Publication Date: September 22, 2026
Every family has its secrets. But in this electric, provocative, 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 has 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 familyʼs tragic secret. Sam is her son, tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, much to his mother’s chagrin. Rosie, his twin sister, whoʼs escaped her mom’s and brotherʼs 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, frankly, itʼs 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. Yes, unlike Talia, the Armstrongs secretly pride themselves on their genetic abnormality. But beneath Veraʼs opulent lifestyle is a woman whoʼs ruthlessly haunted by a mistake from her past. It has corrupted her standing with the Armstrongs, ruined her relationship with her kids, and is slowly unraveling her sanity. Vera will do whatever it takes to correct it.
On the surface, these two families have nothing in common. But Talia is harboring 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.
All Rosie wants is to put down roots and enjoy life like other teens. However, her twin brother’s genetic disorder, inherited from their mother, makes it impossible.
Author Megan Mostyn-Brown delivers a fresh voice in the horror genre with The Need. Cannibalism takes a different direction when combined with wealth and power.
The story illustrates two different perspectives on handling life with the need to eat people. While the wealthy Armstrong family treats it as a point of pride, Rosie’s family sees it as something to be hidden.
The two families, bound together by a secret, are on a collision course that threatens to destroy everything in its path.
The story earns high marks on the horror scale, with plenty of blood and gore, along with a compelling theme of family loyalty.
The author adds a non-binary character who plays a key role, which means readers should be prepared for the use of plural pronouns.
The Need weaves a horrifying tale of how cannibalism impacts two families.
Megan Mostyn-Brown is a playwright and TV writer/producer. She lives in Los Angeles, CA with her partner Jordan and her dog Tuesday. THE NEED is her first novel.
