20 Thrilling Books That Will Keep You Up All Night

1. For True Crime Podcast Enthusiasts: I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara

The Golden State Killer left behind a horrifying legacy of 50 sexual assaults and 10 murders before vanishing without a trace. Crime reporter Michelle McNamara became consumed with finding him, following countless leads, interviewing witnesses, and relentlessly chasing this cold case—until her tragic death, just two years before the killer was finally captured.

Her book, which was completed posthumously by her husband, comedian Patton Oswalt, details her obsessive pursuit of the killer in a gripping, unsettling narrative that will keep you hooked.

2. For Those Looking to Embrace Cabin Fever: The Shining, by Stephen King

Stephen King, the undisputed master of horror, has written countless spine-tingling stories, from eerie anthologies to full-length novels. One of his most famous works, *The Shining*, presents a harrowing story of a family trapped in a snowbound hotel. As the isolated father, Jack, spirals into madness, the suspense builds to a terrifying crescendo.

Just a heads-up: the novel offers much more than the film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick, which only scratches the surface of King's complex and haunting narrative.

If you enjoy slasher films, *The Final Girl Support Group* by Grady Hendrix is a must-read. The book dives into the aftermath of horror movie survivors who’ve become part of an exclusive support group.

If you're familiar with the rules and cliches of serial killer stories, this book is perfect for you. It revolves around a group of "final girl" survivors who face off with a new psychopath, but this time, they are much more prepared to fight back.

If you’re in the mood for a gripping tale featuring a fierce protagonist in a haunting setting, check out 'The Shining Girls' by Lauren Beukes, which blends time travel with horror in a mind-bending narrative.

A time-traveling killer moves through different time periods with one goal: to eliminate the 'shining girls,' exceptionally gifted young women full of promise. However, one girl—Kirby Mazrachi—survives and dedicates herself to bringing the killer to justice.

P.S. After finishing the book, you can extend your journey by watching the series adaptation on Apple TV for a full experience.

If you're in the mood for a chilling yet cozy read, 'Mother-Daughter Murder Night' by Nina Simon is a perfect pick. It blends mystery with familial bonds in a suspenseful tale.

When a body is found washed up near the peaceful coastal town where the Rubicon women live, three generations of these strong-willed, yet often at odds, women come together to investigate. As they uncover a dark tale tied to a fierce land dispute, their search places them in the sights of a ruthless killer, with granddaughter Jack among the prime suspects.

If you're looking to send a shiver down your boss's spine, 'Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide' by Rupert Holmes is a witty and darkly amusing way to do so, blending humor with intrigue.

A worker stuck with a nightmare of a boss is recruited to attend a school reminiscent of Hogwarts, but for assassins. Here, classes range from poison mastery to other deadly skills required for 'deletion'—and with deadly classmates eager to stab you in the back (literally), survival is key.

Penned by Rupert Holmes, famed for 'The Piña Colada Song,' this whimsical yet thrilling faux guide to the McMasters Conservatory for Applied Arts will have you hooked from start to finish, turning pages long into the night.

For those intrigued by the shadowy allure of dark academia, dive into 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt, a gripping novel that pulls you into a world of intellectual obsession and dangerous secrets.

Embark on your exploration of the dark academia genre with one of its seminal and finest works, setting the tone for the atmospheric tales to follow.

Donna Tartt’s heartbreaking narrative centers on a tight-knit group of classicists, drawn into a world of bacchanalian revelry, their charismatic professor, and the dangerous obsession they have with one another—leading them to murder.

If you're looking for a story that will linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page, 'Bunny' by Mona Awad is an unforgettable read that will keep you reflecting on its haunting and unsettling narrative.

This modern take on dark academia features a 'Mean Girls'-style clique within an elite college’s grad school program. The story follows an unreliable narrator who, after being initially excluded, is drawn into the group, only to discover something sinister lurking beneath the surface. Even months later, you’ll be trying to piece together the truth of what really happened.

If you're in the mood for a chilling summer camp story, 'The God of the Woods' by Liz Moore will satisfy that craving, blending suspense and mystery in an eerie camp setting.

The 'Friday the 13th' series isn’t the only way to make a summer camp terrifying. At Camp Emerson, two children of the camp’s owners disappear years apart, and as the search for one of them intensifies, a web of disturbing secrets about the Van Laar family and their community emerges.

If you're looking to be content with the home you have, 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski is a must-read. This disturbing tale features a house that inexplicably grows larger on the inside, keeping you captivated with its complex structure, filled with maps, diagrams, and footnotes.

It might be time to give up on hoping for extra space in your home, especially after reading 'House of Leaves,' where the house at the core of the story grows far beyond its physical limits. This unique and twisting narrative will grip you with its footnotes, maps, and diagrams.

If clowns send shivers down your spine, Stephen King's 'It' will truly haunt you. This chilling story follows a group of children who face an ancient, shape-shifting entity that preys on their deepest fears—especially that of Pennywise, the terrifying clown.

Stephen King creates an unforgettable nightmare in 'It,' where the sinister clown Pennywise is only one manifestation of the fearsome evil lurking in Derry, Maine. As this shapeshifting entity preys on the town's deepest fears, you won't sleep easy after reading a few pages of this classic horror.

For fans of classic horror, Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House' is a must-read. The novel delves into the terrifying experiences of a group of people who stay in Hill House, a place that seems to have a mind of its own—and one that's full of dark, supernatural secrets.

Shirley Jackson, a pioneering figure in horror literature, authored both short stories and novels that continue to send chills down readers' spines.

This chilling haunted house narrative (one of her finest) follows four strangers who volunteer to stay in a mysterious home to prove the existence of ghosts and the supernatural. What they uncover is far more terrifying than they could have ever anticipated.

If navigating IKEA gives you anxiety, you may want to pick up 'Horrorstör' by Grady Hendrix. This spine-tingling tale sets its terror within an IKEA-like store, where the supernatural is more real than anyone could imagine.

Strange events are unfolding within a store that mirrors IKEA, leading a group of employees to spend the night there to unravel the mystery. What they find, however, is far more disturbing than assembling their budget-friendly furniture.

14. For Fans of The Hunger Games or Squid Game: Hide, by Kiersten White

This spine-chilling competition unfolds in an abandoned amusement park, with more twists and turns than the roller coaster at its heart. Fourteen contestants enter to see who can survive the week, but one by one, they vanish under increasingly eerie circumstances. Prepare for a chilling ride.

15. If You Enjoy a Hair-Raising Southern Gothic: A House With Good Bones, by T. Kingfisher

When Sam returns home to check on her mother, she finds that both the house and her mom are strangely altered. What happens when your childhood home might be hiding something sinister? This top-rated story dives deep into that unsettling mystery.

16. If You Love YA Thrillers: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson

Pip, a high school student and true-crime enthusiast, decides to make her school project an investigation into a local murder-suicide. But the deeper she digs, the more dangerous things become. Can she uncover the truth and clear the name of the wrongly accused—or will she become the next victim?

(This book has been adapted into a Netflix series as well!)

17. If You Grew Up on Scooby-Doo: Meddling Kids, by Edgar Cantero

A nostalgic and witty thriller that nods to iconic teen detective shows like Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, with a clear Scooby-Doo reference. The gang reunites decades after their first mystery, only to realize they may have gotten it all wrong the first time.

18. If You're All About the Brontë Sisters: The Silent Companions, by Laura Purcell

The Brontës are famous for crafting chilling tales—like the ghostly Catherine and the revenge-driven Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, or the tormented mad wife in Jane Eyre. Laura Purcell's The Silent Companions offers a similar eerie atmosphere: a newly widowed young woman, grumpy servants, a mysterious locked door within a decaying mansion, and the possibility of a supernatural presence.

19. If Quarantines Are Scarier Than Anything Else: Wilder Girls, by Rory Power

At Raxter School for Girls, "the Tox" wipes out the teachers and infects the students—leaving them stranded in their isolated school. As Hetty embarks on a quest to find her missing friend, she uncovers a far darker secret.

20. If You Have a Horrifying Workplace: The Other Black Girl, by Zakiya Delila Harris

Nella’s publishing dream job quickly loses its shine as she faces exclusion from her colleagues, being the only Black staff member. The situation intensifies when a new Black colleague is introduced, turning the office environment even more toxic. Now, Nella risks losing far more than just her position.