DNF at 38%

I could not get into this book at all. I enjoy slow burn but this was the slowest of slow burn, at least for me. I also thought there could have been some serious edits done to this book. There were so many unnecessary details and the details that were necessary were not fleshed out.

Fun, riveting read! It was a little slow in the beginning but the pace quickly picked up around the 30% mark. Would definitely like to read more by Phillip Fracassi!

Tyson Parks is an aging horror writer struggling to capture his past success with his books. On the edge and close to financial ruin help comes in the form of a birthday present. His girlfriend Sarah gives him a beautiful antique desk that sparks his writing. Too bad the desk is actually a sacrificial alter, and there is some evil magic creating his success. How long before the evil in the desk wants repayment?

Gothic is dark, creepy, and a fun ride. I was expecting a haunted desk to be as scary, but this book was very successful in showing the menacing and disturbing nature of the desk. Watching the slow and undeniable transformation of Tyson throughout the book as the desk takes hold of him is unnerving to read. There is a real sense of dread while not wanting anything to happen to this family who has been thrown unknowingly into this situation.

I would recommend Gothic to fans of horror with cursed objects. This book is a lot of fun to read despite the very dark disturbing content.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

The centerpiece of Philip Fracassi's Gothic centers around a demonic writer's desk that was carved from an altar of the occult. It possesses a fading horror author as he crafts his latest work and as you would imagine, bad stuff happens.

This is a '70s throwback novel, but with a contemporary twist. Think Paperbacks from Hell for the 21st century. It's easy to make comparisons to classic Stephen King. A haunted desk? That's Christine without wheels! A struggling writer's descent into madness? Redrum!

I had a blast reading this book. Despite the familiar themes, Gothic stands on its own merits. Sure, it does tend to drag a bit, just like classic (and modern) King, but it's well worth the ride. This was my first Philip Fracassi novel and I'm ready for more.

A masterful horror novel. This made me uncomfortable a number of times, something I haven't experienced for a while. The timing and way the evil would surface was really disquieting. This is not for the faint of heart, so if you don't like horror, don't read it. If you do like a good horror novel, don't pass this one by.

Struggling with writer's block, horror author Tyson Parks needs a new muse in his life. For his 59th birthday, his well meaning partner buys him a new desk she's found in an antique store. Little does anyone know that this desk is in reality a shapeshifting portal to cosmic forces beyond the comprehension of man, hunted by the last member of a powerful family bent on putting an end to its powers. Philip Fracassi blends Lovecraftian horror with the very human tale of a writer descending into obsession and madness a la Stephen King in Gothic.

Pros:
- The premise is fairly wild and the action reflects this: it doesn't pull many punches, is pretty gory in places, and doesn't make sense in a comical way at times.
- It's feels like a love letter to the genre, namedropping various King references and having some strong Lovecraft vibes throughout.

Cons:
- Beyond the main character, the others are all fairly superfluous and could almost be cut from the book without much impact. In particular, the character trying to chase down the artifact has almost no relevance to the plot for how much time is spent with her character in perspective chapters, and her story ends in a comically abrupt way.

Three stars. It's fun in a gratuitous way, but there's not much bubbling beyond the surface here.

FFO: Lovecraft, the Shining.

**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Cemetery Dance and Netgalley*

Gothic is a satisfyingly dark read, weaving together well-worn tropes, character archetypes, and gory goings-on into an original story that hits plenty of horror high notes. It might have benefited from a hundred pages in either direction - depending on whether you'd want certain parts fleshed out, or the fat trimmed off entirely - but once it gets going, it's a wonderfully twisted novel, marking Fracassi as an exciting voice in the genre.

If you like those Stephen King types of books then this one is something to pick up. Very much a slow story building book but quick to read and consume with the short chapters to keep you turning the page. There is some scenes that might not be for some people with tiggers. A good entey novel into more extreme horror.

Reading this book gave me chills! It was so creepy and atmospheric. Some parts left me terrified! It is a but graphic at times so be aware if you plan on reading this but I loved it!

Tyson Parks receives antique desk for his 59th birthday. The perfect gift for a famous, struggling horror writer, his partner Sarah got it for a good price. She’s hoping it’ll give him inspiration to write. Tyson begins using the desk and after awhile begins acting unlike himself. He’s become angry and violent. His is writing faster and more than ever before. But his writing is disturbing. His publishers are ecstatic with the turnaround are believe it will be very successful. Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his success even at the expense of his family and his own sanity.


Gothic is available February 3, 2023.

Thank you netgalley and cemetery dance publications for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A great horror story that will give me shivers for a long time to come!!.
It centres around Tyson, who is a horror writer a bit down on his luck. He hasn't been writing great novels for a few years and is struggling to write that great book that could get him back on his uppers. Meanwhile, his wonderful partner of ten years, Sarah, has bought him an antique desk for his fifty ninth birthday, and this desk will go in his office to hopefully inspire his book writing. This is a great find as far as her dealer friend is concerned. It's unusual and she knows that Tyson will love it.
I'm afraid as in all horror books ,things start to change for the worst. The desk takes over Tyson's life. Then a woman comes to his door trying to buy the desk, saying it belongs to her family.
You may not sleep well after reading this!!.
I received this free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #oldschoolhorror, #pfracassi, #cemeterydancepub.

I just finished Gothic by Phillip Fracassi and this is what I thought.

Tyson parks is a washed up horror writer hoping for a come back. The book he just submitted was not what he promised and now is under a time crunch to write something new.

His partner Sarah, gets him a gothic desk to help with his writer's block, a birthday gift.

A woman, mystical and mysterious, has been searching for that very desk for years and has hired a PI to track it down. Finally she has found it ..

Tyson begins to write at the desk but has no memory of writing at it… he begins to act out of character and becomes increasingly violent but his new book is well received by his agent and the publisher but is it worth his sanity for the glory of his comeback?

Yikes! This book was so graphic and I devoured the whole thing in a few hours. If you are looking for old school horror with mysticism wrapped right in then this one has to be next on your list.

Tysons transformation from washed up has been, to international best seller was gripping to watch unfold and the descriptions of what happens to him when he sits and writes was so horrifying I had my fist over my mouth for part of the book.

I'm a huge horror fan and this one checked all the boxes. Great character development, fast and steady pace and the plot was excellent.
What didn't I like… The ending. I felt like I needed to know answers to some questions I had because I'm not a fan of loose endings with things left unexplained. I know I'm in the minority here because I need definites of knowing but I know a lot of horror fans like to be left this way.

I do highly recommend this book. It's out now so grab yours today!!! 4.5 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @cemetarydancepublications for my review copy

Tyson Parks is having trouble riding his newest novel the cursor keeps blinking haunting him what his partner Sarah something up her sleeve it’s his birthday and although it’s more than she would usually spin she buys him an antique desk and he goes from writers block to overflowing with things he wants the typout. Unfortunately it changes more than just it’s riding flow but who he is as a person he starts to see things, hear things and act unlike himself. And all his agencies is Dollar Signs though he pulls the original deal he wants to start a bidding frenzy but madness isn’t uniform and it can never end well. This is the second book I’ve read by this Author and cannot wait to read more. She has an imagination unmatched and her dissent into madness seems so authentic. Some parts of this book made me squirm in my seat into spite reading at the time wanted to cover my eyes. I feel fortunate that I have found such a talented author as hora is one of my favorite genres and to say she does a great job would be an understatement. I received this book from NetGalley and cemetery dance press but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A very slow burn that left unanswered questions. I had to read more than half the book for the pace to pick up. Then there was a spike for a chapter or two and then it plateaued again. The book could have done with a serious edit of unnecessary details and fleshing out of parts that mattered. It was a little disturbing but by no means scary. Thanks #NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the ARC.

Gothic by Philip Fracassi is entertaining, frightening, gross, funny and creepy. It all started with the gift of a writing desk, which we can all agree now is cursed. The story starts slow at first but halfway in, fasten your seatbelt because you are in for quite the ride. Is anyone else calling it meta? Thanks to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the ARC.

A slow burn, but once it catches it blazes!

Tyson Parks is a horror author living in New York with his partner (not wife, don’t make that assumption) and his daughter. He is having some trouble with the latest novel he promised his publisher, his advance has already been spent and he just can’t seem to deliver. That is until a mysterious ornate desk comes into his possession. Or it may be better to say he becomes possessed by his mysterious new desk… Tyson has finally found his muse again but the cost for inspiration is high.

This was my first book by Philip Fracassi and it is not going to be the last, as I said this was a slow burn at first it seemed like a lot of nothing, just day to day in the life of a horror author (they do say to write what you know!) but all of a sudden I was spiraling into madness right along with Tyson. There were some parts where I was literally squirming as they were being described, and when we got the title of Tyson’s last novel… I was shook there is just no other way to put it. A little meta but in a good way and a lot of spooky fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to preview Gothic by Philip Fracassi. I will say that I struggled with this one. I love a good slow burn horror/thriller story; however, I was turned off by the graphic descriptions of sexual violence. The story could have been just as impactful without the rape. Honestly, I would not have requested the book if I would have known how much the main character hated women.

The plot itself was super engaging and something I'd never encountered before. I would give this author another chance because the story was new and promising. I'd just request some warnings about graphic sexual violence.

“Do this in remembrance of me.” A carving and a curse. A statement etched deep into the antique desk Tyson Park is gifted on his 59th birthday. Given to him with the hope it will be a source of inspiration. To help him write another hit horror story. To bring him back to his glory days.

Instead it’s a font of pure evil. A hungry thing looking for it’s newest victims, and inspiration pours out of Tyson into the vilest novel he’s ever penned. But the desk doesn’t just give it also takes, and is Tyson willing to pay the ultimate price for infamy.

Told through multiple narrators we see an author on the brink of madness. The toll of his obsessive writing on his family and friends, both mentally and physically in gory brutality. No one is safe within Gothic’s pages.

Fracassi writes these intensely bingeable stories. Books you want to stay up all night reading, and Gothic is no exception.

Thank you so much to @cemeterydancepub and @pfracassi for providing me with a galley of this title. Gothic comes out February 3rd.

So far I have not been disappointed by any Fracassi books, and this may be my favorite yet 🙌. Gothic is a dark, twisty tale of a man gone mad, drowning in the depths of his own mind.
—

Tyson, a struggling horror writer, receives a present from his wife for his birthday; a large desk with intricate carvings and symbols which turns out to be an ancient occult artifact. While using the desk, Tyson is suddenly able to write again, blasting thru page after page, but what he writes is more disturbing than anything he has written before. His personality also changes, becoming more angry and violent, and more selfish, hurting those closest to him. When a strange lady comes by claiming the desk is a long lost family artifact, things spiral out of control causing death and ultimately, self destruction.
—

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙣𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛.”

I soaked up this book, completely absorbed in what was on the pages. The characters were relatable and written well. I loved the whole idea behind the desk and what it represented. This story had a modern feel to it, but definitely possessed features of a vintage, older style as well. Fracassi has definitely proven himself in my eyes as a master storyteller and I can’t wait for what’s to come next 🤩.

Gothic by Philip Fracassi was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. I have read this author in the past and he never ceases to amaze the reader. This book was one of the few horror novels I have read recently where I did not skim any due to woke nonsense or boring dialogue that never seemed to end. This is old-school writing that kept me interested and moving right along. As always, I will not go into plot details, plenty of others will rehash the liner synopsis so I don't have to. If you, or someone you buy gifts for, likes a horror book in the vein of old SK books, give this book a read,

4 Stars