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It’s Here! JOHNNY Cover Reveal: The Sequel to Memphis

Cover reveal for Johnny the sequel to crime thriller Memphis

The wait is finally over.

I’m so excited to officially reveal the cover for JOHNNY, the sequel to MEMPHIS in my Memphis Crime Thriller series.

This book has been such an intense and emotional project for me to write, and after spending countless hours shaping this story, I’m thrilled to say JOHNNY is now with my editor undergoing a full-picture assessment to make the story even stronger. Next comes line-by-line revisions where we’ll continue refining every scene, every chapter, and every emotional beat to make this book as compelling, immersive, and unforgettable as possible.

And now… here’s JOHNNY.

Johnny crime thriller book cover reveal

Freedom Was Only the Beginning

While MEMPHIS explored the idea that “escape was only the beginning,” JOHNNY asks a far darker question:

What happens when the man she escaped refuses to stay buried in the past?

JOHNNY

Freedom was only the beginning.

He doesn’t need to find her.
He just needs the world to turn against her.

Newly released from prison, Johnny manipulates perception, gains influence, and entangles with a biker gang, exposing the origins of his power and escalating threat.

Welcome to Gaslight Nation.

JOHNNY shifts the lens to the man Memphis fled—and what happens when he’s no longer hiding in the shadows. Spanning before and during the events of book one, this installment follows Johnny Freedman’s descent into control, violence, and obsession.

The official JOHNNY cover reveal is here. Discover the dark sequel to MEMPHIS featuring manipulation, biker gang crime, obsession, and generational trauma. Releasing September 30, 2026.

A Darker Look Into the Villain

Set both before and during the events of MEMPHIS, JOHNNY dives deeper into the mind behind the threat.

Raised in a family where power, alcohol, rage, and dominance shaped manhood, Johnny is a product of generational dysfunction-charming on the surface, volatile underneath. But this time, he isn’t lurking quietly in the background.

Fresh out of prison, Johnny reemerges more dangerous than ever. With a new woman at his side pulling him deeper into manipulation, image, and influence, he begins reshaping public perception and tightening control in calculated new ways.

At the same time, he becomes entangled with a biker gang, introducing another layer of menace, unpredictability, and criminal influence into his world. As Johnny’s past unfolds—including the impact of his brothers and the environment that shaped him -a clearer picture emerges of how entitlement, control, and violence were built into him long before Memphis tried to escape.

Dark, tense, and character-driven, JOHNNY explores obsession, reputation warfare, emotional manipulation, and the terrifying power of public perception. During a time when daytime talk show trash talking was normalized, Johnny uses it to his advantage.

Crime Thriller Tropes Featured in JOHNNY

Readers can expect:

  • Generational Trauma
  • The Villain’s Perspective
  • Public Image vs Private Truth
  • Reputation Warfare
  • Power & Control Dynamics
  • Motorcycle Club Influence
  • Past and Present Collide
  • Long-Buried Family Secrets
  • Toxic Relationships
  • Obsession & Manipulation

ARC Readers & Release Date

My incredible ARC team will receive their early review copies in mid-August, and I genuinely cannot wait to hear everyone’s thoughts as they step back into this world.

JOHNNY will officially release on September 30, 2026 in:

  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
  • Ebook
  • Kindle Unlimited

Haven’t Read MEMPHIS Yet?

If you haven’t started the series yet, MEMPHIS is available now on Kindle Unlimited and wherever books are sold.

MEMPHIS was described by Kirkus Reviews as:

“An enthralling and sensitive work of crime fiction.”

It also received the prestigious Get It accolade from Kirkus Reviews, and Readers’ Favorite praised the emotional intensity and suspense woven throughout the novel.

Get Memphis on Amazon.

Preorder Johnny on Amazon.

JOHNNY Merch Is Coming This August

I’m also excited to announce that JOHNNY merch will officially be launching this August in my online shop! Along with exclusive book bundles featuring books one and two in ebook and audiobook formats, I’ll also be releasing brand-new JOHNNY-inspired stickers and motorcycle club-inspired apparel. Think dark biker aesthetics, custom “Satan’s Angels” style club patches, rockers, and designs inspired by the gritty world of the series. If you love the darker atmosphere and biker gang elements of JOHNNY, you’re definitely going to want to keep an eye on this collection. Stay tuned as more details and previews are coming soon! Check out Memphis merch in the meantime here.

What Do You Think of the Cover?

I’m honestly so excited for this release and would love to know your thoughts on the JOHNNY cover reveal. I wanted the design to visually match MEMPHIS while still carrying its own darker energy and identity.

This sequel goes deeper into manipulation, image, obsession, violence, and the emotional aftermath of toxic control—and I cannot wait to finally share it with readers.

Welcome to Gaslight Nation.

Memphis banner a domestic thriller novel by Holly May Cormier

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Holly May Cormier

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