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Out on 08 October 2026

The Thicket

Synopsis

In The Thicket, the atmospheric dread of a spooky funfair meets the relentless energy of a 90s slasher film. From BookTok viral author Noelle W. Ihli comes a chilling tale of a Halloween attraction gone deadly . . .

Praise for Noelle W. Ihli:


‘Hands down one of my favourite reads of the year’ – FREIDA MCFADDEN

'A true classic in the genre' – LISA JEWELL

'A propulsive story that haunts and mesmerizes' – KARIN SLAUGHTER


Everyone will hear you scream. No one will listen.

Norah can’t stop thinking about the night her brother died.

She was supposed to stay with him at the Halloween carnival. He’d begged her to stay. But they fought and Norah left him alone in the woods. That was before she realized there was a real killer lurking among the costumes and macabre props.

When the carnival reopens just weeks later amid media controversy, Norah decides to retrace her brother’s last steps in a desperate attempt to unravel what really happened that night. But the woods hold more than just traumatic memories.

Before long, Norah begins to suspect that the killer's choice of hunting ground was no coincidence – and that this nightmare is far from over.

Your Favourite Thriller Author's Favourite Thriller Author

'As pulse-pounding as it is poignant. Do yourself a favour - clear your schedule and crack open this novel!' – LISA GARDNER

'Noelle has mastered the art of keeping readers on the edge of their seats' – JOHN MARRS

'Ihli's voice is magical and absorbing' – KIERSTEN MODGLIN

‘Immersive, spine-tingling, deeply visceral' – HEATHER GUDENKAUF

'Utterly gripping . . . I couldn't put it down' – NICOLA SANDERS

Details

08 October 2026
336 pages
9781035080083
Imprint: Pan

Reviews

Hands down one of my favourite reads of the yearFreida McFadden, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Housemaid on Ask For Andrea
An immersive, spine-tingling, deeply visceral experience. I recommend reading it with the lights blazingHeather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest on Room For Rent
Ihli’s voice is magical and absorbing. I was immediately drawn into this story that quickly became something of every woman’s nightmares. With characters you’ll relate to, empathize with, and root for, it’s easy to get lost in this atmospheric and utterly claustrophobic storyKiersten Modglin, bestselling author of The Arrangement on Room For Rent
A no-holds-barred, gut punch of a book that had me gritting my teeth as I read. With a crackling plot, an epic setting, and characters who are both compelling and brutal, this remarkable tale of survival is one I won't soon forgetCaleb Stephens, award-winning author of The Girls in the Cabin on Gray After Dark