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Night of Madness
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Expected 29 Sep 26Teen influencers compete in a horror movie–themed overnight competition, only to realize the real test is staying alive in this chilling, blood-soaked horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston and the production company behind Clown in a Cornfield.
Mara is a horror buff whose only fond memories of her dad are bonding over movies by Jack Stanley—the producer of the eighties. Stanley’s campy slasher movies may have kept Mara’s fraught parental relationship on life support and gained a cult following, but the man himself has faded from the public eye…until he announces a contest centered around Asylum, his most terrifying film. Five teen influencers will be invited to spend the night on the fully constructed set; whoever sticks it out until morning wins a hundred thousand dollars.
Stuck in a dead-end job, Mara seriously needs that cash. She may not be a famous influencer, but there has to be a way to manufacture an online presence that will capture Stanley’s attention. With the help of her brother and best friend, Mara finds some creative solutions to her dilemma and lands herself onto the roster of the lucky chosen few by way of her engaging authenticity.
When Mara and the other contestants arrive on set, it’s a horror fan’s dream being immersed in the asylum setting, but as the night wears on, they realize the danger is more than movie magic… They’re not there to win or lose but to live or die. As Mara fights to survive, she discovers an inner ruthlessness she didn’t know she had. Just how far will she go to see the sunrise—and will she still recognize herself by the end?
Mara is a horror buff whose only fond memories of her dad are bonding over movies by Jack Stanley—the producer of the eighties. Stanley’s campy slasher movies may have kept Mara’s fraught parental relationship on life support and gained a cult following, but the man himself has faded from the public eye…until he announces a contest centered around Asylum, his most terrifying film. Five teen influencers will be invited to spend the night on the fully constructed set; whoever sticks it out until morning wins a hundred thousand dollars.
Stuck in a dead-end job, Mara seriously needs that cash. She may not be a famous influencer, but there has to be a way to manufacture an online presence that will capture Stanley’s attention. With the help of her brother and best friend, Mara finds some creative solutions to her dilemma and lands herself onto the roster of the lucky chosen few by way of her engaging authenticity.
When Mara and the other contestants arrive on set, it’s a horror fan’s dream being immersed in the asylum setting, but as the night wears on, they realize the danger is more than movie magic… They’re not there to win or lose but to live or die. As Mara fights to survive, she discovers an inner ruthlessness she didn’t know she had. Just how far will she go to see the sunrise—and will she still recognize herself by the end?
- GenresHorrorYoung Adult
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Ryan Douglass
8 books714 followersRyan Douglass is a queer author and poet from Atlanta, Georgia. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston, and his short fiction appears in All These Sunken Souls and Night of the Living Queers. His poetry is featured in Poemhood: Our Black Revival and He/She/They/Us. When he’s not writing, he’s probably baking something sweet or making a playlist for a story he hasn’t written yet.
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July 5, 2026🎥🩸 Night of Madness 🩸🎥
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• YA Horror
• Slasher Horror
• Survival Game
• Horror Movie Setting
• Influencer Competition
• Deadly Contest
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• YA Horror
• Slasher Horror
• Survival Game
• Horror Movie Setting
• Influencer Competition
• Deadly Contest
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
June 12, 2026
The thriller and horror vibes of this book were written so well. All the contestants had a good backstory and the plot was fast-paced as they made their way through the abandoned asylum where the challenge was set to take place at.
The twists in this book are written so vividly and it had an eerie atmosphere that is perfect for the gruesome storyline.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Mara
Emojis Based on Vibes: 💵📱🏥
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail
The twists in this book are written so vividly and it had an eerie atmosphere that is perfect for the gruesome storyline.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Mara
Emojis Based on Vibes: 💵📱🏥
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Simon Pulse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Night of Madness” by Ryan Douglass is basically Willy Wonka if Willy decided to build a haunted asylum instead of a chocolate factory and wanted all the contestants dead (though that’s how some people thought of Willy Wonka’s motive in the original movie).
The story follows Mara, a horror movie fanatic who's stuck in a dead-end job and desperately needs money. When legendary horror director Jack Stanley announces a nationwide contest where five teen influencers can spend the night inside the fully recreated set of his infamous film Asylum for a chance to win $100,000, Mara is determined to get in even though she's definitely not an influencer. With a little help from her best friend, she manages to fake enough online fame to land herself a spot. However, winning the contest was probably the worst thing that could've happened to her.
I'll admit the beginning takes a little while to get going. There's quite a bit of setup about how Mara earns her place in the competition before everyone actually arrives at the asylum. Since the premise is right there on the cover, I was definitely sitting there thinking, "Okay... can we get to the murder asylum already?"
Thankfully, once the competition finally begins, things go completely off the rails.
The asylum itself is easily the best part of the book. It's creepy, massive, full of bizarre rooms and increasingly deadly challenges, and honestly feels like its own character. Every new area somehow manages to be more unsettling than the last, and there's this constant feeling that absolutely nothing inside the building is playing by normal rules. At first it feels like an elaborate reality show. Then it starts feeling like an escape room. Then it becomes very obvious that this is actually just an extremely elaborate death trap.
The contestants quickly realize they aren't competing for prize money anymore; they're competing to survive the night.
The atmosphere is fantastic. Ryan Douglass absolutely nails the horror movie vibe, making the asylum feel claustrophobic, unpredictable, and genuinely dangerous. There were several moments where I had absolutely no idea whether what was happening was supernatural, science fiction, psychological manipulation, or all three at once. To be fair, I'm still not entirely sure. And honestly? I don't think Mara is either.
The book constantly keeps both Mara and the reader questioning what's real. Strange figures appear. Rooms don't always make sense. Reality seems to bend in impossible ways. At times it almost feels like wandering through someone's nightmare where the rules change every five minutes. It's weird, confusing, and intentionally disorienting. There were definitely moments where I just accepted that I wasn't supposed to fully understand what was happening and decided to enjoy the ride instead. The book was just a bit too confusing for me, especially once in the asylum, and I found I couldn't really get absorbed in the story as I just had no idea what was really going on.
Mara makes for a solid protagonist. She's easy to root for, especially as she transforms from a horror-loving fan into a full-fledged final girl. Watching her become increasingly resourceful and realizing just how ruthless she's capable of being when survival is on the line was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The supporting cast didn't stand out quite as much for me. Most of the influencer contestants fit pretty familiar stereotypes, so I wasn't overly attached to all of them. But in a slasher-style story, that's not always a bad thing.
The pacing really picks up once everyone enters the asylum. From there it's basically one deadly challenge after another, with plenty of blood, brutal deaths, and increasingly intense action. The competition slowly destroys everyone's sanity as paranoia takes over and contestants begin turning against one another. It becomes less about solving puzzles and more about figuring out who or what is really controlling the game.
The ending is packed with action as Mara fully embraces her final-girl status. While Jack Stanley's motivations are eventually explained, I did wish a few more of the stranger supernatural (or sci-fi?) elements had been fleshed out. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered by the time the credits roll, and the ending definitely leaves the door open for a sequel.
Overall, “Night of Madness” is a fast-paced, blood-soaked horror story that gets weird, confusing, and wonderfully over-the-top. If you're looking for creepy settings, deadly games, and a protagonist you can't help rooting for, this one is a seriously fun time.
“Night of Madness” by Ryan Douglass is basically Willy Wonka if Willy decided to build a haunted asylum instead of a chocolate factory and wanted all the contestants dead (though that’s how some people thought of Willy Wonka’s motive in the original movie).
The story follows Mara, a horror movie fanatic who's stuck in a dead-end job and desperately needs money. When legendary horror director Jack Stanley announces a nationwide contest where five teen influencers can spend the night inside the fully recreated set of his infamous film Asylum for a chance to win $100,000, Mara is determined to get in even though she's definitely not an influencer. With a little help from her best friend, she manages to fake enough online fame to land herself a spot. However, winning the contest was probably the worst thing that could've happened to her.
I'll admit the beginning takes a little while to get going. There's quite a bit of setup about how Mara earns her place in the competition before everyone actually arrives at the asylum. Since the premise is right there on the cover, I was definitely sitting there thinking, "Okay... can we get to the murder asylum already?"
Thankfully, once the competition finally begins, things go completely off the rails.
The asylum itself is easily the best part of the book. It's creepy, massive, full of bizarre rooms and increasingly deadly challenges, and honestly feels like its own character. Every new area somehow manages to be more unsettling than the last, and there's this constant feeling that absolutely nothing inside the building is playing by normal rules. At first it feels like an elaborate reality show. Then it starts feeling like an escape room. Then it becomes very obvious that this is actually just an extremely elaborate death trap.
The contestants quickly realize they aren't competing for prize money anymore; they're competing to survive the night.
The atmosphere is fantastic. Ryan Douglass absolutely nails the horror movie vibe, making the asylum feel claustrophobic, unpredictable, and genuinely dangerous. There were several moments where I had absolutely no idea whether what was happening was supernatural, science fiction, psychological manipulation, or all three at once. To be fair, I'm still not entirely sure. And honestly? I don't think Mara is either.
The book constantly keeps both Mara and the reader questioning what's real. Strange figures appear. Rooms don't always make sense. Reality seems to bend in impossible ways. At times it almost feels like wandering through someone's nightmare where the rules change every five minutes. It's weird, confusing, and intentionally disorienting. There were definitely moments where I just accepted that I wasn't supposed to fully understand what was happening and decided to enjoy the ride instead. The book was just a bit too confusing for me, especially once in the asylum, and I found I couldn't really get absorbed in the story as I just had no idea what was really going on.
Mara makes for a solid protagonist. She's easy to root for, especially as she transforms from a horror-loving fan into a full-fledged final girl. Watching her become increasingly resourceful and realizing just how ruthless she's capable of being when survival is on the line was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The supporting cast didn't stand out quite as much for me. Most of the influencer contestants fit pretty familiar stereotypes, so I wasn't overly attached to all of them. But in a slasher-style story, that's not always a bad thing.
The pacing really picks up once everyone enters the asylum. From there it's basically one deadly challenge after another, with plenty of blood, brutal deaths, and increasingly intense action. The competition slowly destroys everyone's sanity as paranoia takes over and contestants begin turning against one another. It becomes less about solving puzzles and more about figuring out who or what is really controlling the game.
The ending is packed with action as Mara fully embraces her final-girl status. While Jack Stanley's motivations are eventually explained, I did wish a few more of the stranger supernatural (or sci-fi?) elements had been fleshed out. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered by the time the credits roll, and the ending definitely leaves the door open for a sequel.
Overall, “Night of Madness” is a fast-paced, blood-soaked horror story that gets weird, confusing, and wonderfully over-the-top. If you're looking for creepy settings, deadly games, and a protagonist you can't help rooting for, this one is a seriously fun time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon Pulse for providing me with a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly. I want to acknowledge that the premise is right up my alley. As someone obsessed with paranormal investigations and books like Shirley Jackson's the Haunting of Hill House, I'm the ideal candidate for a book like this. I am glad to have been selected to read Night of Madness by Ryan Douglass.
Secondly, however, I must acknowledge some confusion as I read the story. The book goes from being a rather grounded story about using social media to compete for a chance at $100,000 USD to a journey into a madhouse that is part Willy Wonky's Chocolate Factory and part Clockwork Orange. The end is also quite grounded but the actual meat of the story struck me as so unusual in terms of what Jack Stanley was allegedly doing to people that that I was convinced I was missing something. This combined with the throughline of Jack and Jim's past friendship, I felt as though a necessary portion of the story had been left on the cutting room floor. What was he doing with the brains? How was the script relevant? The main character's legacy? It pulled on so many threads that ultimately seemed insignificant that my experience reading the book became muddled.
I did enjoy our main character, even if sometimes she struck me as really inconsistent in terms of how she perceived events happening around her. The other characters never achieved even her degree of depth. They were clearly canon fodder to throw in front of the final girl. I love the idea of five going in and fewer coming out but I want to care about all those characters so that it matters when they suffer. In my opinion, thus story is too short to permit that.
I spent days reading this book and found I just could not connect to it despite my previous excitement. It wasn't the violence, I think this book simply did not work for me.
Two stars.
Firstly. I want to acknowledge that the premise is right up my alley. As someone obsessed with paranormal investigations and books like Shirley Jackson's the Haunting of Hill House, I'm the ideal candidate for a book like this. I am glad to have been selected to read Night of Madness by Ryan Douglass.
Secondly, however, I must acknowledge some confusion as I read the story. The book goes from being a rather grounded story about using social media to compete for a chance at $100,000 USD to a journey into a madhouse that is part Willy Wonky's Chocolate Factory and part Clockwork Orange. The end is also quite grounded but the actual meat of the story struck me as so unusual in terms of what Jack Stanley was allegedly doing to people that that I was convinced I was missing something. This combined with the throughline of Jack and Jim's past friendship, I felt as though a necessary portion of the story had been left on the cutting room floor. What was he doing with the brains? How was the script relevant? The main character's legacy? It pulled on so many threads that ultimately seemed insignificant that my experience reading the book became muddled.
I did enjoy our main character, even if sometimes she struck me as really inconsistent in terms of how she perceived events happening around her. The other characters never achieved even her degree of depth. They were clearly canon fodder to throw in front of the final girl. I love the idea of five going in and fewer coming out but I want to care about all those characters so that it matters when they suffer. In my opinion, thus story is too short to permit that.
I spent days reading this book and found I just could not connect to it despite my previous excitement. It wasn't the violence, I think this book simply did not work for me.
Two stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Simon Pulse and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A wonderfully gruesome horror! Mara feels stuck in her life and her town, all she wants is her freedom. Then she hears about a competition that famed film director Jack Stanley is throwing on the set of one of his popular movies that focuses on an asylum. The competition will consist of 5 influencers who keep in challenges within the asylum and the last one standing will receive 100,000 dollars. Mara makes it her mission to get into the competition and does. She, along with the other four contestants, enter the asylum. But soon they realize things aren’t what they seem and this competition may be one that none of them are meant to walk away from alive. Can Mara figure out what’s going on in time to save herself? And just how well can these contestants trust each other? Ryan Douglass creates a creepy horror filled vibe with this one! The asylum gave me chills and the atmosphere was spooky! This one is gory, fast paced, filled with thrilling and deadly games, as well as the most nightmare like escape rooms! Mara is a strong protagonist that I couldn’t help but root for and I didn’t mind a few of the other contestants either! Plus I love the way that it ends, with the possibility of more!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
2026
Goodreads giveaway winner
I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! It was the perfect blend of horror and survival. Absolutely rooted for Mara all the way! Truthfully I had read the synopsis and still didn't know what to expect, but it exceeded all of what I had thought it would be
Okay I was up late reading this (that should really put into perspective how much I loved this book... Any book that I can't put down, especially for sleep - I love sleep - is an absolute winner). But I was up late and was struggling to form coherent thoughts for the review. Truthfully, I guess I still kind of am struggling with that. But I'm struggling in a different way because I just want to sit here and dissect the book and gush and fangirl over it but I'm desperately trying to keep it spoiler free because everyone should be able to experience it for the first time without any spoilers
Goodreads giveaway winner
I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! It was the perfect blend of horror and survival. Absolutely rooted for Mara all the way! Truthfully I had read the synopsis and still didn't know what to expect, but it exceeded all of what I had thought it would be
Okay I was up late reading this (that should really put into perspective how much I loved this book... Any book that I can't put down, especially for sleep - I love sleep - is an absolute winner). But I was up late and was struggling to form coherent thoughts for the review. Truthfully, I guess I still kind of am struggling with that. But I'm struggling in a different way because I just want to sit here and dissect the book and gush and fangirl over it but I'm desperately trying to keep it spoiler free because everyone should be able to experience it for the first time without any spoilers
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I really liked this book and the concept of it. The first glance we get into the asylum is a bit convoluted, but it makes more sense as the book goes on.
My only complaint is the mentions of ai. We did not need to read, “He’d been sending AI memes all morning.” Could have easily replaced ai with something else in that sentence. Same with the bad AI renditions they saw showing different ways they could die. It could have been labeled as bad cgi or literally anything other than ai. As soon as I saw a mention of ai I automatically thought much lesser of the book and it really took me out of it.
Please can we all get more anti-ai right now…?!
My only complaint is the mentions of ai. We did not need to read, “He’d been sending AI memes all morning.” Could have easily replaced ai with something else in that sentence. Same with the bad AI renditions they saw showing different ways they could die. It could have been labeled as bad cgi or literally anything other than ai. As soon as I saw a mention of ai I automatically thought much lesser of the book and it really took me out of it.
Please can we all get more anti-ai right now…?!
June 30, 2026
I really enjoyed the concept of this. The plot really sucked me in. I felt like there was a lot more room for expansion and more explanations. I felt that the end was a little convoluted. I do find it an interesting plot to compete to be in a haunted asylum kind of escape room, with prize money waiting at the end. Of course, there's no prize, and this is really just a killing building. If you enjoy this kind of horror/thriller make sure to add it to your TBR. This will be out in September of 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
It's interesting, and a unique storyline.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I found the main character to be unlikeable and the first chapter incredibly confusing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Night of Madness by Ryan Douglass is a blood-soaked and thrilling horror novel that perfectly captures the terrifying reality of a game gone wrong. I loved the unique premise of teen influencers competing overnight on a horror movie set for a cash prize, especially since the eerie asylum setting felt like a character of its own. The protagonist, Mara, is an easy character to root for, and watching her transition from a desperate horror buff into a ruthless survivor was incredibly gripping. My only critique is that some of the supporting influencer characters felt a bit one-dimensional and stereotypical, which made it hard to care when they were put in danger. Overall, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because it is a fast-paced, campy slasher that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Night of Madness takes the ultimate horror fan fantasy and turns it into a nightmare: five teen influencers enter an overnight competition on the set of a terrifying horror film, expecting fame and a $ prize… but soon they realize the only thing they’re competing for is survival.
With a chilling atmosphere, slasher vibes, unexpected twists, and a heroine forced to discover just how far she’s willing to go to make it through the night, Ryan D. delivers a thrilling horror read for fans of locked-room mysteries and cinematic scares.
With a chilling atmosphere, slasher vibes, unexpected twists, and a heroine forced to discover just how far she’s willing to go to make it through the night, Ryan D. delivers a thrilling horror read for fans of locked-room mysteries and cinematic scares.
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