When Devils Sing

By: Xan Kaur

Narrated by: Anjali Kunapaneni, Jennifer Pickens, Landon Woodson, Michael Crouch

A Goodreads Most Anticipated Horror Novel

Four unlikely allies in a small town investigate a local teen's disappearance, and what they discover festering at the core of their community is far more sinister and ancient than they could’ve ever imagined. For fans of She is a Haunting, True Detective, Mexican Gothic, and Midsommar.

When Dawson Sumter goes missing, all he leaves behind is a smattering of blood in room 4 of the debt-ridden motel owned by Neera Singh's family. Disappearances like this aren't uncommon in the rural Georgia town of Carrion, especially every thirteen years when a periodical cicada brood returns from underground, shrieking their deafening screams.

For Neera, Dawson is another reminder that in this corner of the South, the rich only get richer, and the poor—well, nothing good comes their way.

Neera sets out to investigate Dawson’s whereabouts—if he even still lives—along with three other teens: Isaiah, son of a prominent judge and clandestine true crime podcaster; Reid, son of the wealthiest man in the region; and Sam, estranged daughter of the local hitman. As they find themselves entangled in a messy web of secrets and lies, they discover the riches of the adjacent Lake Clearwater community may have a terrifying source of power dating back to the town’s founding and an ancient urban legend about three devils, each more sinister than the next. How deep does the rot go, and can they find a way to escape its reach?

When Devils Sing features multicast narration, including immersive podcast episodes that engage the listener in the unfolding drama.

"A true blood-soaked Southern Gothic for the modern age.” —Andrew Joseph White, New York Times–bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bears its Teeth

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

Critic reviews

A Goodreads Most Anticipated Horror Novel

“A story that truly understands no devil can ever be half as terrifying as the cruelty of a powerful man. Kaur has written a true blood-soaked Southern Gothic for the modern age.” —Andrew Joseph White, New York Times–bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bears its Teeth

“Xan Kaur masterfully weaves small-town mystery with an unrelenting sense of dread, all while delivering a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is chilling. Dripping with heart and voice from the very first page, When Devils Sing is definitely one you're going to want to read!” —Nick Brooks, Odyssey Award–winning author of Promise Boys

"A harrowing tale of desire, despair, and the devil." —Kirkus Reviews

Worth the listen

Loved the characters. Great story, fantastic narration. I’m picky about how I use my credits and this was definitely worth it

Very well paced and performed!

This was a great listen. The story was incredibly well written and the voice actors were wonderful

Southern Gothic Perfection!

As someone who grew up in Georgia in an area much like Carrion this book was captivating from start to finish! Just enough fantasy to be interesting without overwhelming the story and the suspense truly keeps you on the edge of your seat without feeling overdone! Beautiful imagery, as someone who's heard the Periodical cicadas it's the perfect background for a creepy, Gothic novel and she has NAILED IT! The characters each have depth and emotion. Ahhh, I could go on and on, I really hope we get more!!!!! 💚💚✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

Has some good twist

This book has a voodoo bayou feel. It will keep you sucked in until the end

Couldn’t Stop Listening!

Loved how it incorporated supernatural with what felt like it could be real life events!