Scowler

Equal parts haunting and horrifying, this literary horror novel gives readers insight into the mind of a controlling homicidal man and the son who must stop him.

Imagine your father is a monster. Would that mean there are monsters inside you, too?

Nineteen-year-old Ry Burke, his mother, and little sister eke out a living on their dying family farm. Ry wishes for anything to distract him from the grim memories of his father’s physical and emotional abuse. Then a meteorite falls from the sky, bringing with it not only a fragment from another world but also the arrival of a ruthless man intent on destroying the entire family. Soon Ry is forced to defend himself by resurrecting a trio of imaginary childhood protectors: kindly Mr. Furrington, wise Jesus, and the bloodthirsty Scowler.

“Marvin [Burke] is one of the great monsters of literature, a figure of immense, credible terror and savagery.” Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother and coeditor of Boing Boing

“The demon offspring of Stephen King’s The Shining and Hitchcock’s Psycho.” Michael Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Gone and BRZK

“A boldly visceral coming-of-age story that explores the darkest spaces in family life and the shocking resilience of the human psyche.” Booklist

“This book has the pacing of a Stephen King movie, and it never lets up in its gruesomeness.” School Library Journal

“Connoisseurs of the grotesque have come to the right place, as Kraus’ impeccable sense of thriller timing spins out the terror.” The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A Midwestern gothic family saga that will hook readers.” Kirkus Reviews

“For lovers of dark thrillers and horror narratives, Scowler is one crazy roller-coaster ride.” Portland Book Review

“Bound to scare up many jaw-dropping reactions.” Chicago Tribune

Daniel Kraus is a writer, an editor, and a filmmaker. He is currently working on an adult novel with Guillermo del Toro, scheduled for late 2013. Daniel lives with his wife in Chicago.