The Last Spirits of Manhattan

A Novel

By John A McDermott
LIST PRICE $19.00

About The Book

“Pure storytelling magic.” —Diane C. McPhail, USA TODAY bestselling author

Mad Men meets The Gilded Age in this witty and enchanting novel about a young woman in 1950s Manhattan who resists the conventional future planned for her, spurred on by a group of ghostly relatives who are the unexpected guests at a star-studded party thrown by Alfred Hitchcock in the family townhouse.

After fleeing her safe, predictable life in the Midwest, Carolyn Banks finds herself in her recently deceased great-aunts’ once grand mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Inside its crumbling façade, suspense director Alfred Hitchcock is throwing a party, gleefully informing his celebrity guests that the venue is supposedly haunted. It all seems like a fun gag, but Carolyn knows that the line between reality and the supernatural is dangerously blurred here.

Soon, the paranormal entities are mingling with guests like Charles Addams and Henry Fonda. As Carolyn grapples with romantic entanglements and ghostly encounters, she discovers long-buried family secrets, challenging her understanding of love, loyalty, and legacy. A striking mix of the haunting and the heartwarming, The Last Spirits of Manhattan is an “emotionally rich and uplifting story” (Charlie Lovett, New York Times bestselling author) about a family reunion unlike any other, set against the bewitching backdrop of 1950s New York City.

About The Author

Christine McDermott
John A McDermott

 John A. McDermott teaches creative writing at Stephen F. Austin State University and served on the board of directors for the Writers’ League of Texas. Prior to teaching, he worked as an actor, bartender, house painter, and advertising copywriter. He lives in Nacogdoches with his wife and teenage daughter. 

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atria Books (October 13, 2026)
  • Length: 336 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781668058749

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Raves and Reviews

“What better way to avoid answering an unwelcome proposal than to attend a haunted-house party hosted by none other than Alfred Hitchcock? . . . By turns creepy, heartwarming, and romantic and set against the glittering backdrop of 1950s New York, McDermott's debut novel is a fun read that will delight haunted-house fans and Hollywood fans alike.” —Booklist

“McDermott beautifully captures a creepy, funny, romantic, and historic night in 1956 New York City. When Alfred Hitchcock, Charles Addams, and a host of others descend on the Upper East Side’s most haunted house the result is an emotionally rich and uplifting story. When it’s all over, one can only muse—what a swell party it was!” —Charlie Lovett, New York Times bestselling author of The Bookman's Tale

“John McDermott is a fine writer who I believe has a strong future ahead of him. He has clear, clean prose that sings. His work is entertaining and has the kind of echo that solidifies a long and successful career. …an assured sense of story and style…” —Joe R. Lansdale, Edgar Award–winning author

“McDermott weaves ghost story and social satire into pure storytelling magic.” —Diane C. McPhail, USA Today bestselling author of The Seamstress of New Orleans

“What better way to avoid answering an unwelcome proposal than to attend a haunted-house party hosted by none other than Alfred Hitchcock? . . . By turns creepy, heartwarming, and romantic and set against the glittering backdrop of 1950s New York, McDermott's debut novel is a fun read that will delight haunted-house fans and Hollywood fans alike.” —Booklist

“McDermott beautifully captures a creepy, funny, romantic, and historic night in 1956 New York City. When Alfred Hitchcock, Charles Addams, and a host of others descend on the Upper East Side’s most haunted house the result is an emotionally rich and uplifting story. When it’s all over, one can only muse—what a swell party it was!” —Charlie Lovett, New York Times bestselling author of The Bookman's Tale

“John McDermott is a fine writer who I believe has a strong future ahead of him. He has clear, clean prose that sings. His work is entertaining and has the kind of echo that solidifies a long and successful career. …an assured sense of story and style…” —Joe R. Lansdale, Edgar Award–winning author

“McDermott weaves ghost story and social satire into pure storytelling magic.” —Diane C. McPhail, USA Today bestselling author of The Seamstress of New Orleans

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The Last Spirits of Manhattan

A Novel

By John A McDermott
LIST PRICE $19.00
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