Tor.com Short Fiction January–February 2021 by Richard Kadrey

With his debut novel, Compton tackles our universal need to understand our past with this ghastly ghost story, cranking the dread to a fever pitch. Compton is also the creator and host of the podcast Healthy Fears. Compton calls San Antonio, Texas home and his short fiction has appeared in such publications as Strange Horizons, On the Premises, Devolution Z, and Arkham Tales among others, and have been featured on The NoSleep Podcast and Pseudopod. Johnny Compton’s debut novel is one of the most anticipated books of 2023. If it’s as haunted as they say, then he might be able to get a grip on the strange power that clings to his family that drives them from town to town, afraid to stop running. Even knowing the house drove all the previous caretakers mad, Eric is desperate for the money and takes the job.Įric dives deep into the job, not because of the huge payout, but because he has a need to discover the secrets of this spite house. Taking the job as caretaker of the property comes with additional duties: looking for proof of paranormal activity, the owner wants Eric to keep a detailed record of everything that happens on the property. Supposedly one of the most haunted places in Texas, Eric takes the job, thinking this might be the lucky break he needs.

With only his two daughters with him, Eric answers an ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas.

Running from his mysterious past, Eric Ross leaves his wife, his house … his life … behind. “With his debut novel, Compton tackles our universal need to understand our past with this ghastly ghost story, cranking the dread to a fever pitch.”

Tor.com Short Fiction January–February 2021 by Richard Kadrey