-35%

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

👻 Ghost Stories −35%

Ghost Story

Name: Ghost Story
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781101989197

✍️ Peter Straub

Reader Score

4.6

(2 reviews)

$20.00 ~~$31.00~~ Save $11.00 (35%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Four old men in Milburn face supernatural retribution for a shared past mistake.

The novel explores how a simple pastime of storytelling among four elderly friends in Milburn transforms into a source of terror. Straub uses the framework of their gatherings to reveal a horrifying accident from their youth. The narrative does not rely on external monsters but on the internal guilt of the characters. Their attempts to keep secrets fail as the town suffers from their collective sin. This approach highlights the weight of memory and the impossibility of burying the past. The book is organized around the unfolding consequences of their actions, rather than a linear quest for redemption. Readers will find the tension built through psychological pressure and atmospheric dread.

Key Themes

supernatural retribution shared guilt small-town secrets

Literary Context

Peter Straub’s Ghost Story sits within the American gothic tradition, utilizing the setting of a sleepy New York town to explore themes of aging and regret. Published by Berkley Books in 2016, it continues the legacy of supernatural fiction that examines how past sins haunt present lives.

Peter Straub

📚 all books by this author (48) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Berkley Books 📅 2016 📖 518 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781101989197

📝 Description: Ghost Story

Four elderly men in Milburn, New York, share frightening stories that blur the line between fact and fiction. This simple ritual becomes a conduit for supernatural retribution when one of their stories returns to haunt them. The plot centers on a wicked mistake made long ago, an accident that refuses to stay buried. Straub, known for his mastery of gothic and supernatural fiction, structures the novel around these confessions. The men must confront the consequences of their past actions as the town becomes entangled in their shared guilt. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric horror rooted in character-driven dread rather than jump scares. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear resolutions, as the terror lingers in the ambiguity of memory and regret. The narrative draws on traditions of small-town secrets and the inescapable nature of history. Straub’s prose creates a sense of inevitable doom, making the past a tangible threat. The story unfolds through the interactions of these four old men, whose quiet lives are disrupted by the return of something frightening. Their attempts to divert themselves from their routine lead them into a horrifying encounter with the unknown.

💎 Our verdict on Ghost Story

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Straub crafts a chilling tale where storytelling becomes a conduit for supernatural retribution in Milburn. While the prose creates an inevitable doom and the psychological pressure is effective, this book demands patience. It does not suit readers seeking fast-paced action or clear resolutions, as the terror lingers in ambiguity rather than providing closure. The narrative relies on the weight of memory rather than linear redemption, which may frustrate those expecting traditional plot progression. However, for those willing to engage with the atmospheric dread and character-driven tension, it offers a sophisticated and haunting experience that highlights the impossibility of burying the past.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric horror rooted in character-driven dread rather than sudden shocks will find this narrative deeply rewarding. The book offers a compelling exploration of how memory and regret shape reality, making the past a tangible threat. It suits those interested in psychological pressure and the ambiguity of truth. Fans of gothic fiction that examines the internal guilt of characters over external action will enjoy Straub’s mastery of tone. The story provides a profound look at how shared sins can corrupt a community, offering a slow-burn terror that lingers long after reading.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Seekers of slow-burn dread and psychological terror will find a home here. Fans of character-driven gothic horror will appreciate the deep immersion in guilt and regret. However, those craving adrenaline-fueled action sequences or neat, conclusive endings may feel frustrated by the lingering…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 2 reviews

Naomi R.

November 29, 2025

Dread done right

Got it as a gift for a friend who loves the genre. Print is comfortable for late-night reading. If you like this kind of cooking, don't hesitate.

❓ Frequently asked questions

It prioritizes deep character development and building atmosphere over rapid plot progression. If you prefer relentless action or quick resolutions, this may feel sluggish.

The terror stems from psychological weight and the consequences of buried sins rather than jump scares. The supernatural elements are deeply intertwined with the characters' internal guilt and regret.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Peter Straub stands as a towering figure in modern supernatural literature, bridging the gap between classic Gothic traditions and contemporary American horror. This novel revitalizes the small-town secret trope, emphasizing how collective guilt festers over decades. By structuring the narrative around confessions among aging men, Straub explores themes of memory’s unreliability and the past’s tangible threat. It serves as a testament to his mastery in crafting atmospheric dread where psychological unease outweighs visceral shock, influencing countless writers who prioritize emotional resonance over simple scares.