Them - by W H Chizmar (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A BookBub Selection for Best Horror of 2026

The USA TODAY bestseller and acclaimed solo debut from the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Widow's Point: The Complete Haunting--a post-apocalyptic/survival horror novel written in the bestselling traditions of Stephen King's The Mist and Josh Malerman's Bird Box.

A top-secret government project hits upon a revolutionary idea for transporting matter across the vast reaches of the universe, and it succeeds in bringing something back. Something alive. Soon, mankind's reign comes to an abrupt halt when a truck hauling a very special shipping container overturns and rolls off the highway, unleashing an otherworldly horror upon an unsuspecting New England countryside, where it cannot be contained...

Several years later, an unidentified man emerges from the rubble of humanity, seeking other survivors and a shred of hope amid an eerie and lonely landscape. He travels by night up the rural East Coast, discovering Americana ruins and encountering monsters the likes of which no one has survived. Scarred and molded by the cruel horrors of this new natural order, he must face his own dwindling humanity and pray that any others out there have not become monsters themselves...

Review Quotes

"A winner and quite a memorable read...In the darkest and most difficult times, we often take solace in escaping into novels, and Them fits the bill perfectly...exhilarating...There is not a single uninteresting moment in THEM, and it proves to be not only an outstanding debut but one of the most enjoyable books of the year." --Bookreporter

"This survival horror is epic, violent, and not for the faint hearted...A classic drama of pride before the fall." --CrimeReads

"Rich, layered, gruesome, and above all else, deeply human. I love post-apocalyptic stories, and I can say without hesitation Them is one of my new favorites. It's that good." --Jimmy Juliano, acclaimed author of Dead Eleven and 13 Months Haunted

"Impressive...[Chizmar] has a good grasp of what makes a story tick and writes with excellent pacing...[His] stark and brutal tale is ideal for fans of post-apocalyptic horror fiction." --Library Journal

"A dynamite blast entry into the dystopian canon that you won't want to miss. Chizmar carries a keen, educated awareness of the voices that shape his world while delivering an original, compelling--and yes, spooky as hell--tale. Forget the 'debut' hype; Them is written with the smooth craft of a seasoned pro. The only reason to mention that this is a debut novel is to remind readers of the incredible fun of getting in on the ground floor. This elevator is going to keep rising--no doubt about it--and you'd be wise to board it early." --Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of An Honest Man

"Tense, intense, unexpected, devastating...a landmark [release]...Chizmar's ability to verbally explain the visual terrors being witnessed is pure horrific poetry...as original and terrifyingly plausible as it is familiar and fantastical...once you read it, you will never forget it...I'm excited to see what the future holds, not only for the groundbreaking story, but for what the imagination of this emerging talent might hold for us. 5 out of 5 tentacles of death." --Dave Dreher, Gruesome Magazine

"Them is a harrowing, nuanced exploration of humanity's dying gasp and the lengths man will go to ensure our story is not forgotten, all the while making readers wonder if perhaps it would be for the best if it was. I'm utterly floored. How is this a debut?! Chizmar is not standing on the shoulders of giants, he just took a seat at their table. What a wonder." --Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child

"Man oh man, this is one of the best debuts l've ever read...reads like a volume taken from the apex of a seasoned novelist...The book's dual narratives roll out with absolute confidence in pacing, in mood, in voice. The grip Chizmar has on the story is hermetic...[Chizmar is] standing at the threshold of a very exciting career." --Josh Malerman, New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box

About the Author

W.H. Chizmar is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling coauthor (with Richard Chizmar) of Widow's Point: The Complete Haunting and the USA Today bestselling author of the highly acclaimed solo debut novel Them, as well as numerous short stories and essays. He lives in Maryland with his Bernese Mountain Dog, J.J. (short for James Joyce).