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Traps and Specters: Stories
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26A new collection of short stories and novellas from Bram Stoker Award finalist Philip Fracassi, featuring an introduction by NYT bestselling author Matt Dinniman.
"Traps and Specters is an impressively literate and wildly imaginative collection featuring a truly remarkable range of work... Fracassi’s a hell of a writer.” —Bentley Little
From the mind of Stoker and British Fantasy award-nominated author Philip Fracassi comes fourteen stories of the macabre that will frighten, disturb, and ensnare readers in a dark web of twisted tales.
In these pages you’ll find talking corpses and deadly tombs, misguided exorcists, technology gone wrong, blood-soaked prison riots, and enough vengeful spirits and haunted objects to fill a grave.
With an introduction by bestselling author Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Traps and Specters will chill, thrill, entertain, and leave you gasping in shock and terror at the horrors waiting within.
"Traps and Specters is an impressively literate and wildly imaginative collection featuring a truly remarkable range of work... Fracassi’s a hell of a writer.” —Bentley Little
From the mind of Stoker and British Fantasy award-nominated author Philip Fracassi comes fourteen stories of the macabre that will frighten, disturb, and ensnare readers in a dark web of twisted tales.
In these pages you’ll find talking corpses and deadly tombs, misguided exorcists, technology gone wrong, blood-soaked prison riots, and enough vengeful spirits and haunted objects to fill a grave.
With an introduction by bestselling author Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Traps and Specters will chill, thrill, entertain, and leave you gasping in shock and terror at the horrors waiting within.
332 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Philip Fracassi
74 books2,164 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 77 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
philip!!
where’s the petition to sign for the full versions of my six out of fourteen favorite tales that stood out to me from this creepy collection??
please let me know!!
it’s so difficult to choose 1 but anyways here’s my top 6 faves:
☠︎︎ D7 - a couple is trapped in a bar in the middle of nowhere and discovers a haunting jukebox nightmare
☠︎︎ the visitor - a priest is sent to bless a troubled family
☠︎︎ betrothed - til death do us part!
☠︎︎ dream of me - a young girl is gifted a journal from her nana to jot down her bad dreams
☠︎︎ i think my treehouse is haunted - lets just say someone is keeping eyes on you at said treehouse
☠︎︎ red leather - get a double or triple serving blood soaked meal!
attention horror junkies!
ya’ll better listen to me and * pre order * go grab this arc asap!
a fabulous assortment of 14 little macabre tales!
ranging variously from vengeful spirits to haunted objects to prison riots to a mummified talking corpse to deadly tombs to exorcism + more!!
i just seen someone say this is like an adult version of scary stories you would tell in the dark as a child, i felt that.
i’m telling ya’ll each story striked a different nerve within me and i hope it will for you too!
no clue what’s in philip’s blood to have the impressive ability to conjure brief and high quality haunting characters in this.
he freaking nailed it!
anthologies are usually a bit of a hit or miss for me but traps and specters might be my most favorite up to date!
i’m so happy i received early access to read this!
these tales gave me perfect, unsettling goosebumps while reading at midnight 🪦🦇
thank you netgalley & shortwave publishing for the arc in exchange for my honest review!~
where’s the petition to sign for the full versions of my six out of fourteen favorite tales that stood out to me from this creepy collection??
please let me know!!
it’s so difficult to choose 1 but anyways here’s my top 6 faves:
☠︎︎ D7 - a couple is trapped in a bar in the middle of nowhere and discovers a haunting jukebox nightmare
☠︎︎ the visitor - a priest is sent to bless a troubled family
☠︎︎ betrothed - til death do us part!
☠︎︎ dream of me - a young girl is gifted a journal from her nana to jot down her bad dreams
☠︎︎ i think my treehouse is haunted - lets just say someone is keeping eyes on you at said treehouse
☠︎︎ red leather - get a double or triple serving blood soaked meal!
attention horror junkies!
ya’ll better listen to me and * pre order * go grab this arc asap!
a fabulous assortment of 14 little macabre tales!
ranging variously from vengeful spirits to haunted objects to prison riots to a mummified talking corpse to deadly tombs to exorcism + more!!
i just seen someone say this is like an adult version of scary stories you would tell in the dark as a child, i felt that.
i’m telling ya’ll each story striked a different nerve within me and i hope it will for you too!
no clue what’s in philip’s blood to have the impressive ability to conjure brief and high quality haunting characters in this.
he freaking nailed it!
anthologies are usually a bit of a hit or miss for me but traps and specters might be my most favorite up to date!
i’m so happy i received early access to read this!
these tales gave me perfect, unsettling goosebumps while reading at midnight 🪦🦇
thank you netgalley & shortwave publishing for the arc in exchange for my honest review!~
June 24, 2026
You could be suffering from bouts of depression, loneliness, anxiety, or insufferable mental conditions…. Or you could just pick up a @pfracassi novel and immediately get that ease and comfort … like he’s a drug or something. If this dude writes it, I’m gonna consume it. End of story.
Traps and Specters is a collection of fourteen short stories. D7 kicks the book off with a haunted jukebox tale that I really loved. I own the novella itself.
What’s cool is how he can branch out within the genre and pretty much deliver a killer story. One that I personally thought was funny was the Reese Witherspoon one. How do you come up with this stuff, sir?
Supernatural, possession, tech nightmares, and just creepy shit all-around. I loved I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted. Another collection that guarantees a good time.
Don’t forget to pre-order your copy! Pre-orders are crucial for their success.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Shortwave Books for the gifted copy
Traps and Specters is a collection of fourteen short stories. D7 kicks the book off with a haunted jukebox tale that I really loved. I own the novella itself.
What’s cool is how he can branch out within the genre and pretty much deliver a killer story. One that I personally thought was funny was the Reese Witherspoon one. How do you come up with this stuff, sir?
Supernatural, possession, tech nightmares, and just creepy shit all-around. I loved I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted. Another collection that guarantees a good time.
Don’t forget to pre-order your copy! Pre-orders are crucial for their success.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Shortwave Books for the gifted copy
July 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC kindle edition of Traps and Specters by Philip Fracassi. I have never read anything from this author before but knew of his reputation of being an excellent horror writer and that was no lie. This book contained 14 short horror stories. I wasn't sure what to expect because I've never read any books from this author. The stories were all very well written with some of them, particularly The Visitor, The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon (yes, you read that right), Point Oh One, My Love Do Not Wake, I Think My Treehouse is Haunted and Red Leather were sooo good that I cannot stop thinking about them. The horror wasn't grotesque but more creepy and eerie to me. I really felt the terror that the characters were feeling and you felt the dread coming in every page. Each story was separate and the characters did not bleed into the other stories. If I had to say which story was my all-time favorite from this book, it would have to be I Think My Treehouse is Haunted- because it was spooky and so creepy and it was the in the point of view of a kid. I would definitely recommend this to any horror fan and will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
June 9, 2026
Few authors working in modern horror demonstrate the range and consistency that Fracassi brings to the page. Traps and Specters is a strong showcase of exactly why he is such a respected voice in the horror community. Spanning fourteen stories, this collection moves effortlessly between the supernatural, psychological dread, disastrous technology, possession, and brutality, yet every tale screams "Fracassi". What impressed me most was the versatility. One story may plunge the reader into an encounter with the impossible, while the next explores the horrors of the human body or mind. Haunted objects, restless dead and violent eruptions of chaos are all waiting for you, and the real connective tissue is Fracassi's talent for creating deep unease. Even when a story leans into gore or absurdity, there is an undercurrent of sadness and dread. As with short story collections, certain stories will resonate differently with each reader, but the quality remains remarkable throughout. Fracassi rises to the demands of short-form horror, always. He wastes little time establishing atmosphere, quickly immersing the reader in unsettling situations while still giving us memorable characters and emotional weight. Several stories build toward endings that simultaneously feel surprising and inevitable. The collection highlights Fracassi's skill at balancing entertainment with genuine discomfort. More than once, I yelled. For longtime horror fans and newcomers alike, Traps and Specters is an engaging and horrific collection that demonstrates why Philip continues to be one of the genres most compelling storytellers. Thank you to Shortwave Publishing for the ARC! This title is live for preorder over on Shortwaves website. Keep an eye out for it September 22nd, 2026. I will have full coverage of this title on Cemetery Dance soon!
June 10, 2026
I love this author and I was so excited to get an ARC of his short story collection. These short stories were WILD. Some of them actually did creep me out when I was reading late night. I thought it was a great collection that featured many different kinds of horror. This author definitely has a handle on horror and I’m here for it. Don’t miss this! Coming September 2026.
June 29, 2026
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know how much I love Philip Fracassi’s work. I’ve read most of his novels and this is now the third collection of his that I’ve read. And every single one is awesome.
TRAPS AND SPECTERS, coming this September from Shortwave, is another fantastic collection of stories from one of the best storytellers we have today. The way Fracassi can throw you into a situation, whether real life horror or speculative nightmare, and get you to ride along with the character as shit really hits the fan quickly. There are old school horror stories, heartbreaking tales of love lost, some very strange relationships, bad people getting their comeuppance, and so much more.
Some of these stories truly frightened me. Some in the classic, get-under-your-skin horror way, some in a more existential way. I devoured this collection because I just couldn’t get enough. I seriously think that Fracassi puts crack in his stories.
Standouts for me were “I Think My Treehouse is Haunted” (which had a legit jump scare), “Red Leather”, “Point Oh One”, “Dream of Me”, and “The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon”.
TRAPS AND SPECTERS is one of my favorite books from this year.
Thanks to Shortwave for an eARC for review on NetGalley!
TRAPS AND SPECTERS, coming this September from Shortwave, is another fantastic collection of stories from one of the best storytellers we have today. The way Fracassi can throw you into a situation, whether real life horror or speculative nightmare, and get you to ride along with the character as shit really hits the fan quickly. There are old school horror stories, heartbreaking tales of love lost, some very strange relationships, bad people getting their comeuppance, and so much more.
Some of these stories truly frightened me. Some in the classic, get-under-your-skin horror way, some in a more existential way. I devoured this collection because I just couldn’t get enough. I seriously think that Fracassi puts crack in his stories.
Standouts for me were “I Think My Treehouse is Haunted” (which had a legit jump scare), “Red Leather”, “Point Oh One”, “Dream of Me”, and “The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon”.
TRAPS AND SPECTERS is one of my favorite books from this year.
Thanks to Shortwave for an eARC for review on NetGalley!
June 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Horror is best when it’s a little bit weird, and this collection of stories definitely delivers on that brief. I absolutely devoured this in a single sitting (well, treadmill walk at the gym) and thoroughly loved how freaky each and every story was.
I was impressed by the threads carried through the stories into the next ones. There’d be concepts carried through to the next story that just made complete sense in terms of pulling things together.
I think my overall favourite was probably ‘Dream of Me’, which had such a nasty undertone. My only critique overall is that some of the stories felt a little too vague, but I also get they were designed that way to feel a bit more spooky.
As a whole, a very solid anthology, and I’ll definitely be seeking more out from Fracassi in future to get across more of his work!
Horror is best when it’s a little bit weird, and this collection of stories definitely delivers on that brief. I absolutely devoured this in a single sitting (well, treadmill walk at the gym) and thoroughly loved how freaky each and every story was.
I was impressed by the threads carried through the stories into the next ones. There’d be concepts carried through to the next story that just made complete sense in terms of pulling things together.
I think my overall favourite was probably ‘Dream of Me’, which had such a nasty undertone. My only critique overall is that some of the stories felt a little too vague, but I also get they were designed that way to feel a bit more spooky.
As a whole, a very solid anthology, and I’ll definitely be seeking more out from Fracassi in future to get across more of his work!
Want to Read
July 8, 2026ARC received! Thank you, Shortwave!
July 3, 2026
Traps & Spectres is a collection of horror short stories that mixes the creepy, the bizarre, the funny and the unexpectedly heartfelt. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for dipping in and out of between longer reads, with each story offering something a little different.
As with most collections, some stories landed better than others, but there wasn’t a single one I disliked. My standouts were The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon, I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted and Dream of Me.
The collection covers a wide range of horror, from ghosts and hauntings to cursed places, strange creatures, unsettling relationships, historical horror and wonderfully weird supernatural concepts. One story had me laughing out loud, another genuinely creeped me out and a few left me thinking long after I’d finished them.
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon was gloriously absurd and had me grinning from start to finish. On the other end of the spectrum, I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted delivered some brilliantly eerie atmosphere and was probably the creepiest story in the collection for me. Dream of Me was another favourite, blending grief with supernatural horror in a really effective way.
One thing I really enjoyed was how varied the stories felt. Just when I thought I’d worked out the tone of the collection, the next story would head off in a completely different direction. Whether it was dark humour, unsettling ghost stories, or weird horror that made me say, “What did I just read?”, it kept things fresh throughout.
If you’re already a Philip Fracassi fan, there’s plenty here to enjoy. If you’re new to his work, this is a great way to sample his style across lots of different flavours of horror.
Overall, a fun, entertaining collection with some genuinely memorable stories. If you enjoy horror anthologies that aren’t afraid to get weird, creepy and occasionally hilarious, this one’s well worth picking up.
Thanks to Shortwave Books & Philip for the ARC!
As with most collections, some stories landed better than others, but there wasn’t a single one I disliked. My standouts were The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon, I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted and Dream of Me.
The collection covers a wide range of horror, from ghosts and hauntings to cursed places, strange creatures, unsettling relationships, historical horror and wonderfully weird supernatural concepts. One story had me laughing out loud, another genuinely creeped me out and a few left me thinking long after I’d finished them.
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon was gloriously absurd and had me grinning from start to finish. On the other end of the spectrum, I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted delivered some brilliantly eerie atmosphere and was probably the creepiest story in the collection for me. Dream of Me was another favourite, blending grief with supernatural horror in a really effective way.
One thing I really enjoyed was how varied the stories felt. Just when I thought I’d worked out the tone of the collection, the next story would head off in a completely different direction. Whether it was dark humour, unsettling ghost stories, or weird horror that made me say, “What did I just read?”, it kept things fresh throughout.
If you’re already a Philip Fracassi fan, there’s plenty here to enjoy. If you’re new to his work, this is a great way to sample his style across lots of different flavours of horror.
Overall, a fun, entertaining collection with some genuinely memorable stories. If you enjoy horror anthologies that aren’t afraid to get weird, creepy and occasionally hilarious, this one’s well worth picking up.
Thanks to Shortwave Books & Philip for the ARC!
July 8, 2026
Thank you to Shortwave Books for the advanced reader copy of Traps and Specters by Philip Fracassi!
This collection of short stories is utterly unsettling in the best way. Every story cranks up the tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that had my heart racing. It’s creepy, campy, wildly creative, and the kind of book that makes you hesitate before turning off the lights.
From ghosts and dead celebrities to terrifying technology and morally grey characters, there’s a little bit of everything here, yet each story still feels distinctly unique.
At this point, Philip Fracassi has officially become an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what he writes next.
This collection of short stories is utterly unsettling in the best way. Every story cranks up the tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that had my heart racing. It’s creepy, campy, wildly creative, and the kind of book that makes you hesitate before turning off the lights.
From ghosts and dead celebrities to terrifying technology and morally grey characters, there’s a little bit of everything here, yet each story still feels distinctly unique.
At this point, Philip Fracassi has officially become an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what he writes next.
June 6, 2026
Philip Fracassi is one of the most exciting talents around at the moment, and has already nailed one of the best books of the year in Sarafina.
While I find a lot of short story collections to be a bit hit or miss, there is no doubting that they can be fun. Fracassi has put his incredible talent to work in creating a great collection of scary and crazy tales in Traps and Specters.
From a haunted jukebox, to the ‘Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon’, he has conjured a great selection of Twilight Zonesque stories, with my favourite being "I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted".
I’m usually a fan of a long winded, slow burner that builds its world and characters, but this punchy collection absolutely delivers, with some genuinely creepy moments.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the early access.
While I find a lot of short story collections to be a bit hit or miss, there is no doubting that they can be fun. Fracassi has put his incredible talent to work in creating a great collection of scary and crazy tales in Traps and Specters.
From a haunted jukebox, to the ‘Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon’, he has conjured a great selection of Twilight Zonesque stories, with my favourite being "I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted".
I’m usually a fan of a long winded, slow burner that builds its world and characters, but this punchy collection absolutely delivers, with some genuinely creepy moments.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the early access.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Traps and Specters: Stories by Philip Fracassi
4.45 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Sept. 22, 2026
Shortwave Publishing
A most terrifying escape…
💡 Orbs Prologue: Assisted by a walking cane, a geriatric Orb clumsily vacates the premises. Bright flames burst out of the roof of the Autumn Springs Retirement Home a short distance behind me, and I realize I will not be living there anytime soon. Overcome by dread, my shortness of breath is a strong indication I have no idea where I am going. Under the eerie glow of the Gothic moon, my eyes start to compose themselves, revealing what looks to be three Boys In The Valley. Upon my approach, they scatter like scared little jackrabbits, as if I am indeed a ghost reincarnated. Walking for hours, my body is reaching its breaking point, and luckily I stumble upon a roadside bar. An older gentleman sits behind the bar, while three older gentlemen in Confederate garb man a table off to the left, leaving me speechless, wondering if it was Halloween. Further inspecting the place, I am interrupted by a mysterious-looking woman who plainly greets me. “Welcome, my name is Sarafina."
🧐 A small glimpse: Pssst! Hey dear readers, it’s me, Orb. I want to let you in on a little secret…. Philip Fracassi is back with fourteen lovely little horror nuggets that will surely satisfy your need for fright! Oh my, is Fracassi back indeed! Here are some of my favorites in this collection:
D7 - A roadside bar becomes a haunting nightmare for hungry travelers. (Also inspiring the epilogue; all credit to Fracassi, of course!) 5/5
The Visitor - A priest is summoned to bless a house; unfortunately for him, a strange discovery unfolds. 4.5/5
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - A comedic tale about the corpse of Reese Witherspoon spending time with a contest winner. 4.5/5
Point Oh One - What would a man do if he knew the exact moment he was supposed to die? 5/5
⭐My Love Do Not Wake - A wife discovers the grass is not always greener on the other side. 5/5
👍 Orbs Pros: Such variety! Uniquely different and kept me up for hours in the passenger’s seat on a long road trip! Fracassi! I am firmly under the belief that some horror authors have it all figured out. Along with the likes of Nat Cassidy and Saratoga Schaefer, Fracassi is cementing himself as one of the best horror authors out there right now! The ease with which the stories flow is impressive, and if you want some variety, the stories come at you hard and fast from every direction. Just check out My Love, Do Not Wake, for example, which I feebly attempted to explain to someone, and they looked at me like there was something wrong with me! A thoroughly accessible type of horror! Now I get it; some like it darker… Chuckle, chuckle! See what I did there! In all seriousness, this can be enjoyed for those who just want a great little batch of stories that aren’t pushing the gore too far.
👎 Orbs Cons: A collection of stories.... Not a literary format everyone may enjoy! However, as far as a curated bunch of horror stories go, this fulfilled everything I wanted, so I personally have no complaints. Of course, per usual, horror will include some violence and tense and emotional situations that might disturb some.
Must read! Leaning towards a 5-star rating, and yet, selfishly, I am holding out for the next Fracassi offering! Fracassi is a genius! Worth your time!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: “Orb,” I say flatly, still trying to understand this hallucination I was witnessing. “Please, come sit. Unfortunately, we are packed at the moment, but I can certainly make room for you!” Her finger beckons to me. Shuffling slowly, I notice the patrons look haggard. An unsettling feeling, as if I were A Child left Alone With Strangers, permeates through my mind. Seated now, an old-style jukebox begins to belt out a tune. In unison, the crowd of parched individuals marches to the dance floor, including myself. Gyrating hips and wicked giggles assault my senses, as if Trapped Specters are somehow infesting our bodies, making us move uncontrollably. I feel like a kid again, and yet, I can’t stop. My joints are grinding like the gears of an improper shift. People are frenzied, whooping into some sort of mad crowd of dancing baboons, an internal bestial rage unleashed. And then it happens. The cane flies out of my hands, and I trip and fall. A horrifying crunch lets me know my hip breaks, rendering me completely helpless, and yet these heathens don’t stop. The droning music continues, and as the hard soles of boots crash down on my body, I know this was the wrong place to stop…
Many thanks to Shortwave Publishing for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.45 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Sept. 22, 2026
Shortwave Publishing
A most terrifying escape…
💡 Orbs Prologue: Assisted by a walking cane, a geriatric Orb clumsily vacates the premises. Bright flames burst out of the roof of the Autumn Springs Retirement Home a short distance behind me, and I realize I will not be living there anytime soon. Overcome by dread, my shortness of breath is a strong indication I have no idea where I am going. Under the eerie glow of the Gothic moon, my eyes start to compose themselves, revealing what looks to be three Boys In The Valley. Upon my approach, they scatter like scared little jackrabbits, as if I am indeed a ghost reincarnated. Walking for hours, my body is reaching its breaking point, and luckily I stumble upon a roadside bar. An older gentleman sits behind the bar, while three older gentlemen in Confederate garb man a table off to the left, leaving me speechless, wondering if it was Halloween. Further inspecting the place, I am interrupted by a mysterious-looking woman who plainly greets me. “Welcome, my name is Sarafina."
🧐 A small glimpse: Pssst! Hey dear readers, it’s me, Orb. I want to let you in on a little secret…. Philip Fracassi is back with fourteen lovely little horror nuggets that will surely satisfy your need for fright! Oh my, is Fracassi back indeed! Here are some of my favorites in this collection:
D7 - A roadside bar becomes a haunting nightmare for hungry travelers. (Also inspiring the epilogue; all credit to Fracassi, of course!) 5/5
The Visitor - A priest is summoned to bless a house; unfortunately for him, a strange discovery unfolds. 4.5/5
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - A comedic tale about the corpse of Reese Witherspoon spending time with a contest winner. 4.5/5
Point Oh One - What would a man do if he knew the exact moment he was supposed to die? 5/5
⭐My Love Do Not Wake - A wife discovers the grass is not always greener on the other side. 5/5
👍 Orbs Pros: Such variety! Uniquely different and kept me up for hours in the passenger’s seat on a long road trip! Fracassi! I am firmly under the belief that some horror authors have it all figured out. Along with the likes of Nat Cassidy and Saratoga Schaefer, Fracassi is cementing himself as one of the best horror authors out there right now! The ease with which the stories flow is impressive, and if you want some variety, the stories come at you hard and fast from every direction. Just check out My Love, Do Not Wake, for example, which I feebly attempted to explain to someone, and they looked at me like there was something wrong with me! A thoroughly accessible type of horror! Now I get it; some like it darker… Chuckle, chuckle! See what I did there! In all seriousness, this can be enjoyed for those who just want a great little batch of stories that aren’t pushing the gore too far.
👎 Orbs Cons: A collection of stories.... Not a literary format everyone may enjoy! However, as far as a curated bunch of horror stories go, this fulfilled everything I wanted, so I personally have no complaints. Of course, per usual, horror will include some violence and tense and emotional situations that might disturb some.
Must read! Leaning towards a 5-star rating, and yet, selfishly, I am holding out for the next Fracassi offering! Fracassi is a genius! Worth your time!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: “Orb,” I say flatly, still trying to understand this hallucination I was witnessing. “Please, come sit. Unfortunately, we are packed at the moment, but I can certainly make room for you!” Her finger beckons to me. Shuffling slowly, I notice the patrons look haggard. An unsettling feeling, as if I were A Child left Alone With Strangers, permeates through my mind. Seated now, an old-style jukebox begins to belt out a tune. In unison, the crowd of parched individuals marches to the dance floor, including myself. Gyrating hips and wicked giggles assault my senses, as if Trapped Specters are somehow infesting our bodies, making us move uncontrollably. I feel like a kid again, and yet, I can’t stop. My joints are grinding like the gears of an improper shift. People are frenzied, whooping into some sort of mad crowd of dancing baboons, an internal bestial rage unleashed. And then it happens. The cane flies out of my hands, and I trip and fall. A horrifying crunch lets me know my hip breaks, rendering me completely helpless, and yet these heathens don’t stop. The droning music continues, and as the hard soles of boots crash down on my body, I know this was the wrong place to stop…
Many thanks to Shortwave Publishing for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
** 3.5 stars average rounded up **
Traps and Specters is a varied horror collection that mixes ghost stories, psychological horror, and science fiction. As with most collections, some stories landed better than others, but overall I enjoyed the variety which kept the collection engaging and unpredictable.
Fracassi explores themes of literal and metaphorical traps, along with specters in the form of ghosts, memories, obsessions, and regrets, binding together stories that range widely in tone and subject matter.
Story Ratings & Thoughts
D7 – ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A couple becomes trapped in a haunted bar where the spirit of a girl who died on the dance floor seeks revenge. It was entertaining enough, but I was hoping for something more from the ending.
The Visitor – ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
One of the strongest stories in the collection. A priest visits a family home to perform a blessing, only to realise something is deeply wrong. The tension builds brilliantly and the atmosphere is genuinely creepy. I only wish it had been longer!
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon – ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
A bizarre and darkly humorous premise involving a contest winner and a celebrity corpse. Weird but fun.
The Servitor – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
An entertaining adventure-horror story about the guardian of a booby-trapped royal tomb. Enjoyable throughout but the ending felt a little underwhelming.
King Mob – ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
This one went a little over my head if I’m being honest. It links the poet William Blake, Hell, and London prison riots, but I struggled to fully grasp what Fracassi was aiming for here.
The Hunter – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A strong story dealing with child abuse and violence with a supernatural element when the child seeks shelter in the basement. Dark, emotional, and filled with some memorable lines.
Point Oh One – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
An interesting sci-fi concept where people discover the exact moment they will die. The flawed protagonist and sci-fi element made this one particularly engaging.
Betrothed – ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
It is about a woman who falls in love with the back of her partner’s head. Strange and unsettling, but unique. Not entirely sure what to make of it.
My Love, Do Not Wake – ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A short tale about a wife haunting her husband after death to ensure they remain together forever. Simple but effective.
The Black Rider – ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Very short and not really my thing. It felt like there was potential for a much deeper story.
Dream of Me – ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
A creepy and compelling concept of a girl receiving a dream journal from her nana and finding vengeful comments written inside. I wasn't fully convinced by the motivations of the antagonist and found the eleven-year-old’s voice slightly unrealistic, but the pacing, atmosphere and horror elements were excellent.
The Resident – ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A strange story involving a man robbing a house and ending up trapped inside it. Interesting ideas, though it didn't completely work for me. I felt I needed more backstory to the supernatural entity here.
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted – ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
One of my favourites! After moving into a new home with his mother, a young boy discovers that the treehouse in their garden is haunted by the ghost of a little girl and something much darker. The tension builds so effectively that I was genuinely on edge by the end. I just wished there had been a little more to it.
Red Leather – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A businessman passing through a small town hears the story about a couple who were childhood sweethearts which transforms into something more gruesome and tragic. I especially liked the storytelling structure, as hearing the tale through the protagonist's perspective gave it a haunting, almost folktale-like quality.
Overall
While not every story was a hit, Traps and Specters showcases Philip Fracassi's versatility as a horror writer. The standouts for me were The Visitor, Dream of Me, and The Haunted Treehouse, all of which delivered genuine tension. Whether depicting supernatural hauntings, technological anxieties, or deeply human forms of suffering, he consistently finds fresh ways to unsettle and engage the reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.
Traps and Specters is a varied horror collection that mixes ghost stories, psychological horror, and science fiction. As with most collections, some stories landed better than others, but overall I enjoyed the variety which kept the collection engaging and unpredictable.
Fracassi explores themes of literal and metaphorical traps, along with specters in the form of ghosts, memories, obsessions, and regrets, binding together stories that range widely in tone and subject matter.
Story Ratings & Thoughts
D7 – ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A couple becomes trapped in a haunted bar where the spirit of a girl who died on the dance floor seeks revenge. It was entertaining enough, but I was hoping for something more from the ending.
The Visitor – ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
One of the strongest stories in the collection. A priest visits a family home to perform a blessing, only to realise something is deeply wrong. The tension builds brilliantly and the atmosphere is genuinely creepy. I only wish it had been longer!
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon – ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
A bizarre and darkly humorous premise involving a contest winner and a celebrity corpse. Weird but fun.
The Servitor – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
An entertaining adventure-horror story about the guardian of a booby-trapped royal tomb. Enjoyable throughout but the ending felt a little underwhelming.
King Mob – ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
This one went a little over my head if I’m being honest. It links the poet William Blake, Hell, and London prison riots, but I struggled to fully grasp what Fracassi was aiming for here.
The Hunter – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A strong story dealing with child abuse and violence with a supernatural element when the child seeks shelter in the basement. Dark, emotional, and filled with some memorable lines.
Point Oh One – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
An interesting sci-fi concept where people discover the exact moment they will die. The flawed protagonist and sci-fi element made this one particularly engaging.
Betrothed – ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)
It is about a woman who falls in love with the back of her partner’s head. Strange and unsettling, but unique. Not entirely sure what to make of it.
My Love, Do Not Wake – ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A short tale about a wife haunting her husband after death to ensure they remain together forever. Simple but effective.
The Black Rider – ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Very short and not really my thing. It felt like there was potential for a much deeper story.
Dream of Me – ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
A creepy and compelling concept of a girl receiving a dream journal from her nana and finding vengeful comments written inside. I wasn't fully convinced by the motivations of the antagonist and found the eleven-year-old’s voice slightly unrealistic, but the pacing, atmosphere and horror elements were excellent.
The Resident – ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A strange story involving a man robbing a house and ending up trapped inside it. Interesting ideas, though it didn't completely work for me. I felt I needed more backstory to the supernatural entity here.
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted – ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
One of my favourites! After moving into a new home with his mother, a young boy discovers that the treehouse in their garden is haunted by the ghost of a little girl and something much darker. The tension builds so effectively that I was genuinely on edge by the end. I just wished there had been a little more to it.
Red Leather – ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A businessman passing through a small town hears the story about a couple who were childhood sweethearts which transforms into something more gruesome and tragic. I especially liked the storytelling structure, as hearing the tale through the protagonist's perspective gave it a haunting, almost folktale-like quality.
Overall
While not every story was a hit, Traps and Specters showcases Philip Fracassi's versatility as a horror writer. The standouts for me were The Visitor, Dream of Me, and The Haunted Treehouse, all of which delivered genuine tension. Whether depicting supernatural hauntings, technological anxieties, or deeply human forms of suffering, he consistently finds fresh ways to unsettle and engage the reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you've read any Philip Fracassi then you know he is a master at serving up incredible stories, whether they are novels or short stories. With Traps and Specters: Stories, Fracassi once again delivers, in spades! This is a collection of short, but dark tales, featuring mostly normal people, going about their mostly normal lives. These poor souls find that the lines between success and failure, normality and insanity, and life and death are all extremely thin; very easy to cross on your own, but sometimes you get dragged across, kicking and screaming, without warning.
These stories CREEPED. ME. OUT... in all the good ways! The collection is full of twists and surprises, unhappy spirits, ancient kings, hidden figures and dead relatives. Put 'em all together and you've got a heck of a horror punch for your next party!
D7 - A couple walks into a nightmare when stopping at a remote bar for a quick after dinner drink. A horrific hoedown!
The Visitor - A priest called to visit a troubled family in a remote location learns that the pursuit of knowledge has its own dangers. Chilling!
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - Amazon really WILL sell almost anything, but artist Jack soon learns there's truth in the Latin expression Caveat Emptor. A twisted and creepy delivery!
The Servitor - For generations, one member of the Espinoza family has dedicated his life to maintaining the many traps that preserve and protect the tomb of the Inca king Maco Capac from treasure hunters. Failure is not an option! Tense and surprising!
King Mob - There are orderly protests, and then there's King Mob. Could you resist the temptation to get swept up in the insanity? This story pulls you right into the mob... and history buffs may find a new suspect as the chief instigator of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in 1780 London.
The Hunter - When you can't escape a father's insane fits of violence, you may have no choice but to make a promise in the dark. Pulse-pounding dread!
Point Oh One - Would knowing, to the second, when you'll die change how you live? The clock is winding down, but will the terror ever end?
Betrothed - Every couple needs their space. But what if one can't let go? Disturbing and unsettling ... 'til death do we part may not tell the whole tale!
My Love, Do Not Wake - Would you want your true love to bend over backwards for you? You may want to pay closer attention to those strange murmurings in the night.
The Black Rider - Some tales are meant to frighten children to encourage good behavior. Maybe we should all listen. Short, and not so sweet... yet immensely satisfying!
Dream of Me - A young girl finds more than just a way to interpret her dreams in the journal gifted to her by her grandmother. Some grandmothers are creepier than others.
The Resident - An empty house. An antiquated safe. Some jobs are just too easy. Until they aren't. Atmospheric and suspenseful.
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted - A boy and his mother move to a nice house in the suburbs, where he learns that his tree house refuge isn't his alone. Holy crap!! Goosebumps!!! ACTUAL GOOSEBUMPS!!!!
Red Leather - A traveling salesman, having dessert at a local Sabbath diner, gets a double serving of horror when hearing the story of young love. You can always count on a Sabbath tale for a tasty terror treat, and this one does NOT disappoint!
Thanks to Shortwave Publishing for providing an eARC of Traps and Specters: Stories for review via Netgalley!
#TrapsandSpecters #NetGalley
These stories CREEPED. ME. OUT... in all the good ways! The collection is full of twists and surprises, unhappy spirits, ancient kings, hidden figures and dead relatives. Put 'em all together and you've got a heck of a horror punch for your next party!
D7 - A couple walks into a nightmare when stopping at a remote bar for a quick after dinner drink. A horrific hoedown!
The Visitor - A priest called to visit a troubled family in a remote location learns that the pursuit of knowledge has its own dangers. Chilling!
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - Amazon really WILL sell almost anything, but artist Jack soon learns there's truth in the Latin expression Caveat Emptor. A twisted and creepy delivery!
The Servitor - For generations, one member of the Espinoza family has dedicated his life to maintaining the many traps that preserve and protect the tomb of the Inca king Maco Capac from treasure hunters. Failure is not an option! Tense and surprising!
King Mob - There are orderly protests, and then there's King Mob. Could you resist the temptation to get swept up in the insanity? This story pulls you right into the mob... and history buffs may find a new suspect as the chief instigator of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in 1780 London.
The Hunter - When you can't escape a father's insane fits of violence, you may have no choice but to make a promise in the dark. Pulse-pounding dread!
Point Oh One - Would knowing, to the second, when you'll die change how you live? The clock is winding down, but will the terror ever end?
Betrothed - Every couple needs their space. But what if one can't let go? Disturbing and unsettling ... 'til death do we part may not tell the whole tale!
My Love, Do Not Wake - Would you want your true love to bend over backwards for you? You may want to pay closer attention to those strange murmurings in the night.
The Black Rider - Some tales are meant to frighten children to encourage good behavior. Maybe we should all listen. Short, and not so sweet... yet immensely satisfying!
Dream of Me - A young girl finds more than just a way to interpret her dreams in the journal gifted to her by her grandmother. Some grandmothers are creepier than others.
The Resident - An empty house. An antiquated safe. Some jobs are just too easy. Until they aren't. Atmospheric and suspenseful.
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted - A boy and his mother move to a nice house in the suburbs, where he learns that his tree house refuge isn't his alone. Holy crap!! Goosebumps!!! ACTUAL GOOSEBUMPS!!!!
Red Leather - A traveling salesman, having dessert at a local Sabbath diner, gets a double serving of horror when hearing the story of young love. You can always count on a Sabbath tale for a tasty terror treat, and this one does NOT disappoint!
Thanks to Shortwave Publishing for providing an eARC of Traps and Specters: Stories for review via Netgalley!
#TrapsandSpecters #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TRAPS & SPECTERS – PHILIP FRACASSI
I need to come clean; I haven’t read EVERYTHING that Philip Fracassi has ever written. However, what I have read of his (Boys In The Valley, Third Rule of Time Travel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, and, as of time of writing, I am halfway through Sarafina), I feel like I get a different experience every time. There’s such a variety on offer in Fracassi’s work, whether it be genre, style, theme, or tone of story, that I am always left pleasantly surprised and mildly jealous at the range available in his output.
So, diving into his forthcoming collection, TRAPS & SPECTERS, published by the always wonderful Shortwave Publishing, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to get. Obviously, I knew I was going to get a bunch of well written horror stories, but I wasn’t ready for how many – if not all - of them turned out to be nasty, biting, sharp tales that really pull no punches. Where other authors may write similarly dark stories, they can go in a direction that lessens the overall impact. Not in here, no. What happens here feels like a stab to the gut, that sense of dread of something is going from bad to worse, and there ain’t no getting better from here. Not only that, Fracassi has the gall to then reach into that wound, grab your intestines, drag them out of you like a magician’s scarf trick, and then run away laughing maniacally.
And I think this is why I just couldn’t stop reading this. Like all the best car crashes you pass on the road, something compels you to keep looking, even if your brain knows that that isn’t really a good idea. And like any good collection – and not really a surprise here due to Fracassi’s previously mentioned range of genre hopping horror goodies – you have several distinct flavours of narrative. You have sci-fi, religious horror, historical allegory, dark comedy, a fucking Tomb Raider story, and a story that caps off the whole collection at the end that wouldn’t look out of place in King’s Skeleton Crew. Each contain bold flavours in their uniqueness, and that’s twice now I’ve used the word flavour in this paragraph alone. Am I hungry whilst writing this? Yeah, I am.
Whilst there truly isn’t a dud in this, I want to shout out my favourites, including the opening story D7, a previously published story about a couple who enter a roadside bar and find that they can’t leave; The Visitor, which feels like it written for all the Boys In The Valley fans; The Mummified Corpse Of Reese Witherspoon, which I took to be some statement on AI not allowing the famous to die (I’m thinking about that videogame that was recently announced where you play a samurai warrior and TUPAC FUCKING SHAKUR is one of the main side characters), but then I just ended up laughing through most of it in the best possible way; Point Oh One, which is an episode of Black Mirror yet somehow has possibly the worst implications for everyone involved; Dream of Me, a story that contained my favourite protagonist of the bunch in Jenna, alongside my favourite antagonist; and Red Leather, which is the story that I feel like is a homage to King’s style of short story telling, in a way that I think would be heralded as one of the man’s better small tales.
Overall, I think you can tell that I liked this one. Yeah, I liked this one a lot. Every story will hook you and drive you onto the next because you just can’t stop looking at the carnage, and this continues to cement Fracassi as one my favourite, and one of the industry’s best, modern horror storytellers currently working. Even if the stories he likes to tell are spiteful little bastards that make your withered soul sing for the chaos of it all.
Thanks to Shortwave for the ARC!
Traps & Specters releases Sept 22, 2026!
I need to come clean; I haven’t read EVERYTHING that Philip Fracassi has ever written. However, what I have read of his (Boys In The Valley, Third Rule of Time Travel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, and, as of time of writing, I am halfway through Sarafina), I feel like I get a different experience every time. There’s such a variety on offer in Fracassi’s work, whether it be genre, style, theme, or tone of story, that I am always left pleasantly surprised and mildly jealous at the range available in his output.
So, diving into his forthcoming collection, TRAPS & SPECTERS, published by the always wonderful Shortwave Publishing, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to get. Obviously, I knew I was going to get a bunch of well written horror stories, but I wasn’t ready for how many – if not all - of them turned out to be nasty, biting, sharp tales that really pull no punches. Where other authors may write similarly dark stories, they can go in a direction that lessens the overall impact. Not in here, no. What happens here feels like a stab to the gut, that sense of dread of something is going from bad to worse, and there ain’t no getting better from here. Not only that, Fracassi has the gall to then reach into that wound, grab your intestines, drag them out of you like a magician’s scarf trick, and then run away laughing maniacally.
And I think this is why I just couldn’t stop reading this. Like all the best car crashes you pass on the road, something compels you to keep looking, even if your brain knows that that isn’t really a good idea. And like any good collection – and not really a surprise here due to Fracassi’s previously mentioned range of genre hopping horror goodies – you have several distinct flavours of narrative. You have sci-fi, religious horror, historical allegory, dark comedy, a fucking Tomb Raider story, and a story that caps off the whole collection at the end that wouldn’t look out of place in King’s Skeleton Crew. Each contain bold flavours in their uniqueness, and that’s twice now I’ve used the word flavour in this paragraph alone. Am I hungry whilst writing this? Yeah, I am.
Whilst there truly isn’t a dud in this, I want to shout out my favourites, including the opening story D7, a previously published story about a couple who enter a roadside bar and find that they can’t leave; The Visitor, which feels like it written for all the Boys In The Valley fans; The Mummified Corpse Of Reese Witherspoon, which I took to be some statement on AI not allowing the famous to die (I’m thinking about that videogame that was recently announced where you play a samurai warrior and TUPAC FUCKING SHAKUR is one of the main side characters), but then I just ended up laughing through most of it in the best possible way; Point Oh One, which is an episode of Black Mirror yet somehow has possibly the worst implications for everyone involved; Dream of Me, a story that contained my favourite protagonist of the bunch in Jenna, alongside my favourite antagonist; and Red Leather, which is the story that I feel like is a homage to King’s style of short story telling, in a way that I think would be heralded as one of the man’s better small tales.
Overall, I think you can tell that I liked this one. Yeah, I liked this one a lot. Every story will hook you and drive you onto the next because you just can’t stop looking at the carnage, and this continues to cement Fracassi as one my favourite, and one of the industry’s best, modern horror storytellers currently working. Even if the stories he likes to tell are spiteful little bastards that make your withered soul sing for the chaos of it all.
Thanks to Shortwave for the ARC!
Traps & Specters releases Sept 22, 2026!
June 25, 2026
Traps and specters is a beautiful short story collection filled with so many amazing stories. Some are gruesome, some are sad, some are funny, and some are deeply moving. This book is exactly what I mean when I say I LOVE certain short story collections. The stories are incredibly versatile and so well written, with each one feeling completely different from the last. I had such an amazing time with this collection! I highly recommend picking this one up.
My favorite stories include:
D7 - A story about a couple who enter a bar in the middle of nowhere, only to discover that nobody is able to leave and everyone is forced to dance. This was such a perfect way to start the collection. The story was fun, emotional, and just a little bit unsettling, and it completely pulled me into the book from the very first page.
The visitor - A story about a priest making his way through a snowstorm to bless a family’s home, only to discover that nothing is quite as it seemed at first. This was so interesting and not at all what I expected, but I ended up enjoying it so much! The atmosphere was fantastic, and I loved not knowing where the story was going to take me.
The mummified corpse of Reese whitherspoon - This story shows what happens when you win a giveaway and the prize turns out to be not quite as great as you expected. This was so camp and had me laughing so hard. It was absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible and ended up being one of my favorites in the collection.
Point oh one - This story explores what someone would do if they were given the exact date and time of their death. I found this one so interesting, and at no point did I expect it to end the way it did. The ending completely caught me off guard.
Betrothed - This story explores what happens when you betray your wife. I loved this! That’s all I’m going to say. Good for her.
My love do not wake - A story about a woman who gets to know and love a new side of her husband. The ending of this story was so satisfying. I really enjoyed this one.
Dream of me - A child gets a dream diary for her 11th birthday and starts experiencing strange and unsettling dreams. This was such a wild and emotional ride, and I really enjoyed how unpredictable it was.
Red leather - An emotional story about a married couple who has an anniversary dinner at their favorite place every year. This story made me cry. It blends horror, emotion, and grief so closely together, and it was a perfect way to end this collection.
Thank you so much netgalley and Shortwave Publishing for the early Arc!
My favorite stories include:
D7 - A story about a couple who enter a bar in the middle of nowhere, only to discover that nobody is able to leave and everyone is forced to dance. This was such a perfect way to start the collection. The story was fun, emotional, and just a little bit unsettling, and it completely pulled me into the book from the very first page.
The visitor - A story about a priest making his way through a snowstorm to bless a family’s home, only to discover that nothing is quite as it seemed at first. This was so interesting and not at all what I expected, but I ended up enjoying it so much! The atmosphere was fantastic, and I loved not knowing where the story was going to take me.
The mummified corpse of Reese whitherspoon - This story shows what happens when you win a giveaway and the prize turns out to be not quite as great as you expected. This was so camp and had me laughing so hard. It was absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible and ended up being one of my favorites in the collection.
Point oh one - This story explores what someone would do if they were given the exact date and time of their death. I found this one so interesting, and at no point did I expect it to end the way it did. The ending completely caught me off guard.
Betrothed - This story explores what happens when you betray your wife. I loved this! That’s all I’m going to say. Good for her.
My love do not wake - A story about a woman who gets to know and love a new side of her husband. The ending of this story was so satisfying. I really enjoyed this one.
Dream of me - A child gets a dream diary for her 11th birthday and starts experiencing strange and unsettling dreams. This was such a wild and emotional ride, and I really enjoyed how unpredictable it was.
Red leather - An emotional story about a married couple who has an anniversary dinner at their favorite place every year. This story made me cry. It blends horror, emotion, and grief so closely together, and it was a perfect way to end this collection.
Thank you so much netgalley and Shortwave Publishing for the early Arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've loved the Philip Fracassi novels I've read, but unfortunately these short stories didn't really do it for me. Of course, I'm not much of a short story person in general, so perhaps it's a “right book, wrong person” sort of thing? I dunno. A few of them are creepy, but a lot of them are just plain weird and every last one of them fizzles out at the end.
If you like bizarre horror stories, though, this might be a collection that's right up your alley. I love, love, love horror, but just … no. The story where a woman falls madly in love with the random sentient face that appears on the back of her husband's head is the real low point as far as I'm concerned (“My Love, Do Not Wake”), but “The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon” (which is about exactly what you'd think, no surprises there) is a pretty close second. I can't even imagine what it's like inside Philip Fracassi's head, but he is amazing at coming up with some unique and extremely unsettling story ideas, I'll give him that.
Even the better stories (“I Think My Treehouse is Haunted” is incredibly creepy) all have unsatisfyingly open-ended conclusions, and they all end in basically the same way. A few short, dramatic (and, honestly, rather hokey) sentences meant for shock value and then the story is over, right when it's finally getting to the good part. Other readers might appreciate the format more than I did, but I need proper closure!
I do think that the latter bit of this collection is better than the first part. My three favorites are actually the last three of the book — the above-mentioned “I Think My Treehouse is Haunted” is super spooky (and has one of the better endings of the bunch), and “The Resident” and “Red Leather” are pretty decent. And my least favorites? Well, see above. If a second face just happens to appear somewhere on my husband, I will promptly call an exorcist and not go straight to snogging it, just saying.
So, yeah. Sorry, Philip Fracassi. The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre and Sarafina were both amazeballs, but I think I'll skip the short story collections from now on.
2.45 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 22, 2026.
If you like bizarre horror stories, though, this might be a collection that's right up your alley. I love, love, love horror, but just … no. The story where a woman falls madly in love with the random sentient face that appears on the back of her husband's head is the real low point as far as I'm concerned (“My Love, Do Not Wake”), but “The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon” (which is about exactly what you'd think, no surprises there) is a pretty close second. I can't even imagine what it's like inside Philip Fracassi's head, but he is amazing at coming up with some unique and extremely unsettling story ideas, I'll give him that.
Even the better stories (“I Think My Treehouse is Haunted” is incredibly creepy) all have unsatisfyingly open-ended conclusions, and they all end in basically the same way. A few short, dramatic (and, honestly, rather hokey) sentences meant for shock value and then the story is over, right when it's finally getting to the good part. Other readers might appreciate the format more than I did, but I need proper closure!
I do think that the latter bit of this collection is better than the first part. My three favorites are actually the last three of the book — the above-mentioned “I Think My Treehouse is Haunted” is super spooky (and has one of the better endings of the bunch), and “The Resident” and “Red Leather” are pretty decent. And my least favorites? Well, see above. If a second face just happens to appear somewhere on my husband, I will promptly call an exorcist and not go straight to snogging it, just saying.
So, yeah. Sorry, Philip Fracassi. The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre and Sarafina were both amazeballs, but I think I'll skip the short story collections from now on.
2.45 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is September 22, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Traps and Specters exemplifies why Philip Fracassi has established himself as a dependable voice in contemporary horror. Throughout this collection, he seamlessly shifts between cosmic terror, grief-driven horror, body horror, and classic supernatural unease. What makes the anthology particularly compelling is that even its most bizarre or brutal moments are rooted in genuine human emotion.
A notable strength of the collection is its versatility. Some stories feel intimate and haunting, while others expand into larger, more visceral tales filled with grotesque imagery and escalating violence. A few stories also carry that signature Fracassi touch—slightly surreal, where reality subtly frays, creating an unsettling sensation. Despite the wide-ranging premises, the tone remains cohesive, thanks to Fracassi’s steady voice: dark, compassionate, and quietly vicious when necessary. He excels at crafting an atmosphere of dread that gradually intensifies, ensuring that even stories not aiming for outright terror leave a lingering impression.
Another area where Fracassi truly excels is in atmosphere. He has a talent for building slow-burning unease—moments where something feels off long before horror fully manifests. Many stories carry a heaviness that makes even quieter passages impactful. For some, it’s the mood, the deep discomfort that elevates the story more than the plot itself.
That said, not every story hits with the same force, which is typical for collections. The high points are memorable, but some pieces feel more like promising sketches or mood exercises rather than fully fleshed-out stories. While none feel careless, a few leave less of an emotional impact, and some endings come abruptly. There were moments when I simply wanted more development.
Overall, Traps and Specters is a compelling collection. Its variety and sense of deep unease, often tinged with cruelty and strange compassion, make it a noteworthy read. While it’s not flawless, some stories fade faster than others but the overall effect is impressive. If you already appreciate Fracassi’s blend of literary horror, grief, dread, and occasional brutality, this collection comes highly recommended.
A notable strength of the collection is its versatility. Some stories feel intimate and haunting, while others expand into larger, more visceral tales filled with grotesque imagery and escalating violence. A few stories also carry that signature Fracassi touch—slightly surreal, where reality subtly frays, creating an unsettling sensation. Despite the wide-ranging premises, the tone remains cohesive, thanks to Fracassi’s steady voice: dark, compassionate, and quietly vicious when necessary. He excels at crafting an atmosphere of dread that gradually intensifies, ensuring that even stories not aiming for outright terror leave a lingering impression.
Another area where Fracassi truly excels is in atmosphere. He has a talent for building slow-burning unease—moments where something feels off long before horror fully manifests. Many stories carry a heaviness that makes even quieter passages impactful. For some, it’s the mood, the deep discomfort that elevates the story more than the plot itself.
That said, not every story hits with the same force, which is typical for collections. The high points are memorable, but some pieces feel more like promising sketches or mood exercises rather than fully fleshed-out stories. While none feel careless, a few leave less of an emotional impact, and some endings come abruptly. There were moments when I simply wanted more development.
Overall, Traps and Specters is a compelling collection. Its variety and sense of deep unease, often tinged with cruelty and strange compassion, make it a noteworthy read. While it’s not flawless, some stories fade faster than others but the overall effect is impressive. If you already appreciate Fracassi’s blend of literary horror, grief, dread, and occasional brutality, this collection comes highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's been a couple of years since Philip Fracassi's last short story collection, No One Is Safe!, with novels like The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre and Sarafina getting a lot of plaudits and attention in the meantime. I'll admit to being a bigger fan of novel-length stories in general, personally, and it's no different with Fracassi, but he has a habit of taking interesting directions with creativity in his short work, so I was excited to read Traps And Specters.
There's a lot here for fans of more weird fiction, or those with an inclination towards the surreal, with Fracassi stretching his creative inspiration. A story set in the future, about an avid book club reader who wins a week with the mummified corpse of Reese Witherspoon, for example? Or a woman who discovers a new face beginning to appear in the back of her husband's head and decides she has more feelings for this side? Then there's the first book in the story, the previously released novella D7, in which it seems we may be dealing with a haunted jukebox of some description. These are the type of stories that'll keep you on your toes through the collection and stop it ever feeling repetitive.
There are more conventional tales here, as well. A treehouse with a ghostly presence, a grandmother who gifts a dream journal with potentially ulterior motives, or a priest called by desperate inhabitants to bless a house. My personal standouts are The Servitor, about the person who resets all those dangerous traps you see in Indiana Jones temples – somebody has to reload those step-activated arrows after all – and Point Oh One, a nasty story set in a near future where people can find out the day they'll die. I can see those rattling around my head for a long time.
There are some minor criticisms that often apply to these sets of stories, for example, occasionally abrupt endings, ideas you'd like to see fleshed out more, and swings that may not quite connect for every reader. Overall, though, this is a strong set of creepy tales and the best short story collection of 2026 that I've read so far. A must-read for any fans of the author, who it seems just can't miss.
There's a lot here for fans of more weird fiction, or those with an inclination towards the surreal, with Fracassi stretching his creative inspiration. A story set in the future, about an avid book club reader who wins a week with the mummified corpse of Reese Witherspoon, for example? Or a woman who discovers a new face beginning to appear in the back of her husband's head and decides she has more feelings for this side? Then there's the first book in the story, the previously released novella D7, in which it seems we may be dealing with a haunted jukebox of some description. These are the type of stories that'll keep you on your toes through the collection and stop it ever feeling repetitive.
There are more conventional tales here, as well. A treehouse with a ghostly presence, a grandmother who gifts a dream journal with potentially ulterior motives, or a priest called by desperate inhabitants to bless a house. My personal standouts are The Servitor, about the person who resets all those dangerous traps you see in Indiana Jones temples – somebody has to reload those step-activated arrows after all – and Point Oh One, a nasty story set in a near future where people can find out the day they'll die. I can see those rattling around my head for a long time.
There are some minor criticisms that often apply to these sets of stories, for example, occasionally abrupt endings, ideas you'd like to see fleshed out more, and swings that may not quite connect for every reader. Overall, though, this is a strong set of creepy tales and the best short story collection of 2026 that I've read so far. A must-read for any fans of the author, who it seems just can't miss.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Coming from Shortwave Publishing in September of 2026, Traps and Specters: Stories by Philip Fracassi is an unsettling collection that shows a horror writer working with confidence and range. There are fourteen stories and novelettes that move from haunted objects and failed exorcisms to technological dread, ancient tombs and disturbing human violence The result is a collection that feels both classic and contemporary, rooted in genre tradition while in touch with modern fears. Personal favorites include the collection-leading story, D7, which demonstrates the downside of haunting marathon dance parties. In addition, The Servitor and King Mob will leave you reflecting on frightening aspects of the human condition. There are no duds in this book.
The book’s title lets the reader know immediately that Fracassi’s characters are often caught before they realize it—haunted by guilt, obsession, superstition, cruelty, or forces they cannot name. The specters that haunt these pages are not only supernatural, but also memories, fears, and histories that refuse to stay buried. Fracassi’s prose builds dread by favoring pressure over spectacle and suggestion over easy shocks. Even at its most grotesque, the collection remains focused on mood, character, and the slow realization that escape may already be impossible. Traps and Specters is sharp, eerie, and consistently interesting in theme. It’s a strong choice for serious horror readers.
The book’s title lets the reader know immediately that Fracassi’s characters are often caught before they realize it—haunted by guilt, obsession, superstition, cruelty, or forces they cannot name. The specters that haunt these pages are not only supernatural, but also memories, fears, and histories that refuse to stay buried. Fracassi’s prose builds dread by favoring pressure over spectacle and suggestion over easy shocks. Even at its most grotesque, the collection remains focused on mood, character, and the slow realization that escape may already be impossible. Traps and Specters is sharp, eerie, and consistently interesting in theme. It’s a strong choice for serious horror readers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
everyone stop what you're doing...Fracassi has a new short story collection dropping soon! now i know we've all already preordered this right??
i might not be much of a short story collection or anthology kind of girlie, but if Fracassi writes it, i'm going to read it. Philip Fracassi has quickly become an autobuy author for me so i was super uber excited to dive into Traps and Specters.
Traps and Specters is a collection of 14 short stories that literally has a little bit of something for everyone who enjoys the horror genre. oh, how we love an author with range!!! from ghosts & demons, to haunted jukeboxes, to tech gone wrong, to even... a mummified Reese Witherspoon, this collection has it all!
like all short story collections, there will be some stories that work for you & some that don't. but let me tell you... the ones that hit?? absolute bangers! one thing about Philip Fracassi is he knows how to write some creepy ass stories. there were a few times i got the heebie jeebies. each story felt unique & unsettling. even though not every story worked for me Philip Fracassi delivered strong, consistent writing from start to finish. overall, Traps & Specters is an unsettling & entertaining set of short stories. it's definitely one of the best horror collections i've read.
My favorites were "The Visitor" (Boys in the Valley fans, this one's for you), "D7," "The Resident" (which immediately reminded me of The Collector or Don't Breathe, think home invasion gone wrong), & "I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted."
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
i might not be much of a short story collection or anthology kind of girlie, but if Fracassi writes it, i'm going to read it. Philip Fracassi has quickly become an autobuy author for me so i was super uber excited to dive into Traps and Specters.
Traps and Specters is a collection of 14 short stories that literally has a little bit of something for everyone who enjoys the horror genre. oh, how we love an author with range!!! from ghosts & demons, to haunted jukeboxes, to tech gone wrong, to even... a mummified Reese Witherspoon, this collection has it all!
like all short story collections, there will be some stories that work for you & some that don't. but let me tell you... the ones that hit?? absolute bangers! one thing about Philip Fracassi is he knows how to write some creepy ass stories. there were a few times i got the heebie jeebies. each story felt unique & unsettling. even though not every story worked for me Philip Fracassi delivered strong, consistent writing from start to finish. overall, Traps & Specters is an unsettling & entertaining set of short stories. it's definitely one of the best horror collections i've read.
My favorites were "The Visitor" (Boys in the Valley fans, this one's for you), "D7," "The Resident" (which immediately reminded me of The Collector or Don't Breathe, think home invasion gone wrong), & "I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted."
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A collection of the macabre, the downright eerie, and the grotesque, Traps and Spectres is a perfect snapshot into the world of Philip Fracassi.
From flash fiction to novelettes, this is a rich and varied collection which will call to all horror lovers. The varying lengths of the stories lends itself to impeccable pacing that will have any reader flying through the stories.
As with most collections, there were some stories which really stood out to me:
D7 - this is an iconic Fracassi story, featuring trapped souls, a haunted jukebox, and no escape. Perfectly mired in hopelessness and with lashings of pop culture, this story is as entertaining as it is surprisingly heartbreaking.
My Love, Do Not Wake - I loved the concept of this one, and it really added something different to the collection. Grotesque and thrilling, the story goes deep into the heart of obsession. I loved the Edward Mordrake vibes of this one.
The Resident - robbery gone wrong, with dire consequences. This is a strong story that is haunting in more ways than one.
I Think My Treehouse is Haunted - this story is very well written to appear a very wholesome tale, which takes on a sinister edge very quickly. With twists and turns in the story that keep you on edge, the suspense in this story is subtle and bubbles under every word.
Within each story, Fracassi adds black humour, realistic dialogue, and truly unique concepts. If you’re looking for an introduction to Fracassi’s work, you won’t go far wrong here. If you’re already a fan, you’ll recognise the trademark writing style which flows so easily, and you’ll find plenty here to sink your teeth into.
From flash fiction to novelettes, this is a rich and varied collection which will call to all horror lovers. The varying lengths of the stories lends itself to impeccable pacing that will have any reader flying through the stories.
As with most collections, there were some stories which really stood out to me:
D7 - this is an iconic Fracassi story, featuring trapped souls, a haunted jukebox, and no escape. Perfectly mired in hopelessness and with lashings of pop culture, this story is as entertaining as it is surprisingly heartbreaking.
My Love, Do Not Wake - I loved the concept of this one, and it really added something different to the collection. Grotesque and thrilling, the story goes deep into the heart of obsession. I loved the Edward Mordrake vibes of this one.
The Resident - robbery gone wrong, with dire consequences. This is a strong story that is haunting in more ways than one.
I Think My Treehouse is Haunted - this story is very well written to appear a very wholesome tale, which takes on a sinister edge very quickly. With twists and turns in the story that keep you on edge, the suspense in this story is subtle and bubbles under every word.
Within each story, Fracassi adds black humour, realistic dialogue, and truly unique concepts. If you’re looking for an introduction to Fracassi’s work, you won’t go far wrong here. If you’re already a fan, you’ll recognise the trademark writing style which flows so easily, and you’ll find plenty here to sink your teeth into.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After reading Philip Fracassi’s Novel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his short story collection, Traps and Specters. Thank you, NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing, for the advance copy of this deliciously dark read!
Every time I read a story by Philip Fracassi, I am blown away by how talented a writer he is. Each short story and novella in Traps and Specters is unique in tone, plot, and character. What ties them all together? Fricassi’s ability to weave truly dark tales that will keep you up at night, long after closing the book. These stories are morbid, creepy, jarring, and best of all, unexpected.
Point O One–What would you do if you knew the exact minute of your death?
My Love, Do Not Wake–a bored housewife has an affair behind her husband’s back-literally.
Dream of Me–A grandmother gives her granddaughter a dream journal that just may bring her grandmother back from the dead.
Bethrothed–Death DOES NOT do us part!
I Think My Treehouse is Haunted–A treehouse replays the scene of a brutal murder. Can the loop be broken?
Red Leather–Does everyone see the same version of a ghost?
I can’t recommend these macabre tales enough! For fans of Joe Hill and Paul Tremblay. This book will be released in September 2026–just in time for spooky season!
Every time I read a story by Philip Fracassi, I am blown away by how talented a writer he is. Each short story and novella in Traps and Specters is unique in tone, plot, and character. What ties them all together? Fricassi’s ability to weave truly dark tales that will keep you up at night, long after closing the book. These stories are morbid, creepy, jarring, and best of all, unexpected.
Point O One–What would you do if you knew the exact minute of your death?
My Love, Do Not Wake–a bored housewife has an affair behind her husband’s back-literally.
Dream of Me–A grandmother gives her granddaughter a dream journal that just may bring her grandmother back from the dead.
Bethrothed–Death DOES NOT do us part!
I Think My Treehouse is Haunted–A treehouse replays the scene of a brutal murder. Can the loop be broken?
Red Leather–Does everyone see the same version of a ghost?
I can’t recommend these macabre tales enough! For fans of Joe Hill and Paul Tremblay. This book will be released in September 2026–just in time for spooky season!
June 14, 2026
An anthology of 14 short stories that delight and disgust, scary and haunting as well as dark and dreadful. Demons, ghosts, ancient secrets, isolation, human nature, and even Reese Witherspoon, among other things, traverse these well written pages. Some of the tales are more cautionary scares. Overall the main and prevailing theme in this work seems to be about human nature-and not the good side of it.
I enjoyed each one of these for different reasons…I loved the uniqueness of each story. Each one had a different spin, a unique focus and was creepy and engaging for different reasons. Some very short but some a little longer, they gave enough detail to make me squirm but also left me wanting more. Perfectly balanced horror.
D7 and Point Oh One were my favorites, although there was not a story I disliked in this anthology. My Love, Do Not Wake was unhinged in a strange but interesting way. Red Leather, the last of the tales is haunting and terrifying! Very solidly done and kept my interest as each story unfolded. I was looking forward to the next one as I went along and found myself picking it back up almost immediately after I put it down.
Thank you Net Galley and Shortwave Publishing for the ARC and chance to review this book. All opinions are my own!
I enjoyed each one of these for different reasons…I loved the uniqueness of each story. Each one had a different spin, a unique focus and was creepy and engaging for different reasons. Some very short but some a little longer, they gave enough detail to make me squirm but also left me wanting more. Perfectly balanced horror.
D7 and Point Oh One were my favorites, although there was not a story I disliked in this anthology. My Love, Do Not Wake was unhinged in a strange but interesting way. Red Leather, the last of the tales is haunting and terrifying! Very solidly done and kept my interest as each story unfolded. I was looking forward to the next one as I went along and found myself picking it back up almost immediately after I put it down.
Thank you Net Galley and Shortwave Publishing for the ARC and chance to review this book. All opinions are my own!
June 25, 2026
I really recommend this book. Anthologies of short horror stories are a mixed bag most of the times, but this book has stories ranging from good to great.
The author does not go into trite stories or scenarios, all of the the stories feel modern, innovative and fresh.
I found The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon to be wildly bizarre but highly entertaining, with a feeling of a modernized The Twilight Zone.
I really enjoyed the ending of Point Oh One, while the ending of Betrothed took me a few seconds to understand, but once I got it it was satisfying and creepy.
The Servitor is an ultra cool story about an Indiana Jones kind of maze, and I Think My Treehouse is Haunted is a terrifying story with an urban legend feeling, with an ending you never see coming.
But the best stories in my opinion are Dream of Me about dreams, haunting and witchcraft, just an amazing all around story. And Red Leather is just an ultra terrifying story, with everything you can wish for: trauma, mourning, the small town setting, the urban legend feeling, the storytelling, the gore and ultra violence. The ultimate horror story to tell around a campfire.
Got an advanced copy from NetGalley. Thank y'all.
The author does not go into trite stories or scenarios, all of the the stories feel modern, innovative and fresh.
I found The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon to be wildly bizarre but highly entertaining, with a feeling of a modernized The Twilight Zone.
I really enjoyed the ending of Point Oh One, while the ending of Betrothed took me a few seconds to understand, but once I got it it was satisfying and creepy.
The Servitor is an ultra cool story about an Indiana Jones kind of maze, and I Think My Treehouse is Haunted is a terrifying story with an urban legend feeling, with an ending you never see coming.
But the best stories in my opinion are Dream of Me about dreams, haunting and witchcraft, just an amazing all around story. And Red Leather is just an ultra terrifying story, with everything you can wish for: trauma, mourning, the small town setting, the urban legend feeling, the storytelling, the gore and ultra violence. The ultimate horror story to tell around a campfire.
Got an advanced copy from NetGalley. Thank y'all.
July 20, 2026
Traps and Spectres is a perfect short story summerween read and I'm sure if you're into horror you're likely to find a story or two that resonates with your type of spook.
I am a big fan of Boys in the Valley (it was a 5 star read for me) so having the opportunity to read this was so amazing! I think the writing was great, making all the stories even those that weren't exactly my favourite easy and engaging to read through.
The stories provide a big variety from down right weird to eerie creepy and whilst I really enjoyed the variety, the reason for my 3 star was that out of all the stories there were only a couple that I truly felt were memorable and would stick with me for a longer time. These were: Dream of Me and I Think My Treehouse was Haunted. I think these 2 really showcased that you don't need to have a super long book to provide an effective sense of dread! The others were still definitely worth reading, with many creating a "What did I just read?!" moment but I don't think they were quite as effective for me personally but I do stand by what I said in that I think there might be something for everyone looking for a creepy tale in this one.
Thank you so much Shortwave Publishing for the opportunity to read this early, I am eternally grateful!
I am a big fan of Boys in the Valley (it was a 5 star read for me) so having the opportunity to read this was so amazing! I think the writing was great, making all the stories even those that weren't exactly my favourite easy and engaging to read through.
The stories provide a big variety from down right weird to eerie creepy and whilst I really enjoyed the variety, the reason for my 3 star was that out of all the stories there were only a couple that I truly felt were memorable and would stick with me for a longer time. These were: Dream of Me and I Think My Treehouse was Haunted. I think these 2 really showcased that you don't need to have a super long book to provide an effective sense of dread! The others were still definitely worth reading, with many creating a "What did I just read?!" moment but I don't think they were quite as effective for me personally but I do stand by what I said in that I think there might be something for everyone looking for a creepy tale in this one.
Thank you so much Shortwave Publishing for the opportunity to read this early, I am eternally grateful!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
A fantastically creepy amd morbid collection of short stories! I honestly can't remember the last time I read such a solid anthology. I thought all the stories were great, but my favorites have to be D7, The Visitor, and I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted.
D7 - 4.5 stars
The Visitor - 4.5 stars
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - 4.25 stars
The Servitor - 4 stars
King Mob - 3 75 stars
The Hunter - 4 stars
Point Oh One - 4 stars
Betrothed - 4 stars
My Love, Do Not Wake - 3.75 stars
The Black Rider - 4.25 stars
Dream of Me - 4 stars
The Resident - 4 stars
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted - 4.5 stars
Red Leather - 3.75 starsA fantastically creepy amd morbid collection of short stories! I honestly can't remember the last time I read such a solid anthology. I thought all the stories were great, but my favorites have to be D7, The Visitor, and I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted.
D7 - 4.5 stars
The Visitor - 4.5 stars
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - 4.25 stars
The Servitor - 4 stars
King Mob - 3 75 stars
The Hunter - 4 stars
Point Oh One - 4 stars
Betrothed - 4 stars
My Love, Do Not Wake - 3.75 stars
The Black Rider - 4.25 stars
Dream of Me - 4 stars
The Resident - 4 stars
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted - 4.5 stars
Red Leather - 3.75 stars
A fantastically creepy amd morbid collection of short stories! I honestly can't remember the last time I read such a solid anthology. I thought all the stories were great, but my favorites have to be D7, The Visitor, and I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted.
D7 - 4.5 stars
The Visitor - 4.5 stars
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - 4.25 stars
The Servitor - 4 stars
King Mob - 3 75 stars
The Hunter - 4 stars
Point Oh One - 4 stars
Betrothed - 4 stars
My Love, Do Not Wake - 3.75 stars
The Black Rider - 4.25 stars
Dream of Me - 4 stars
The Resident - 4 stars
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted - 4.5 stars
Red Leather - 3.75 starsA fantastically creepy amd morbid collection of short stories! I honestly can't remember the last time I read such a solid anthology. I thought all the stories were great, but my favorites have to be D7, The Visitor, and I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted.
D7 - 4.5 stars
The Visitor - 4.5 stars
The Mummified Corpse of Reese Witherspoon - 4.25 stars
The Servitor - 4 stars
King Mob - 3 75 stars
The Hunter - 4 stars
Point Oh One - 4 stars
Betrothed - 4 stars
My Love, Do Not Wake - 3.75 stars
The Black Rider - 4.25 stars
Dream of Me - 4 stars
The Resident - 4 stars
I Think My Treehouse Is Haunted - 4.5 stars
Red Leather - 3.75 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Philip Fracassi has quickly become an auto-buy author for me, and Traps and Specters is another reason why. This collection has such a great mix of stories—haunted objects, ghosts, technology gone wrong, and plenty of dark, unsettling moments. Every story felt different, but they all had the same atmosphere and quality that I've come to expect from Fracassi.
What I enjoy most about his writing is how easily he pulls me into a story. Whether it's a short piece or a longer novella, I always find myself completely invested in the characters and eager to see where things are going.
By the time I finished Traps and Specters, I was reminded once again why Philip Fracassi has become one of my favourite authors. His storytelling feels effortless, his imagination is remarkable, and he consistently delivers stories that are both entertaining and genuinely unsettling. Few writers can blend atmosphere, emotion, and horror as effectively as he does. This is an outstanding collection, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.
What I enjoy most about his writing is how easily he pulls me into a story. Whether it's a short piece or a longer novella, I always find myself completely invested in the characters and eager to see where things are going.
By the time I finished Traps and Specters, I was reminded once again why Philip Fracassi has become one of my favourite authors. His storytelling feels effortless, his imagination is remarkable, and he consistently delivers stories that are both entertaining and genuinely unsettling. Few writers can blend atmosphere, emotion, and horror as effectively as he does. This is an outstanding collection, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Shortwave Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Are you looking for a terrifying, spine-tingling book that will have you looking over your shoulder? Then "Traps and Specters", an upcoming collection of fourteen terrifying short stories, is pefect from you. It will hook you from page one and not let go. From deadly tombs to haunted jukeboxes to medical tests that can tell you exactly when you going to die, there is a story for everyone! My favorite story was the body horror one. Lesson learned from this story: check the back of your head for unusual bumps…
This book is perfect excellent example of Fracassi's amazing writing talent. He is a versatile author with stories in "Traps and Specters" ranging from the supernatural to body horror to possession to slasher sub-genres of horror. A short story gives the author limited time to "get to the point" and Fracassi does this perfectly. Many of the stories were unsettling, leaving me with a feeling of dread at their conclusion.
Whether you prefer novels, short stories, or a particulary sub-genre of horror, this collection is a MUST READ. Make sure to pre-order it!
This book is perfect excellent example of Fracassi's amazing writing talent. He is a versatile author with stories in "Traps and Specters" ranging from the supernatural to body horror to possession to slasher sub-genres of horror. A short story gives the author limited time to "get to the point" and Fracassi does this perfectly. Many of the stories were unsettling, leaving me with a feeling of dread at their conclusion.
Whether you prefer novels, short stories, or a particulary sub-genre of horror, this collection is a MUST READ. Make sure to pre-order it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Philip Fracassi and Shortwave Publishing for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Traps and Specters. Each short story brought something different to the table, but they all shared an unsettling atmosphere that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Fracassi does an excellent job building tension, slowly layering in details until everything comes together in a shocking reveal or disturbing final twist. Even when I thought I knew where a story was heading, he often managed to surprise me.
I ended up reading many of these stories at night, which may have been a mistake because several genuinely creeped me out. The collection balances scares with strong storytelling, creating stories that are both entertaining and memorable. Some were downright terrifying, while others left me with that lingering uneasy feeling that stuck with me. If you’re a horror fan looking for a collection that delivers chills and surprises, this one is definitely worth picking up!
I really enjoyed Traps and Specters. Each short story brought something different to the table, but they all shared an unsettling atmosphere that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Fracassi does an excellent job building tension, slowly layering in details until everything comes together in a shocking reveal or disturbing final twist. Even when I thought I knew where a story was heading, he often managed to surprise me.
I ended up reading many of these stories at night, which may have been a mistake because several genuinely creeped me out. The collection balances scares with strong storytelling, creating stories that are both entertaining and memorable. Some were downright terrifying, while others left me with that lingering uneasy feeling that stuck with me. If you’re a horror fan looking for a collection that delivers chills and surprises, this one is definitely worth picking up!
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