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Out on 05 November 2026

Monsters of Ohio

Synopsis

Might becoming a monster make you a better human?

From John Sclazi, the blockbuster author of The Kaiju Preservation Society, comes Monsters of Ohio – a thrilling speculative adventure with tentacles, hope amidst hardship and the (potential) end of the world.

Richland, Ohio is a sleepy rural community. But it’s now facing ruin after a predatory private equity firm defrauds the local factory. Now, Richland is primed to explode. Just not in the way anyone expected. Because when corporate greed threatens this town, its citizens don’t just take it silently – they make a change. A big one. Which might involve a few unexpected tentacles.

Mike Boyd left Richland decades ago to find his way in the world. But when he's called back to tie up loose ends, he finds far more than he bargained for. Teaming up with the overwhelmed Police Chief, Mike becomes entangled in a wild sequence of events that will bring this tiny village to global attention, change humanity forever . . . and, perhaps, spell its doom.

* * *

Praise for John Scalzi:

'Enormously entertaining'
– Adrian Tchaikovsky

‘I haven’t enjoyed science fiction this much in years’
– Christopher Paolini

‘Hugely enjoyable, intelligent and good-humoured fun’
The Guardian

‘Clever dialogue, fast-paced story and strong characters’
The Times

Details

05 November 2026
336 pages
9781509835249
Imprint: Tor

Reviews

Enormously entertainingAdrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time, on Starter Villain
Hugely enjoyable, intelligent and good-humoured funThe Guardian, on The Kaiju Preservation Society
John Scalzi is truly a must-read no matter the subjectPolygon, Polygon
Starter Villain establishes Scalzi as SF's leading humouristSFX, 5 star review, SFX, 5 star review