A Ghost Chases the Horizon

by M.L. Mallow, Mike Mallow

In 1999, urban spelunker Brittany Loughry has a paranormal encounter in the Weston Hospital. The event begins to unspool a thread of mysteries affecting the past, present, and future of the shuttered mental facility. Unknowingly braiding Brittany’s story are Henrietta Tidewater, a Black patient with a newborn falsely committed to the asylum in 1905, and Eugene Spangold, a ne'er-do-well farmer who self-commits in 1935 with delusions he has orders from the U.S. President. In the years beyond, Neil Hutchence, an adrift divorcee, tries to piece together their stories as the distinction between what is real and what is an illusion erodes his sanity.

What part of ourselves do we send into the future? These stories explore the relationship between time and spirit through the lens of the community surrounding the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The hospital has gone by many names throughout its history, and its troubled past is retold from the memory held by its thick, limestone walls.

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

Reviews

[Briana (TheBookWorm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blends multiple genres into a unique and engaging story. One of the most intriguing pieces is that part of the narration comes from a piece of building, known as the Kirkbride. The shifting perspectives between the four main characters are handled smoothly, making it easy to follow as the connections between them unfold. I went into this story expecting a thriller with a ghost twist, but it surprised me by focusing on the ghost stories. The emotional depth caught me off guard, and with so much happening, you quickly become absorbed in the plot without overthinking the supernatural aspects. The setting-- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum-- is vividly brought to life, incorporating real historical elements that add authenticity. This added a nice touch and lets more people know about the Asylum. While I enjoyed the overall story, I felt the ending lost some of its momentum. Certain sections became over wordy, and a few scenes especially those involving Eugene, could have been more precise. The ending could have been wrapped up in a shorter way afterwhile I just wanted it to be the end. Overall, this is an original, emotionally resonant read.