The Lady in White: A Tale Set in Rochester, New York

Zachary Finn presents a narrative centered on Jason Green, a doctoral candidate who travels to Rochester, New York, in the fall of 2015. His objective is to interview Richard Dawdson, a historian whose career collapsed amid scandal and who has since become an urban legend within academic circles. The setting for this encounter is the dilapidated Hotel Celeste, a location that reflects the decay surrounding its former occupant. The text functions as a record of the conversation Dr. Dawdson shared during that evening. It shifts focus from Green’s research to the personal history of a woman connected to the historian’s past. Finn structures the work to prioritize this female perspective, offering a counter-narrative to the public story of Dawdson’s disgrace. The book appeals to readers interested in academic horror and regional gothic fiction set in upstate New York. It may not suit those seeking traditional jump scares or fast-paced action, as it relies on atmosphere and character study. The narrative draws upon the traditions of psychological horror and local legend. Finn uses the framework of an interview to explore themes of reputation, loss, and the supernatural. The story is grounded in the specific geography of Rochester and the social dynamics of university departments. It examines how a person’s professional identity can dissolve into myth. The tale concludes by clarifying that this account belongs to the woman at the center of the mystery, not the disgraced academic.