Last night, I dove headfirst into the new horror novel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, penned by Philip Fracassi, an author I had yet to encounter. Two things instantly snagged my attention: the vibrant jack-o-lantern cover, featuring a silhouette of a hand gripping a knife—evocative of the eerie charm from the 1978 movie poster for John Carpenter's Halloween—and, of course, that delightful title. The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre rolls off the tongue like a well-aged bourbon, hinting at all the deliciously wicked twists to come. Now, while I’m betting that the plot has little in common with Halloween—aside from the undeniable presence of a killer running amok—there’s a unique twist here: our final girl, Rose, is in her 70s. Yes, you heard that right. A serial killer is making the unfortunate residents of a retirement home the main course for a sinister game of survival. Why, you ask? Well, let’s venture deeper into this chilling tale.
Rose, cozy in her late 70s, is just trying to enjoy her golden years at the Autumn Springs Retirement Home. When one of her friends dies alone in her apartment, Rose raises an eyebrow but shrugs it off—accidents, after all, are an unfortunate part of aging. But then another resident drops dead. And another. With bodies piling up like dirty laundry, Rose can’t shake the nagging suspicion: are these just tragic accidents? Heart failures? Or is something far more malevolent lurking in the shadows? Joined by her trusty companion, Miller, Rose takes it upon herself to investigate. As she digs deeper into the mystery, the sense of dread mounts, and she becomes increasingly convinced that there’s a killer on the loose at Autumn Springs. And if she isn’t careful, she just might be next on their list.
Now, on paper, this sounds reminiscent of a Murder, She Wrote episode—ironically and fittingly, Jamie Lee Curtis is set to star in a remake, one that I have little zeal for. But the execution? It’s exceptionally well-crafted and pays homage to the greats of suspenseful horror storytelling. This is a character-driven narrative that delicately weaves in the elements of terror, slowly building to a crescendo.
I can’t help but wonder how the modern reader might react to the deliberate pacing. Today’s audience, after all, struggles with a limited attention span—thanks for nothing, TikTok! I might be nine months past the Generation X cutoff, and sure, I occasionally ponder who put all this into motion. But I digress. My horror roots were firmly planted in the '80s; I have my late grandma to thank for introducing me to Halloween when I was just six. Since then, I’ve been a fervent horror aficionado—even if my enthusiasm has waned with the recent spate of unoriginal garbage that passes for horror these days, praised by wannabe Horror-Tubers. I ramble, I know! It’s a bad habit. My point is this: I have a deep appreciation for slow-building horror, narratives that emphasize character development, eerie atmospheres, and the gradual unveiling of fear. At the same time, I can certainly appreciate a little blood, guts, and mayhem!
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre offers a fresh take on horror—it cleverly adheres to the classic vibes of traditional slashers while going off the rails in the final act with a killer reveal that I suspected yet didn’t quite see coming. This flip-flop makes it a bit of a mixed bag; depending on your taste in horror, you might either adore it or completely detest it. For me, it struck a chord—I enjoyed it, though I can’t quite say I loved it. The final act veers into unexpected territory, leaving me questioning the author’s choices. Perhaps he was overreaching? Still, I found The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre to be a worthy read. So, I recommend you grab a copy [*] grab a copy, settle in, and embrace the chills—because, as always, it’s about the journey. ╌★★★★✰
〜B.J. Burgess
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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess