
Kentucky Dragon
by Michael Park
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Pub Date 30 Sep 2025 | Archive Date 3 May 2025
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Description
A demonic debt destroys Mark’s family, until he grows up to face its collector, the chicken man. A tale of suspense and horror by bestselling author, Michael Park.
"A twisty, violent tale of a brutal legacy." -Kirkus Reviews
*
“So slowly, slowly she got up, and slowly she came to him, and all she said when she came there: ‘Young man, I think you are dying.’”
Barbara Allen, traditional folk song
*
Mark is eleven years old the first time he meets the chicken man. A thin man with discolored fingernails, the chicken man tells Mark how to make people happy using an icepick and a metal hammer. Tap, tap, tap in through the eyes, until there are no more tears.
As the snow in Kentucky melts from a mine fire deep underground, the chicken man collects a brutal debt that leaves Mark traumatized, until, with enough time, bourbon, and therapy, he convinces himself to forget it all.
And he does, for eighteen years.
Until, the chicken man returns. Then, from Kentucky to New York City to a German village, where a coal fire has been burning for three centuries, Mark discovers the dark truth about his family’s debt and the flames that never go out.
*
MICHAEL PARK is the author of six novels with Tor Books, Sourcebooks, and Orchard Books. Two of these books were in bestselling series — and all were penned under other names. An American writer, he now lives in Scotland, where he owns a pub.
Advance Praise
"Park ably uses religious symbolism, as well as mythical motifs of ancient Germanic people, demons, and even a dragon, in a story that is certainly not for the faint of heart ... A twisty, violent tale of a brutal legacy." -Kirkus Reviews
"It's a twisted intense novel filled with horrifying scenes and an emotional hook ... I loved the terrifying journey. I highly recommend it." -Horror Reads, Goodreads
ADDITIONAL REVIEWS FORTHCOMING
PRAISE FOR MICHAEL PARK'S PREVIOUS WORK
"The author deserves to be feted. The best toast I can think of would celebrate the fact that once you begin reading the novel ... you just keep reading." - The Chicago Tribune
"Well plotted and often riveting" - Kirkus Reviews
"A magical, empowering gem of a book" - NY Journal of Books
Marketing Plan
- Simultaneous release: two associated horror novels (The Glass-Face Man and Good to Grave) + music album by Scottish folk band, Sociograss, featuring songs from the novels
- U.S. / UK book + music media campaign
- U.S. East Coast / UK book + media tour
- ARC digital/print distribution
- Genre-targeted advertising campaign, influencer outreach, and social media campaign
ISBN 978-0-999771-52-5
$9.99 • Paperback • 6” x 9” • 315 pages
$2.99 • ebook
Adult Horror / Thriller Fiction
U.S. Publication: Sept 2025
Rights available: Translation, International, TV/Film
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9080534148290 |
PRICE | US$2.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 315 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

Like a freaky bad guy, a family curse, and a story that takes you half way across the world? Then this is the book for you.
Mark was eleven when they moved house, and things started to go wrong. But it wasn't just bullying in a new neighbourhood or the loss of friends, but a demonic curse that starts to haunt his bloodline. It starts with the Chicken Man, who came to the house and seemed to hold a strange power over his Father and Brother. And the mention of his missing Sister. Then strange things start to happen: rooms disappear, and then their father vanishes. Mark's brother goes looking for him, leading Mark to look for them both. After a terrible storm, Mark is found, but something terrible has happened. As an adult, Mark has put much of that behind him until a strange phone call to his girlfriend prompts him to head back home. Things go from bad to worse as Mark's life starts to unravel around him, as he feels the breath of a demonic force on the back of his neck.
A wonderfully dark and twisted story that takes you on a journey across the world, and with the heat of a demonic force throughout.