Send us a text
Get ready to be sickened by my praise.
My guest this week is Philip Fracassi. Last year his historical horror, The Boys in the Valley got the Stephen King endorsement. He’s already following up with A Child Alone With Strangers - his second novel (or is it his first, or his third – as you’ll hear it’s complicated).
This book is an all-timer. It blends the relaxed, character driven storytelling of the best 80s horror, with a contemporary cross-genre style that keeps you shocked … and shook. I tell you now, this book will take your heart, put it in a velvet box – and then stamp on that box until it’s mush.
We talk about a lot of things in this 70-minute conversation. Writing believable children, creating great villains, and conceiving original monsters and true otherness. We explore insectile horror, empathy overloads and setcking to your guns on word-length.
This is my last author-interview of the year and I couldn’t have hoped for a better book to discuss.
Enjoy!
A Child Alone With Strangers was released on October 25th by Talos Press
Other books mentioned in this episode include:
The Boys in the Valley (2021), by Philip Fracassi
Gothic (2023), by Philip Fracassi
The Stand (1990), by Stephen King
The Magus (1965/1977), by John Fowles
Let it Come Down (1952), by Paul Bowles
The Delicate Prey and Other Stories (1950), by Paul Bowles
Support Talking Scared on Patreon
Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com
Support the show
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
