Shipping Through the Holidays β˜€οΈπŸ“¦

Boxing Day Sale is live! Up to 20% off 2000+ Books

ITCH!

The darkly feminist horror novel crawling under your skin for Halloween 2025
Brief Description
THE FOLK HORROR NOVEL CRAWLING UNDER YOUR SKIN FOR HALLOWEEN 2025 Something moves on the forest floor . . . Josie is at rock bottom. Burned out, heartbroken and recovering from an abusive relationship, she lives a haunted existence after returning to her isolated hometown on... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of ITCH!. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

ITCH!

A darkly feminist folk horror novel about the psychological and physical turmoil of a woman who discovers a body in the woods, murdered and infested by a horde of ants that then seem to crawl under her skin and infect her life.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

THE FOLK HORROR NOVEL CRAWLING UNDER YOUR SKIN FOR HALLOWEEN 2025

Something moves on the forest floor . . .

Josie is at rock bottom. Burned out, heartbroken and recovering from an abusive relationship, she lives a haunted existence after returning to her isolated hometown on the edge of the Forest of Dean.

But the tall, dense pine trees are not the only things casting shadows across her skin.

Josie's hopes of a fresh start are horribly derailed when she stumbles across a dead woman's decaying, ant-infested body in the woods. The grim discovery sends her into a downward spiral, forcing her to face uncomfortable truths about the victim and her own pastβ€”all whilst battling the swarming black ants that seem to have burrowed into her mind . . . and her flesh.

As Josie struggles with infestations of all kinds, she scratches the surface of an age-old mysteryβ€”a masked predator stalks the forest around Ellwood, a place deeply gripped by ancient folklore and strange customs. So when the village dresses up for its annual festival, Josie gets closer and closer to unveiling a monster, and begins to ask herself:

Are these dark crawling insects leading her to uncover the truth?

Or is she their next victim?

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781399745376

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 October 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 420g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Gemma Amor is a Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award-nominated horror author, editor, illustrator, and podcaster based in Bristol, UK. She was named one of Esquire's Writers Shaping Horror's Next Golden Age, and recently featured in Ellen Datlow's prestigious Best Horror of the Year anthology, Vol. 15.

Gemma loves to write about misunderstood monsters, both human and supernatural, as well as feminist horror. Itch! is her first novel with Hodder & Stoughton.

Also by Gemma Amor

View all
  • Pre-order
    ITCH!
    Hardback
    $6000
    Pre-order
    Out 20 Jan 2026

More from Horror & Supernatural

View all
  • On Sale
    20% off
    Misery
    Paperback
    $2400
    Usually:
    $2999
    In Stock
  • Shirl's Picks
    Strange Houses
    By Uketsu
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    In Stock
  • Alchemised
    Free Bookmark
    New Release
    Alchemised
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3700
    (1)
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    20% off
    The Tainted Cup
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (1)
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    14% off
    Gild
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    14% off
    Goldfinch
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    23% off
    New Release
    Anathema
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    10% off
    Katabasis
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    22% off
    Gold
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
  • Nic's Pick
    One Dark Window
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (3)
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    19% off
    New Release
    Fallen Stars
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
  • On Sale
    17% off
    Glow
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.