Readers familiar with Philip Fracassi know him as a master of weaving together the eerie with the emotionally resonant. His tales, often steeped in horror and suspense, delve into the human psyche, solidifying his reputation as a unique and compelling voice in modern fiction. Now, he’s charting new territory.
His highly anticipated novel, “The Third Rule of Time Travel,” set to launch on March 18, 2025, marks Fracassi’s foray into the realm of science fiction. But this isn’t your typical time-travel narrative. Fracassi has crafted a meticulously constructed system with stringent limitations: time jumps are restricted to your own lifespan, last only ninety seconds, and allow for observation alone, never interaction. These rules form the bedrock of a story that explores the profound implications of temporal manipulation, grief, and the pursuit of scientific understanding.
In anticipation of the book’s release, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Fracassi to discuss “The Third Rule of Time Travel.” He walked us through the meticulous process of crafting a time-travel system that not only feels authentic but also sidesteps the familiar pitfalls of the genre. His aim was to establish a logical, cohesive framework that delivers a seamless and immersive experience for readers. Our conversation also touched on the recently wrapped filming of the A24 adaptation of his short story, “Altar” directed by Egor Abramenko (Sputnik), and a sneak peek at his next horror novel, “The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre.” This forthcoming work promises to be both unsettlingly dark and profoundly personal—his most intimate story yet.
