Traps and Specters: Stories

Name: Traps and Specters: Stories
Price: 22.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798897320066

✍️ Philip Fracassi

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$22.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Fourteen macabre tales by Philip Fracassi featuring talking corpses and haunted objects

This collection gathers fourteen distinct stories that explore the boundaries of fear through supernatural and technological means. Fracassi utilizes a wide array of subjects to create an unsettling experience for the reader. The text includes narratives about deadly tombs and prison riots alongside tales of technology gone wrong. Matt Dinniman provides the introductory material, connecting this work to his own bestselling status. The stories are designed to ensnare readers in a web of twisted horror rather than offer traditional redemption arcs.

Key Themes

talking corpses deadly tombs vengeful spirits

Literary Context

Published by Shortwave in 2026, this work sits within the contemporary horror landscape. It references the Bram Stoker Award and British Fantasy award nominations to establish its literary credibility. The inclusion of Matt Dinniman links it to the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, appealing to fans of modern genre fiction.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Matt Dinniman

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Shortwave 📅 2026 📖 332 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798897320066

📝 Description: Traps and Specters: Stories

Philip Fracassi, a Bram Stoker Award finalist and British Fantasy award nominee, presents fourteen macabre tales in Traps and Specters. This collection spans diverse horrors including talking corpses, deadly tombs, and blood-soaked prison riots. The narratives also explore misguided exorcists, technology gone wrong, and vengeful spirits alongside haunted objects. An introduction by New York Times bestselling author Matt Dinniman frames these twisted tales. The book suits readers who enjoy chilling, thrilling entertainment that leaves them gasping in shock. It draws on traditions of supernatural fiction and gothic horror to ensnare audiences in a dark web of terror. The stories are organized to frighten and disturb through varied scenarios rather than a single continuous plot. Fracassi’s work here demonstrates a remarkable range of imaginative writing styles. This volume is not for those seeking light comfort or simple resolutions. It offers a concentrated dose of the macabre from a writer recognized for his literary skill. The inclusion of Matt Dinniman, known for Dungeon Crawler Carl, adds weight to the collection’s appeal among genre fans. Readers looking for specific chapter titles will find none listed in this edition's promotional material. The focus remains on the atmospheric dread and twisted nature of each individual story within the fourteen-part structure.

💎 Our verdict on Traps and Specters: Stories

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Philip Fracassi demonstrates remarkable range in this volume of fourteen macabre tales. The collection excels in creating unsettling experiences through a wide array of subjects, from deadly tombs to prison riots and misguided exorcists. The work successfully draws on gothic horror traditions while incorporating elements of technological dread. It is best suited for readers who enjoy chilling entertainment that prioritizes atmospheric tension over plot continuity. The inclusion of an introduction by Matt Dinniman adds weight for genre fans. While not for those seeking comfort, the book offers a concentrated, skillfully written exploration of fear. Its strength lies in its ability to ensnare audiences through varied scenarios rather than a single continuous narrative, delivering genuine shock and disturbance.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a concentrated dose of the macabre will find this collection particularly rewarding. It is designed for those who enjoy chilling, thrilling entertainment that leaves them gasping in shock rather than offering simple resolutions or light comfort. The book suits audiences who appreciate the boundaries of fear explored through both supernatural entities and technological failures. By eschewing traditional redemption arcs, Fracassi ensnares readers in a web of twisted horror suitable for those who desire to be frightened and disturbed. It appeals to fans of diverse horrors, including talking corpses and haunted objects, providing a varied yet cohesive experience of atmospheric dread across fourteen distinct tales.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Philip Fracassi demonstrates remarkable range in this volume of fourteen macabre tales. The collection excels in creating unsettling experiences through a wide array of subjects, from deadly tombs to prison riots and misguided exorcists. The work successfully draws on gothic horror traditions while incorporating elements of technological dread. It is best suited for readers who enjoy chilling entertainment that prioritizes atmospheric tension over plot continuity. The inclusion of an introduction by Matt Dinniman adds weight for genre fans. While not for those seeking comfort, the book offers a concentrated, skillfully written exploration of fear. Its strength lies in its ability to ensnare audiences through varied scenarios rather than a single continuous narrative, delivering genuine shock and disturbance.