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An Evil on Stanton Street

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Pub Date Jan 11 2027 | Archive Date Oct 10 2026

Janelle Gabay Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles


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Description

An Evil on Stanton Street is a young adult, historical novel set in the boxing rings and gambling dens of 1930s Lower Manhattan. It weaves fantasy into the city's history of frame-ups against innocent women. 

The boy's orphanage on Stanton Street has rules, and the young men know these rules and the lethal consequences of breaking them. If they can survive the dark magic another three months, they'll be free. 

Three of the orphans encounter Neve, a mysterious bootlegger with an agenda. She meets loyal, trusting Calvin on the morning trolley, then miserable, pessimistic Willie during lunch in the park, and finally, arrogant, greedy Nicky at an afternoon boxing match. Unbeknownst to each other, Neve befriends them and reveals the house's secrets and how to bend the stringent magical rules.

She hasn't chosen these three young men at random. The murder of Neve's little brother corresponds to the death of their parents. Neve unravels the conspiracy that has entrapped them. The corrupt criminal justice system, the mafia, and the witch-controlled child welfare system link together with Neve and the young men stuck at the crossroads. Neve has a revenge plan, but she can't do it alone. She allocates each young man a task while keeping her friendship with each one a secret.

After she goes missing, they discover her deceit. Regardless, she's made them stronger; her revenge is now theirs. They need to learn the truth behind their parent's death, stop the cruelty against orphans, and the extortion of women. But how can three wards of the state destroy a powerful witch and a decades-long political scandal without getting killed just days before they can go free?

An Evil on Stanton Street is a young adult, historical novel set in the boxing rings and gambling dens of 1930s Lower Manhattan. It weaves fantasy into the city's history of frame-ups against...


A Note From the Publisher

Additional Book Formats with (ISBN-13):
PAPERBACK - 97809961558886

Additional Book Formats with (ISBN-13):
PAPERBACK - 97809961558886


Advance Praise

“Gabay’s taut novel hits the ground running—Neve’s plan is

cooking from the start, and she’s steeped in mystery … Gabay’s

characters shine, including a crooked police officer, Neve’s

bootlegging gangster boss, and Willie, who’s gay but too

scared to come out, even to the boy he likes. Although Neve

plays the boys to her advantage, there’s no doubt she cares

about them … A more-than-capable hero leads a superb

cast in this curious blend of the otherworldly and 1930s

Manhattan.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Gabay’s taut novel hits the ground running—Neve’s plan is

cooking from the start, and she’s steeped in mystery … Gabay’s

characters shine, including a crooked police officer, Neve’s

bootlegging...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9780996158886
PRICE $3.99 (USD)
PAGES 293

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Average rating from 7 members


Featured Reviews

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I really, really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of orphaned children taking their lives and freedoms back from tyrants. The 8 witches and the poison apples, the sister intent on revenge 🤌🏼. This book could have easily been clunky with nothing fitting together and yet it flowed beautifully. I would have liked to have seen the witches a little more present through the book, but aside from that I think this is my only criticism.

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I had such a great time with this book. The story follows a group of boys living in an orphanage ruled by a cruel and terrifying headmistress who enforces her strict rules with deadly consequences. Any boy who dares to break a rule is forced to eat the infamous poison apple, leaving the children resigned to a life of fear as they simply try to survive each day.

Everything begins to change when a young woman arrives and recruits the older boys to help bring an end to the headmistress’s reign of terror. As they dig deeper, they uncover the shocking truth—she isn’t just an abusive caretaker, but a powerful witch with dark magic at her command.

Determined to protect the younger boys and finally put an end to her cruelty, the group embarks on a dangerous journey that may lead them into the very realm the witch came from. There, they’ll have to uncover the secrets of her power and discover how to defeat her once and for all. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and they’ll risk everything to save the orphanage—even if it means sacrificing their own lives.

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