The Halloween Season is Upon Us—Ready for a Bone-Chilling Tale?

Daniel Kraus, a New York Times bestselling author, returns with yet another gripping story just in time for Halloween. Known for his collaborations with Guillermo del Toro on The Shape of Water—the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film—and Trollhunters, now an Emmy-winning Netflix series, Kraus is a master of storytelling. His recent works include the science thriller Wrath (co-written with Shäron Moalem) and the USA Today bestseller Whalefall. His critically acclaimed novel, The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Ten Books of the Year. Kraus, who lives in Illinois, is back with something special—and terrifying.

Teaming up with the legendary director George A. Romero, Kraus brings us Pay the Piper, a haunting new novel set in a cursed Louisiana bayou. This supernatural horror promises to leave readers spellbound, blending the chilling imagination of Romero and Kraus into an unforgettable tale.

In 2020, while exploring the George A. Romero Archival Collection at the University of Pittsburgh, Kraus uncovered a hidden gem: a half-finished novel by Romero, titled Pay the Piper. Thought to be long forgotten, this project had remained largely unknown—until now. Over the last few years, Kraus worked closely with Romero’s estate to complete the novel, ensuring this eerie masterpiece would finally see the light of day.

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