I believe the creepiest horror stories revolve around haunted houses. Our homes are our presumed place of safety, a refuge from the uncertainty and danger of the world outside. The thought of our house being unsafe occasions a primal and visceral response, a fight or flight mechanism in us.

But a ghost is something that cannot be physically fought. It is, by definition, non-corporeal, supernatural, alien and indefatigable, a force of nature that cannot be defeated. So the only available option in response essentially defaults to flight. Many horror stories undermine the flight option by physically trapping the character in the situation.

Other tales don't give a reasonable explanation why the character must stay. They, rather stupidly, decide to stay and fight, to show a plucky human spirit rather than a realistic human response. However as the audience, we sit there, shaking our head, wondering why the hell the person doesn't just leave. Watch most horror movies Hollywood produces, and you'll clearly understand my point.

In "Father Panic's Opera Macabre", author Thomas Tessier wisely, but with a realistic, simple explantion, employs the first method, trapping his main character in the house. Neil O'Netty, a young historical novelist, is traveling through the rugged Italian countryside and adjoining hills. Sudden car trouble forces him to seek help at a remote farmhouse, leaving him unfortunately stranded there. At the farmhouse, he is introduced to one of the residents, Marisa, an alluring young woman Neil is attracted to. Marisa invites him to stay at the farmhouse with her and her elderly parents. Almost immediately, Neil and Marisa start a passionate romance with each other, diverting Neil's attention from the strange and unusual things happening in other parts of the house.

The novella, written by Tessier with strong European gothic overtones, has a wonderful verisimilitude in the beginning, incrementing the weird quotient slowly, before bursting into a shocking conclusion. While entertaining overall, "Father Panic's Opera Macabre" lacks any real punch. The characters are stale, and nothing invested me in Neil's frightening plight. The story didn't force me to have an emotional reaction to Neil's situation, which severely limited the power of the novella.

Last Word:
"Father Panic's Opera Macabre" is a well-written, grounded haunted house story that seems lacking of emotional involvement. The lack of emotional attachment to the characters ultimately dulled the conclusion for me. Still, "Father Panic's Opera Macabre" is a fine, easily-digestible horror novella. ( )