Floating Staircase

Travis Glasgow, a successful novelist, moves with his wife to a house in Maryland near his brother Adam, hoping for a fresh start and family reconnection. The house sits beside a lake where a local boy drowned years ago. Travis begins experiencing supernatural occurrences in the house, including unexplained noises and a mysterious wooden staircase that emerges from the lake. His investigation into the previous owners and the drowned boy forces him to confront his own tragic past involving his brother's death. The book combines elements of classic ghost story and psychological suspense, building tension through Travis's increasingly urgent search for answers. The lake serves as both setting and symbol, its dark waters holding secrets about past and present. The narrative explores grief, guilt, and the ways trauma can haunt both people and places. Through Travis's journey, the story examines how facing the ghosts of the past - both literal and metaphorical - can lead to understanding and possible redemption.

Readers describe the book as a slow-burning ghost story that focuses on psychological suspense rather than overt scares. Many reviews note the atmospheric writing and character development. Liked: - The realistic portrayal of grief and guilt - Detailed descriptions that build tension - The protagonist's complex personality - The winter setting and isolated lake house ambiance "The creepy atmosphere builds steadily" - Goodreads reviewer "More literary than typical horror" - Amazon review Disliked: - Pacing too slow for some readers - Length (some felt it could be shorter) - Ending disappointed readers expecting more supernatural elements "Takes too long to get going" - Goodreads review "Wanted more ghost story, less introspection" - Amazon reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings)

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon A grieving woman moves to a remote farmhouse and uncovers journals detailing the death of a child in 1908, leading to revelations about supernatural occurrences that bridge past and present.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Four individuals arrive at a notorious mansion for a paranormal study, where the house's dark influence merges with psychological terror and personal grief.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters A country doctor becomes entangled with an aristocratic family in their decaying mansion, where unexplained events mirror their psychological deterioration.

The Good House by Tananarive Due A woman returns to her grandmother's home to confront generational secrets and supernatural forces tied to her family's heritage in voodoo.

Ghost Story by Peter Straub Four elderly men gather to share tales of their past, revealing a decades-old horror that has returned to claim vengeance.

🏠 The novel's setting in Maryland draws from the author's own connection to the area, as Ronald Malfi was born in Brooklyn but has lived in Maryland for many years. 👻 The floating staircase imagery may have been inspired by real underwater structures, such as the submerged staircases found in various reservoirs and lakes around the world. 📚 Ronald Malfi wrote this book after publishing several other horror novels, including "Snow" and "The Fall of Never," establishing himself as a notable voice in contemporary horror fiction. 🌊 The theme of drowning and water-related tragedy appears frequently in horror literature, dating back to ancient folklore where water often represents both life and death. 🏆 "Floating Staircase" won the 2011 IPPY Gold Medal for Horror and was a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award, marking it as one of the most acclaimed ghost stories of that year.