Posts Tagged ‘Philip Fracassi’

Cover Launch: THE THIRD RULE OF TIME TRAVEL by Philip Fracassi

Take your first look at the cover for The Third Rule of Time Travel (US | UK), the first science fiction novel by Philip Fracassi, coming March 2025!
The Third Rule of Time Travel by Philip Fracassi

Cover Design by Steph Hess

The third rule of time travel is this: The traveler has no ability to interact with the past, they can only observe. In this riveting science fiction novel from acclaimed author Philip Fracassi, a scientist has unlocked the secret of time travel, but there are rules, and you can never break them.

Scientist Beth Darlow has discovered the unimaginable. She’s built a machine that allows human consciousness to travel through time—to any point in the traveler’s lifetime—and relive moments of their life. An impossible breakthrough, but it’s not perfect: the traveler has no way to interact with the past. They can only observe.

After Beth’s husband, Colson, the co-creator of the machine, dies in a tragic car accident, Beth is left to raise Isabella—their only daughter—and continue the work they started. Mired in grief and threatened by her ruthless CEO, Beth pushes herself to the limit to prove the value of her technology.

Then the impossible happens. Simply viewing personal history should not alter the present, but with each new observation she makes, her own timeline begins to warp.

As her reality constantly shifts, Beth must solve the puzzles of her past, even if it means forsaking her future.

Also by Philip Fracassi
Boys in the Valley (UK)
Book cover for Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi. Image shows a small historical cabin surrounded by a snowy wilderness all in white, with the title in bold blood-red font in the centre.

Acquisition Announcement: THE THIRD RULE OF TIME TRAVEL by Philip Fracassi

Philip Fracassi (Photo Credit: Stephanie Simard)
Photo Credit: Stephanie Simard

We’re thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Third Rule of Time Travel, a pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller from the mind of Bram Stoker-nominated author Philip Fracassi coming in Winter 2025. At once a propulsive near-future mystery and a poignant meditation on grief, The Third Rule of Time Travel is perfect for fans of Here and Now and Then and Severance. You won’t want to miss this meticulously researched stunner—read on for a glimpse at what’s to come! 

Scientist Beth Darlow has discovered the unimaginable. She’s built a machine that allows human consciousness to travel through time—to any point in the traveler’s lifetime—and relive moments of their life. An impossible breakthrough, but it’s not perfect: the traveler has no way to alter or control the outcome. They can only observe.

After Beth’s husband, Colson, the co-creator of the machine, dies in a tragic car accident, Beth is left to raise Isabella—their only daughter—and continue the work they started. Mired in grief and threatened by her unscrupulous funder, Beth pushes herself to the limit to prove the value of her technology.

With each new observation she makes, her own timeline begins to warp. The changes are small at first. Then they become horrifying.

With her reality constantly shifting, Beth is on the clock to reverse altered history. But once the dominoes have been tipped, can they ever be reset?

Orbit US Senior Editor Bradley Englert has acquired World English rights from Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Services, with Commissioning Editor Nadia Saward acquiring for Orbit UK.

Cover Launch: BOYS IN THE VALLEY by Philip Fracassi

Prepare to lose sleep with Philip Fracassi’s historical horror, Boys in the Valley, coming this July. Take a look at the haunting cover below, designed by the brilliant Bekki Guyatt. This is the perfect horror for fans of The Exorcist, Midnight Mass and Lord of the Flies.

Book cover for Boys in the Valley showing a snowy isolated landscape all in white with a house in its centre. The title is in blood red font above the house with the author name below it

St. Vincent’s Orphanage for Boys. Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future. . . a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St.  Vincent’s and the children within.

Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides. Others turn up dead. Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives – and perhaps their eternal souls – are at risk.

Praise for Boys in the Valley:

‘Fracassi. . . builds his horrific tales slowly and carefully…he’s especially skilful at creating, and sustaining, suspense’ The New York Times

‘Gut-wrenching, heart breaking, and terrifying’ Andy Davidson, author of The Boatman’s Daughter

‘Horror readers will be hooked’ Publishers Weekly

‘A riveting, and horrifying, tale of survival set against a punishing and vivid backdrop.’ Victor LaValle

‘Fracassi. . . brings a depth of understanding to his monsters, human and otherwise’  Guardian

‘Fracassi’s storytelling is. . . horror with a big, broken heart’ Esquire

‘His range, prolific output, and fast-paced prose are all set to put him on the shelf next to names such as King, Straub, and Thomas Harris’ Signal Horizon

Boys in the Valley is available to pre-order now! You can follow Philip on Twitter @PhilipFracassi 

Acquisition Announcement: BOYS IN THE VALLEY by Philip Fracassi

Orbit UK is thrilled to announce that we’ve acquired Boys in the Valley, a chilling folk horror set in a remote orphanage in turn of the century Pennsylvania, that reads like The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, from award-winning and Bram Stoker award-nominated author Philip Fracassi.

Orbit UK Commissioning editor Nadia Saward won UK and Commonwealth rights at auction from Chris Scheina at Macmillan US, with Tor Nightfire holding NA rights. Boys in the Valley will be publishing in July 2023, but you can read on for a taste of what’s in store, and don’t forget to follow Philip Fracassi on Twitter @PhilipFracassi.

A photo of Philip Fracassi, who is wearing a black hat and glasses.

St. Vincent’s Orphanage for Boys. Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future. . . a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St.  Vincent’s and the children within.

Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides. Others turn up dead. Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives – and perhaps their eternal souls – are at risk.