When we first began publishing the Chillicothe Hometown Voice in 2022, I had never met Brian Fislar. After just a few issues were distributed, Brian reached out to ask if I would be interested in him submitting historical articles for the paper. Since I wasn’t a lifelong Chillicothean, I wasn’t familiar with his name or just how deep his roots ran in our community.

We spoke on the phone, and Brian shared his passion for writing, especially when it comes to historical research. It didn’t take long for me to realize that his offer to write for the newspaper was a golden opportunity. His enthusiasm for preserving and sharing Chillicothe’s history was immediately evident.

Over time, I’ve learned that Brian doesn’t just love history; he loves the research behind it. He consistently goes above and beyond to dig into records, verify details, and uncover stories that might otherwise be forgotten. He has a knack for connecting the dots and revealing those lesser-known details that make you think, much like the late Paul Harvey often said, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

Since his first article appeared in the August 2022 issue, Brian has taught me, and many others, so much about Chillicothe’s past: its people, its places, and its defining moments. I’ve lived in Chillicothe since 1997, and many of the stories he shares come from years before I arrived. Reading them has deepened my appreciation for this town, and his ability to bring history to life has made his column one I truly look forward to reading.

Recently, Brian asked me to review a manuscript he had written, and I was honored to be asked. At the time, it didn’t yet have a title, but it has since been published as Whispers in a Ghost Town. Reading it was a true pleasure. Although the story is fictional, Brian weaves in so many real historical details, names from the past, and businesses of days gone by that it feels remarkably authentic. Having read all of his historical articles in the Hometown Voice, I found myself recognizing real events, familiar places, and people throughout the book. At times, it felt less like fiction and more like a story that could have happened in downtown Chillicothe.

Each page blends actual local history into a mystery that is engaging and enjoyable, making it a fun read for both history lovers and mystery fans alike.

Whispers in a Ghost Town is now available on Amazon, and I encourage readers who enjoy a fun mystery rooted in the people, places, and history of Chillicothe to order a copy. You can find it at bit.ly/wiagt.

Brian’s book has already begun to resonate with readers who share a deep connection to Chillicothe. One such reader, Chillicothe’s own Josh Taylor, shared the following thoughts after reading Whispers in a Ghost Town:

“I just finished reading Brian Fislar’s “Whispers in a Ghost Town” for the second time, and it is a wonderful, incredibly well-written book. It’s a work of fiction, but anyone who has ever lived in a small town will immediately feel at home in its pages. The story is suspenseful and engaging, and it reminds you what can happen when friends and neighbors care deeply about the place they live.

Having been raised in Chillicothe, I know that spirit is real. I have lived in Los Angeles for 55 years and, as Randy Newman says in his song, I love it. But growing up in Chillicothe and living at Shore Acres from the age of nine through college gave me some of the best memories of my life. My sister Vicki and I still talk about how lucky we were to grow up on the banks of that beautiful river.

What I appreciate most about “Whispers in a Ghost Town” is that Brian’s love for his hometown comes through clearly on every page. It is a wonderful story about a wonderful town, and I strongly encourage everyone to buy a copy and read it.”

— Josh (Tim) Taylor
Class of 1961 - Once a Grey Ghost, Always a Grey Ghost!

We at the Chillicothe Hometown Voice are proud to have Brian Fislar as a regular contributor to our paper, and now we are equally proud to celebrate him as a published author. Congratulations to Brian on a well-written book and on what we are confident will be the first of many more to come in the years ahead.