something isn't quite right. Will her concerns be taken seriously or will she be viewed as a senile old woman who isn't willing to face the fact that accidents happen????
This book was a hoot! It has some humor mixed in with the horrific and violent murders. This is not for the faint of heart - it is a horror novel after all. This book is reminiscent of the slasher films of the 80's. Someone is in the retirement home and is ready to slice and dice them if you will. But Rose is on the case. She wants to know who the killer is and why they are taking out the residents of the Autumn Springs Retirement Home!
I had a good time reading this book! It is bloody good, dark, horrific, and entertaining! If you can stomach it, this is a worthwhile read. I enjoyed the mounting tension, danger, dread, and mystery surrounding the identity of the killer!
*I had both the book and the audiobook which made for a fully enjoyable read! The narration of the audiobook was very well done!
Thank you to Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
December 4, 2025
Brimming with dark humor, violence, and mystery, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is a blood-soaked slasher sure to keep readers guessing until the very last page.
The above, from the Publisher's synopsis, is what first caught my attention in regards to this book. After reading it, I'd agree, that description is spot-on. I couldn't be happier about my experience with it.
🧡🧡🧡 I'M OBSESSED 🧡🧡🧡
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre follows Rose, a single-woman, in her late-70s living on her own. Well, she does live in Autumn Springs though, so is surrounded by friends and companions her own age, as well as the staff always willing to lend a hand.
When one of her friends dies, while alone in her apartment, Rose is okay chalking it up to an accident. These things happen at their age.
After another resident drops dead though, and then another, Rose starts to believe these are no accidents. Finding it difficult to convince the people in charge of this fact however, Rose and her good friend, Miller, start looking into the deaths themselves.
The more they dig, the more convinced Rose becomes that there's a real-life killer on the loose at Autumn Springs, and if she doesn't watch her back, she may end up next on the killer's to-do list.
Y'all, I loved this. Absolutely loved it. As a Horror Girlie through-and-through, I always appreciate when someone puts a new spin on the genre so close to my heart.
Fracassi's choice to have a Slasher MC, a potential Final Girl, in her late-70s, is such a smart and creative choice, IMO. As the wild success of books such as The Thursday Murder Club have made clear, people are itching for some time with more aged protagonists.
I adore following older protagonists as I'm an older protagonist myself. And no offense to anyone in their 20s, but once you reach a certain age, there's only so many books you can stomach following protagonists in that age bracket.
Rose was a very likable MC. She was smart and resourceful, not willing to back down in the face of danger. I also liked how her looking into these deaths, it didn't feel forced. The information, in the beginning, just sort of fell into her lap and she ran with it.
I had so many questions around these deaths, so could understand why Rose would be curious enough to pursue it. Particularly, when the authorities were trying to sell her a story of 'accidents' that just weren't lining up.
Fracassi also got super creative with his kills, which made this very fun. I never knew what to expect next. I appreciated he didn't hold back just because he was dealing with elderly characters either.
And the characters, all the fabulous characters, there were so many quirky, interesting side characters, which made this story extra-compelling. It wasn't just Rose, they were all great, just trying to live their best lives.
This also kept me guessing to the very end, as predicted by the publisher. I loved how fast-paced it got as the conclusion closes in on you. I was speeding through so quickly. I couldn't stop. I needed to know who, or what, was behind the Autumn Springs Massacre.
I can't recommend this enough, including the audio format, for anyone looking for a delicious twist on the Slasher genre. Rose is a protagonist I won't soon forget, and I'd happily read this again some day. It definitely entertains.
Thank you to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is the 2nd-novel I've read from this author, and the 2nd-5-star rating. I definitely need to be picking up more from him!
The above, from the Publisher's synopsis, is what first caught my attention in regards to this book. After reading it, I'd agree, that description is spot-on. I couldn't be happier about my experience with it.
🧡🧡🧡 I'M OBSESSED 🧡🧡🧡
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre follows Rose, a single-woman, in her late-70s living on her own. Well, she does live in Autumn Springs though, so is surrounded by friends and companions her own age, as well as the staff always willing to lend a hand.
When one of her friends dies, while alone in her apartment, Rose is okay chalking it up to an accident. These things happen at their age.
After another resident drops dead though, and then another, Rose starts to believe these are no accidents. Finding it difficult to convince the people in charge of this fact however, Rose and her good friend, Miller, start looking into the deaths themselves.
The more they dig, the more convinced Rose becomes that there's a real-life killer on the loose at Autumn Springs, and if she doesn't watch her back, she may end up next on the killer's to-do list.
Y'all, I loved this. Absolutely loved it. As a Horror Girlie through-and-through, I always appreciate when someone puts a new spin on the genre so close to my heart.
Fracassi's choice to have a Slasher MC, a potential Final Girl, in her late-70s, is such a smart and creative choice, IMO. As the wild success of books such as The Thursday Murder Club have made clear, people are itching for some time with more aged protagonists.
I adore following older protagonists as I'm an older protagonist myself. And no offense to anyone in their 20s, but once you reach a certain age, there's only so many books you can stomach following protagonists in that age bracket.
Rose was a very likable MC. She was smart and resourceful, not willing to back down in the face of danger. I also liked how her looking into these deaths, it didn't feel forced. The information, in the beginning, just sort of fell into her lap and she ran with it.
I had so many questions around these deaths, so could understand why Rose would be curious enough to pursue it. Particularly, when the authorities were trying to sell her a story of 'accidents' that just weren't lining up.
Fracassi also got super creative with his kills, which made this very fun. I never knew what to expect next. I appreciated he didn't hold back just because he was dealing with elderly characters either.
And the characters, all the fabulous characters, there were so many quirky, interesting side characters, which made this story extra-compelling. It wasn't just Rose, they were all great, just trying to live their best lives.
This also kept me guessing to the very end, as predicted by the publisher. I loved how fast-paced it got as the conclusion closes in on you. I was speeding through so quickly. I couldn't stop. I needed to know who, or what, was behind the Autumn Springs Massacre.
I can't recommend this enough, including the audio format, for anyone looking for a delicious twist on the Slasher genre. Rose is a protagonist I won't soon forget, and I'd happily read this again some day. It definitely entertains.
Thank you to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is the 2nd-novel I've read from this author, and the 2nd-5-star rating. I definitely need to be picking up more from him!
October 14, 2025
BANGER ALERT! BANGER ALERT! An edge-of-your-seat ride that blended a heart-racing slasher with a poignant character-driven mystery/drama, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre was beyond a special novel. From the quirky, believable seniors to their realistic retirement home setting, I wanted to visit but also felt incredibly glad that I was just a fly on the wall. After all, bodies were dropping like flies in this last stop for the elderly, where their eye-popping ends weren’t due to old age. Fast-paced and propulsive, the world-building was also on-point while a serial killer circled this aging crew of innocents, biding their time until they could enact the culmination of their cat-and-mouse games. Bravo, Mr. Fracassi, it was simply sublime.
While the plot delivered an delightfully tense ratcheting pace, Rose was easily the star of show. Both empathetic and shrewd, her character was also instilled with a trauma-induced fragility that I loved. Complex and fully fleshed out, her backstory not only made her come alive, but it brought her to life in a way that made me love her even more than I already did. After all, from her sweet almost romance to her strong spine of steel, there was so much to love about this genuine woman. This was so true, in fact, that I’m now itching to visit someone at my local retirement home just to show them I care. You see, through Rose, this tale of heartfelt love, newfound family, and uncertain trust wriggled itself into both my brain and my heart like a heat-seeking missile.
All said and done, with a healthy dose of amateur sleuthing, delicious dark humor, and whodunnit vibes, I was bowled over by this novel. I mean, to be able to deftly mix a high-stakes thriller with a cozy-ish feel? That alone earned this author a standing ovation. Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely some blood and gore as the slasher trope hit its stride, but the overriding sensation I got from the pages was empathy and understanding for those in our families that are getting on in years. Bringing tears to my eyes all while my heart pounded away, this book was a master stroke of brilliance that utterly blew me away. So come on down to meet Rose and her friends. As for me, I’m now just crossing my fingers that there’s going to be a sequel. I’m on my knees begging and pleading, Mr. Fracassi... Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Rose is in her late 70s, living out her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home.
When one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose isn’t too concerned. Accidents happen, especially at this age!
Then another resident drops dead. And another. With bodies stacking up, Rose can’t help but wonder: are these accidents? Old age? Or something far more sinister?
Together with her best friend Miller, Rose begins to investigate. The further she digs, the more convinced she becomes: there’s a killer on the loose at Autumn Springs, and if she isn’t careful, Rose may be their next victim.
Thank you to Philip Fracassi and Tor Nightfire for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 30, 2025
Content warning: violence, dementia, murder, heart attack, a fatal building fire, drugging, poisoning, knife and gun violence, domestic abuse
While the plot delivered an delightfully tense ratcheting pace, Rose was easily the star of show. Both empathetic and shrewd, her character was also instilled with a trauma-induced fragility that I loved. Complex and fully fleshed out, her backstory not only made her come alive, but it brought her to life in a way that made me love her even more than I already did. After all, from her sweet almost romance to her strong spine of steel, there was so much to love about this genuine woman. This was so true, in fact, that I’m now itching to visit someone at my local retirement home just to show them I care. You see, through Rose, this tale of heartfelt love, newfound family, and uncertain trust wriggled itself into both my brain and my heart like a heat-seeking missile.
All said and done, with a healthy dose of amateur sleuthing, delicious dark humor, and whodunnit vibes, I was bowled over by this novel. I mean, to be able to deftly mix a high-stakes thriller with a cozy-ish feel? That alone earned this author a standing ovation. Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely some blood and gore as the slasher trope hit its stride, but the overriding sensation I got from the pages was empathy and understanding for those in our families that are getting on in years. Bringing tears to my eyes all while my heart pounded away, this book was a master stroke of brilliance that utterly blew me away. So come on down to meet Rose and her friends. As for me, I’m now just crossing my fingers that there’s going to be a sequel. I’m on my knees begging and pleading, Mr. Fracassi... Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Rose is in her late 70s, living out her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home.
When one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose isn’t too concerned. Accidents happen, especially at this age!
Then another resident drops dead. And another. With bodies stacking up, Rose can’t help but wonder: are these accidents? Old age? Or something far more sinister?
Together with her best friend Miller, Rose begins to investigate. The further she digs, the more convinced she becomes: there’s a killer on the loose at Autumn Springs, and if she isn’t careful, Rose may be their next victim.
Thank you to Philip Fracassi and Tor Nightfire for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 30, 2025
Content warning: violence, dementia, murder, heart attack, a fatal building fire, drugging, poisoning, knife and gun violence, domestic abuse
October 27, 2025
A chilling and gory slasher-horror read, albeit a bit unnecessarily embellished and talkative.
At first the deaths of a couple of elderly residents at a peaceful retirement home is considered accidental or natural. But when bodies keep piling up, it becomes clear that the residents are being systematically murdered one by one.
At first the deaths of a couple of elderly residents at a peaceful retirement home is considered accidental or natural. But when bodies keep piling up, it becomes clear that the residents are being systematically murdered one by one.
August 30, 2025
This is an absolute banger.
It delivers all that is expected of a good slasher, and more.
The setting of the retirement home gives the cute but claustrophobic vibes, the cast of characters is unique and delightful, as they all have deep histories and interesting personalities, and mystery is great.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did an amazing job at giving life to all the characters in their own ways.
I loved the kills, which were all absolutely terrifying.
It's an amazing and original slasher, and I'm so happy I got to read it!
Thank you so much Macmillan audio for this ARC.
It delivers all that is expected of a good slasher, and more.
The setting of the retirement home gives the cute but claustrophobic vibes, the cast of characters is unique and delightful, as they all have deep histories and interesting personalities, and mystery is great.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did an amazing job at giving life to all the characters in their own ways.
I loved the kills, which were all absolutely terrifying.
It's an amazing and original slasher, and I'm so happy I got to read it!
Thank you so much Macmillan audio for this ARC.
June 17, 2025
Mr. Fracassi… you have officially been added to my favorite horror author list. I will forever read anything you write.
I gotta tell you guys, I’ve turned into a senior thriller and horror lover. Something about old people in novels just fascinate me. They always have the best dialogue!
Someone is terrorizing the nice community of the Autumn Springs Retirement Home. One by one, they are being killed off to look like natural deaths or accidents that are common with seniors.
Miller, her male friend, and Rose team up to find out just what’s going on. Could this be an inside job?
Rose is a character you LOVE to root for! I loved her ability to be a compassionate and a strong woman. She is a warrior! She’s a phenomenal character. In fact, she is now one of my favorites.
Don’t let the title fool you, it’s definitely on the thriller side versus horror. Thriller lovers will enjoy this one too! This release is just in time for spooky season! Add it to your TBR!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expected publication date - 9/30/25
I gotta tell you guys, I’ve turned into a senior thriller and horror lover. Something about old people in novels just fascinate me. They always have the best dialogue!
Someone is terrorizing the nice community of the Autumn Springs Retirement Home. One by one, they are being killed off to look like natural deaths or accidents that are common with seniors.
Miller, her male friend, and Rose team up to find out just what’s going on. Could this be an inside job?
Rose is a character you LOVE to root for! I loved her ability to be a compassionate and a strong woman. She is a warrior! She’s a phenomenal character. In fact, she is now one of my favorites.
Don’t let the title fool you, it’s definitely on the thriller side versus horror. Thriller lovers will enjoy this one too! This release is just in time for spooky season! Add it to your TBR!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expected publication date - 9/30/25
September 9, 2025
Do you know that feeling when you watch a horror movie or read a horror novel and you really anticipate the deaths of some characters because they are just so awful and insufferable? Well, you will not find that here, because it was genuinely so upsetting when these nice old pensioners got slaughtered for no reason. Death is no stranger in a retirement home and while cold-blooded murder certainly is, it's the last conclusion anyone comes to when confronted with multiple dead residents. But the nearly 80-year-old Rose DuBois knows that it's impossible that multiple of her friends and acquaintances just all have unfortunate lethal accidents in the span of a few days and so she starts investigating herself. There is no shortage of older or retired amateur sleuth protagonists in publishing nowadays as they are often seen in cozy mystery novels, but in a straight up horror slasher? What an idea. I admire Philip Fracassi for coming up with it and for combining horror with calm moments, some dark humor and many emotions. He also offers plenty of commentary on how society treats its elderly and many scenes really made me think. The deaths of the victims were very violent and shocking, and it was so horrifying how strange situations and gruesome injuries were always just excused with old age and frail bodies. The police were very useless in this book but fortunately Rose and her friends were not. She was a great main character, steady and smart and no-nonsense, and ready to take things into her own hands. There were many suspicious characters that she had to deal with and the residents also had their very own ways of coping with the situation. There are people who shut themselves in, and then there is this conspiracy theorist who knows it's them aliens, and these three sisters who think it's best to summon a demon for protection, and all of them are Rose's problem now too. But it was relatable how everyone had a rough time, because people were dying left and right and the murders really felt like pure evil. I do think that the book dragged a little bit and could have been shorter, but overall there's really nothing to complain about here. An easy recommendation for everyone who wants to read a unique slasher that doesn't shy away from emotions.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Run For It for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK / Run For It for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ — A really enjoyable thriller, fuelled by good writing, meaty characters & consistent pace that was enhanced by being accompanied by an audiobook read with aplomb by January LaVoy, making my daily commutes a definite daily highlight.
Philip Fracassi’s The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is exactly the kind of sly, genre-bending horror I adore—one that starts with a whisper of domestic normalcy and gradually curdles into something deeply macabre. It’s a novel that reminds you that evil doesn’t need youth, beauty or speed; it just needs patience, and perhaps a walking frame or two.. oh yeah, I went there!
Fracassi has carved out a niche for himself as horror’s great humanist—someone who builds characters you come to genuinely care about before plunging them into the dark. Here, he gifts us a collection of residents who are far more than victims-in-waiting. They have histories, regrets, and flashes of long-faded glory. That’s what makes the eventual descent into chaos all the more effective: we feel for them. The massacre itself isn’t the sole hook—it’s the emotional weight that precedes it.
What struck me most was how left-of-centre the entire concept feels. Retirement-home horror isn’t exactly a shelf you see often stocked in bookstores, yet Fracassi makes it sing. There’s something darkly comedic about the image of wheelchairs squeaking through blood-slick corridors, but beneath the pulp is a genuinely poignant meditation on ageing, isolation, and the way society shelves people once they’ve outlived their usefulness. It’s daring in its setting and confident in tone—neither camp nor overly bleak, but a strange, satisfying cocktail of both.
Character development here is exceptional. I found myself invested in every one of the core residents—their petty rivalries, secret loves, the little rituals of their shrinking worlds. It’s this focus that separates Fracassi from the average slasher craftsman. The violence, when it comes, feels earned and heartbreaking, not gratuitous.
Now, a confession: this could easily have been a 4.5-star read if not for one thing—I guessed the killer too early. About a third in, I had my suspicions, largely thanks to a combination of author AND narrator and when the reveal confirmed them, a touch of that delicious tension evaporated ever so slightly. It’s not that the twist is poorly executed, just that it’s a shade too telegraphed for seasoned horror readers. Still, the road there was gripping enough that I didn’t mind knowing the destination.
A few minor quibbles lingered beyond that: occasionally, the dialogue and actions of the residents didn’t quite feel like those of senior citizens—too spry, too quippy, as though written through the lens of youth imagining old age. But those moments were fleeting and forgivable in light of the novel’s sheer momentum.
Ultimately, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is a triumph of atmosphere and empathy—an audacious mash-up of slasher and social commentary that proves horror can still surprise, even in its most blood-stained forms. I now feel nudged to pick up my copy of Fracassi’s previous novel ‘Boys on the Valley’ which I put down about 30p in (not cus it was and, just cus I often do this, I test many and see what grabs me most in the moment, don’t judge me pleaaase).
Philip Fracassi’s The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is exactly the kind of sly, genre-bending horror I adore—one that starts with a whisper of domestic normalcy and gradually curdles into something deeply macabre. It’s a novel that reminds you that evil doesn’t need youth, beauty or speed; it just needs patience, and perhaps a walking frame or two.. oh yeah, I went there!
Fracassi has carved out a niche for himself as horror’s great humanist—someone who builds characters you come to genuinely care about before plunging them into the dark. Here, he gifts us a collection of residents who are far more than victims-in-waiting. They have histories, regrets, and flashes of long-faded glory. That’s what makes the eventual descent into chaos all the more effective: we feel for them. The massacre itself isn’t the sole hook—it’s the emotional weight that precedes it.
What struck me most was how left-of-centre the entire concept feels. Retirement-home horror isn’t exactly a shelf you see often stocked in bookstores, yet Fracassi makes it sing. There’s something darkly comedic about the image of wheelchairs squeaking through blood-slick corridors, but beneath the pulp is a genuinely poignant meditation on ageing, isolation, and the way society shelves people once they’ve outlived their usefulness. It’s daring in its setting and confident in tone—neither camp nor overly bleak, but a strange, satisfying cocktail of both.
Character development here is exceptional. I found myself invested in every one of the core residents—their petty rivalries, secret loves, the little rituals of their shrinking worlds. It’s this focus that separates Fracassi from the average slasher craftsman. The violence, when it comes, feels earned and heartbreaking, not gratuitous.
Now, a confession: this could easily have been a 4.5-star read if not for one thing—I guessed the killer too early. About a third in, I had my suspicions, largely thanks to a combination of author AND narrator and when the reveal confirmed them, a touch of that delicious tension evaporated ever so slightly. It’s not that the twist is poorly executed, just that it’s a shade too telegraphed for seasoned horror readers. Still, the road there was gripping enough that I didn’t mind knowing the destination.
A few minor quibbles lingered beyond that: occasionally, the dialogue and actions of the residents didn’t quite feel like those of senior citizens—too spry, too quippy, as though written through the lens of youth imagining old age. But those moments were fleeting and forgivable in light of the novel’s sheer momentum.
Ultimately, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is a triumph of atmosphere and empathy—an audacious mash-up of slasher and social commentary that proves horror can still surprise, even in its most blood-stained forms. I now feel nudged to pick up my copy of Fracassi’s previous novel ‘Boys on the Valley’ which I put down about 30p in (not cus it was and, just cus I often do this, I test many and see what grabs me most in the moment, don’t judge me pleaaase).
October 5, 2025
A serial killer is stalking the halls of a retirement home!
Rose DuBois enjoys a quiet, fulfilling life at Autumn Springs, a tranquil retirement community in upstate New York. But her peace is shattered when one of her closest friends dies unexpectedly. The death is ruled an accident – but Rose isn’t convinced. When another suspicious death follows, strange reports begin to spread: a masked figure dressed in black has been spotted peering into residents’ windows, and eerie flickering lights glow in the old, abandoned asylum on the property. Autumn Springs is no longer the safe haven it once was – it’s becoming a terrifying place to grow old.
Rose and her friends are certain they’re in danger. The question is, will anyone believe them before it’s too late?
Wow! The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre absolutely lived up to its name. It was a chilling, foreboding, heartbreaking, and refreshingly original twist on the slasher genre – because instead of the usual teenage victims, the targets were the elderly. The story straddled the line between thriller and horror, blending the suspense and mystery of a cozy crime novel with the gruesome, graphic edge of a full-fledged slasher.
At times, the violence against such vulnerable characters felt uncomfortable – but I think that was a testament to the author’s skill. The residents of Autumn Springs weren’t one-dimensional caricatures; they were vividly drawn, warm, and endearing, which made the danger they faced all the more harrowing. Not to mention the fact that many of them had nowhere else to go – they were trapped in this nightmare unable to escape. I genuinely feared and felt for Rose and her friends as they went up against a near-superhuman killer who delighted in both physical and psychological torment. The killer’s dialogue, in particular, was some of the most chilling I’ve ever read. I appreciated that Philip Fracassi gave very detailed descriptions of the placement and interior of the buildings and layout of the grounds of Autumn Springs, as it really breathed life into the setting and I could vividly picture everything in my head.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher, though I mistakenly thought the release date was the 30th of October instead of the 30th of September, the bonus being that it was already out when I started reading. This meant I was able to experience some of the novel via audiobook, narrated by the phenomenal January LaVoy. She delivered an outstanding performance – capturing every accent, emotion, and nuance perfectly. LaVoy is truly one of the best narrators ever!
I couldn’t put this book down. Fans of dark thrillers will find plenty to love here, while horror and slasher enthusiasts will relish its intensity. And it was set during October making this the perfect Halloween read. Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre was spooky, terrifying, gripping, and unrelentingly tense – with strong characters, sharp pacing, incredible writing, and a perfectly eerie, gothic setting. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I like to thank Netgalley UK, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Philip Fracassi for the e-ARC.
Out Now!
Rose DuBois enjoys a quiet, fulfilling life at Autumn Springs, a tranquil retirement community in upstate New York. But her peace is shattered when one of her closest friends dies unexpectedly. The death is ruled an accident – but Rose isn’t convinced. When another suspicious death follows, strange reports begin to spread: a masked figure dressed in black has been spotted peering into residents’ windows, and eerie flickering lights glow in the old, abandoned asylum on the property. Autumn Springs is no longer the safe haven it once was – it’s becoming a terrifying place to grow old.
Rose and her friends are certain they’re in danger. The question is, will anyone believe them before it’s too late?
Wow! The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre absolutely lived up to its name. It was a chilling, foreboding, heartbreaking, and refreshingly original twist on the slasher genre – because instead of the usual teenage victims, the targets were the elderly. The story straddled the line between thriller and horror, blending the suspense and mystery of a cozy crime novel with the gruesome, graphic edge of a full-fledged slasher.
At times, the violence against such vulnerable characters felt uncomfortable – but I think that was a testament to the author’s skill. The residents of Autumn Springs weren’t one-dimensional caricatures; they were vividly drawn, warm, and endearing, which made the danger they faced all the more harrowing. Not to mention the fact that many of them had nowhere else to go – they were trapped in this nightmare unable to escape. I genuinely feared and felt for Rose and her friends as they went up against a near-superhuman killer who delighted in both physical and psychological torment. The killer’s dialogue, in particular, was some of the most chilling I’ve ever read. I appreciated that Philip Fracassi gave very detailed descriptions of the placement and interior of the buildings and layout of the grounds of Autumn Springs, as it really breathed life into the setting and I could vividly picture everything in my head.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher, though I mistakenly thought the release date was the 30th of October instead of the 30th of September, the bonus being that it was already out when I started reading. This meant I was able to experience some of the novel via audiobook, narrated by the phenomenal January LaVoy. She delivered an outstanding performance – capturing every accent, emotion, and nuance perfectly. LaVoy is truly one of the best narrators ever!
I couldn’t put this book down. Fans of dark thrillers will find plenty to love here, while horror and slasher enthusiasts will relish its intensity. And it was set during October making this the perfect Halloween read. Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre was spooky, terrifying, gripping, and unrelentingly tense – with strong characters, sharp pacing, incredible writing, and a perfectly eerie, gothic setting. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I like to thank Netgalley UK, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Philip Fracassi for the e-ARC.
Out Now!
August 26, 2025
soooo is it too early to say Philip Fracassi is one of my favorite horror authors if i've only read 2 or 3 of his books?? 🙂↔️🙂↔️ welp, i'm saying it now. Philip is moving into my favorite horror authors list.
every time i read his books i always have such a good experience & this was no different. I don't know if it's me having a demonic grandmother or what but this was so cathartic for me... this was the healing i didn't know i needed.
Rose Dubois is a final girl you love to root for, & if you don't there's probably something wrong with you. she's sassy, she's witty, & she does not take any shit! overall, i loved the full cast of characters but my favorites were the sisters....maybe it's because i keep telling myself i'm a witch in the next life but anyone claiming or suspected of being a witch is a 10/10 character in my book, plus they made me laugh.
i'm calling this a cozy slasher & if that's not a thing it should be, the cozy whodunnit murder mystery mixed with the slasher horror trope & dark humor was such a vibe for me. as usual with Fracassi's work, i loved the writing & the killings were kinda savage. the killer did not come to play with these old folks!
the narrator did such a good job, she really helped fully immerse myself into the story & the way she did her killer voice reminded me so much of ghostface so i obviously loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
every time i read his books i always have such a good experience & this was no different. I don't know if it's me having a demonic grandmother or what but this was so cathartic for me... this was the healing i didn't know i needed.
Rose Dubois is a final girl you love to root for, & if you don't there's probably something wrong with you. she's sassy, she's witty, & she does not take any shit! overall, i loved the full cast of characters but my favorites were the sisters....maybe it's because i keep telling myself i'm a witch in the next life but anyone claiming or suspected of being a witch is a 10/10 character in my book, plus they made me laugh.
i'm calling this a cozy slasher & if that's not a thing it should be, the cozy whodunnit murder mystery mixed with the slasher horror trope & dark humor was such a vibe for me. as usual with Fracassi's work, i loved the writing & the killings were kinda savage. the killer did not come to play with these old folks!
the narrator did such a good job, she really helped fully immerse myself into the story & the way she did her killer voice reminded me so much of ghostface so i obviously loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2025
The Thursday Murder Club on steroids.
Top class slasher horror with a sprinkling of humour for good measure.
Fraccassi is fast becoming a must read over recent times and this book has done nothing but elevate him into the top eshalons.
On the face of things Autumn Springs is your typical Slasher novel but under the surface there is so much warmth and depth to its narrative and character's that these become the driving force for me. I couldn't help but fall in love with the main character and care for many more. I guess you could call it a cosy slasher.
As many of you will know the slasher genre quite well, there is little point in me giving a synopsis of any sorts. The title itself does thst to great effect.
I can say that the plot its full bodied with some beautiful sections which delve deeply into aspects of the human condition, especially dealing with aging and our changing perspectives as time rolls onwards.
I could lament about many aspects of this novel all day long but I'll save you all from that pain.
A must read for all horror fans and non-horror readers alike.
I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
Top class slasher horror with a sprinkling of humour for good measure.
Fraccassi is fast becoming a must read over recent times and this book has done nothing but elevate him into the top eshalons.
On the face of things Autumn Springs is your typical Slasher novel but under the surface there is so much warmth and depth to its narrative and character's that these become the driving force for me. I couldn't help but fall in love with the main character and care for many more. I guess you could call it a cosy slasher.
As many of you will know the slasher genre quite well, there is little point in me giving a synopsis of any sorts. The title itself does thst to great effect.
I can say that the plot its full bodied with some beautiful sections which delve deeply into aspects of the human condition, especially dealing with aging and our changing perspectives as time rolls onwards.
I could lament about many aspects of this novel all day long but I'll save you all from that pain.
A must read for all horror fans and non-horror readers alike.
I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
May 4, 2025
ARC for review. To be published September 30, 2025.
3.5 stars
Rose DuBois is in her late 70s and she is shocked when multiple residents of the Home start dying. She’s also suspicious…she isn’t buying natural causes. She and her male suitor, Miller begin to investigate and attempt to get a friendly cop on their side. At the same time Rose has to deal with her daughter’s suggestion that Rose move in with her. Is a serial killer loose at Autumn Springs?
This was a fun book, and a great way to do horror…it’s horror-lite and I think the masses will enjoy it. And oh, Mr. Fracassi, nice job with Tatum and Jack…I don’t often get misty eyed when reading horror! My one caveat is that at nearly 450 pages it may be a bit too long; there were some parts that could have been trimmed, for sure. I wonder if the author is setting Rose up for a sequel. While she is a worthy character, I don’t know that more would really be believable. Anyway, if this sounds at all appealing to you, then I think you’ll enjoy it.
****Edited to add: My mom, who is in her seventies, just finished this and loved it. Horror lite. She likes horror though, so maybe she’s not the best gauge. I keep thinking about Tatum and Jack.
3.5 stars
Rose DuBois is in her late 70s and she is shocked when multiple residents of the Home start dying. She’s also suspicious…she isn’t buying natural causes. She and her male suitor, Miller begin to investigate and attempt to get a friendly cop on their side. At the same time Rose has to deal with her daughter’s suggestion that Rose move in with her. Is a serial killer loose at Autumn Springs?
This was a fun book, and a great way to do horror…it’s horror-lite and I think the masses will enjoy it. And oh, Mr. Fracassi, nice job with Tatum and Jack…I don’t often get misty eyed when reading horror! My one caveat is that at nearly 450 pages it may be a bit too long; there were some parts that could have been trimmed, for sure. I wonder if the author is setting Rose up for a sequel. While she is a worthy character, I don’t know that more would really be believable. Anyway, if this sounds at all appealing to you, then I think you’ll enjoy it.
****Edited to add: My mom, who is in her seventies, just finished this and loved it. Horror lite. She likes horror though, so maybe she’s not the best gauge. I keep thinking about Tatum and Jack.
October 31, 2025
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ebook format 📖
I was surprised with how much I loved this!
I typically don’t go for the slasher genre in horror but this was so well done.
I loved the final girl, Rose and I loved all of the elderly characters in this. I could feel their fear, horror and reconciliation to death when the bodies start dropping.
In the book, you know they won’t be able to run or fight this, they’ll break a hip!
Besides that, they’re stuck and lonely, and as a reader you see how the senior citizens are just put away and forgotten.
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is one hell of a long title for a book (🤷🏼♀️🤣😂) but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed when you pick this up.
It’s got great horror elements in this:
✔️ Supernatural themes (I’m looking at you Baxter 3)
✔️ Dread and fear for the residents
✔️ Descriptive gore and violence for some of the deaths.
Rose DuBois, you’re one of the best final girls out there.
Ebook format 📖
I was surprised with how much I loved this!
I typically don’t go for the slasher genre in horror but this was so well done.
I loved the final girl, Rose and I loved all of the elderly characters in this. I could feel their fear, horror and reconciliation to death when the bodies start dropping.
In the book, you know they won’t be able to run or fight this, they’ll break a hip!
Besides that, they’re stuck and lonely, and as a reader you see how the senior citizens are just put away and forgotten.
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre is one hell of a long title for a book (🤷🏼♀️🤣😂) but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed when you pick this up.
It’s got great horror elements in this:
✔️ Supernatural themes (I’m looking at you Baxter 3)
✔️ Dread and fear for the residents
✔️ Descriptive gore and violence for some of the deaths.
Rose DuBois, you’re one of the best final girls out there.
November 8, 2025
Wow! This was a lot of fun to read and I loved the characters and overall story! Full review pending.
October 1, 2025
What kind of crazy person would want to hurt a bunch of old folks?
I'm normally a big Fracassi fan, but this one really didn't work for me.
Is it a cozy mystery about oldsters solving crimes, a darker murder mystery, or a horror novel? Or an uneasy mix of the three?
The author takes the teenage slasher genre, and sets it in a retirement community. The problem is, teens are frequently obnoxious; you're often rooting for them to die. All the elderly residents in this book were highly likeable, and deserved to enjoy whatever time they had remaining. In addition, the pacing was off, and the book seemed to drag. By the time the killer was actually revealed, I couldn't remember who "they" were. (I'm using an ambiguous pronoun so as not to give anything away.)
Add to that the "Yeah. Right" ending, and that makes this one a disappointment in my book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the preview.
I'm normally a big Fracassi fan, but this one really didn't work for me.
Is it a cozy mystery about oldsters solving crimes, a darker murder mystery, or a horror novel? Or an uneasy mix of the three?
The author takes the teenage slasher genre, and sets it in a retirement community. The problem is, teens are frequently obnoxious; you're often rooting for them to die. All the elderly residents in this book were highly likeable, and deserved to enjoy whatever time they had remaining. In addition, the pacing was off, and the book seemed to drag. By the time the killer was actually revealed, I couldn't remember who "they" were. (I'm using an ambiguous pronoun so as not to give anything away.)
Add to that the "Yeah. Right" ending, and that makes this one a disappointment in my book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the preview.
November 1, 2025
I really enjoyed my time spent reading this book because it was a lot of fun, but there were also a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. The biggest was probably that I didn't connect with two of the main characters, Rose and Miller. You learn more about them as the book goes on, but it takes a while to reach that point, so they come off as cold and one-dimensional in the beginning. So, while I'm enjoying the plot, I'm not invested in the main characters. They don't do much to push the story along, either. Instead, a lot of the story happens around them. However, I did love many of the side characters. If Rose and Miller had a little more personality in the first half, and with a better ending, this would have been a five star read.
November 25, 2025
Run, Grandma, Run.
Funny with a fast pace, and yet totally disturbing in a book that's long enough to flesh-out the story lines. How do these many variables work together? I don't know, I simply believe Fracassi is good with the multiples. I've noticed this in his ability to write across different genres, so maybe that's a clue to the answer. As far as clues, I don't think many will guess the who-done-it here in Autumn Springs. I myself, don't usually try to do that while reading a mystery, and the writing here steers the reader's focus as much towards the “what's occurring” vs the “who's doing it”. The closing did not feel perfect, but Fracassi's afterward spoke volumes.
Funny with a fast pace, and yet totally disturbing in a book that's long enough to flesh-out the story lines. How do these many variables work together? I don't know, I simply believe Fracassi is good with the multiples. I've noticed this in his ability to write across different genres, so maybe that's a clue to the answer. As far as clues, I don't think many will guess the who-done-it here in Autumn Springs. I myself, don't usually try to do that while reading a mystery, and the writing here steers the reader's focus as much towards the “what's occurring” vs the “who's doing it”. The closing did not feel perfect, but Fracassi's afterward spoke volumes.
October 8, 2025
4 solid stars - Overall, I really liked this "slasher at the nursing home” novel, and enjoyed the mystery parts, but not the gory stuff. I liked the campy aspects also and I really enjoyed Rose, our older “final girl” a lot, a very tough old bird!! (And Tatum and his “dog”😭) The reveal was good & I did not tweak to the killer at all. Other parts that I did struggle with - felt like there was a bit more thrown in than needed to be (Witches? Drugs?) and could have been shorter, but I’m basically glad I read it - though this author’s horror stories are prolly not for me.
November 13, 2025
What constitutes a top-level reading experience:
1) Beautiful writing;
2) Great plot;
3) Can't put it down; and
4) Makes you think.
THE AUTUMN SPRINGS RETIREMENT HOME MASSACRE meets all these requirements.
Normally, this is not a book I would choose to read because it is part of the horror genre, and I read very few horror books (Stephen King excepted). And although Stephen King began by writing horror books, his ability to depict empathetic characters and his portrayal of the human experience, transcended that genre. I think that THE AUTUMN SPRINGS RETIREMENT HOME MASSACRE falls into this category also.
It begins with the POV of a very likeable protagonist, Rose Dubois, a former high school English teacher, now 78 and happily living in the Autumn Springs Retirement Home. Rose enjoys her hobbies, her friends, and especially, the peace and quiet offered by the well-maintained retirement facility. It gives her the independence she craves while still providing plenty to do, and many friends to talk to. Then a good friend is murdered. It appears to be an accident, but Rose is suspicious; she notices little things that others might overlook. Then another dies, an apparent suicide; Rose and a small group, consisting of Miller, Gopi, and Mickey, start looking carefully at what might be a killing spree by a cold-hearted serial killer. Yet Rose is still dubious. She thinks: What kind of crazy person would want to hurt a bunch of old folks?
Detective Ernie Hastings is also suspicious about the deaths at Autumn Springs, but he can't find any evidence to support his gut feeling that these aren't normal occurrences. However, he does collect information from Rose and her friends that disturbs him.
Then there is a rash of deaths. Both Rose and Hastings are now convinced there is a killer targeting the residents of Autumn Springs. But who?
The "who" isn't revealed until late in the book, and it was a surprise to me.
What makes this such a good book—as opposed to the usual slasher fiction—are the many insights into what it means to be old. Most of the characters are in their late 70s or older. Some have all their mental marbles, and some do not, but all are fascinating, endearing. Some are loved by their children, and some are ignored by theirs, considered nuisances. This is the part that makes the reader "think".
I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. Read into the early hours of the morning. That's how good it is.
The only thing that annoyed me was the introduction of the supernatural near the end. The author is a well-known horror writer and I suppose that he felt that he needed to include a supernatural element for his fans. But it wasn't necessary, and I feel it distracted from the overall picture that was being presented. So, 4.5 stars, lowered because Goodreads doesn't allow half stars.
Extraneous note: Did anyone else notice that Rose is Black? Only one short comment: Rose scoffs. "That's me. A black Angela Lansbury." Gobi is Indian, and there is only one short comment re this, too.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.
1) Beautiful writing;
2) Great plot;
3) Can't put it down; and
4) Makes you think.
THE AUTUMN SPRINGS RETIREMENT HOME MASSACRE meets all these requirements.
Normally, this is not a book I would choose to read because it is part of the horror genre, and I read very few horror books (Stephen King excepted). And although Stephen King began by writing horror books, his ability to depict empathetic characters and his portrayal of the human experience, transcended that genre. I think that THE AUTUMN SPRINGS RETIREMENT HOME MASSACRE falls into this category also.
It begins with the POV of a very likeable protagonist, Rose Dubois, a former high school English teacher, now 78 and happily living in the Autumn Springs Retirement Home. Rose enjoys her hobbies, her friends, and especially, the peace and quiet offered by the well-maintained retirement facility. It gives her the independence she craves while still providing plenty to do, and many friends to talk to. Then a good friend is murdered. It appears to be an accident, but Rose is suspicious; she notices little things that others might overlook. Then another dies, an apparent suicide; Rose and a small group, consisting of Miller, Gopi, and Mickey, start looking carefully at what might be a killing spree by a cold-hearted serial killer. Yet Rose is still dubious. She thinks: What kind of crazy person would want to hurt a bunch of old folks?
Detective Ernie Hastings is also suspicious about the deaths at Autumn Springs, but he can't find any evidence to support his gut feeling that these aren't normal occurrences. However, he does collect information from Rose and her friends that disturbs him.
Then there is a rash of deaths. Both Rose and Hastings are now convinced there is a killer targeting the residents of Autumn Springs. But who?
The "who" isn't revealed until late in the book, and it was a surprise to me.
What makes this such a good book—as opposed to the usual slasher fiction—are the many insights into what it means to be old. Most of the characters are in their late 70s or older. Some have all their mental marbles, and some do not, but all are fascinating, endearing. Some are loved by their children, and some are ignored by theirs, considered nuisances. This is the part that makes the reader "think".
I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. Read into the early hours of the morning. That's how good it is.
The only thing that annoyed me was the introduction of the supernatural near the end. The author is a well-known horror writer and I suppose that he felt that he needed to include a supernatural element for his fans. But it wasn't necessary, and I feel it distracted from the overall picture that was being presented. So, 4.5 stars, lowered because Goodreads doesn't allow half stars.
Extraneous note: Did anyone else notice that Rose is Black? Only one short comment: Rose scoffs. "That's me. A black Angela Lansbury." Gobi is Indian, and there is only one short comment re this, too.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.
October 14, 2025
I hate writing reviews like this. HATE it.
Philip Fracassi is one of the nicest guys in the business, and I've been following—and devouring—his stuff for years now. His short story collections, BEHOLD THE VOID, and BENEATH A PALE SKY have some of the finest short horror fiction I have ever read. His novels, A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS, SARAFINA, and especially BOYS IN THE VALLEY are just brilliant, nuanced works that not only tell a horrifying story, but also dig deep into the human condition.
Fracassi has been one of my absolute favourite horror authors, and I eagerly anticipated his next release.
But with this novel? I don't know, all the way through it, I kept hearing this imagined conversation in my head between the author and his agent, and he's being told he has to write something commercial. "Just put your brain aside, and write something that's gonna sell."
Because that's what this is. This is a packaged, mass-market, leave your brain at the door, silly horror-book-that's-not-horror for the masses.
Fracassi's brilliance does occasionally burst through. There's the odd gorgeous line that I read and the sun came out briefly, before sinking back in the muck.
Overall, for me, the story dragged on far too long, the plot holes piled up, the killer became blatantly obvious, the characters that had any life in them were brought in for a scene, then fell off, forgotten, until they were needed again, hundreds of pages later.
The word "impossibly" was used at least twice, if not three times. Thankfully, no one saw something and put it down to "a trick of the light"...why does EVERY horror novel have these two stupid ingredients in them?
I guess this is a horror novel, but it's really not. It's a murder mystery. It's slasher fiction, and that's part of the problem...I don't like slasher stories, because they all inevitably fall into a steaming pile of ridiculous. And this one was no different.
Because, this morning, as I listened to the last chunk, Rose's final confrontation with the painfully obvious killer, and all the stuff that happened, there was a point where I actually stopped walking, shook my head, and said, "This is stupid."
Because—and I hate that I'm saying this, but I have to—it was. It felt like the author kind of painted himself into a corner, had an almost 80-year-old protagonist, but needed a big bang of an ending, so he pulled the silliest deus ex machina out of his butt and threw it in there. Which shocked me, because Fracassi can WRITE. The man is capable of sheer, unbridled brilliance, and yet, here, he breaks one of the most sacred codes of writing.
The hero must actively discover, solve, or confront the central problem or conflict themselves. This is a key part of the narrative arc and the hero's journey, emphasizing character growth and resolution earned through the hero’s own efforts rather than a deus ex machina or outside force solving the problem.
That does not happen here.
So, the story ran long. The antagonist did what they did for no reason. And the hero didn't solve the central issue.
Utterly disappointing.
And it'll sell like hotcakes, and readers will sing the praises of this mass market, spoon-fed pablum crap they just swallowed.
Philip Fracassi is one of the nicest guys in the business, and I've been following—and devouring—his stuff for years now. His short story collections, BEHOLD THE VOID, and BENEATH A PALE SKY have some of the finest short horror fiction I have ever read. His novels, A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS, SARAFINA, and especially BOYS IN THE VALLEY are just brilliant, nuanced works that not only tell a horrifying story, but also dig deep into the human condition.
Fracassi has been one of my absolute favourite horror authors, and I eagerly anticipated his next release.
But with this novel? I don't know, all the way through it, I kept hearing this imagined conversation in my head between the author and his agent, and he's being told he has to write something commercial. "Just put your brain aside, and write something that's gonna sell."
Because that's what this is. This is a packaged, mass-market, leave your brain at the door, silly horror-book-that's-not-horror for the masses.
Fracassi's brilliance does occasionally burst through. There's the odd gorgeous line that I read and the sun came out briefly, before sinking back in the muck.
Overall, for me, the story dragged on far too long, the plot holes piled up, the killer became blatantly obvious, the characters that had any life in them were brought in for a scene, then fell off, forgotten, until they were needed again, hundreds of pages later.
The word "impossibly" was used at least twice, if not three times. Thankfully, no one saw something and put it down to "a trick of the light"...why does EVERY horror novel have these two stupid ingredients in them?
I guess this is a horror novel, but it's really not. It's a murder mystery. It's slasher fiction, and that's part of the problem...I don't like slasher stories, because they all inevitably fall into a steaming pile of ridiculous. And this one was no different.
Because, this morning, as I listened to the last chunk, Rose's final confrontation with the painfully obvious killer, and all the stuff that happened, there was a point where I actually stopped walking, shook my head, and said, "This is stupid."
Because—and I hate that I'm saying this, but I have to—it was. It felt like the author kind of painted himself into a corner, had an almost 80-year-old protagonist, but needed a big bang of an ending, so he pulled the silliest deus ex machina out of his butt and threw it in there. Which shocked me, because Fracassi can WRITE. The man is capable of sheer, unbridled brilliance, and yet, here, he breaks one of the most sacred codes of writing.
The hero must actively discover, solve, or confront the central problem or conflict themselves. This is a key part of the narrative arc and the hero's journey, emphasizing character growth and resolution earned through the hero’s own efforts rather than a deus ex machina or outside force solving the problem.
That does not happen here.
So, the story ran long. The antagonist did what they did for no reason. And the hero didn't solve the central issue.
Utterly disappointing.
And it'll sell like hotcakes, and readers will sing the praises of this mass market, spoon-fed pablum crap they just swallowed.
September 30, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads.
What kind of crazy person would want to hurt a bunch of old folks?
I liked this one. It was fun, tense, suspenseful, witty, emotional, and even a tiny bit racy at times. I really enjoyed these spry elderly folk. Their banter between each other and relationships were such a joy and, at times, touching thing to read. I liked the story being told from multiple perspectives, including that of the killer.
Though it was slow to start, when it got going, it really did, and I can honestly say I was never bored reading. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. The kills count was high, but it wasn't an overly graphic read by any means. I also really liked how the author made it a point to include how quick elderly people are cast aside. Doubted and basically just set on a timer, counting down their last days.
Having said that, I feel like the book was a little too drawn out at times. Yes, I did love the characters, and they kept me thoroughly entertained. However, it could've been a little shorter. I also felt like after such a long cat and mouse game. The reveal of the killer was very mundane. I wasn't shocked, and the over the top crazy dialogue didn't help. I did see that we may see more of Rose in future works, so I'm excited about that.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Philip Fracassi. For my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
What kind of crazy person would want to hurt a bunch of old folks?
I liked this one. It was fun, tense, suspenseful, witty, emotional, and even a tiny bit racy at times. I really enjoyed these spry elderly folk. Their banter between each other and relationships were such a joy and, at times, touching thing to read. I liked the story being told from multiple perspectives, including that of the killer.
Though it was slow to start, when it got going, it really did, and I can honestly say I was never bored reading. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. The kills count was high, but it wasn't an overly graphic read by any means. I also really liked how the author made it a point to include how quick elderly people are cast aside. Doubted and basically just set on a timer, counting down their last days.
Having said that, I feel like the book was a little too drawn out at times. Yes, I did love the characters, and they kept me thoroughly entertained. However, it could've been a little shorter. I also felt like after such a long cat and mouse game. The reveal of the killer was very mundane. I wasn't shocked, and the over the top crazy dialogue didn't help. I did see that we may see more of Rose in future works, so I'm excited about that.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Philip Fracassi. For my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 16, 2025
This is the best of a slasher but across the page instead of the big screen. It is nothing like a mystery you would expect. The reader is immediately shown that the deaths are at a killer’s hands, but because the deaths are occurring at a retirement community they seem to be accidental or natural at first. The reader is left cringing as people ignore the danger. But Rose and her friends know something isn’t right. They start to ask questions as the residents are all scared for their lives. This book was full of dark humor and some gruesome deaths. The ending was a little silly, but man did I love it. This book was wonderful and unique and I hope to read more by this author. I listened to this one and the narrator was also great. While Rose was not a perfect character, she felt like a real person and part of that was the way she was portrayed by the narrator.
July 7, 2025
"Yes I'm old...But that doesn't mean I'm dead," she says, tears filling her eyes. "I have so MUCH I want to live for. I want to see my grandson grow into a man. I want to have a thousand more days with my beautiful daughter. I want to see sunsets and watch the season change. I want to read, and travel...and I want to LIVE."
Calling ALL horror AND thriller lovers!!! THIS IS A SMASH HIT!! A retirement home community where bodies start dropping? Sure, health problems and accidents will happen, but Rose DuBois and her gentleman friend, Miller, aren’t convinced these deaths aren’t nefarious. Is a serial killer preying on senior citizens or is this just the nature of getting older?
Rose is a heroine you love to root for! Hey, she may be older, but she’s not DEAD, has her wits about her and is courageous. There’s also a bit of a ‘will they, won’t they’ with her friend Miller which is endearing. I also loved the huge cast of quirky folks at the retirement home! However, don’t get TOO attached to ANYONE, because there’s ZERO way to predict who will meet their fate next!
Philip Fracassi cleverly blends a cozy mystery feel with a perfectly paced thriller and suspense that doesn’t let up! Each new death had me wondering what the method of the next one would be. Yes, this is a slasher horror, but the gore is mild and there isn’t anything overly gruesome. There’s certainly a sinister vibe and a locked room claustrophobic feel. After all, many of these folks have nowhere else to go!
Not only is AUTUMN SPRINGS a tense edge-of-your seat whodunit, it’s empathetic and insightful commentary on getting older and entering your twilight years. Be sure to read Fracassi’s Afterword which brought tears to my eyes. If you enjoy mysteries, thrillers, and/or horror with loveable and zany characters, plenty of red herrings and misdirection, and a body count, look no further!
____
Thank you Tor Nightfire for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Calling ALL horror AND thriller lovers!!! THIS IS A SMASH HIT!! A retirement home community where bodies start dropping? Sure, health problems and accidents will happen, but Rose DuBois and her gentleman friend, Miller, aren’t convinced these deaths aren’t nefarious. Is a serial killer preying on senior citizens or is this just the nature of getting older?
Rose is a heroine you love to root for! Hey, she may be older, but she’s not DEAD, has her wits about her and is courageous. There’s also a bit of a ‘will they, won’t they’ with her friend Miller which is endearing. I also loved the huge cast of quirky folks at the retirement home! However, don’t get TOO attached to ANYONE, because there’s ZERO way to predict who will meet their fate next!
Philip Fracassi cleverly blends a cozy mystery feel with a perfectly paced thriller and suspense that doesn’t let up! Each new death had me wondering what the method of the next one would be. Yes, this is a slasher horror, but the gore is mild and there isn’t anything overly gruesome. There’s certainly a sinister vibe and a locked room claustrophobic feel. After all, many of these folks have nowhere else to go!
Not only is AUTUMN SPRINGS a tense edge-of-your seat whodunit, it’s empathetic and insightful commentary on getting older and entering your twilight years. Be sure to read Fracassi’s Afterword which brought tears to my eyes. If you enjoy mysteries, thrillers, and/or horror with loveable and zany characters, plenty of red herrings and misdirection, and a body count, look no further!
____
Thank you Tor Nightfire for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
October 13, 2025
4.5 stars.
This was so so good. Think The Thursday Murder Club meets Scream. I was thoroughly invested in Rose, but also Miller and Tatum as well. This was equally funny, fun, and sad. Naturally, it was a massacre so many a favourite character didn't make it to the end. But I had such a good time reading this. The isolation of the retirement home really added to the atmosphere, and although I guessed the killer before the reveal, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. I really loved the writing style, and I think I might give Boys in the Valley another go. I hope we see more from Rose in the future.
This was so so good. Think The Thursday Murder Club meets Scream. I was thoroughly invested in Rose, but also Miller and Tatum as well. This was equally funny, fun, and sad. Naturally, it was a massacre so many a favourite character didn't make it to the end. But I had such a good time reading this. The isolation of the retirement home really added to the atmosphere, and although I guessed the killer before the reveal, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. I really loved the writing style, and I think I might give Boys in the Valley another go. I hope we see more from Rose in the future.
October 26, 2025
4.5 stars
My expectations for this one were on the higher side and I'd say they were well met. I am a sucker for the "final girl" trope (despite how overused it is) and I often find myself enjoying stories that center on older/elderly people that are usually dismissed or underestimated because of their age. So combine those two elements into a horror novel and I was on board.
Fracassi is a new author for me and one thing I noticed he did a great job of - making me care about multiple characters despite not spending a lot of time with each one individually. When a book has too many POVs, it's a huge turn off for me typically. But I didn't mind so much here. We do follow Rose the most often, and she drops hints about having a painful backstory here and there. Her relationship with Miller was cute, I loved their snippy back and forth banter. There was a decent amount of humor in general; I personally have always loved humor and horror together.
You might think the gore / horrific themes of the novel would be toned down due to this being set in a retirement home but ... nope. Graphic carnage galore here, and Fracassi set the tone of anxiety throughout nicely. None of the residents know who will be next but they are increasingly aware of a killer in their midst. However, most of them aren't able to leave because they simply have nowhere else to go. I found this aspect of the story to be realistic but also deeply sad. I tried not to dwell on it.
I did wonder at times if the story was going in a supernatural direction. It was also on the longer side but remained gripping throughout. My rating is 4.5 for now, but I cannot really think of anything about it to critique so I may bump it up to a 5 at some point.
My expectations for this one were on the higher side and I'd say they were well met. I am a sucker for the "final girl" trope (despite how overused it is) and I often find myself enjoying stories that center on older/elderly people that are usually dismissed or underestimated because of their age. So combine those two elements into a horror novel and I was on board.
Fracassi is a new author for me and one thing I noticed he did a great job of - making me care about multiple characters despite not spending a lot of time with each one individually. When a book has too many POVs, it's a huge turn off for me typically. But I didn't mind so much here. We do follow Rose the most often, and she drops hints about having a painful backstory here and there. Her relationship with Miller was cute, I loved their snippy back and forth banter. There was a decent amount of humor in general; I personally have always loved humor and horror together.
You might think the gore / horrific themes of the novel would be toned down due to this being set in a retirement home but ... nope. Graphic carnage galore here, and Fracassi set the tone of anxiety throughout nicely. None of the residents know who will be next but they are increasingly aware of a killer in their midst. However, most of them aren't able to leave because they simply have nowhere else to go. I found this aspect of the story to be realistic but also deeply sad. I tried not to dwell on it.
I did wonder at times if the story was going in a supernatural direction. It was also on the longer side but remained gripping throughout. My rating is 4.5 for now, but I cannot really think of anything about it to critique so I may bump it up to a 5 at some point.
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