The Ghost of the General by J.T. Marrow is a chilling gothic horror novel set in Cottage Grove, Oregon, during the annual Buster Keaton Festival. Park ranger Ellie Harper arrives in town, drawn to the restored General locomotive, infamous for its role in the 1862 Great Locomotive Chase and the dark legend of Ezra "Blackthorn" Wade-a ruthless train robber whose vengeful spirit is said to haunt the tracks. As eerie whispers and spectral signs emerge, Ellie teams up with a skeptical engineer, a folklore expert, a sharp-witted teenager, and a group of unwitting passengers to confront the supernatural terror aboard the runaway train. Racing against time to uncover a cursed gold coin and perform an ancient ritual, they face Blackthorn's wrath on a collision course with the crumbling trestle bridge-a nexus of spectral power. Blending historical suspense with supernatural dread, this haunting tale explores ancestral guilt, redemption, and the enduring strength of community in the face of unimaginable horror. Perfect for fans of gothic fiction and historical thrillers.