Master of sci-fi horror Dan Smith delivers an action-packed adventure as secret organisation The Night House exposes the terrifying truth behind the Alpine Heights disaster. Kyle and Lauren Dempsey believe their soldier stepdad is dead, killed in action in Northern Ireland. But then he turns up at their flat in the Alpine Heights tower block, terrifyingly changed.

One day later, a mysterious virus seems to be running rampant through the building and many residents are dead. Nobody has ever discovered what really happened – until now …

• Author: Dan Smith
• Illustrator: Luke Brookes
• Publisher: Barrington Stoke
• ISBN: 978‑0‑00‑870049‑2
• Publication date: 13 February 2025
• Dimensions: approximately 129 × 198 mm
• Interest age: 11+ (recommended for older children and teens)
• Reading support: Designed in dyslexia‑friendly format (spacing, font, layout) — suitable for readers who need extra reading confidence.
• Genre: Sci‑fi horror / thriller involving virus outbreak, tower‑block mystery, transformation and secret organisations.

FAQs

Q1. Is this book suitable for readers with dyslexia?

Yes — published by Barrington Stoke, a publisher specialising in accessible reading formats, and this title is designed to support readers with reading differences via layout and font choices.

Q2. What age group is this book aimed at?

This book is recommended for interest age 11+ (older children/early teens) though its accessible design supports readers who may read at a lower level.

Q3. What is the story about?

The plot centres on a mysterious outbreak in a tower block called Alpine Heights after the return of a soldier who was thought dead. Twins Kyle and Lauren uncover the horror behind the transformation and the secret organisation The Night House.

Q4. Can it be used in a classroom or reading‑intervention setting?

Absolutely. Its manageable length (192 pages), gripping genre, accessible format and older‑child appeal make it suitable for school libraries, reading groups, intervention programmes or reluctant readers seeking confidence.

Q5. Is this a standalone or part of a series?

This is Book 1 of the “Night House Files” series.