In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by author Johnny Compton to discuss his latest novel, Dead First.
Private investigator Shyla Sinclair is hired by billionaire Saxton Bray, a man who claims, and proves, he cannot die. He offers her millions to uncover the truth behind his immortality and missing memories, while holding leverage over secrets from her own past.
We talk about immortality as a burden, blending noir detective fiction with supernatural horror, and the shifting power dynamics between Shyla, Saxton, his assistant Remy, and Shyla’s partner Jen. Johnny also shares how Shyla and Jen’s complicated history, including Jen’s psychic abilities, reshaped the story from an early comedic draft into something darker and more grounded.
We explore the Texas setting, including Galveston’s haunted history, and how themes of memory, mortality, legacy, curiosity, and self-destruction drive the novel. Johnny also teases what’s next: a sci-fi horror novella, Chimera Skin, arriving in 2026, and a future serial killer project.
Follow Johnny Compton at:
johnnycompton.com
IG: @comptonwrites
TikTok: @comptonwrites
YouTube: JohnnyComptonAuthor
Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
