Ignatius spends the night drunk and involved in dark matters he should have steered clear of and wakes in the morning not just with a hangover and a headache but also with horns, and as he soon discovers, awesome new powers which he will soon have to use to defend himself from the accusation of having murdered his beloved. A breathless descent into contemporary horror orchestrated by the author of the justly acclaimed HEART-SHAPED BOX. Will leave you gasping.

Synopsis

Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with one hell of a hangover, a raging headache ...and a pair of horns growing from his temples. Once, Ig lived the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned American musician, and the younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, Ig had security and wealth and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more - he had the love of Merrin Williams, a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic. Then beautiful, vivacious Merrin was gone - raped and murdered, under inexplicable circumstances - with Ig the only suspect. He was never tried for the crime, but in the court of public opinion, Ig was and always would be guilty. Now Ig is possessed with a terrible new power to go with his terrible new look, and he means to use it to find the man who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It's time for a little revenge; it's time the devil had his due. HORNS: It's moving, sad, often funny, redemptive, and filled with hope.

Reviews

'A dark, funny 21st century fairytale - and a devilishly good one too.' - Ian Berriman SFX

'A tale of sexual jealousy, the redemptive power of love and the loss of adolescent innocent, congealed into a parable about the soul's need demands for revenge. An original take on the half-glimpsed mystery of the human heart.' - Neil Norman THE DAILY EXPRESS

'On the level of a horror thriller, Horns is a compelling read. What makes it exceptional is Hill's psychological insight as he dramatises Ig's plight, Tourenau's egotism and Merrin's heartbreaking dilemma. As an examination of the forces of good and evil, and all the shades in between, Horns is a remarkable achievement.' - Eric Brown THE GUARDIAN

'Horns is many things: a tragic love story, a tale of revenge, an examination of human emotion and a startling picture of what love and hate can drive people to do. It's lucid, funny and intelligent. It's also sad, touching and - at times - utterly heartbreaking. But most of all it's utterly brilliant in conception and execution, a startling mix of childhood joy, adult despair, and a touch of midsummer magic. Horns is one of the most emotionally-engaging books I've ever read.' - James Long SPECULATIVE HORIZONS

'This leaps between high-concept black comedy and psychological crime novel, love story and vengeance thriller, pondering the nature of evil along the way. It's thrilling confident, meaty, surprisingly and characteristically tender stuff from a devilishly good writer.' METRO

About the Author

Joe Hill is a recipient of the Ray Bradbury Fellowship and the winner of numerous literary, fantasy and horror awards. His short fiction has appeared in literary, mystery and horror collections and magazines in Britain and America. He lives with his wife and family in New England. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation