Fright Night: Hellbound

by Michael Harbron, Tom Holland

Before Rancho Corvallis, before Charley Brewster, there was New York City—filthy, violent, and vibrating with occult energy.

Set in the lawless underworld of 1970s Manhattan, Fright Hellbound blends vampire horror, pop culture and demonic possession into a blood-soaked tale of survival and damnation.

Having fled Europe, Jerry Dandrige arrives in New York with his familiar Billy Cole, hoping to vanish in the chaos of disco, social decline and anonymity. But when ritualistic murders begin to sweep the city, and whispers of a “vampire killer” rise through alleyways and newsrooms, Jerry realizes something older and far more dangerous is hunting beneath the surface.

At the center is Lucia Moreno, a grieving bar owner with a haunted past, now entangled in something far older and far more dangerous than the monsters she hosts in her establishment.

As the city spirals into terror, Jerry is forced to confront his thirst, his past, and his fate. Can he stop Hell from being unleashed—or is he merely one of the monsters who brought it here?

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2025

About the author

Michael Harbron is an American fiction writer who brings a unique, yet traditional approach to the horror and supernatural genres. From a young age, Harbron was captivated by the eerie and unexplained, a fascination that has deeply influenced his writing. His works aim to unsettle readers through suspense and psychological depth, revisiting the shadowy corners of childhood fears. His debut novel, "Interview with the Devil," exemplifies the blurred lines between reality and the unimaginable. Harbron’s storytelling resurrects dormant fears, proving that true horror lies not in what is seen, but in what is felt.

Reviews

[readingsianola · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Philip O’Dowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star read from a 5 star author. A dark origin story minus the levity of the 1985 classic. From the opening chapter, the atmosphere is thick with dread and suspense, and it never lets up. Mr Harbron has an incredible talent for weaving terrifying imagery with compelling storytelling, pulling you deep into a world where every shadow seems alive. Michael Harbron could write the instruction manual for a plunger and I’d be fully invested.

[Bill Boswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An odd read as prequel to the film Fright Night, which follows Jerry and Billy Cole in the 70s

It is odd as you eventually find yourself routing for Jerry as he fights a bigger demon

It has some nice nods to the book, such as why Jerry eats apples, it was nice to enter that world again but I missed the comedy aspect the films have

[Caitlyn Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the original film so I was interested in this book. I had no idea what this book would be about and the more I read it, the more it captivated me. I love how Michael Harbron took this story and explored more of the supernatural world and the back stories for Jerry and Billy.

[Justin Gerber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oddly structured and poorly paced. We as a society need to stop softening our best villains.

[AMANDA LILES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

This was a great read and a fantastic companion piece to the original story. Hope to see more from the Fright Night Universe in the future.

[Blayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a certified Fright Night head, there was some pulpy fun in here but the pacing was bonkers.