The 41 Scariest Horror Books of All Time That Aren’t Just for Halloween

‘The Ruins’ by Scott Smith

The Ruins by Scott Smith follows two young couples enjoying the sun and drunken nights in a tropical Mexican vacation. Things take a turn, however, when one of their friends goes missing and they find a terrifying presence lurking in the woods they’re searching in.

‘Tender Is the Flesh’ by Agustina Bazterrica

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica is the type of horror book you might feel a little queasy after reading it. The novel takes place in the future when animal meat has been deemed poisonous and society has transitioned into eating human meat, aka “special meat.” In comes Marcos, a factory working in the business of slaughtering humans, who’s growing each day more conflicted with his gruesome job. 

‘Bunny’ by Mona Award

Bunny by Mona Award follows the main character Samantha Heather Mackey as she joins a highly selective MFA program at New England’s Warren University. When she arrives, however, she finds that she has nothing in common with all the other girls who are all rich, arrogant and even call themselves “bunnies.” One day, she gets a surprising invitation to the Bunny get-together and, after curiosity gets the best of her, she starts to question reality as she knows it.

‘The Power’ by Naomi Alderman

The Power by Naomi Alderman, which has since turned into a Prime Video series, tells the story of what would happen if teenage girls all of a sudden got powers, from electrocution to setting things on fire with just a snap. “The Power was really good, and really thought-provoking and uncomfortable and made me shamefully pleased and horrified and really mad at once,” wrote one reader. 

‘The House Across the Lake’ by Riley Sager

After a streak of bad press, actress Casey Fletcher decides to retreat to her family’s lake house in The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. Once she’s there, she starts observing the young couple across the lake, tech innovator Tom and his gorgeous model wife Katherine. But when Katherine goes missing, Casey becomes involved in trying to solve her new friend’s disappearance, and her suspicions around Tom only continue to rise. 

‘The Shining’ by Stephen King

The Shining may be a classic, but if you’ve never read the original Stephen King book, you’re surely missing out. The story follows Jack Torrance as he takes a job overseeing Overlook Hotel during its off-season. While the opportunity seemed relaxing at first, Jack’s time with the strange and terrible forces in the hotel is more sinister than he ever could’ve predicted. 

‘Doing Harm’ by Kelly Parsons

Doing Harm by Kelly Parsons follows promising surgeon Steve Mitchell as he’s tasked to train a whole new team of doctors. But right when things seem to be going great, a killer with confidential information about Steve is on the loose and Steve has no choice but to fight for himself. “A killer set on playing a deadly game with Steve,” the description reads. 

‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ by Alvin Schwartz

If you’re looking for a collection of spooky stories, then Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is an absolute must-read. Alvin Schwartz’s horrifying collection of short stories chronicle revenge, the supernatural, and so much more. Some might say this is a kids’ book, but if that’s true, why are we still having nightmares about Harold the Scarecrow to this day?!

‘Pet Sematary’ by Stephen King

We couldn’t name terrifying tales without including Stephen King. In Pet Sematary, the Creed family moves to the seemingly idyllic town of Ludlow, Maine, to start a new chapter. But near their home, beyond a cemetery for the town children’s pets, lurks an evil that is sinister and tempting, with a power beyond imagination.

‘Let The Right One In’ by John Ajvide Lindqvist

John Ajvide Lindqvist’s haunting tale about a young boy named Oskar and his new neighbor, a strange child by the name of Eli, is mysterious, murderous, and blood-curdling. Eli only comes out at night and has strange habits Oskar seemingly can’t explain.

Along with being an anxiety-inducing read, Let The Right One In tackles heavy topics within its text. The novel was so scary, that it spawned a film adaptation of the same name.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ by Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson’s classic tale follows a group of adults, each with skeletons in their closet, who participate in an occult study presided over by Dr. Montague, a man looking for proof of the supernatural. His assistant, Theodora, and participants Luke and Eleanor stay with him in the spooky Hill House, and the group learns not only that the supernatural is real but also what specific kind of supernatural horrors live in Hill House.

‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism’ by Grady Hendrix

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix is a novel horror fans should be reading ASAP. Set in South Carolina in the late 1980s, this story follows high schoolers Abby and Gretchen, best friends since they were kids. The friendship of these high school juniors is tested when Abby believes Gretchen has been possessed after she begins acting, well, not like herself. What happened to her, and can Abby save her?

‘The Only Good Indians’ by Stephen Graham Jones

The four American Indian men at the center of The Only Good Indians may have left their culture and traditions behind long ago, but it’s catching up to them with a vengeance. They’re forced to relive a troublesome childhood trauma, the reason they left, and it will have them fighting for their lives all over again. 

‘It’ by Stephen King

Skip the movies and head straight for the paperback version of Stephen King’s It. Following a group of New England teens — the infamous Losers Club — fighting off a demonic presence who takes the form of a creepy clown and tries to lure kids in close enough so it can feed on their fear, this King tale is considered one of the best for a reason. 

‘The Exorcist’

Author William Peter Blatty’s story of the possessed Regan and her terrified mother hoping to save her daughter with the help of a seasoned exorcist has spooked readers (and viewers of the 1973 movie) for decades. Why not pick up a copy and see what all the fuss is about?

‘The Silence of the Lambs’

There’s no character as quietly menacing as Hannibal Lecter, which makes his appearance in Thomas Harris’ The Silence of the Lambs even scarier to read. Fans of the 1990 film adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster are encouraged to pour a glass of Chianti, whip up a dish of fava beans and sink into this gory, sinister story.

‘Frankenstein’

When it comes to finding the right Halloween read, well, Mary Shelley’s tale of a scientist looking to bring loved ones back from the dead, leading to horrific consequences for his reanimated creation, is a no-brainer.

‘Interview With the Vampire’

Anne Rice’s classic, sexy, haunting tales of vampires like Lestat and Louis start here, in Interview With the Vampire. Dive into Rice’s rich prose as she remixes vampiric tropes for her sprawling tale — and once you finish, treat yourself to the near-perfect film adaptation starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst. 

‘World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War’

Author Max Brooks retools the oral history format to create a suspenseful, grim story of a postapocalyptic world regrouping in the wake of an international zombie outbreak. Through various first-person retellings, the fictional chronicler in World War Z compiles visions of battles fought against the zombie hordes and the origins of the virus that led to the mass destruction.

‘The Terror’

Turned into a limited series for AMC back in 2018, The Terror tracks the real-life disappearance of two English ships exploring the Arctic Circle in 1845, adding supernatural elements into the story to fill in the blanks around what happened to the ship’s crew as they struggled to survive in the unforgiving elements.

‘Baby Teeth’

Fans of The Bad Seed or devilish children in general will be eager to dive into Baby Teeth, which follows Suzette, a mother who, against all odds, gave birth to a daughter, Hanna. As Hanna grows up, she proves to be willful, temperamental, and possibly even dangerous. Is Suzette just imagining things, or does Hanna’s behavior signal something even worse is in store for Suzette?

‘House of Leaves’

Two stories in one, both competing for space yet somehow stretching out into a narrative of 700-plus pages, House of Leaves follows a washed-up rocker reading about a documentary that focuses on a haunted house that makes its residents do terrible, terrible things.

‘The Amityville Horror’

This true-crime story has spawned its own special kind of legend in American pop culture, and it’s worth revisiting during the spookiest, bloodiest, scariest month of the year. 

‘Her Body & Other Parties’

Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties is the feminist horror collection of short stories you never knew you needed. A handful of spooky tales lies within; a series of recaps of old Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episodes that are not exactly what you think, a woman who refuses to take off the green ribbon around her neck despite her husband’s pleading, a writer who thinks she’s going mad while at a retreat in the mountains and more. 

‘Dracula’

If you’re looking for the mother of all scary reads, then stick with the classics, like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which follows the iconic, immortal Transylvanian count with a thirst for blood and a yearning to be reunited with his long-lost love. 

‘Broken Monsters’

If you love an eerie whodunit in the vein of the best of Thomas Harris’ works, then you should check out Lauren Beukes’ Broken Monsters. The story tracks Detective Gabriella Versado’s investigation into the killer who is fusing parts of their victims into the bodies of animals. The case not only seeps into Gabriella’s life — it affects her family and friends, too.

‘Category Five’ by Ann Dávila Cardinal

Hurricane Maria has nearly destroyed the small island of Vieques near the coast of Peurto Rico, and a series of murders have cursed the island further. Most residents have fled for good, so Vieques is more lonely than usual. Supernatural events become harder to miss. To make matters worse, land developers are trying to swoop in and take over. Can Lupe, Javier, and Marisol stop it all?

‘And Now She’s Gone’ by Rachel Howzell Hall

Isabel Lincoln is missing, and Grayson Sykes is determined to find and save her. But it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t want to be found. As she looks for Lincoln, Sykes begins to wonder what caused her to disappear. If she was running, what was she running from?

‘The Silent Companions’

The plot of The Silent Companions is spooky enough that you’ll want to keep the lights on after you read it. Elsie expects to settle into the good life after marrying Rupert Bainbridge. But soon, Rupert is dead and Elsie is moving into his ancestral home, pregnant and widowed, with one of Rupert’s odd cousins to keep her company. Shortly after moving in, Elsie discovers a room in the Bainbridge home where eerily accurate figurines modeled on the cousin, Rupert, his family, and oddest of all, Elsie, live — what’s that all about?

‘Alias Grace’ by Margaret Atwood

Grace Marks, a servant, is serving a life sentence in prison for two gruesome murders that she does not remember committing. Her boss and his housekeeper were found dead, making Grace one of the most notorious murderers in Canada. Her accomplice, a stablehand named James McDermott, was hanged for his part in it.

In 1843, an expert brings young Grace in front of a group of sympathetic spiritualists. She tells her story to the group, but things start to go off the rails as she gets deeper into her rendition. This book, which was based on actual events, takes some unexpected twists and turns, diving into disturbing territory. When you’re done with the book, you can check out the six-part Netflix series.

‘Home Before Dark’ by Riley Sager

Maggie Holt’s father wrote a best-selling memoir based on real events from her childhood, haunted by ghosts in their own home, and she’s about to return to the house where it all happened. She doesn’t remember or believe anything he wrote and is embarking on restoring the old home now that get father has passed away. And then strange events make her question her doubts, and she’ll discover that the truth is much more terrifying than the silly ghost stories her father used to write about. 

‘The Invisible Man’ by H.G. Wells

A strange man moves into Mr. and Mrs. Hall’s inn. He’s so covered up by clothing that they can’t really see his face, and he only leaves his room in the evening. The Halls are a bit unnerved, but they don’t pay their reclusive guest any mind. Once he doesn’t pay his rent on time, Mrs. Hall finds out the terrible truth about why this man is so secretive.

After getting booted from the inn, the invisible force starts to cause havoc in an otherwise quiet town, enacting his terrifying plot of revenge. Written in 1897, this sci-fi horror novel by H.G. Wells became one of the most famous monster tales of all time.

‘Bird Box’ by Josh Malerman

Sandra Bullock and Netflix made this thriller into a must-watch film adaptation in 2018. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just want to find out what everyone has been raving about, pick up the book that started it all.

Malorie (played by Bullock in the movie) and her children have somehow managed to survive a terrifying apocalyptic phenomenon…. so far. Whatever it is, and no one alive can tell you what it looks like, drives people to violent madness as soon as they lay eyes on it. Malorie decides that it’s time to move her children, who are four years old, and seek out safety. But the only way out is down a dangerous river, which they will have to navigate blindfolded. If that wasn’t scary enough, something or someone is following them. You’ll be racing through this page-turner to see what happens at the end.

‘One by One’ by Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware returns with a snowy thriller in One by One. Set in the French Alps, a company trip goes awry when an avalanche hits leaving them trapped in the ski chalet completely cut off from the outside world. Paic mounts and there are no signs of rescue as loyalties are tested and secrets are revealed. Will the team be able to make it out alive?

‘Come Closer’ by Sara Gran

Amanda was doing pretty well. She was an architect in a happy marriage. But suddenly a noise, which she can’t describe, becomes constant in her apartment.

Her mind blanks and she comes back to finding out that she’s done something destructive, like writing an inappropriate memo at work or burning her husband with her cigarette. She starts having frightening dreams featuring a terrifying woman. Amanda panics as a voice enters inside her head and compels her to do things. As she becomes more violent, Amanda decides she needs to take control of her life if she wants to keep it. Don’t read this book too close to bedtime, or it might keep you up at night.

‘The Hunger’

Adding a supernatural spin to the fateful, true story of the Donner Party, Alma Katsu’s The Hunger received high praise from horror master Stephen King. He called this novel “deeply, deeply disturbing, hard to put down, not recommended reading after dark,” which means you should read it ASAP.

‘Lovecraft Country’ by Matt Ruff

If you haven’t seen Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams’ Lovecraft Country on HBO, why don’t you read the book first? This cult favorite novel by Matt Ruff takes on Jim Crow and Lovecraftian horror.

The book follows Atticus Turner as he searches for his missing father in 1954. He’s joined by his childhood friend Letitia and Uncle George as they go traveling around New England. Along the way they aren’t just encountering terrifying supernatural phenomena, they’re also reckoning with the white supremacy.

‘Don’t Ever Forget’ by Matthew Farrell

Police investigator Susan Adler is supposed to be investigating the murder of a state trooper. But when the evidence leads her to an older man’s home who’s gone missing with his caregiver, she realizes there’s a lot more going on. She reignites two cold cases that may be connected and beings to uncover the truth. But who will get in her way? 

‘The Shadows’ by Alex North

From the author of The Whisper Man comes the story of teenager Charlie Crabtree who grew up as an outsider. Cast aside, he committed a terrible murder that’s taken him years to learn how to live with. Now he has to return home to take care of his mother. When he arrives, it’s not just the memory haunting him. Copycat murders are plaguing the town, and someone is on to him. 

‘Layla’ by Colleen Hoover

When Leeds meets Layla, he knows he wants to spend forever with her. Then, after Layla is attacked, everything changes. While her body recovers, her mind does not. It has Leeds questioning who she’s become. They retreat to and bed and breakfast, where Leeds meets Willow. But strange things are occurring during their stay. Trying to help both Layla heal and Willow uncover the truth, he’ll find himself in a position that could hurt Layla even more.

‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Noem Taboada has style. She’s got class, not a drop of fear, and she heads to the Mexican countryside with her glam in tow after receiving a call from her cousin that she needs help. A newlywed, her cousin senses a doom she can’t quite put her finger on. And she’s right. Her husband’s family, and now hers, is living on mounds of secrets that could create a terrifying journey for Noem, fearless as she may be.