Marla

From beloved horror author Jonathan Janz, Marla is a slow-burn, full-throttle horror novel about the families we inherit, the guilt we carry, and the terrible gravity of a gaze you can't forget. This hardcover edition includes a foiled cover, gorgeous sprayed edges, and exclusive bonus content.

Turn the page--if you dare.

Every small town has ghosts. King's Branch has Marla.

A reclusive young woman who lives with her mother in a creepy Gothic house, Marla Gorman is the stuff of urban legends. Some believe she's a prisoner. Others claim she's a witch.

The evening of the first murder, Detective Carl Lancaster sees Marla leering at him from her bedroom window. He sees her again at the exact moment a second man is killed. And though Marla was nowhere near either murder site, Carl is convinced she's connected to the crimes.

To Carl, Marla is a menace. To social worker Annie Frost, Marla bears a bizarre connection to her past. To Dylan Ellison, a struggling college student, Marla might be the companion for whom he's been longing.

But none of them understands Marla's true nature. She's about to plunge them--and everyone in King's Branch--into an unspeakable nightmare. And teach them the true meaning of terror.

Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels, as well as numerous shorter works. His novels Children of the Dark and The Dark Game were chosen by Booklist and Library Journal as Top Ten Horror Books of the Year. Jonathan's main interests are his amazing wife and three wonderful children. You can follow him on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Goodreads, and Bluesky. You can also sign up for his newsletter at his website www.JonathanJanz.com.