Dead First

“In Dead First, Johnny Compton deftly mixes horror, Texas history, and the detective story. His Shyla Sinclair is my favorite horror detective since Clive Barker’s Harry D’Amour. A gory, rollicking ride.” —Paul Tremblay, New York Times bestselling author of Horror Movie

“I’ve been psyched to witness hometown horror hero Johnny Compton’s rise, especially as Compton is dedicated to crafting stories that incorporate ongoing central Texan concerns (and colorful characters) … Imagine Groundhog Day, but Elon Musk is the one driving off that cliff with a prognosticating rodent. A nice image, isn’t it?” —Crime Reads

“[A] first-rate mash-up of styles that provides thrills and chills right through to the unexpected conclusion.” —Bookreporter

“This is a must for fans of noirish horror novels, such as Simon R. Green’s Something from the Nightside (2003), Richard Kadrey’s The Pale House Devil (2023), and Ian Rogers’ Sycamore (2024). Long-time Compton fans will be delighted to spot a connection to his first novel.” —Booklist

“[A] satisfying mix of mystery, [Compton’s] take on a PI narrative, horror, trauma, magic, and a heaping – and very much enjoyable – serving of Texas history … Compton gets better with each novel. He swings harder every time and crafts increasingly complex stories.” —Gabino Iglesias, Locus Magazine

“[C]hilling … The atmosphere, the slow dread, the feeling of untouchable curses from decades ago.” —Reactor

“Compton weaves a web of mystery, horror, and paranormal activity … A determined, flawed investigator uncovers the truth about her own past while working on an intriguing supernatural case.” —Library Journal

“[T]his taut mystery … [is] a wickedly satisfying whodunit for genre fans looking for something off the beaten path.” —Publishers Weekly

“[A] rollicking gore fest with a killer (pun intended!) premise … It’s reminiscent of the great Robert R. McCammon’s work in the genre with just enough Stephen King (more his Richard Bachman alter ego, actually) thrown in for good measure. A blisteringly and bracingly original tale with prose that crackles with authenticity and self-discovery.” —BookTrib

“[A]n intense psychological horror thriller that starts off fast and never lets up. Filled with shocking twists, this is one not to be missed.” —Red Carpet Crash

“[A] fantastically bizarre mystery with just enough whodunit to balance the downright terrifying supernatural elements that crawl up your skin. This novel delivers the best of both worlds, taking the reader on an edge-of-your-seat ride through some of the creepiest locations Texas has to offer while slowly unraveling its mystery with enough genuine scares to add a streak of white to your topknot.” —Macabre Daily

“Dead First is a propulsive and eerie tale that questions the true price of revenge. Gripping to the final word, this is my favorite kind of supernatural thriller.” —Erin E. Adams, author of Jackal

“If Easy Rawlins investigated the uncanny, it would read very much like Dead First, a fast-moving, violent, vivid piece of hard-boiled supernatural fiction. Get your rest beforehand, you’ll be up reading long past midnight.” —John Hornor Jacobs, author of The Night That Finds Us All

“Dead First is creepy and disturbing in all the best ways. Johnny Compton has crafted a rich and complex private investigator who’s as haunted by her past as she is by what she uncovers on her latest case.” —Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman

“This take on immortality is raw, original, and unapologetically Compton. Dead First is a reckoning of desire and decay, where even love isn’t spared from the price of knowing too much.” —Peter Rosch, author of What the Dead Can Do

“Dead First is a sharp supernatural noir about mortality, obsession, and the cost of knowing what should stay buried” —Cynthia Pelayo, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Vanishing Daughters

“A hypnotic descent into mystery and immortality, Dead First is gothic horror reimagined for the modern age. I could not put it down!” —Yigit Turhan, author of Their Monstrous Hearts

Johnny Compton is the author of The Spite House, which was nominated for a Bram Stoker award, and Devils Kill Devils. His short stories have appeared in Pseudopod, Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast and several other publications. His fascination with frightening fiction started when he was introduced to the ghost story “The Golden Arm” as a child.

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