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October Focus on Horror: Johnny Compton
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October Focus on Horror: Johnny Compton
Created by Bob Helmbrecht, collection development librarian
Our Focus on Horror Month author for today is Johnny Compton.
The author’s debut novel, "The Spite House," was released in 2023. A contemporary Gothic thriller/haunted house novel, set in Texas Hill Country, it received a lot of great reviews, and was an "Esquire" Best Horror Book of 2023. The book was also a nominee for the Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel.
From the publisher’s description: "Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money—it’s not easy to find steady, safe work when you can’t provide references, you can’t stay in one place for long, and you’re paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you. When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break." As you might expect, this turns out not to be the case!
Compton followed this up with the novel "Devils Kill Devils," released just a few weeks ago. Author Tananarive Due said of the book: "Johnny Compton became one of my favorite horror authors with his debut, 'The Spite House,' and 'Devils Kill Devils' is a high octane follow-up that starts with a bang and never lets up. Compton has a gift for reimagining familiar horror tropes and making them wholly fresh with his unflinching storytelling, thoughtful worldbuilding and grounded characters. Since devils are in the title twice, you know you're in for a wild ride!"
Check out a book by Johnny Compton today!