Black House, by Stephen King and Peter Straub
✓ Product data checked October 23, 2026
Black House is the second novel co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub, following The Talisman. Twenty years after his journey to the parallel world of the Territories, Jack Sawyer is a retired Los Angeles homicide detective living quietly in Tamarack, Wisconsin, with no memory of those adventures. A series of gruesome murders in the area pulls him back into the case and toward what he has forgotten. The book blends police thriller and dark fantasy. As a gift it fits a King reader who has finished the classics, or someone who loved The Talisman. Rated 4.6 across more than 7,300 reviews, around $16.
Why it makes a good gift
Best for : A Stephen King fan looking for a less obvious title
Best occasion : Birthday, Halloween, Christmas
Why it works : It is a long, dark read by two horror authors at once, a good pick for a fan who already owns King's best-known novels.
Avoid if : The reader is put off by graphic violence: the plot centers on gruesome murders.
For
Him, Her, Friend
Budget
$$ — Affordable
Frequently asked questions
Is it a sequel?
Yes, it follows The Talisman, also co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub.
Do you need to read The Talisman first?
The listing does not say; the plot refers to Jack Sawyer's earlier adventures in the Territories.
What genre is it?
Amazon files it under supernatural thrillers and suspense.
Is it paperback or hardcover?
The Amazon listing does not say.
