254 – Philip Fracassi & The Fresh Young Heart of Old-School Horror

2025-09-23

This week brings a bumper episode, cos Philip Fracassi never stops. Since he and I last spoke, in 2022, he’s published a wealth of amazing, terrifying, heartfelt horror, emerging as a major voice, and one of my favourite writers. First we spend a good hour on Philips’ new novel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre – talking about geriatric slashers, elderly protagonists and how Phil’s own loss transformed the novel. Then we take a tour through some of his other books, including the modern classic Boys in the Valley and the nasty demonic desk romp,

This week brings a bumper episode, cos Philip Fracassi never stops.

Since he and I last spoke, in 2022, he’s published a wealth of amazing, terrifying, heartfelt horror, emerging as a major voice, and one of my favourite writers.

First we spend a good hour on Philips’ new novel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre – talking about geriatric slashers, elderly protagonists and how Phil’s own loss transformed the novel. Then we take a tour through some of his other books, including the modern classic Boys in the Valley and the nasty demonic desk romp, Gothic.

Plus, a lot of info about future books and movie adaptations.

Enjoy! Phil is fantastic company.

Other books mentioned:

St Joseph's Orphanage - Buzzfeed Article

Boys in the Valley (2021), by Philip Fracassi
Gothic (2022), by Philip Fracassi
A Child Alone With Strangers (2022), by Philip Fracassi
No One Is Safe (2024), by Philip Fracassi
The Third Rule of Time Travel (2025), by Philip Fracassi
Serafina (2026), by Philip Fracassi
The Thursday Murder Club (2020), by Richard Osman
Fahrenheit-182 (2025), by Mark Hoppus
“The Veldt” (1950), by Ray Bradbury
Daytide (2026), by Chris Panatier
The Reformatory (2023), by Tananarive Due
Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror (2025), by Ashley Cullins