by Chuck Wendig
First published 2024
Autumn arrives in Harrow, but the changing season brings more than falling leaves. Seven unusual trees grow in the town's orchard, producing apples with skin so red it appears nearly black. The townspeople discover these strange fruits and find themselves craving more with each bite. The apples make them feel stronger, more vital, more like their true selves. Their appetites grow, and their desires turn darker as the magic takes hold. Everyone becomes obsessed with the orchard's power, convinced the apples bring happiness, confidence, and strength. But the orchard holds more than magical fruit. A bloody history lies buried beneath its soil, reaching back to Harrow's founding. As the days grow shorter and leaves fall, a stranger arrives who knows the town's secrets. Harvest time approaches, and Harrow will face the consequences of what it has planted.
Genres: mystery, fantasy, horror, magical-realism
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: dark-secrets, obsession, small-town
Setting: Harrow
Period: Autumn
613 pages · Paperback · Penguin (Cornerstone)
Content warnings: gore, violence