Nuzo Onoh is one of the most important voices in 21st-century horror. Over more than a decade, she’s been a trailblazing voice in the field of African horror and a living legend among her peers, earning the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2022.
Onoh’s next novel, The Turning of Sally-Mae, feels like a prime example of exactly the kind of mythic, spellbinding horror fiction that made her such a vital presence in the genre.
Today, Bloody Disgusting can exclusively reveal a first look at the cover of this new novel, which hits bookstores this October, featuring a haunting snake motif that plays a key role in this transoceanic horror.
The Turning of Sally-Mae arrives just in time for Halloween, landing in bookstores on October 20, 2026.
Here’s the official synopsis, courtesy of Titan Books:
“A historical African-Wild West horror story of supernatural vengeance and terrifying occult magic from the winner of the Bram Stoker Award® for Lifetime Achievement. Two fearsome deities battle each other for the souls of white twins destined to either bring vengeful devastation or salvation to their community in Texas, USA, for a great injustice done to their mother.
“When Sally-Mae Jenkins is violated and impregnated by the twin scions of a wealthy rancher, she’s sent to join the African missionary ship as a widow. Pregnant and terrified, Sally-Mae vows vengeance on all those who abused her and her family.
“Amara is a young woman with the body and face of an old hag. The village outcast, Amara, can ‘eat’ the diseases ravaging the villagers and cure the most deadly ailments. But her powers drain her youth and her strength and the only help she has is the fearsome entity that claimed her soul, the spirit known as Aja-Mmọ, the death-giver and physician of the dead.
“When Sally-Mae arrives in Amara’s village, her unborn twins become the focus of both the Python-Goddess, Asata, who wants the twins dead, and Aja-Mmọ, who wants the twins alive in her service, just like Amara. And suddenly, Sally-Mae finds the boys, with their unearthly and fearsome powers, have become the weapons of her vengeance against the unsuspecting citizens of her home town back in Texas….
“A gripping tale of supernatural horror, bitter revenge and battling deities, suffused with Onoh’s trademark thrilling storytelling, wit and dark humor.”
Look for the release on shelves this Halloween season.
