The finale to Kristen Simmons's masterful horror duology that's "Jumanji but Japanese-inspired" (Kendare Blake) about estranged friends playing a deadly game in a nightmarish folkloric underworld.

“Twists, turns, and genuine palpable emotion.” —David Levithan • “Haunting and unforgettable.” —Melissa de la Cruz • “A nightmare I didn’t want to end.” —Terry J. Benton-Walker • “Absorbing.” —C. L. Herman • “Bone-chilling.” —Lauren Shippen • “Heart-pounding.” —Margaret Rogerson • “Twisted.” —Lish McBride • “Won't let me sleep!” —Chelsea Mueller • "Full of surprises." —C. J. Redwine • “Intense.” —Kendare Blake

"Death is not an ending, it’s simply the next chapter. Do not be afraid to turn the page...."

It’s been one month since Ian’s reunited friends escaped the hellish game of Meido and saved him. The survivors may have sealed the gate to the world of the dead shut and destroyed Empress Izanami, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still reeling over the challenges they endured. Trying to relax back in the world of the living, they take solace in the fact that they rescued Ian from the nightmare that tried to steal him away. But there’s just one problem—Ian didn’t come home alone.

The empress—now possessing Ian's heart—hitched a ride into their world and the only way to free Ian from her grasp is to find three artifacts for her, sacred objects which have been hidden across many realms. Unwilling to leave Ian behind a second time, his friends dive into a new deadly game, with terrifying challenges that not only test their mettle, but demand sacrifices—including their very lives.

If they don’t retrieve the empress’s artifacts, Ian will be lost forever, but if they do, it could be the end of their world as they know it.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

Praise for Find Him Where You Left Him Dead:

"Magnificently macabre!" —Shelf Awareness

"I was totally absorbed by this running-through-a-gauntlet novel with truly inspiring twists, turns, and genuine palpable emotion." —David Levithan, New York Times bestselling author of Every Day

"Perfect for the spooky season and beyond, giving readers a new kind of horror novel that will fly off the shelves. An excellent read." —School Library Journal

"Find Him Where You Left Him Dead is a gripping and intense horror story that is a must-read for fans of Japanese mythology and those who enjoy a good scare. Kristen Simmons skillfully weaves together elements of Japanese folklore, diverse representation, and psychological terror to create a haunting and unforgettable reading experience." —Melissa De La Cruz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Bloods series and Disney’s Descendants

"Simmons has created an evocative world that reignites the Jumanji concept. [T]he horror will have readers racing for the end." —Booklist

"Gritty, fascinating, and full of surprises, this is a story that lingers long after the final sentence." —C.J. Redwine, NYT's bestselling author of Rise of the Vicious Princess

"Kristen Simmons’s Find Him Where You Left Him Dead throws the reader into an intense horror-action game—like Jumanji but Japanese-inspired and really disturbing.” —Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anna Dressed in Blood and the Three Dark Crowns series

“Heart-pounding, immersive, and chilling. I couldn’t put this book down, and can’t get it out of my head!” —Margaret Rogerson, New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens

“Bone-chilling. you'll be kept on the edge of your seat and with your heart in your throat.” —Lauren Shippen, author of The Infinite Noise

“Crafted from pure nightmares—so twisted, so turny, that the second you hit The End, you'll feel compelled to start the whole book over again.” —Lish McBride, award-winning author and Morris Award Short List recipient

"Kristen Simmons strikes the right balance between horror that sticks to your bones and friendships that pull at your heart. The kind of great horror book I can't put down . . . but that also won't let me sleep!" —Chelsea Mueller, author of Prom House and the Soul Charmer series

"Simmons crafts an interesting world brimming with unique takes on Japanese mythology, giving readers who know their stuff or do their research some unexpected treats. The fast pace, horror elements, and speedy action scenes will be a draw for many readers looking for some high-stakes action as the characters outsmart the yōkai and progress through the game." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books




About the AuthorCritically-acclaimed young adult author of more than a dozen books, including the Article Five trilogy, The Deceivers series, and The Glass Arrow, KRISTEN SIMMONS’ writing is inspired by her work with trauma survivors as a mental health therapist. She currently lives with her husband and son in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she spins stories, herds a small pack of semi-wild dogs, and teaches Jazzercise. To learn more, join her circle on Instagram, or visit her website and sign up for her newsletter.
Title: She Waits for You Beyond the Dark
Author(s): Kristen Simmons
Volume: 2
ISBN: 9781250851185
Copyright 2025
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats
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