The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
Set in Jim Crow Florida, The Reformatory follows twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens Jr., who is sent to a brutal, segregated reform school after defending his sister. At the reformatory, Robbie’s ability to see ghosts reveals the terrifying truth about the boys who go missing, while his sister Gloria fights to get him out before it’s too late. This gripping historical novel sheds light on the horrors of racism and injustice at the infamous Dozier School for Boys.
The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias
A genre-defying thriller about Mario, a father drowning in debt and on the brink of losing his family, who reluctantly becomes a hitman. After tragedy strikes, he takes on a near-suicidal mission to hijack a cartel’s cash shipment, accompanied by an old friend and a cartel insider. As they journey through Texas and beyond, hidden motives and nightmarish encounters unravel, leading Mario to a life-altering choice between reward and ruin.
My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
Follows high school senior Jade Daniels, a hardcore slasher-film fan, in the small, isolated town of Proofrock, Idaho, which is set to be the site of a new massacre. With a history of violence at Camp Blood and the arrival of a celebrity enclave, Jade senses a slasher is about to unfold—but she’s not sure who’s behind the mask or whether she even wants to stop it. Stephen Graham Jones blends sharp humor and violent prophecy in this thrilling exploration of horror and identity in the changing West.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
A chilling novel that blends classic horror with sharp social commentary. It follows four American Indian men, whose lives are disrupted by a disturbing event from their youth, setting them on a desperate fight for survival. As they are pursued by a vengeful entity, the culture and traditions they abandoned come back to haunt them in a violent and unforgiving way.
Coyote Rage by Owl Goingback
Coyote embarks on a deadly hunt, determined to kill the human representatives of the Great Council in Galun’lati and dismantle mankind’s rule in the New World. Raven overhears Coyote’s sinister plan and will do anything to protect Luther Watie and his daughter, Sarah Reynolds—even if it means sacrificing himself. As the forces of evil converge, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance—will mankind survive, or will creatures of fur and fangs reign supreme once again?
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay
Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin by a quiet New Hampshire lake when a stranger named Leonard unexpectedly arrives. Though initially friendly, Leonard’s presence quickly takes a darker turn when he warns Wen that “None of what’s going to happen is your fault.” Soon, three more strangers arrive with ominous objects, and Leonard reveals that Wen’s parents must let them in to save the world, thrusting the family into an unimaginable and terrifying situation.
Ararat by Christopher Golden
A newly engaged couple climbs Mount Ararat in Turkey, only to be trapped in an ancient cave uncovered by an avalanche. Inside, they discover what many believe is Noah’s Ark, and a team of scholars, archaeologists, and filmmakers soon enters the ship. Their curiosity leads them to open an elaborate coffin, revealing a grotesque, horned creature instead of a holy man. As a blizzard traps them inside, they realize they are not alone, and something deadly stirs in the dark.
The Fisherman by John Langan
In the woods of upstate New York near Woodstock, two widowers, Abe and Dan, bond over their shared love of fishing. When they hear rumors about Dutchman’s Creek and the mysterious figure known as Der Fisher, they initially dismiss it as just another fish tale. However, as they become entwined in a dark story of old secrets and pacts, they are confronted with the haunting cost of reclaiming all they have lost.
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul G. Tremblay
The Barretts, a typical suburban New England family, are shattered when fourteen-year-old Marjorie begins showing signs of severe schizophrenia. Desperate, her parents turn to a Catholic priest, Father Wanderly, who suggests an exorcism, believing Marjorie is possessed. As the family agrees to be filmed for a reality show documenting their struggle, tragedy strikes, and the events become an urban legend. Fifteen years later, Marjorie’s sister, Merry, revisits those haunting memories, uncovering long-hidden secrets and confronting the blurred lines between reality, memory, and the nature of evil.
Blood Kin by Steve Rasnic Tem
A Southern Gothic novel set in the Appalachian mountains, alternating between the 1930s and the present day. The story follows Michael Gibson, who returns to his family’s home after a suicide attempt to care for his grandmother, Sadie, a sickly woman with a mysterious past involving snake-handling, witchcraft, and her Melungeon heritage. As Michael learns of her secret powers and the buried dangers near their home, he realizes that understanding her story may be the key to preventing a deadly fate that threatens both their lives and the entire valley.
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
King revisits the characters from his iconic novel The Shining, focusing on a now middle-aged Dan Torrance and a gifted 12-year-old girl named Abra Stone. The True Knot, a group of parasitic paranormals who feed on the “steam” produced by children with the shining, have targeted Abra, and it’s up to Dan to protect her. Haunted by his past and struggling with his own demons, Dan must face the horrors of his childhood and battle The True Knot to save Abra from a terrifying fate.
The Drowning Girl by Caitlin R. Kiernan
India Morgan Phelps, known as Imp, is a schizophrenic woman grappling with a fractured sense of reality. Unable to trust her own memories, she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind a strange encounter—was it with a vicious siren, a feral girl, or something even more bizarre? As Imp delves deeper into her fragmented mind, she must confront the shifting nature of her identity and the unsettling mysteries that blur the line between fantasy and reality.
Flesh Eaters by Joe McKinney
After a series of devastating hurricanes, the Texas coast is left in ruins. But for the survivors in Houston, the true horror begins as the dead rise from the flooded streets—zombies hungry for flesh. As the city is quarantined and chaos erupts, Emergency Ops sergeant Eleanor Norton fights to protect her loved ones and a group of survivors, racing against time to escape the growing zombie horde and reach safety. With humanity’s survival on the line, Eleanor must navigate the deadly waters of a world on the brink of extinction.
A Dark Matter by Peter Straub
In the 1960s, charismatic campus guru Spenser Mallon leads a group of devoted followers into a secret ritual, only to leave behind a dismembered body and the broken lives of those who attended. Years later, one man attempts to uncover the truth by writing about the horrific night, only to find that the dark events of the past still haunt the group, forcing them to confront an evil that has shaped their lives in ways they never fully understood. A Dark Matter is a chilling and unpredictable novel that explores the lingering terror of an unspeakable tragedy.
Audrey’s Door by Sarah Langan
Audrey Lucas, a survivor of personal tragedy, moves into apartment 14B in the Breviary, an elegant Upper West Side building with a dark past. Despite its low rent, the apartment is avoided by most, but Audrey is determined to make a fresh start—until she begins to experience eerie visions and hears a voice urging her to build a door. As her sanity unravels, she must confront whether the horrors are supernatural or a product of her own deteriorating mind.
Duma Key by Stephen King
After a construction accident leaves Edgar Freemantle without his right arm and struggling with his memory, he retreats to Duma Key, a secluded spot on the Florida coast, to rebuild his life. As Edgar begins painting again, his newfound talent becomes both a gift and a curse, leading him to encounter a mysterious woman, Elizabeth, whose past and the ghosts tied to it threaten to unravel everything. What begins as a journey to heal turns into a terrifying exploration of the supernatural, love, and the power of creativity.
The Missing by Sarah Langan
In the affluent town of Corpus Christi, life remains undisturbed by the environmental disaster that ravaged the neighboring town of Bedford—until a field trip awakens a horrific plague. When a child in Bedford unearths an ancient, deadly contagion, it begins transforming victims into violent, insatiable creatures. As the plague spreads, the residents of Corpus Christi must fight to survive against an unstoppable malevolence determined to consume them all.
Lisey’s Story by Stephen King
Lisey Landon, two years after the death of her husband Scott, a bestselling novelist, embarks on a journey to uncover the hidden parts of his life. As she sorts through his belongings, she confronts a dark and mysterious world that Scott often retreated to, a place that both inspired and haunted him. Lisey’s Story explores creativity, madness, and the unique bond of love, as Lisey is drawn into her husband’s troubled legacy, with dangerous consequences.
Dread in the Beast by Charlee Jacob
Explores the horrific journey of the Mother Spirit, embodying humanity’s darkest desires and actions. From the blasphemous catacombs of ancient Rome to modern America’s obsession with violence and deities, the novel follows a battle between divine and monstrous forces. With a mix of beauty and grotesque horror, it delves into the unthinkable, examining the very nature of existence through shocking and twisted narratives.
Creepers by David Morrell
On a cold October night, five urban explorers (known as “creepers”) and a reporter break into the abandoned Paragon Hotel, a once-glorious art deco structure now set for demolition. As they navigate through dark, rat-infested tunnels, they discover that the hotel holds far more danger and terror than they expected, with sinister forces lurking inside. The mission to explore quickly turns into a fight for survival against the hotel’s dark past.
In the Night Room by Peter Straub
Famous children’s author Willy Patrick grapples with the disturbing realization that her life and sanity may be unraveling. After a horrific accident, she experiences inexplicable visions and a desperate need to rescue her daughter, Holly, even though Holly is dead. Meanwhile, author Timothy Underhill is haunted by the ghost of his late sister and cryptic emails from the deceased. As their paths intersect, Willy and Timothy uncover eerie connections between their tragic pasts and a malevolent force that demands their confrontation.
Lost Boy, Lost Girl by Peter Straub
In this dark and haunting tale, novelist Timothy Underhill is thrust into a chilling mystery when his sister, Nancy, commits suicide without warning, and her son, Mark, disappears shortly after. As Timothy investigates in their hometown of Millhaven, he uncovers unsettling links to a pedophilic murderer and Mark’s obsession with a long-abandoned house. The house, steeped in eerie history, seems to harbor a dark, ghostly secret—a lost girl who may have lured Mark into her sinister world. As Timothy digs deeper, he uncovers a horrific truth tied to the house’s haunting past.
The Night Class by Tom Piccirilli
In this unsettling psychological thriller, Caleb Prentiss returns to college after winter break, grappling with alcoholism, apathy toward his classes, and a complex relationship with his girlfriend. However, his life takes a dark turn when he uncovers evidence of a murder that occurred in his room over the break. Obsessed with unraveling the mystery, Caleb embarks on a disturbing journey through his university, encountering strange happenings, hard-edged security guards, and cryptic signals from the Dean’s wife. As he digs deeper, Caleb becomes plagued by stigmata—wounds that mirror Christ’s crucifixion—every time someone close to him dies. And with each passing death, his hands bleed more.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Follows Shadow, a man recently released from prison, who is reeling from the sudden death of his wife, Laura, in a car crash. On his way home, he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who claims to be a former god and the king of America, now struggling to survive in the modern world. As they journey across the United States, they encounter strange and unsettling phenomena while tensions rise between the old gods and the new, including technology, media, and modern culture. American Gods delves deeply into the heart of America, exploring its mythology, identity, and the clash between ancient and contemporary powers.
The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon
In the summer of 1963, three 16-year-old friends—Dwight, Rusty, and Slim—discover fliers advertising a one-night-only vampire show featuring the infamous Valeria. Despite obstacles, including age restrictions and the location’s dark history, they sneak into Janks Field to catch a glimpse of the preparations, only to find themselves facing far more terrifying dangers than they expected.
Mr. X by Peter Straub
Ned Dunstan experiences a terrifying yearly seizure, during which he witnesses brutal killings by a mysterious figure he calls Mr. X. Drawn back to his hometown of Edgerton by a premonition about his mother’s death, Ned uncovers dark secrets about his family and becomes the prime suspect in a series of violent deaths, realizing he is not the only one with a dark past.
Bag of Bones by Stephen King
Bestselling novelist Mike Noonan, still grieving the death of his wife, returns to his lakeside summerhouse, Sara Laughs, to confront haunting nightmares and a growing mystery. He becomes entangled in a battle to protect a young mother, Mattie, and her daughter Kyra from a vengeful millionaire, while also uncovering the eerie secrets tied to his wife’s legacy and the supernatural forces haunting his home.
Children of the Dusk by Janet Berliner & George Guthridge
The clash between Nazi ideology, Jewish mysticism, and African mystery unfolds on Madagascar, where the Nazis attempt to establish a homeland for the Jews. Amidst a tropical setting, two Malagasy sorcerers compete to control the birth of a child, while tension grows between former allies and enemies, leading all to become “Children of the Dusk” as the darkness of war settles in.
The Green Mile by Stephen King
Prison guard Paul Edgecombe works at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, where condemned men await their execution on “the Green Mile.” When John Coffey, a giant with the mind of a child, is brought in for a brutal crime, Edgecombe soon discovers Coffey’s extraordinary powers and learns a truth that challenges his beliefs about justice and humanity.
Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates
Follows Quentin P., a deeply unsettling young man who manipulates those around him with chilling ease. As he recounts his disturbing actions with disturbing calm, the novel delves into his twisted psyche, portraying his horrifying crimes without remorse or conscience. Joyce Carol Oates masterfully captures the mind of a sexual psychopath, creating a terrifying and intimate exploration of madness and manipulation.
Dead in the Water by Nancy Holder
The shipwrecked passengers of the doomed freighter, Morris, are rescued by the H.M.S. Pandora, only to embark on a journey filled with metaphysical terror, madness, and death.
The Throat by Peter Straub
The ongoing mystery of the Blue Rose Murders brings Tim Underhill back to his hometown, where he assists a friend accused of murdering his wife in clearing his name.
Blood of the Lamb by Thomas F. Monteleone
Inspired by biblical prophecies and the writings of Nostradamus, Jesuit-educated Monteleone presents a gripping novel about the politics of power and the strength of belief. A young priest unexpectedly gains terrifying, miraculous powers, sparking an apocalyptic conflict between good and evil.
Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon
In 1964, twelve-year-old Cory Mackenson’s life in the quiet town of Zephyr, Alabama, is turned upside down when he and his father discover a murdered man handcuffed to the steering wheel of a car submerged in Saxon’s Lake. As they search for answers, they enter a world where innocence and evil intertwine, leading Cory to uncover both the magic and madness lurking in his small town. Boy’s Life is a captivating blend of mystery and fantasy, capturing the complexities of growing up in a world full of wonder and terror.
Mine by Robert R. McCammon
In the 1980s, a mentally unraveling ex-’60s radical, armed to the teeth, kidnaps a baby in a desperate, misguided attempt to reclaim the simplicity of her past. The child’s mother, however, isn’t about to back down and, joined by a tracker, embarks on a relentless cross-country pursuit to rescue her child.
Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons
Saul Laski, once a prisoner in Hitler’s Chelmno extermination camp, survives a horrific encounter with an ancient evil far beyond the Nazis. This sets him on a decades-long journey across the world, uncovering a secret society that manipulates human minds to orchestrate global violence. As Saul’s pursuit of this dark force intensifies, it leads to a deadly confrontation that could shape the future of humanity.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, is tasked with interviewing the notorious Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a former psychiatrist and cannibal, to gain insights into the mind of a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. As she delves deeper into Lecter’s complex psyche, their interactions become crucial to solving the case.
Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon
In a post-apocalyptic America, a powerful evil force known as the Man with the Scarlet Eye seeks to destroy a special child named Swan. As monstrous creatures and hostile armies roam the wasteland, those determined to protect Swan engage in a final, desperate battle between good and evil to determine humanity’s fate.
Misery by Stephen King
Paul Sheldon, a bestselling novelist, is injured in a car accident and taken care of by his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes, who also holds him captive in her remote home. Annie demands that Paul write his greatest work for her, using violent methods, including a needle and an ax, to force him into compliance.
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