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The Need

'Instant contender for horror novel of the year' Joe Hill

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The Need

By: Megan Mostyn Brown
Narrated by: Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Angel Pean, Kirsten Potter, Candace Fitzgerald, Leiana Dooley, Luis Vega
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Every family has its secrets. But in this provocative horror debut, some families have: the Need.

THE NEED is a rare genetic disorder. Those who have it must consume human flesh, or die. For some The Need is power. For others it is a curse.

Talia's always been on the run with her two teenagers, changing identities every time someone gets close to their tragic secret. Sam is tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, while his twin, Rosie, has escaped her family's genetic curse. Rosie is desperate for normalcy - a TikTok account, Homecoming or a kiss with her mysterious new friend.

But her brother keeps eating people and it's ruining her life.

Vera, a former supermodel and member of New York City's elite Armstrong family, lives a life of luxury, haute couture and eating people. Unlike Talia, the Armstrongs pride themselves on their genetic abnormality. But beneath Vera's opulent lifestyle is a woman who's ruthlessly haunted by a mistake from her past and she'll do whatever it takes to correct it.

On the surface, these two families have nothing in common. But Talia is harbouring a secret from the twins -- one that will bring them crashing into the Armstrongs. And when the truth comes out, no one will ever be the same.

'An instant contender for horror novel of the year' Joe Hill, bestselling author of KING SORROW
'This one gets stuck between your teeth in the best way' Stephen Graham Jones, bestselling author of THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER
'A thrilling and surprisingly tender exploration of our most essential, primal fears' Riley Keough

© Megan Mostyn Brown 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Dark Humour Family Life Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Scary
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Critic reviews

Hilariously gory and heartbreakingly funny, The Need is an electrifying debut and an instant contender for horror novel of the year. Megan Mostyn-Brown is the real deal. Dig in. (Joe Hill, Sunday Times bestselling author of King Sorrow)
This one gets stuck between your teeth, in the best way. (Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter)
The Need is a thrilling and surprisingly tender exploration of our most essential, primal fears. (Riley Keough)
You NEED to read The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown! A harrowing yet heartfelt journey through family, fear and tender flesh. It's like RUNNING ON EMPTY meets Sawney Bean (S.A. Cosby, bestselling author of KING OF ASHES)
Brimming with brutality yet full of heart, Megan Mostyn-Brown's The Need paints a portrait of genetic cannibals that feels believable, sharp, and delightfully present. Through the grit and blood emerges a complex story of family, stylishly written and unapologetically honest. The Sopranos meets The Hills Have Eyes. You'll want to gobble this up in one sitting. (Saratoga Schaefer, USA Today bestselling author of TRAD WIFE)
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