The Last Night of October

by Greg Chapman

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Pub Date Apr 16 2021 | Archive Date May 05 2021

Horror

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Description

Seventy-year-old Gerald Forsyth dreads Halloween.

Every year, on October 31st, a lone child has knocked on his door – a nightmarish reminder of a tragedy from Gerald’s past.

As each Halloween came and went, Gerald has been able to keep his door locked and the monstrous memory at bay, but the ravages of emphysema have left him a disgruntled and feeble-minded old man.

When a new hospice nurse named Kelli arrives unexpectedly to replace his regular nurse on Halloween night, Gerald is caught unawares and before he can warn her, Kelli is inviting the threat into his home. The horrors that unfold will be no trick and the only treat the child will accept is the old man’s soul.

Before the night ends, Gerald will have no choice but to bring his dark secret into the light.

Seventy-year-old Gerald Forsyth dreads Halloween.

Every year, on October 31st, a lone child has knocked on his door – a nightmarish reminder of a tragedy from Gerald’s past.

As each Halloween came and...

Advance Praise

“All in all, I can’t think of another recent piece of Halloween fiction I’ve enjoyed as much as The Last Night of October. And from an Australian, yet.” – from the introduction by Lisa Morton, Multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author

“Not very often does a tale come along that breathes new life into the Halloween storyline. With THE LAST NIGHT OF OCTOBER, Greg has delivered a story that you will want to read again and again as you get ready for our favorite time of the year. Nothing gets me in the mood for the Halloween season more than a good Halloween story, this isn’t a good Halloween story, this is a great Halloween story.” – Famous Monsters of Filmland

“This novella solidifies the fact that I need to delve further into Mr. Chapman’s catalogue as I truly enjoyed every moment of “The Last Night of October”. It’s a great anytime read and a perfect addition to my list of annual seasonal reads. Fit snugly between Norman Partridge’s Dark Harvest and Ray Bradbury’s The Halloween Tree. I will definitely be revisiting this. When the nights are murky, the wind is bellowing and the candle’s flame is flickering, I will answer the knock at the door. Check it out.” – Halloween Forevermore

“The Last Night of October is about friendship, survival, making choices and living with the consequences of those choices. For someone who didn’t grow up with the Halloween traditions, the author does an exceptional job of capturing the feel of the holiday.” – Horrible Book Reviews

“The Last Night of October sees author Greg Chapman delivering not only his best work to date but also arguably the best ghost story of the year.” – Scaryminds

“A quick read that will linger much longer than a bag of cheap Halloween candy. Don’t wait until next Halloween to give this one a shot – The Last Night of October will deliver chills all year ’round.” – The October Country

“If you’re a sucker for Halloween stories, as I am, then you’ll find Greg Chapman’s The Last Night of October well worth a look. It’s a creepy little spook story, an All Hallow’s tale of vengeance from beyond the grave, reminiscent in many ways of the old Tales from the Crypt-era pulps, with some truly spine-chilling scenes. Most of all, it’s fun, and these days that’s an ingredient that too often gets overlooked.” – Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Turtle Boy, Kin, and The Tent