The Need

Brought to you by Penguin.

Every family has its secrets. But in this provocative, hilarious and dizzyingly fast-paced 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 been on the run with her two teenagers since the kids were babies, changing names and identities every time someone gets close to discovering her family's tragic secret. Sam is tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, much to his mother's chagrin. While Rosie, his twin sister, who's escaped her family's genetic curse, is desperate for a life of normalcy -- like a TikTok account, Homecoming or a kiss with her mysterious new friend Naomi. 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 secretly 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. It's corrupted her standing with the Armstrongs, ruined her relationship with her kids and is slowly unravelling her sanity. Vera will 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.

© Megan Mostyn Brown 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026