There Used to Be People Here
$53.25
- Hardcover
368 pages
- Release Date
3 November 2026
Summary
In 1970s Mississippi, a Black detective and his temporary partner are assigned to a case that shifts from murder to paranormal conspiracy with life-altering repercussions.
Wenton, Mississippi: A man enters the bathroom of a local gay bar and doesn’t come back out. Instead he’s found cold, on the floor, and facing the wall. And no one seems to know how this happened.
Samuel Barkley is Wenton’s only Black detective. Assigned to the case, Samuel’s one goal is to keep his head dow…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9798217187119 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kennedy Cole |
| Publisher: | Penguin Putnam Inc |
| Imprint: | Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S. |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 368 |
| Release Date: | 3 November 2026 |
| Weight: | 548g |
| Dimensions: | 152mm x 229mm |
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Critics Review
Praise for There Used to Be People Here
“A taut, well-crafted debut! Each page crackles with tension. A great, must-read work!”
—Jason Mott, bestselling author of Hell of a Book
“At once a small-town mystery steeped in terrors both uncanny and distressingly human, and an exploration into otherness in the American south, Kennedy Cole’s powerful debut is as provocative as it is haunting, as touching as it is terrifying. There Used to Be People Here is an unforgettable novel of horror and history.”
—Nick Medina, author of Savage Lake
“Dark and tense from the first page, There Used to Be People Here is a fast-paced ride that’s brimming with atmosphere. Small-town vibes and otherworldly weirdness create layers of unease. Add a main character who faces one conflict after another, and the result is this highly memorable sci-fi horror story. Kennedy Cole’s thrilling debut kept me guessing until the very end.”
—Del Sandeen, author of These Walls Remember
“An exciting new voice in speculative fiction, Kennedy Cole’s There Used to Be People Here is for anyone who knows what it means to keep your guard up and your head down in a small town, where anyone—and everyone—might be watching. A twisty, gritty, GTO-driving thrill ride that’s also full of heart, this book kept me guessing—and rooting for Sam and Harvey—until the very last page.”
—Melissa Faliveno, author of Hemlock
Kennedy Cole
Kennedy Cole is a speculative author with a BFA in Creative Writing and a Certificate in Publishing. Born in North Carolina, she lives by the beach with her partner and enjoys playing games, puzzling, sipping matcha, and collecting tattoos. Her creative portfolio includes an array of published fiction, poetry, and nonfiction with Oakland Arts Review, Carolina Muse, Second Story Journal, and others. There Used to Be People Here is her first novel.
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