Fracassi, Philip

Libraries looking to add the leading edge of modern horror to their collection should purchase Fracassi’s new book. Some good read-alikes include The Troop by Nick Cutter, What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, and Goddess of Filth by V. Castro.

Fracassi, coming off a Bram Stoker Award nomination for his horror short-story collection Beneath a Pale Sky, is on a roll. A violent and original entry into both the cursed-object and writer-descending-into-madness tropes, with palpable fear leaping off the page, similar to The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.

This one’s an essential read for horror fans, but readers of all stripes will find grace, humor, and some thoughtful reflections on life and death here. The rich, character-driven stories shine with elegantly crafted prose. This collection is one not to miss.