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The Witching House
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
John Everson
126 books538 followersJohn Everson is a former newspaper reporter who writes thrillers filled with erotic horror and supernatural suspense. He is the author of the Bram Stoker Award winner Covenant, and finalist NightWhere, which reviewers called "50 Shades Meets Hellraiser!" He is also the creator of the characters Danika and Mila Dubov, seen in the Netflix series V-Wars, based on the books created by Jonathan Maberry. Booklist said his recent New Orleans novel, Voodoo Heart, "is a solid blend of supernatural horror and hard-boiled detective fiction, and should appeal to horror devotees as well as mystery buffs” while Living Dead Magazine called him "the master of dark and sexy."
Follow John on the BookBub: John Everson page for information on book sales and new releases as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information on his fiction, art and music, visit John Everson: Dark Arts at www.johneverson.com.
Follow John on the BookBub: John Everson page for information on book sales and new releases as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information on his fiction, art and music, visit John Everson: Dark Arts at www.johneverson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Moving is never easy, especially on kids. Getting settled in school, setting up new routines, making friends, and learning which local traditions not to participate in can wreak havoc on their social development. Who needs the embarrassment of accidently summoning the local urban legend. From John Everson, The Witching House shows the lengths one young woman will go to for revenge.
Forced to move hours away from her friends due to her father’s new job, Gianna is starting over as a high school senior. Hoping for at least one new friend, she makes the acquaintance of Lisa whose explanation of the town includes the legend of their local witch, Madelyn. Dared to make contact with Madelyn, Gianna discovers that the local legend is more than just a rumor. When she becomes the target of bullies, Gianna will find that her only ally is the witch everyone is sure is dead.
Gianna has a lot stacked against her. Her parents’ divorce, her mother’s commitment to a mental health facility, and a stepmother who treats her like a servant are reasons enough to make a high schooler feel insecure. Then, move her from her support network and you have a teen with a chip on her shoulder. Yet, Gianna arrives in town with a positive attitude. Encouraged by her teachers, she makes every effort to get to know the locals.
Everson does a great job of building an emotional buy in from the reader. Each bullying instance has an increased level of severity culminating in sexual harassment. Every step of the way, Gianna’s pleas for help are ignored by her parents and teachers, eliciting frustration. So, when Gianna finally turns to the witch for help, there is a sense of satisfaction, until things start going too far.
The chapters are divided between Gianna and the bullies. The bully chapters can be a mix of characters or a focus on just one. The bullies are made up of some of the richest kids with lots of potential for the future in the small town of Illinois. As Gianna begins to extract revenge on them, their chapters show that their lives aren’t as rosy as everyone thinks. While some of their home lives are stressful, abusive, or wrought with unrealistic expectations, it’s no excuse for how they treat Gianna.
There are aspects of The Witching House that never got the full explanation I was hoping for. Madelyn’s past is tied to the parents of Gianna’s bullies. While this is largely Gianna’s story, something felt lost by not getting a bigger picture. There are several characters who have big impacts on the story, but whose backgrounds go largely unexplained. Some characters who are pivotal to the story’s resolution are barely present beforehand, making them feel more like plot devices than characters.
This was a wickedly satisfying piece of revenge horror. Every act of revenge Gianna enacts on her bullies became a perfect example of “punishment fitting the crime”. While Madelyn’s revenge killings were ultimately a reenactment of how she was killed, each one was conducted in a unique way. Readers should be aware that in addition to the sexual harassment, some acts of revenge involve mutilation of a sensitive part of the male anatomy.
The Witching House is an exquisite example of vengeance from beyond the grave. John Everson’s latest novel is perfect for fans of supernatural, revenge, and witch tropes.
Forced to move hours away from her friends due to her father’s new job, Gianna is starting over as a high school senior. Hoping for at least one new friend, she makes the acquaintance of Lisa whose explanation of the town includes the legend of their local witch, Madelyn. Dared to make contact with Madelyn, Gianna discovers that the local legend is more than just a rumor. When she becomes the target of bullies, Gianna will find that her only ally is the witch everyone is sure is dead.
Gianna has a lot stacked against her. Her parents’ divorce, her mother’s commitment to a mental health facility, and a stepmother who treats her like a servant are reasons enough to make a high schooler feel insecure. Then, move her from her support network and you have a teen with a chip on her shoulder. Yet, Gianna arrives in town with a positive attitude. Encouraged by her teachers, she makes every effort to get to know the locals.
Everson does a great job of building an emotional buy in from the reader. Each bullying instance has an increased level of severity culminating in sexual harassment. Every step of the way, Gianna’s pleas for help are ignored by her parents and teachers, eliciting frustration. So, when Gianna finally turns to the witch for help, there is a sense of satisfaction, until things start going too far.
The chapters are divided between Gianna and the bullies. The bully chapters can be a mix of characters or a focus on just one. The bullies are made up of some of the richest kids with lots of potential for the future in the small town of Illinois. As Gianna begins to extract revenge on them, their chapters show that their lives aren’t as rosy as everyone thinks. While some of their home lives are stressful, abusive, or wrought with unrealistic expectations, it’s no excuse for how they treat Gianna.
There are aspects of The Witching House that never got the full explanation I was hoping for. Madelyn’s past is tied to the parents of Gianna’s bullies. While this is largely Gianna’s story, something felt lost by not getting a bigger picture. There are several characters who have big impacts on the story, but whose backgrounds go largely unexplained. Some characters who are pivotal to the story’s resolution are barely present beforehand, making them feel more like plot devices than characters.
This was a wickedly satisfying piece of revenge horror. Every act of revenge Gianna enacts on her bullies became a perfect example of “punishment fitting the crime”. While Madelyn’s revenge killings were ultimately a reenactment of how she was killed, each one was conducted in a unique way. Readers should be aware that in addition to the sexual harassment, some acts of revenge involve mutilation of a sensitive part of the male anatomy.
The Witching House is an exquisite example of vengeance from beyond the grave. John Everson’s latest novel is perfect for fans of supernatural, revenge, and witch tropes.
September 12, 2026
I really enjoyed The Witching House by John Everson! This was such a creepy and entertaining read, and I loved the whole concept of an urban legend turning out to be terrifyingly real.
The story follows Gianna, a lonely high school senior who decides to test a local legend by entering the Witching House and writing the name “Madelyn” in blood on a mirror. Of course, nothing good can come from summoning a ghost this way. When Madelyn actually answers, Gianna initially thinks she may have found an unexpected friend—but it quickly becomes clear that Madelyn has something much darker in mind.
I especially loved the progression from creepy ghost story to something much more dangerous. The idea of Gianna thinking she had made a connection with Madelyn before realizing that the spirit is driven by bloody revenge made the story even more unsettling. There’s something especially scary about inviting something into your life and then realizing you have no idea how to get rid of it.
John Everson did a great job creating an eerie atmosphere around the Witching House, and I loved the supernatural horror elements throughout. The story kept me interested because I wanted to know more about Madelyn, what happened to her, and just how far she was willing to go for revenge.
If you enjoy haunted houses, vengeful ghosts, creepy urban legends, blood, and supernatural horror, I definitely recommend this one. It was creepy, dark, and exactly the kind of horror story I love.
The story follows Gianna, a lonely high school senior who decides to test a local legend by entering the Witching House and writing the name “Madelyn” in blood on a mirror. Of course, nothing good can come from summoning a ghost this way. When Madelyn actually answers, Gianna initially thinks she may have found an unexpected friend—but it quickly becomes clear that Madelyn has something much darker in mind.
I especially loved the progression from creepy ghost story to something much more dangerous. The idea of Gianna thinking she had made a connection with Madelyn before realizing that the spirit is driven by bloody revenge made the story even more unsettling. There’s something especially scary about inviting something into your life and then realizing you have no idea how to get rid of it.
John Everson did a great job creating an eerie atmosphere around the Witching House, and I loved the supernatural horror elements throughout. The story kept me interested because I wanted to know more about Madelyn, what happened to her, and just how far she was willing to go for revenge.
If you enjoy haunted houses, vengeful ghosts, creepy urban legends, blood, and supernatural horror, I definitely recommend this one. It was creepy, dark, and exactly the kind of horror story I love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review Copy
Have you heard about John Everson's newest novel? It's a return to the horror that he writes so well.
It's about witchcraft and bullying and revenge and is oh-so-good! The main character is a senior in high school but don't think foe a second that this deserves a YA tag. There's no sex in the story.
John's writing is great. It's easy to follow and definitely gives one a visual. If you into witches, you need to check this one out 5 stars from me.
Have you heard about John Everson's newest novel? It's a return to the horror that he writes so well.
It's about witchcraft and bullying and revenge and is oh-so-good! The main character is a senior in high school but don't think foe a second that this deserves a YA tag. There's no sex in the story.
John's writing is great. It's easy to follow and definitely gives one a visual. If you into witches, you need to check this one out 5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first venture into a John Everson horror so I went in with absolutely no idea what to expect.
While the horror was on the milder side it did have urban legend, a creepy arse old house, and witchy vibes all the way.
Promising myself 'Just one more chapter' quickly went by the wayside and it turned into a very bingeable book. There was always something happening and I needed to know like now...
I found the characters hard to form any emotional bonds with. I think this was down to them being high school age, and also because I abhor any form of bullying.
That aside, it was the perfect addition to my Summerween reading.
While the horror was on the milder side it did have urban legend, a creepy arse old house, and witchy vibes all the way.
Promising myself 'Just one more chapter' quickly went by the wayside and it turned into a very bingeable book. There was always something happening and I needed to know like now...
I found the characters hard to form any emotional bonds with. I think this was down to them being high school age, and also because I abhor any form of bullying.
That aside, it was the perfect addition to my Summerween reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one has a very old school retro horror feel, while still managing to be very modern horror. It's thrills and chills (and maybe chop and lop) and it's horror for the sake of creepy entertainment!
It did give YA in the beginning, but as I read, I realized it was dark, menacing and had me looking for a little righteous retribution.
A good read for the spooky season or anytime you just want those chills!
It did give YA in the beginning, but as I read, I realized it was dark, menacing and had me looking for a little righteous retribution.
A good read for the spooky season or anytime you just want those chills!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Now this is some witchy goodness. I'm a sucker for revenge tales, and this one delivers. I literally lost sleep because I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews