Paperbacks from Hell: Second Wave

Our five Paperbacks from Hell reprints have been one of the most popular things we've ever done, so we couldn't resist doing a sequel! Here's everything you need to know about our second wave of PFH reissues.

Which books will be featured in the second wave?

Black Ambrosia (1988) by Elizabeth Engstrom

This super-rare novel (there's literally not a single copy for sale online anywhere, at any price) by Engstrom, whose When Darkness Loves Us was part of the first set of PFH, can be read as a straightforward horror novel about a teenage vampire and her string of male victims, or as a story of madness. Is Angelina really a vampire? Can we trust the story she's telling us? You'll have to read the novel to find out. Features a new introduction by Grady Hendrix and the original cover painting by Bob Eggleton.

Nightblood (1990) by T. Chris Martindale

Martindale's sought-after book (it sports a 4.12 rating on Goodreads and the cheapest secondhand copies are $32+) also takes vampires as its theme, but there the similarities with Engstrom's book end. In Nightblood, a Vietnam War vet whose brother was killed by a vampire is out for revenge on the undead, with the help of his brother's ghost and an arsenal of high-powered weaponry. When an army of the undead descends on an Indiana town, our hero goes into action in this wild vampire shoot-'em-up romp. Features a Grady Hendrix introduction and the original cover by Greg Winters.

A Nest of Nightmares (1986) by Lisa Tuttle

One of the books we've had the most requests for over the years, Tuttle's book appeared as a paperback original in the UK and was never published in the US or subsequently reprinted anywhere. Copies regularly sell for $100 or more. This volume collects 13 of the author's best early horror tales, originally published in various magazines. Will Errickson of Too Much Horror Fiction, who will contribute an introduction, says these are tales "with chilling moments of helpless creeping terror" and calls the collection "brilliant". Features the original Nick Bantock cover painting.

Let's Go Play at the Adams' (1974) by Mendal W. Johnson

I don't think we've ever gotten as many requests for any book as for this rare '70s shocker by Johnson, who published only this one novel. This notorious bestseller about the terrible things that happen after a group of children chloroform and tie up their babysitter is highly sought-after on the secondhand market, and copies go for lofty sums. Read this chilling novel and find out what all the hype is about and why so many readers have requested a reprint of this book. Features a new introduction by Grady Hendrix. Cover art to be determined (the cover to the left is included for illustrative purposes only.)

The Pack (1976) by David Fisher

And last, but definitely not least, is this classic killer dog novel from David Fisher, author of more than 20 best-selling books; this one was the basis for a 1977 film entitled The Long Dark Night.  Animal attack books were hugely popular during the 1970s paperback horror boom, and Fisher's is among the best. This new edition will feature a new introduction by Will Errickson and cover art to be determined (the image to the left is for illustrative purposes only).

When will the second wave be published?

The first title, Black Ambrosia, will ship sometime in October. The remaining books will follow at a rate of about one book every 6-8 weeks, with the series wrapping up around March of 2020.

Are they available worldwide?

Four of the books will be available worldwide. Lisa Tuttle's A Nest of Nightmares, because of rights restrictions outside our control, will be available only in the U.S., Canada, and certain other countries worldwide (it will not be available in the U.K. or the current/former Commonwealth countries, although readers in those countries can import it with free shipping from Book Depository).

How much do they cost?

The paperbacks will retail at $16.99 each, except for Nightblood, which will be $17.99. The ebooks will retail at $7.99. However, we will be offering a package deal to receive the paperbacks at a 20% discount, and the ebooks at a discount as well.

Will there be a monthly subscription option?

For the first wave, we offered a subscription where we sent out one book per month.  This time, things will be done a little differently. 

Instead of publishing a new book on the first of each month, the books will be spaced out a little bit more, with no releases in December (because of the Christmas holidays). Thus, you may receive one book in October, one in November, and then receive your third in January. It is possible you will receive more than one book in a given month, since we will be sending the books as soon as we have them from the printers -- we won't hold on to them and make you wait for them!

We will regularly update our Facebook and Twitter pages to announce when books are shipping, and if you have a question or concern, you can contact us at any time.

How much for the set?

Customers can preorder all 5 books and receive a 20% discount ($13.50 per book, plus s&h, instead of $16.99).  

U.S. customers: The total cost to U.S. customers will be $85 (this works out to $13.50 per book, plus $3.50 per book s&h.)  


U.K. customers: U.K. customers can order a 'PFH lite' subscription, which will include all the books except A Nest of Nightmares, for $70 ($13.50 per book + $4 per book s&h).

Important (non-U.S./U.K. customers): Shipping costs outside the U.S. are expensive! Customers in Canada, the EU, and elsewhere can still preorder the entire set for $85; however, the five books will all ship together via UPS in one box once they are all available (Feb./Mar. 2020), rather than five separate shipments.

Ebook discount: The ebook package will be $29.99 (a discount of about $10 off the anticipated retail price of $39.95).

To order, visit our Paperbacks from Hell: Wave Two page

If you are outside the U.S. and have questions about how to order, or shipping costs, feel free to email us using the contact form on our website, or send us a message on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts.

What are the benefits to preordering the entire set instead of just buying the books individually on Amazon?

• No long waits. Books will generally ship to you 3-4 weeks before their Amazon release date. So you'll have them before anybody else. Plus, you'll be supporting an independent small press instead of a giant corporate monstrosity.
• Free ebook versions. Yep, that's right. If you preorder the paperback set and would like to receive the ebook versions of each title as well, just contact us when placing your order and tell us whether you want the MOBI or EPUB versions. You must request them, however -- we don't want to fill up your inbox with ebook files you don't want.
• First dibs on audiobook download codes.  We are anticipating audiobook versions of several of the PFH titles, and for each of them we will have around 100 free Audible download codes to distribute. These will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, and first priority will be given to those who preordered the set from us.
• Unparalleled customer service.  Something wrong with a book you received?  Wondering where your shipment is?  Just shoot us an email or a message and a real, live person (there are two of us here to choose from) will respond quickly and fix any problem.

Thanks for visiting, and welcome back to Hell! Happy reading!