Off Season (novel)

Off Season is a horror novel written by Jack Ketchum, first published in 1980. It is the first book in what is often considered Ketchum's "Dead River" series, followed by Offspring and The Woman.

The novel centers on a group of cannibalistic mountain dwellers in rural Maine and their brutal attacks on unsuspecting tourists and residents. Off Season is known for its extreme violence, graphic depictions of gore, and unsettling themes of depravity and savagery. The narrative follows several perspectives, including those of the victims, the sheriff investigating the crimes, and glimpses into the lives and motivations of the cannibal clan.

The novel generated considerable controversy upon its initial release due to its graphic content, leading to it being banned in some countries and sparking debate about the limits of horror fiction. It is considered a controversial but influential work within the splatterpunk subgenre of horror. The story explores themes of isolation, the breakdown of civilization, and the inherent darkness that can exist within humanity.