Ghost Town

In the isolated coal mining town of Sulphur Creek in the late 1800s, young Sammy Murphy’s world is a blend of shadowy tunnels and unspoken secrets. Born into solitude and pushed into reclusion, Sammy’s quiet life starkly contrasts with the booming industry that surrounds him. But as he searches for connection in an era of ruthless expansion, he finds himself at odds with forces far greater than he imagined.

Enter Barry Bacon, an ambitious industrialist who fancies himself a peer to magnates like Andrew Carnegie. Driven by unbridled ambition, Bacon’s dreams stretch far beyond the soot-covered rooftops of Sulphur Creek. But as the weight of his empire bears down, his unchecked arrogance threatens to unravel everything he’s built.

As Sammy faces an unexpected awakening brought forth by a fleeting love, and Bacon’s empire teeters on the brink of collapse, both men must face truths that transcend time—true love extends beyond mere attraction and real power is more than forceful arrogance.

Set against the raw, unforgiving landscape of America’s industrial ascent, Ghost Town is a gripping novel of ambition, isolation, and the pursuit of connection. With richly drawn characters and a hauntingly relevant message, it echoes through history, exploring what it truly means to lead, to love, and to belong.

Dr. James R. Gregory has enjoyed a forty-year career as the cofounder of a highly successful corporate brand management firm headquartered in New York City with offices worldwide. Jim has written five business books on creating values with brands: Marketing Corporate Image, Leveraging the Corporate Brand, Branding Across Borders, The Best of Branding, and Powerhouse: The Secrets of Corporate Branding.

Since selling his company in 2013, Jim has focused his creative efforts on biographical books, Columbia—The Street and Small Fortunes, and short novels and novellas designed to be read over a weekend, earning him the designation of “King of the Short-Reads.” His most recent novels are Zephyr’s War, Killer App, and Artifacts. Now, he is proud to release his latest book, a historical novel called Ghost Town.