Joe Hill burns up the list with 'The Fireman'

Here’s a look at what’s new on Paste BN’s Best-Selling Books list…

Hot stuff: Joe Hill is sizzling. He has his highest ranking ever on Paste BN’s list as he lands at No. 9 with the apocalyptic sci-fi/horror novel, The Fireman (William Morrow).

(The full list will publish on Thursday.)

Hill’s previous peak was No. 28 in 2013 with NOS4A2. The author’s horror chops are no surprise; he’s the son of Stephen King, and father and son have paired up on two Kindle singles, In the Tall Grass and Throttle, both of which made Paste BN’s top 150.

The Fireman, Hill's fourth novel, is the tale of a contagious spore called Dragonscale that causes its victims to spontaneously combust. Its heroine is a young pregnant woman with a penchant for Mary Poppins.

The novel has been receiving good reviews. Paste BN’s Brian Truitt called it a “superbly crackling” thriller and gave the book ***½ out of four stars. The Washington Post’s verdict: a “splendid, fast-paced apocalyptic tale.”

Hill has been on the road doing events to promote the novel, which has been optioned for the movies by Fox.

He still has a way to go to match dad’s success: Stephen King has had 19 No. 1 Paste BN best sellers since the list began in 1993. King’s new novel, End of Watch, will be published on June 7. It concludes the Bill Hodges trilogy that began with Mr. Mercedes.