Hobgoblin (novel)

Hobgoblin is a 1996 horror novel written by John Coyne. The plot centers on a series of suicides and madness plaguing a small Pennsylvania town, particularly among the students of the local university. The mysterious events are linked to an antique shop that sells, among other things, "hobgoblins" – small, carved figures that seemingly possess the power to amplify the owner's darkest fears and desires, driving them to self-destruction.

The story follows a group of students who become entangled in the shop's dark influence and attempt to uncover the truth behind the hobgoblins' origins and the shop owner's motivations. The novel explores themes of psychological manipulation, repressed trauma, and the destructive nature of unchecked desires. Coyne's writing style often incorporates elements of suspense and graphic horror, building tension as the characters succumb to the hobgoblins' influence.

While the novel enjoyed a degree of popularity in the horror genre, it is not as widely known as some of Coyne's other works. Its impact on popular culture is limited, but it remains a representative example of 1990s horror fiction.