Buzz
The horror genre has seen a remarkable resurgence in pop culture over the last few years. With terrifying movies, TV shows, and video games dominating the mainstream, it was only a matter of time before the literary world followed suit. Given the rise of short horror stories and creepy pastas in online culture, it’s time to highlight the top horror novels we've been treated to over the past decade:
10. The Sun Down Motel (2020)
In 1982, Viv decides to take on a new job to fund her impending move to New York City, seeking a fresh start away from her dull hometown of Fell in upstate New York. She begins working the night shift as the clerk at the Sun Down Motel, eager to save enough for her move. However, it doesn't take long for Viv to realize that there’s something deeply unsettling about this place. Fast forward 35 years to 2017, when Carly Kirk, a young woman, arrives in Fell and takes the same night clerk job, determined to uncover the mystery surrounding her aunt Viv’s disappearance in '82.
This sharp and chilling psychological thriller is penned by Simone St. James, the bestselling author of the award-winning “The Broken Girls.” With compelling characters and an enthralling plot, “The Sun Down Motel” is a masterful blend of mystery and supernatural horror. The dual timeline structure—one set in 1982 and the other in 2017—creates a gripping narrative that will keep you hooked, page after page, from beginning to end.
9. Penpal (2012)
Inspired by the infamous Reddit creepy pasta, 'Penpal' is a rather intricate story to explain. At its heart, it follows an unnamed narrator who is attempting to make sense of a series of eerie and unsettling events from his childhood that never quite added up. The deeper he investigates, the more he discovers that these strange occurrences are all tied together by something. Something that may have been following him since birth. Something that could have shaped every aspect of his life as he knows it.
One thing is certain about 'Penpal' — it’s completely unique. Author Dathan Auerbach doesn’t shy away from exploring dark and disturbing themes, taking the basic concept of a mystery in a chillingly unexpected direction. This compact book will make you question the very essence of its story, and its unsettling nature will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
8. The Twisted Ones (2019)
After the death of her grandmother, Mouse is tasked by her father with clearing out her grandmother’s secluded home and caring for her dog. Eager to help, Mouse agrees. Initially, the task proves challenging as she discovers that her grandmother was a hoarder. But things take a sinister turn when Mouse uncovers her step-grandfather’s hidden journal, which seems to describe the presence and activities of a terrifying colony of creatures lurking in the woods near the house. As she investigates further to uncover the truth behind the journal, Mouse begins to unravel the horrifying secrets of her grandmother’s home.
Written by T. Kingfisher (also known as Ursula Vernon), 'The Twisted Ones' is a chilling and nerve-wracking novel with a fantastic protagonist and narrator at its core. Despite the terrifying events that unfold throughout the story, the book is infused with Vernon’s trademark humor, creating a perfect balance that makes the narrative feel grounded in reality. 'The Twisted Ones' is a must-read—don’t miss it!
7. Beneath (2017)
Cora, a sharp and no-nonsense reporter with a troubled past, is sent to rural Georgia to investigate a disturbing story involving an Appalachian cult of snake handlers. There, she encounters Father Michael, the charming priest who leads the local church, yet he seems to be hiding something beneath his friendly demeanor. Sensing that something deeply wrong is happening in this town, Cora pushes aside her personal trauma, determined to uncover the truth about the church and dismantle the cult, no matter the cost.
'Beneath' is one of those novels that surprises you—it’s far more than it initially seems. The unpredictable nature of the story is a hallmark of its author, Kristi DeMeester, known for her brilliant short horror tales that feature mind-bending twists. This debut novel is as dark and harrowing as you’d expect (if not more), and its brutal turn in the plot will have you hooked from start to finish.
6. Summer, Fireworks & My Corpse (2010)
"Summer, Fire Works & My Corpse," which debuted in September 2010, is a collection of three eerie tales, including a 200-page novella, crafted by the renowned Japanese author Otsuichi.
The first story, which gives the book its name, revolves around the murder of a nine-year-old girl, Satsuki, and the disturbing cover-up orchestrated by the boy and the girl she had trusted. In Otsuichi's signature eerie style, the tale is told from the perspective of Satsuki, even after her death.
The second narrative, "Yuko," is a brilliantly unpredictable story about a housekeeper who begins to suspect something is off with her elderly employer. A kind but odd old man, he forbids her from entering a particular room, claiming that his sick wife is resting there. As time passes, she becomes more and more convinced that this "wife" might not even exist.
The third and longest tale, "Black Fairy Tale," is a chilling and tragic mystery about a young girl who loses her eye in an accident and receives a transplant. Afterward, she begins to experience disturbing visions, seeing things that shouldn’t be real. She learns she can tap into the memories of her eye's previous owner, a deceased individual. As her visions intensify, she is drawn into the mystery of a missing girl.
5. The Institute (2019)
In less than two minutes, Luke Ellis' world is turned upside down. His parents are brutally murdered by unknown assailants, and he is kidnapped, thrown into an SUV, and driven away from his home in Minneapolis. Just like that. When he regains consciousness, he finds himself locked in a room eerily similar to his own, but without windows. Soon, he discovers that he’s not alone. Other children are there, just like him — unique.
Now imprisoned in the mysterious Institute, Luke and the others struggle to understand their new, horrifying reality. They are subjected to cruel and bizarre experiments at the hands of the sadistic staff. As they endure this nightmare, they begin to plan their escape, all while staying one step ahead of Mrs. Sigsby, the terrifying and powerful director of the institute.
Many people associate Stephen King with classic horror (and rightly so), but what often goes unnoticed is that he continues to release new novels to this day — and they are just as remarkable as his older works. Take "The Institute" for example, often referred to as "the hardcore Stranger Things" by fans. Given that King’s work inspired the popular show and has been globally recognized since the 80s, it’s no surprise that Hollywood has already begun adapting this gripping novel into a limited TV series.
4. Someone Like Me (2018)
After escaping her dangerously abusive ex-husband by finally fighting back, Liz feels a shift within herself. She is a kind, calm, and loving mother to her two children, but there’s something else beneath the surface. At times, it feels as if someone else takes over her body — someone filled with rage, violence, and a relentless drive to get what they want. And it seems that this other self is gradually trying to replace her.
M.R. Carey’s return to horror is nothing short of a triumph. This compelling story delves into themes of coping mechanisms and the many faces of domestic abuse, handling these sensitive subjects with finesse through a chilling narrative. As we follow Liz's descent into losing control over her mind and body, the horror intensifies, adding to the unsettling atmosphere of the book. “Someone Like Me” is both gripping and intelligent, keeping you hooked from start to finish. It's the kind of book that will make you reluctant to put it down.
3. The Winter People (2014)
When Ruthie's mother mysteriously disappears without a trace, 19-year-old Ruthie and her younger sister, Fawn, resolve to uncover the truth. In their search for answers within their West Hall home, Ruthie stumbles upon a hidden diary from the house's previous owner, Sara Shea, who tragically died under strange circumstances a few months after her daughter's death in 1908.
Before long, Ruthie becomes entangled in a dark enigma surrounding her mother, their home, and the town itself. It seems disappearances are all too common in West Hall, and Ruthie's mother may have been concealing secrets that explain why this history continues to repeat. Meanwhile, Katherine, a woman searching for answers about her husband's death, arrives in town—her husband having mysteriously visited West Hall before passing away in a car accident.
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer McMahon delivers her finest work yet with “The Winter People.” A chilling, thought-provoking tale set in a haunting winter backdrop like nothing we've seen before. Exceptionally well-written, it’s a page-turner that will keep you on edge, with a conclusion that demonstrates superb mastery of foreshadowing. “The Winter People” will undoubtedly leave you speechless and will linger in your mind, haunting you long after you've turned the last page.
2. NOS4A2 (2013)
Victoria McQueen, a gifted young girl with the extraordinary ability to find lost things, is the only person ever to have escaped Charles Manx—a sinister, almost inhuman villain who kidnaps children and takes them to the terrifying realm he calls Christmasland. Now an adult, Victoria struggles with the scars of her childhood trauma. Her attempt to move on is shattered when Manx escapes from prison. Victoria immediately knows that he's coming for revenge, and she realizes how he'll do it: Victoria has a son, and Manx intends to bring him to Christmasland.
Describing this book in just a few sentences doesn't do justice to its oddity and surprises. It's a hefty, complex novel with a storyline that is so unconventional and mind-bending, it's nearly impossible to discuss without revealing spoilers. Joe Hill, the son of Stephen King and a modern horror icon in his own right, brings us one of the most unique and disturbing novels ever written, no matter the genre. “NOS4A2” presents a world unlike any other, and it features one of the most terrifying villains in literature, whose haunting presence will stay with you long after you've finished reading.
A TV adaptation of “NOS4A2” premiered in 2019 on AMC, starring Ashley Cummings as Victoria and Zachary Quinto as the nightmarish Charles Manx. Despite the intriguing cast, the show received mixed reviews and struggled with marketing, leading to its cancellation after two seasons. Currently, AMC is shopping the series around, with fans holding out hope that another network will pick it up.
1. The Vanishing (2014)
Having swindled millions from strangers, friends, and family, Julia Bishop is left to face the fallout when her husband takes his own life. Desperate for a new beginning, Julia is given an unusual chance when the son of a well-known author, presumed dead, shows up at her door. He invites her to accompany him to Havenwood, his mother's remote residence where she has lived in solitude for decades, to become her companion.
Though initially unsettled by the strange offer, Julia accepts, seeing it as her only opportunity to escape her past. But from the moment she steps inside the secluded house, things take a bizarre turn. The residents of Havenwood seem too eager to please, and the house feels oddly familiar, like every corridor sparks a sense of deja vu. She could have sworn the paintings on the walls were whispering to her.
Wendy Webb is a master of horror, and 'The Vanishing' is a perfect showcase of her expertise in contemporary supernatural thrillers. With deeply crafted characters and a central mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this novel is a brilliant example of suspense, meticulously building to a shocking twist that hits like a brick when the truth is finally revealed.
