Philip Fracassi’s Gothic is a masterclass in gothic horror, following all the essential rules: a cursed object with a dark history, an atmosphere of decay, and a slow corruption of innocence. In this case, it’s an antique desk with sinister origins that begins to consume its new owner, Tyson Parks. As his writing career revives, his personal life crumbles, pulling him deeper into a nightmare.

For anyone who loves classic horror, Gothic hits all the right notes. It’s a nod to the old-school horror novels of the ‘70s and ‘80s, combining familiar gothic elements—witchcraft, sacrifice, haunted artifacts—but delivering them with fresh energy. Tyson’s character feels believable, and his descent is a slow, eerie build rather than an immediate plunge into chaos. The book excels at layering tension and unease without relying too heavily on gore or shock value.

The novel strikes a great balance between honoring the traditions of gothic horror while still feeling modern. Fracassi doesn’t rely on irony or deconstruction—he takes the haunted desk and occult themes seriously, and the result is a genuinely unsettling story.