👻 Ghost Stories

Passing Through Veils

✍️ John Harrison
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$28.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A psychological thriller about a woman haunted by secrets in her restored Georgetown home.

Kathryn Fields moves into a run-down Georgetown townhouse to heal from a career-ending nervous breakdown. Her attempt at physical restoration triggers supernatural events when she finds a vanity behind a false wall. A murdered woman’s ghost emerges, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. Harrison explores whether these horrors are real or products of a fractured mind. The narrative relies on the tension between the protagonist’s internal state and external haunting.

Key Themes
psychological thriller haunted townhouse murdered woman's ghost
Literary Context

Published by Wordfire Press in 2023, this work sits within the tradition of American psychological horror. It draws on the stylistic influences of Shirley Jackson and Gillian Flynn. The setting is a specific Georgetown, D.C. townhouse, grounding the supernatural elements in a recognizable urban landscape.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Gillian Flynn · Daphne du Maurier
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Wordfire Press 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781680574241

📝 Description: Passing Through Veils

John Harrison’s Passing Through Veils presents a psychological narrative centered on Kathryn Fields. She relocates to a deteriorating townhouse in Georgetown, Washington D. C., seeking to restore the property as part of her recovery from a recent nervous breakdown that ended her career. The story shifts when she uncovers a hidden vanity behind a false wall in her bedroom. This discovery releases the spirit of a murdered woman who demands vengeance. The text examines the boundary between reality and surrealism through Kathryn’s damaged psyche. Readers encounter questions regarding whether the haunting is a tangible threat or a projection of her mental state. Harrison, known for his work with Wordfire Press, blends elements associated with Shirley Jackson and Gillian Flynn to create this atmosphere. The narrative focuses on the tension between physical restoration and internal collapse. This book suits readers interested in psychological thrillers featuring haunted domestic spaces and unreliable narrators. It appeals to those who enjoy stories where the supernatural intersects with personal trauma. Individuals seeking lighthearted mysteries or clear-cut resolutions may find the ambiguity unsettling. The story remains grounded in the specific setting of a Georgetown townhouse and the protagonist’s internal struggle.

💎 Our verdict on Passing Through Veils

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Harrison effectively blends gothic atmosphere with psychological thriller elements to create a haunting narrative centered on Kathryn Fields. The novel excels in maintaining tension through the protagonist’s damaged psyche, blurring the lines between tangible supernatural threats and projections of mental illness. The setting of a deteriorating Georgetown townhouse serves as a potent metaphor for internal collapse, grounding the surrealism in a specific, tangible location. While the ambiguity may frustrate some, it is essential to the story’s exploration of trauma. This book suits readers who appreciate complex character studies and dark fantasy where the supernatural intersects with personal history. It is a compelling, if unsettling, addition to the genre.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave atmospheric horror that prioritizes psychological depth over jump scares will find this novel compelling. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of supernatural events and personal trauma, specifically within the context of domestic spaces. The story offers a nuanced exploration of an unreliable narrator, challenging audiences to question the boundary between reality and mental collapse. Those who enjoy ambiguous endings and complex character studies will appreciate the tension between physical restoration and internal disintegration. Conversely, individuals seeking lighthearted mysteries or clear-cut resolutions may find the persistent ambiguity unsettling. It is ideal for fans of dark fantasy and ghost stories that delve into the fractured psyche of their protagonists.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Harrison effectively blends gothic atmosphere with psychological thriller elements to create a haunting narrative centered on Kathryn Fields. The novel excels in maintaining tension through the protagonist’s damaged psyche, blurring the lines between tangible supernatural threats and projections of mental illness. The setting of a deteriorating Georgetown townhouse serves as a potent metaphor for internal collapse, grounding the surrealism in a specific, tangible location. While the ambiguity may frustrate some, it is essential to the story’s exploration of trauma. This book suits readers who appreciate complex character studies and dark fantasy where the supernatural intersects with personal history. It is a compelling, if unsettling, addition to the genre.

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