A powerful tale of love, survival, and the battlebetween darkness and humanity
May 2026 - Author Debra Zannelli invites readers into a haunting andemotionally charged world with her novel, Dark Night of the Soul, a dark fantasy that blends psychological horror, romance, suspense, and timeless questions about morality and identity.
At the center of the story is Marcus, a tormented being who has spent years struggling against the monstrous existence forced upon him by Gregor, a centuries-old predator driven by bloodlust and cruelty. Unlike his captor, Marcus refuses to surrender his humanity. When he rescues a young girl named Maddy from becoming his first victim, he sets into motion a chain of events that will shape both of their lives.
Years later, Marcus and Maddy meet again. While she recognizes him as the mysterious figure from her childhood nightmares, she also sees the compassion and humanity he has fought to preserve. As their bond deepens, Gregor returns to the quiet New England town where Marcus once escaped, unleashing a deadly wave of violence and terror. Together with Maddy, her brother Judson, and local law enforcement, Marcus must confront the darkness of his past and stop Gregor before more innocent lives are lost.
More than a supernatural thriller, Dark Night of the Soul examines the choices that define us. Inspired by Zannelli's own experience recovering from surgery to remove a non-cancerous brain tumor, the novel explores resilience, sacrifice, family, and the enduring power of love. During a six-month recovery period, when daily life was placed on hold, Zannelli began writing the story that would become her first published novel.
"I wanted to show that our circumstances do not determine who we become," says Zannelli. "Marcus faces extraordinary challenges, but it is his choices—and the people who believe in him—that give him the strength to continue."
Born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, Zannelli has been writing stories since childhood. Influenced by a lifelong love of books and science fiction, she has gone on to create multiple novels, including the acclaimed Sister World trilogy. Her novel Sister World Return to Terah earned second place in the science fiction category of the 2024 BookFest Awards.
Written for young adult and adult readers alike, Dark Night of the Soul will appeal to fans of psychological horror, dark fantasy, and character-driven stories where the greatest battles are fought within.
