Who's There: A Short Story

Name: Who's There: A Short Story
Price: 5.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798561386855

✍️ Anthony Mantuano

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$5.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A man's emotional breakthrough summons a long-waiting monster in this short horror story.

This narrative examines the fragile boundary between healing and haunting. Michael’s journey from numbness to feeling acts as a catalyst for supernatural retribution. The text does not offer redemption but rather a confrontation with past sins. Mantuano uses the setting of a psychiatric hospital to ground the horror in reality. The story suggests that some wounds never close, only wait. The monster is not a random threat but a direct consequence of Michael’s suppressed trauma. This approach aligns with classic gothic tales where the past refuses to stay buried.

Key Themes

psychological trauma supernatural retribution emotional numbness

Literary Context

Published in 2020 by Independently Published, this work fits within the contemporary landscape of self-published horror fiction. It appeals to American readers seeking concise, standalone tales that blend psychological depth with traditional supernatural elements without requiring extensive background knowledge.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Edgar Allan Poe

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798561386855

📝 Description: Who's There: A Short Story

Anthony Mantuano presents a chilling narrative in Who's There: A Short Story. The plot centers on Michael, a man burdened by the memory of his parents' murder for over two decades. He was blamed for the killings and spent years in a psychiatric hospital, becoming numb and emotionless. Today marks a shift in his condition. During a therapy session, he expresses an emotion for the first time in a long while. This small breakthrough serves as a signal to the monster that has waited all these years. The entity returns to continue where it left off. Mantuano draws on the tradition of psychological horror and supernatural fiction. The story relies on the tension between mental illness and external evil. It explores how trauma can isolate individuals from their own feelings. The narrative structure is tight, focusing entirely on Michael's internal state and the immediate threat. This work suits readers who enjoy short, intense tales of gothic dread. It may not appeal to those seeking complex plots or large casts of characters. The book is a focused exploration of guilt and fear.

💎 Our verdict on Who's There: A Short Story

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Mantuano delivers a chilling narrative that effectively grounds supernatural horror in the reality of a psychiatric hospital. By focusing entirely on Michael's internal state, the author creates significant tension between mental numbness and emotional breakthrough. The story excels in its portrayal of trauma as a catalyst for retribution, avoiding redemption for a more confronting experience. This approach suits readers who enjoy gothic dread and psychological horror. It is particularly effective for those who appreciate tight narrative structures and intense, short tales. The work succeeds by making the monster a consequence of suppressed feelings, offering a focused exploration of fear that resonates with fans of classic supernatural fiction.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate intense, focused narratives rooted in psychological dread will find this book compelling. It suits those interested in the intersection of mental illness and external evil, offering a tight exploration of guilt and fear without complex subplots. The work is ideal for fans of gothic tales where supernatural threats are direct consequences of past sins rather than random occurrences. Those seeking short, impactful stories that examine how trauma isolates individuals will gain from its chilling atmosphere. It provides a confrontation with repressed emotions, appealing to audiences who prefer atmospheric tension over large casts or intricate plotting.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Mantuano delivers a chilling narrative that effectively grounds supernatural horror in the reality of a psychiatric hospital. By focusing entirely on Michael's internal state, the author creates significant tension between mental numbness and emotional breakthrough. The story excels in its portrayal of trauma as a catalyst for retribution, avoiding redemption for a more confronting experience. This approach suits readers who enjoy gothic dread and psychological horror. It is particularly effective for those who appreciate tight narrative structures and intense, short tales. The work succeeds by making the monster a consequence of suppressed feelings, offering a focused exploration of fear that resonates with fans of classic supernatural fiction.