by David Wong
First published 2012
Dave discovers that invisible spiders have invaded people's skulls, controlling their thoughts and perceptions. The parasites secrete chemicals that make victims dismiss warnings as nonsense, preventing them from seeking help. Dave can't feel the creatures because they control nerve endings. He can't see them because they decide what he sees. The spiders breed inside their hosts without detection. When these mind-controlling parasites spread to family members, friends, and neighbors throughout the community, Dave and his companion John must confront a potential apocalypse. The cure proves as dangerous as the infection itself, involving chainsaws and extreme measures. Dave admits he may have caused the spider outbreak while trying to warn others about it. As the situation spirals beyond control, Dave struggles with responsibility for the crisis and the knowledge that people's angry reactions stem from parasitic influence rather than genuine emotion.
Genres: science-fiction, suspense, horror, thriller
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
406 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin’s Press
Content warnings: body-horror, graphic-violence