by John Hart
First published 2018
Ten years have passed since the events that transformed Johnny Merrimon and shattered his small town. Johnny now lives in isolation on six thousand acres of land once considered sacred. He guards his privacy fiercely, though writers have chronicled his past exploits and public fascination with him persists. His sole link to ordinary life remains Jack, his childhood friend. The years have changed them from boys to men, but their bond endures through shared experiences and losses. Jack perceives threats in the wilderness Johnny calls home. He feels darkness and hunger moving through these wild places, sensing an relentless malevolent presence. Johnny refuses to discuss what Jack observes, yet Jack knows Johnny possesses certain knowledge and unusual abilities. While others might view such gifts with wonder, Jack has experienced the swamp's true nature firsthand. He has felt its cold touch and the unspeakable terror it brings. Their friendship faces a test as supernatural forces gather strength in the ancient landscape Johnny protects.
Genres: mystery, horror, supernatural, thriller, dark-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, supernatural-powers, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Africa, Swamp
Period: 10 Years Ago, Present Day
432 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press
Content warnings: anxiety, depression, mental-illness, violence