Grotesque: A Supernatural Horror Thriller

by William Massa

Someone is leaving bodies on the rooftops of Manhattan.

And Sara Shaw has just inherited the apartment with the perfect view.

Sara hasn't seen her grandmother in twenty years. Now Eleanor is dead, and Sara has inherited her penthouse at the top of the Overton, a prewar Manhattan tower of dark stone, narrow windows, and locked doors.

At first, the apartment feels like a miracle. Then Sara finds the binoculars. Through them, she watches the city from thirty floors up. Windows. Rooftops. Strangers who don't know they're being watched.

Until she sees the body.

A man lies dead on a nearby rooftop, mutilated in a way no one can explain. And above the crime scene, perched on a ledge, a stone gargoyle looks down at what’s left of him.

By morning, the statue is gone.

Soon there is another murder on another rooftop.

And the same winged monster appears.

Only now it’s closer.

As Sara searches for answers, the Overton begins to reveal what her grandmother really left behind.

A chilling legacy. And a creature that may already be coming for her.

Genres: Horror

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2026

About the author

William Massa is a produced screenwriter and bestselling Amazon author who writes monsters, magic, and mayhem with a cinematic edge.

His screen credits include Return to House on Haunted Hill, and he has sold scripts and pitches to Warner Bros., Sony, USA Network, Silver Pictures, Dark Castle Entertainment, and Maverick Films.

Drawing on a lifelong love of horror, action movies, pulp adventure, and the supernatural, William specializes in Dark Urban Fantasy, Action-Adventure Horror, and supernatural thrillers—a blend he likes to call Heroic Horror: ordinary and extraordinary heroes facing impossible evil and fighting back.

His series include The Hexecutioner, The Paranormalist, Shadow Detective, Night Slayer, Occult Assassin, and The Exorcist Code, with new nightmares always in the works.

William has lived in New York, Florida, and Europe and now resides in Venice Beach, California, surrounded by skaters, surfers, palm trees and plenty of inspiration for things that go bump in the night.

Find William on social media.

Facebook: WilliamMassaBooks for news, updates and announcements.

Instagram: @bill.massa

Email: williammassabooks@gmail

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up.

[Nancy Warr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read several books by this author and have liked most of them. This book however was just an ok read not bad but not very good either.. the plot was predictable with characters that needed more fleshing out. This book would have been a much better read if the reader was given a little more insight into the characters especially the character of Eleanor the reader is left knowing nothing about why she did what she did..

[Wil Forbis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grotesque - William Massa

This is not a horror novel that’s going to fill you with icy knives of dread or cause you to fundamentally question the nature of human existence.

But it is a pretty fun read.

The setup is that a female protagonist moves into the Manhattan apartment of her recently murdered grandmother. It turns out Granny had some dark secrets that may be connected to the stone gargoyle that seems to shift between nearby buildings. And the dead bodies piling up.

Massa has an interesting writing style. It’s so sparse that you never really get a sense of the characters, but it does propel the story along very nicely. And sometimes story is what really matters.

As monsters go, I consider gargoyles kind of dopey. But they are delivered in a creepy way here. I rarely feel a chill while reading, but I did with this book.

This is basically a 1980s straight-to-video movie in book form. If you know what you’re getting into, it can be quite entertaining.

I absolutely will read Massa's work again.

[Patrick Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prolific author William Massa's latest novel adds a new twist to gargoyle horror with "Grotesque." A young woman inherits an unwelcoming New York penthouse apartment after her eccentric grandmother is brutally murdered. Attracted to true crime stories and aberrant psychology, the young woman discovers her grandmother's dark secret, and all the while bodies are dropping from the sky, thrown by an eldritch entity connected to the wicked old woman's witchery. Told in first person present tense, the reader feels the young protagonist being drawn into a dark legacy while a living stone homicidal monstrosity stomps around on the roof. This is an outstanding mix of supernatural thriller and psychological horror.

[LizKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay read.
I found myself wanting more details, everything seemed so matter of fact and fast. Several times the side characters were suddenly spouting off important information that someone didn't ask for but that was necessary for the story. The whole "relationship" with the reporter felt contrived.

[Chrisanne Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, quick read

What a fabulous find. The summary peaked my interest and from page 1 i was hooked. The character, good and bad, and the story was well written. I was immersed in every piece as if I was there watching from sidelines. The story starts strong and stays that way where you don’t want to put it done. I’m looking forward to more books from William Massa.

[Jane Mitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grotesque is a supernatural horror story. A grotesque is an evil gargoyle. There are a lot of occult references and practices. Did you know a grotesque cant move if you are looking at it? It's a good horror book.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

Short but what a read.
I unfortunately read this at night. And it's also raining right now. Yeah, that'll will help me sleep...not!
Did I just hear something on my roof?! WTH.....oh oh

[Diana Dunlap-lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s fast paced with a mix of creepy, eerie, supernatural, thriller and horror. Definitely had a twist I didn’t see coming with a surprise and excellent ending. This is the first book I’ve read of this Author’s and I intend to read more.

[Jeanette Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 (due to virtual-voice)

Great story with interesting plot but unfortunately the audio left much to be desired. Had it been narrated by a person instead of virtual voice this story would be even better to listen to.

[Mrs Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grotesque was creepy, dark, and gave me serious *Lover’s Vow* from *Tales from the Darkside* vibes. It had that classic supernatural horror feel that I absolutely love, with an unsettling atmosphere that kept me hooked. There’s something about this kind of dark, twisted storytelling that just hits differently. Definitely a solid four star read for anyone who enjoys creepy supernatural horror with a classic feel.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

When Eleanor granddaughter is forced to return after she is brutally murdered. She must face what Eleanor truly was. There is a monster lurking in the distance waiting to taken her soul and those who wronged her. Will she give in to the monster or stand her ground

[DELIA SHEPPARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was good

Enjoyed reading, something different. Don't read too many books about gargoyles which I do like. I do enjoy all of his books.

[Fatimah Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This was a great story. Enthralling from the first page to the last. I’ve read other books from this author and they’re always phenomenal! Highly recommend!!

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gargoyle thiller

Very good thriller , being a fan of gargoyle, i was excited to read this book , the characters where awesome the plot was very interesting, job well done

[debbie j hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling

I could not put this book down. The text ran smoothly, and when I thought I figured out the villian, another twist. Excellent story line.

[Brad Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read, I have read several stories about gargoyles over the years, this is one of the better ones.

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it.

[Bo Loftis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I enjoyed this book. It was engaging. Pacing was a little fast. Could have taken its time and built up the tension a little more.

[Dez · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A super fun, quick read!

[Mrs B S Bairstow/ Mr A Bairstow · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Very different and very enjoyable read. A little predictable but did not spoil the story. Slightly disappointed in the ending

[David Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would read again...

I like the fresh feel of this story; kind of original, very creepy, and it's really easy to get into the characters. Will be binging this author!