Kevin Johnson

Author of

'Twas the Night

“Unexpected, engrossing, and ringing with a truly demented sense of wit.” – Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke

Yuletide cheer is served with a double dose of horror in Kevin Johnson’s gripping debut, in which a young reporter follows a string of disappearances into the middle of a terrifying Christmas cult inspired by our favorite holiday classics.

Published by William Morrow
An imprint of HarperCollins

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Coming October 2026

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Horror Fiction

'TWAS THE NIGHT

You better watch out. You better not cry.

It’s Christmas in the village of Yule, Maine.

In fact, it’s always Christmas in Yule. Here, Santa Claus isn’t a storybook figure. He’s an icon. A god. The villagers don’t just believe in him—they worship him. And the world is better for it.

Halley Belanger hates Christmas, and she doesn’t have much love for Santa either. But when a string of child disappearances across Maine seems to spare only the village of Yule, Halley—a sharp, skeptical reporter—decides to investigate.

What she finds is a town that guards its secrets with gingerbread smiles and a snow globe sheen. Outsiders aren’t welcome. She isn’t welcome. And something sinister is keeping the Christmas spirit alive.

As Halley digs deeper, she begins to uncover the horrifying truth behind Yule’s eternal cheer. Christmas comes at a grisly cost. And Santa Claus is no saint.

ISBN: 9780063459458
ISBN 10: 0063459450
Imprint: William Morrow Paperbacks
On Sale: October 13, 2026

Trimsize: 5x8in

Pages: 288 pages

Language: English

BISAC1: FICTION / Horror / General

BISAC2: FICTION / Holidays

BISAC3: FICTION / Occult & Supernatural

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Advance Praise

From award-winning voices in contemporary horror.

"Kevin Johnson has concocted a perfect blend of folk horror and fun, a yuletide Midsommar drenched in eggnog and blood. I pray we all end up on Santa's naughty list this year, because 'Twas the Night should definitely become an annual Christmas-reading tradition."

Clay Mcleod Chapman

Author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes

"Unexpected, engrossing, and ringing with a truly demented sense of wit, 'Twas the Night is the gleefully unhinged tale of holiday horror you've been waiting for. Kevin Johnson suffocates his readers in a perfectly crafted snowstorm of unflinching terror, of Yuletide fright."

Eric LaRocca

Author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke

"Great fun on every page. Johnson turns a cozy tableau--a snow-blanketed village, a roaring fire, warm cookies--on its head and delivers a sinister, action-packed folk horror. 'Twas the Night comes with a nightmarish monster and characters you'll want to throw yourself in harm's way to protect."

Nicky Gonzalez

Author of Mayra

About the Author

Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson grew up reading Goosebumps and roaming the horror aisles of the nearest Blockbuster Video. He studied Creative Writing at Florida State University and currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and a rambunctious long-haired miniature dachshund named Pepper. ‘Twas The Night is his debut novel.

KEVIN JOHNSON

KEVIN JOHNSON

Kevin Johnson

Author of

'Twas the Night

Horror Fiction

'TWAS THE NIGHT

Support Indie Bookstores

Advance Praise

From award-winning voices in contemporary horror.

About the Author

Kevin Johnson

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