These 10 horror books are full of malignant dark forces, both psychological and supernatural. They guarantee you – all adults – Halloween’s chills all year round.
Imagine feeling the spooky Halloween excitement not just on October 31st but all year round. We’ve got a list of 10 scary books that keep you hooked, no matter the season. But, fair warning: these stories might be too intense for younger readers and might take a toll on your nerves. They’re not just about one spooky night; they take you into mysterious worlds, encouraging you to explore the unknown and feel the thrill of a well-told scare. Ready for the journey? Each page turn will bring you closer to a heart-pounding moment. Let’s dive into the 10 horror books that keep Halloween alive, remembering they’re for those who love a really intense and immersive experience.
- 1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019)
- 2. Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon (2021)
- 3. The Bunny by Mona Awad (2019)
- 4. Bird Box by Josh Malerman (2014)
- 5. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (2020)
- 6. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (2020)
- 7. The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay (2018)
- 8. Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (2013)
- 9. The Grip of It by Jac Jemc (2017)
- 10. The Whisper Man by Alex North (2019)
- By the Same Author: The 15 Best Horror Books of the Last Decade (2010-2020)
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019)
Alicia Berenson, a talented painter, shoots her husband and then falls into silence, never uttering a word again. Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with her case and takes a job at the psychiatric facility where Alicia resides. Through his relentless determination, he aims to unravel the mystery behind her silence and the shocking crime she committed. With mind-bending plot twists and psychological depth, The Silent Patient explores the complexities of the human mind, leading readers through a labyrinth of deception, obsession, and shocking revelations. Goodreads Choice Award 2019 winner in the Mystery and Thriller category.
2. Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon (2021)
Oliver Park, a young recovering addict from Indiana, finally has it all—sobriety and a loving, affluent partner in Nathan. In a moment of vulnerability, he enters Haus, a gay bathhouse, and follows a stranger into a private room, setting off a chain of events that spirals into a nightmare. Barely escaping with his life, and racing home with a telltale bruise on his neck, Oliver grapples with a truth that could shatter his relationship with Nathan. Faced with the prospect of losing it all, he resorts to his old habit—lying. What ensues is a riveting runaway-train narrative, filled with escalating tension, edge-of-your-seat thrills, and unforeseen twists. P.J. Vernon’s Bath Haus weaves together a scintillating thriller with a powerful emotional core, offering readers a compelling and suspenseful journey, making it a must-read for those in search of their next gripping novel.
3. The Bunny by Mona Awad (2019)
Samantha Heather Mackey enters into MFA, a fancy writing program filled with intense competition. She gets involved with the Bunny, a clique of four powerful influential girls, and she becomes entangled in a web of obsession, manipulation, and eerie rituals. The story explores ambition, manipulation, and the darker side of success. Awad combines psychological horror with sharp humour, diving into the challenges of identity and the high price of chasing creative dreams. The Bunny is a gripping journey into a world where reality blurs, making readers question what’s real and what’s a creative nightmare. With its engaging plot and unsettling surprises, this novel offers a unique twist on modern horror, making it a must-read for those who enjoy stories that keep them on the edge of their seats.
Also Read: 5 Timeless Tales of Horror to Revisit in Halloween 2023
4. Bird Box by Josh Malerman (2014)
In a post-apocalyptic world, an inexplicable phenomenon has driven people to madness and violence upon sight of mysterious creatures. Malorie, along with her two children, must navigate a treacherous river blindfolded to reach safety. Bird Box is a heart-pounding thriller that explores the power of fear and the strength of maternal instinct. Through intense suspense and a sense of looming dread, Malerman crafts a tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, questioning the limits of human resilience in the face of the unknown. It has also been adapted into a movie of the same name in 2018, starring Sandra Bullock. A spin-off sequel to this – Bird Box Barcelona – was released earlier this year.
5. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (2020)
A group of Native American friends is haunted by a malevolent force after a hunting incident on a forbidden elk hunting ground. The novel delves into themes of guilt, cultural identity, and the supernatural, blending folklore with contemporary horror. Jones weaves a chilling narrative that explores the consequences of past actions, intertwining the characters’ histories with a vengeful entity. With its deeply rooted sense of unease and rich exploration of Native American culture, The Only Good Indians stands as a powerful and unsettling example of modern horror literature, captivating readers with its unique blend of social commentary and supernatural terror.
6. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (2020)
In Home Before Dark, Maggie Holt, a young woman whose family fled from a haunted Victorian mansion when she was a child, returns to the scene of the horror as an adult. She plans to renovate the house, but eerie and unexplainable events begin to unfold. Sager skillfully blends elements of psychological suspense and supernatural terror, building an atmosphere of creeping dread. The novel explores themes of family secrets, trauma, and the impact of the past on the present. As Maggie delves deeper into the mysteries of the house, readers are drawn into a chilling narrative that challenges their understanding of reality and haunts their imagination long after the final page.
7. The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay (2018)
The Cabin at the End of the World plunges readers into a nightmare scenario when a vacation turns into a fight for survival. A group of friends encounter strangers bearing a terrifying message: the world is on the brink of apocalypse, and they must make a dreadful choice to save humanity. Tremblay crafts an intense and suspenseful narrative, exploring the darkness within human nature and the moral dilemmas faced in times of crisis. The tension escalates as the characters grapple with fear, desperation, and the blurred lines between good and evil. With its gripping plot and thought-provoking themes, the novel delivers a visceral reading experience that lingers, leaving readers haunted by its unsettling questions. This novel has been adapted into a movie in 2023 by M. Night Shyamalan.
Also Read: 6 Queer Horror Books to Check Out This Pride Month!
8. Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (2013)
In the picturesque town of Black Spring, the residents live under the watchful gaze of a 17th-century witch, whose eyes and mouth are sewn shut to conceal her malevolence. Hex explores the intersection of ancient superstition and modern technology as the town grapples with the haunting presence within their midst. Heuvelt crafts an atmosphere of eerie tension, exploring the psychological toll of living under constant surveillance by a supernatural force. The novel delves into themes of collective fear, isolation, and the consequences of meddling with forces beyond human understanding. Through its chilling narrative and thought-provoking allegory, Hex provides a unique and unsettling reading experience that challenges perceptions of reality and the supernatural.
9. The Grip of It by Jac Jemc (2017)
The Grip of It intertwines a haunted house story with a deep exploration of human relationships. Julie and James, a young couple seeking a fresh start, move into a new home in a quiet town. However, their idyllic surroundings soon reveal a darker side as the house begins to exhibit inexplicable phenomena. Jemc expertly crafts a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, drawing readers into a psychological maze of uncertainty and fear. The novel delves into themes of trust, intimacy, and the fragility of the mind as Julie and James confront the unsettling mysteries of their new home. With its subtle horror and intricate characterization, The Grip of It delivers a haunting reading experience that lingers, leaving readers questioning the boundaries of sanity and the nature of the supernatural.
10. The Whisper Man by Alex North (2019)
In the town of Featherbank, a young boy goes missing, echoing a series of unsolved disappearances from two decades ago. Tom Kennedy, seeking a fresh start for himself and his son, moves into a new home, only to discover that Featherbank holds a dark secret. As the past collides with the present, the town is gripped by fear and the line between reality and nightmare blurs. North skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and supernatural dread, exploring themes of fatherhood, grief, and the lingering trauma of the past. The Whisper Man combines a riveting mystery with spine-tingling horror, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final, chilling revelation.
