The Devil Crept In: A Novel

(Paperback)

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An unforgettable horror novel from bestselling sensation Ania Ahlbornhailed as a writer of some of the most promising horror Ive encountered in years (New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire)in which a small-town boy investigates the mysterious disappearance of his cousin and uncovers a terrifying secret kept hidden for years.

Young Jude Brighton has been missing for three days, and while the search for him is in full swing in the small town of Deer Valley, Oregon, the locals are starting to lose hope. Theyre well aware that the first forty-eight hours are critical and after that, the odds usually point to a worst-case scenario. And despite Stevie Clarks youth, he knows that, too; hes seen the cop shows. He knows what each ticking moment may mean for Jude, his cousin and best friend.

That, and there was that boy, Max Larsen...the one from years ago, found dead after also disappearing under mysterious circumstances. And then there were the animals: pets gone missing out of yards. For years, the residents of Deer Valley have murmured about these unsolved crimesand that a killer may still be lurking around their quiet town. Now, fear is rebornand for Stevie, who is determined to find out what really happened to Jude, the awful truth may be too horrifying to imagine.

Reviews

"A beautiful and deftly wrought horror story of mothers, sons, and the delicate bond between cousins....With sympathetic attention paid to the relationships between overwhelmed mothers and the sons they can't save from evil, and prose that elegantly evokes tension while illustrating Stevie's rich inner world, readers will be engrossed and thrilled right through to the chewy finale." * Publishers Weekly (starred review), on THE DEVIL CREPT IN *
Creepydigs under your skin and leaves marks. You may find yourself looking over your shoulder long after the book is done. -- J. Lincoln Fenn, award-winning author of DEAD SOULS and POE, on THE DEVIL CREPT IN
[A] visceral, nihilistic thriller. . . . Ahlborns impressive writing and expert exploration of the psychological effects of systemic abuse elevate what could have been the literary equivalent of a slasher flick, and the twist in the final act is jaw-dropping. This relentlessly grim tale is definitely not for the squeamish, but its nearly impossible to put down. * Publishers Weekly (starred review), on BROTHER *
This story of brotherly love/hate will crush you to the core. . . . BROTHERdelivers horror on all fronts. . . . The writing is so good, so precision perfect, that BROTHERmay be this years sleeper novel, certainly of the GONE GIRLcaliber, that deserves all the praise and accolades it will definitely receive. . . . An instant classic. . . . This is one book you need to get in your hands as soon as possible. * This is Horror, on BROTHER *
Terrifyingly sad. . . . WITHIN THESE WALLS creeps under your skin, and stays there. Its insidious. . . . The books atmosphere is distinctly damp, clammy, overcast, and it isnt all the Washington weather: its characters souls are gray, dimmed by failure. Ahlborn is awfully good on the insecurities that plague both aging writers . . . and oversensitive young girls . . . which leave them vulnerable to those who . . . know how to get into their heads. So grim. * The New York Times Book Review, on WITHIN THESE WALLS *
Cruel, bone-chilling, and destined to become a classic, WITHIN THESE WALLS is worth the sleep it will cost you. Some of the most promising horror Ive encountered in years. -- Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author, on WITHIN THESE WALLS
A monstrous Russian nesting doll of a book, holding secrets within secrets; the plot barrels headlong toward one of the most shocking climaxes youre ever likely to read. This ones going to wreck you. -- Nick Cutter, national bestselling author of LITTLE HEAVEN and THE TROOP, on WITHIN THESE WALLS
Ania Ahlborn is a great storyteller who spins an atmosphere of dread literally from the first page, increasing the mental pressure all the way through to the terrifying, chilling ending. -- Jeff Somers, acclaimed author of THE ELECTRIC CHURCH and WE ARE NOT GOOD PEOPLE, on WITHIN THESE WALLS
Ever-mounting terror and a foreboding setting make for pure storytelling alchemy. . . . Ania Ahlborn goes for the gut with surprise twists that will stay with you for days. Not a book, or an author, that youll soon forget. -- Vicki Pettersson, New York Times bestselling author, on WITHIN THESE WALLS

Author Bio

Ania Ahlbornis the bestselling author of the horror worksBrother,If You See Her,The Devil Crept In,Within These Walls,The Bird Eater,The Shuddering,The Neighbors, andSeed, the thrillersGood and Joyful ThingsandDark Across the Bay, the novella collectionApart in the Dark, and the novellasPalmetto,I Call Upon Thee, andThe Pretty Ones. Born in Ciechanow, Poland, she now lives with her family in North Carolina. Visit her atAniaAhlborn.comor follow the author on Facebook (@Ania.Ahlborn.Author) and Instagram (@AniaAhlborn).