Gothic, in the sense of Southern Gothic, these eleven stories emphasize the "grotesque" and take place in various Florida environments. Some involve crime and violence, most involve sex; and animals are often central to the plot. "Stormy, Mon Amour" is about a woman who has given birth to a mermaid and seeks to reunite with her dolphin lover. "ReBecca" is the story of conjoined twins and their first sexual experience. "Boozanne, Lemme Be," from the viewpoint of a petty thief, focuses on his secret life in a couple's home when they are at work. "Must Bite " is a grizzly tale of greed, murder,...

Deenie, Gabby and Lise are best friends - a tight girl-unit negotiating their way through the troubled waters of their teens, a world of sex, secrets and intense relationships. When first Lise then Gabby falls prey to a mysterious illness, hysteria sweeps their school and, as more girls succumb, Deenie finds herself an outsider, baffled by the terrifying illness and scared that it could all be because of something she has done. Suffering with Deenie are her dad and her brother, both protective of Deenie, but each with secrets of their own...The Fever is an explosive new novel in which Megan...

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA STEEL DAGGER 2012 There's something dangerous about the boredom of teenage girls. Coach said that once. She said it like she knew, and understood. When Colette French arrives at school one fall and takes charge of the cheer squad, she brings a hint of threat. Sleek, remote and careless, she transforms the girls into warriors - and rivals. Addy and Beth find that for the first time they have secrets from one another. But their mentor is playing her own deadly game, and there is everything to lose.

'Megan Abbott at her very best. Cool, crisp, chilling.' Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train You told each other everything. Then she told you too much. Kit has risen to the top of her profession and is on the brink of achieving everything she wanted. She hasn't let anything stop her. But now someone else is standing in her way - Diane. Best friends at seventeen, their shared ambition made them inseparable. Until the day Diane told Kit her secret - the worst thing she'd ever done, the worst thing Kit could imagine - and it blew their friendship apart. Kit is still the...