“I see horror in every day life,” explains local author Ed Perratore.
This keen eye for the macabre around us led to the inspiration for his latest novel, “The Knock from Nobody.”
The book tells the story of a group of childhood friends who are reunited in their hometown in the aftermath of a near-tragedy. Back in their old stomping grounds, they play a seemingly innocent game from their youth which involves walking around an abandoned house in the park while reciting a chant and waiting to hear a knock.
Repeating this ritual as adults leads to the door of the ramshackle house cracking open, unleashing something sinister that begins to unravel their lives.
“Their lives begin to change in very drastic ways,” Perratore adds.
If the premise of the novel isn’t enough to raise some goosebumps, Perratore’s writing may give local readers an extra chill as the novel is set in Mount Kisco.
“The inspiration for the story came from this area came from my kids playing this game around a little utility shack in Leonard Park,” Perratore recalls. “They would run around three times and pretend that they heard the knock.”
A resident of the area for more than 30 years, Perratore also incorporates surrounding communities into the novel, including Yorktown, Pound Ridge, and Pleasantville.
In writing “The Knock from Nobody,” he set out to create a fresh take on a classic formula.
“It’s not a traditional horror book,” the author says. “This is a very modern novel, especially when you think about the ‘selfie generation.’ Everything is ‘see me’ as we participate in society. But what if something could take that away from us?”
“The Knock from Nobody” is Perratore’s third novel, with his bibliography also including a nonfiction offering chronicling his hikes on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.
Before turning his attention to books, Perratore’s writing and editing career had previously included Consumer Reports and PC Magazine. Her currently lives in Mount Kisco with hi wife, Elena.
When asked what led to his affinity for crafting scary stories, Perratore jokingly recounted a bit of childhood inspiration.
“I’m the youngest of six, and I never got choose what was on TV,” he recalls. “My older brothers and sisters often had on scary movies. I was in the room, and I soaked it all up. And I had the nightmares to prove it. I’ve always had an appreciation for horror.”
“The Knock from Nobody” is currently available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org, as well as at local bookstores including Bedford Books and the Curio Room in Mount Kisco.
To learn more, visit www.edperratore.com
