Old Ghosts

Joseph J. Christiano presents his debut collection, Old Ghosts, a volume of six novellas that shifts between the frozen battlefields of World War II Europe and the quiet streets of Deacon’s Landing in New England. This compilation demonstrates the author’s understanding of fear by grounding supernatural terror in mundane anxiety and historical trauma. The stories range from the grim realities of war to the digital anxieties of modern gaming, offering a varied landscape of horror. The collection opens with "emet," where a crashed German bomber crew faces unspeakable evil. Christiano then moves to contemporary settings with "The Highwayman," following a rookie trucker on a dangerous mountain pass, and "Phantom Pain," which explores the terrifying experience of a suicidal woman losing her arm. The tone shifts again in "God Mode," an online gamer’s descent into horror, and "The Frenchman," featuring a professional assassin who oversteps his bounds for a mob boss. The final novella, "Old Ghosts," sees an elderly man returning to his hometown for his mother’s funeral, only to encounter spectral remnants of the past. This book suits readers who appreciate atmospheric dread rooted in specific historical or psychological contexts. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or traditional jump scares. Christiano relies on tension and character isolation rather than gore. The novellas are distinct narratives that stand alone yet share a common thread of human vulnerability against unseen forces. Each story offers a different entry point into the genre, from war trauma to digital obsession.