Best horror book on Reddit
373 reviews from r/horrorlit, r/horror, r/suggestmeabook and 6 more subreddits
373 reviews from
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By Brand
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#1
Stephen King
4.8
(114)
"Pet Semetary. One of King's shorter novels but also one of his best."
"The Shining by Stephen King will always be a favourite of mine."
"The Shining, ‘Salem’s Lot, and Pet Sematary are very accessible and no less frightening."
"You can’t go wrong with anything King! The Stand and IT are outstanding but lengthy."
"You can’t go wrong with anything King! The Stand and IT are outstanding but lengthy."
"I’d say with The Shining. You really can’t go wrong with his classics."
"I really really enjoyed the Shining by Stephen King."
"Stephen King’s book the Shining! pure terror."
"Skeleton Crew (the jaunt is an amazing story in this one)."
"The Shining"
#2
Joe Hill
4.7
(14)
"*Heart-Shaped Box*, Joe Hill is Stephen King's son."
"I recommend Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill."
"Love a lot Joe Hill stuff is quite good. I'm a huge fan of Heart Shaped Box."
"Heart shaped box by Joe Hill for sure."
"Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill."
"Heart shaped box and NOS4A2, both by Joe Hill."
"Just finished NOS4A2 by Joe Hill tonight and it was amazing."
"Heart shaped box by Joe Hill and Kill Creek by Scott Thomas."
"Heart Shaped Box by Joe hill, excellent book!"
"NOS4A2 by Joe Hill."
#3
Shirley Jackson
4.7
(13)
"Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” is a classic ghost story with horror elements."
"We have always lived in the castle by Shirley Jackson."
"The Haunting of Hill House or We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson."
"So emotional and scary in different ways."
"One of the best horror books I've read is The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson."
"Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson."
"The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson definitely needs to be on that list."
"We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson"
"I second all the Shirley Jackson recommendations."
"It's really good and has some humorous moments."
#4
Nick Cutter
4.7
(12)
"The Troop by Nick Cutter! I'm usually a slow reader, but this book was engaging from page one!"
"The Troop by Cutter."
"The Troop by Cutter."
"The Troop by Nick Cutter."
"The Troop by Nick Cutter"
"The Troop by Nick Cutter."
"I’m reading Nick Cutter’s *The Queen*, it’s brand new and it SLAPS so far."
"The Troop by Nick Cutter. Horrific."
"The Troop - Nick Cutter."
"The Troop - Nick Cutter"
#5
Paul Tremblay
4.6
(12)
"More modern book? Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay."
"A Head Full of Ghosts (Paul Tremblay)--- by the writer of The Cabin at the End of the World."
"A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay"
"Horror Movie and You Like It Darker are probably tied for me."
"Horror Movie."
"Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay."
"Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay."
"I just read a book by Paul Tremblay called Horror Movie. I would recommend it to anyone here."
"A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay."
"About a 14 yr old who might be possessed."
#6
T. Kingfisher
4.6
(10)
"*The Hollow Places* by T. Kingfisher is one of my favorites."
"T. Kingfisher's The Hollow Places."
"The Twisted Ones (you will never feel the same about willows or rocks again)."
"T. Kingfisher — What Moves the Dead."
"My recent favorite is "The Twisted Ones" by T. Kingfisher."
"What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher"
"Really great creepy horror but with a funny protagonist."
"Some people prefer her other horror novel "The Hollow Places"."
"Diavola for me."
"Diavola."
#7
Peter Straub
4.8
(8)
"Is another favorite and he's got excellent other choices."
"Ghost Story, Peter Straub (1979)."
"Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I'm a big Stephen King fan and somehow Straub outdid him."
"Ghost Story by Peter Straub. It terrified me on my first read through."
"Ghost Story or Shadowland, both by Peter Straub."
"So much to talk about during a book club"
"Is a good entry level book."
"Ghost Story by Peter Straub. Please do not watch the underwhelming movie."
#8
Clive Barker
4.8
(8)
"Clive Barker’s Book of Blood is a good way to start."
"More mainstream classics I’d pick The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker."
"The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker."
"The Hellbound Heart (Clive Barker) - book behind Hellraiser."
"Check out Clive Barker as well. The Hellbound Heart."
"The Books of Blood by Clive Barker."
"Books of blood - clive barker."
"Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Heart (basis for Hellraiser)"
#9
Josh Malerman
4.9
(7)
"It’s super creepy and the first time in a while that a book gave me “jump scare” type fear."
"Incidents Around The House by Josh Malerman"
"Only *Incidents Around the House* by Josh Malerman has given me the chills."
"Incidents Around the House!"
"Absolutely no doubt– 'Incidents Around The House' by Josh Malerman."
"Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman."
#10
John Langan
4.9
(7)
"The Fisherman by John Langan - great Cthulu like story involving the deep sea and the past."
"Special mention to *A Short Stay in Hell* by Steven L Peck, which I read a week ago and cannot stop thinking about."
"In recent years I've been partial to The Fisherman by John Langan."
"The Fisherman by John Langan."
"The Fisherman by John Langan."
"A few more: The Fisherman John Langan."
#11
Grady Hendrix
4.7
(7)
"Anything by Grady Hendrix 👌"
"Grady Hendrix — anything of his is so good."
"My personal favourite of his books."
"The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. Seems fitting"
"I’ve been enjoying Grady Hendrix!"
"Final Girls Support Group by Grady Hendrix."
#12
Dan Simmons
4.6
(7)
"One of the most epic horror novels iv ever read."
"The Terror by Dan Simmons is phenomenal"
"Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons. Epic in scope, disturbing beyond anything I’ve ever read in horror."
"Gone horribly horribly wrong."
"Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons."
"Highly recommend The Terror by Dan Simmons."
"I'm quite fond of *The Terror* by Dan Simmons."
#13
Bram Stoker
4.8
(6)
"Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the works of Poe and Lovecraft."
"Dracula has aged very well."
"And of course: Dracula by Bram Stoker."
"The original Dracula and Frankenstein really hold up."
"A fantastic read."
#14
Gus Moreno
4.7
(6)
"Cory Doctorow recommended This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno."
"This is my favorite sub-genre of books!"
"This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno"
"This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno"
#15
Jack Ketchum
4.7
(6)
"Off Season by Jack Ketchum."
"I think Jack Ketchum’s or Brian Keene’s books are good starters."
"The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum."
"The Girl Next Door or Off Season (author's edition) by Jack Ketchum are gruesome."
"The Girl Next Door or Off Season (author's edition) by Jack Ketchum are gruesome."
"Be warned, these books have very graphic depictions of extreme violence."
#16
Stephen Graham Jones
4.5
(6)
"The only good indians by stephen graham jones!!"
"**Mongrels** by **Stephen Graham Jones**."
"Stephen Graham Jones, 'The Only Good Indians'."
"I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones"
"Mongrels (werewolf coming-of-age story)."
#17
William Peter Blatty
5.0
(5)
"The Exorcist's author wrote the movie script and it is one of the best horror adaptations ever."
"The Exorcist."
"The Exorcist - William Peter Blatty."
"Exorcist is also up there"
"The Exorcist by William Peter Blaty"
#18
N/A
5.0
(5)
"The troop!!! Can’t recommend it enough."
"My top 3: House of Leaves, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, IT."
"Such a good read, definitely recommend!"
"The Troop freaked me the fuck out"
"No contest"
#19
Catriona Ward
4.8
(5)
"The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward."
"The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward."
"This is my favorite sub-genre of books!"
"I'd do Sundial or Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward."
"Sundial by catriona ward."
#20
Dean Koontz
4.6
(5)
"*Phantoms* by Dean Koontz is my favourite horror book."
"Phantoms by dean koontz."
"I think Dean Koontz writes in an exceptionally accessible manner. Maybe try Phantoms."
"Watchers by Dean Koontz"
#21
Susan Hill
4.4
(5)
"The Woman In Black is both a brilliant exercise in atmosphere and controlled horror."
"One of the best haunted house stories I've read"
"The Woman in Black (Susan Hill) - really gothic and pretty creepy read."
"I think it’s a fairly quick read and it spooked me."
"The Woman in Black by Susan Hill."
#22
Tananarive Due
4.4
(5)
"The Good House by Tananarive Due is an amazing entry level horror."
"My favourite this year so far has to be The Reformatory by Tananarive Due."
"The good house by Tananarive due."
"The Reformatory Tananarive Due."
"The Good House by Tananarive Due."
#23
Richard Matheson
4.8
(4)
"I Am Legend…. Soooooo good."
"Also, Richard Matheson’s stuff like I Am Legend or Hell House."
"Can't go wrong with stuff from Richard Matheson either."
"A fantastic book, that’s significantly different from the movie."
#24
Adam Nevill
4.8
(4)
"Also The Ritual by the same author."
"The Ritual by Adam Nevill. Genuinely creepy."
"I read it earlier this year and miss the excitement it made me feel while reading it all the time."
"Is scary stuff (author of The ritual)"
#25
Christopher Buehlman
4.8
(4)
"Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman would be a great book club pick."
"Best: Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman"
#26
Sara Gran
4.7
(3)
"This is my favorite sub-genre of books!"
"Come Closer by Sara Gran"
"Come Closer by Sara Gran is a good one."
#27
Thomas Olde Heuvelt
4.7
(3)
"Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt is great."
"I’m surprised no one has mentioned Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt."
"Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt."
#28
B.R. Yeager
4.7
(3)
"Negative Space by BR Yeager is currently my favorite read."
"I can recommend Negative Space by B.R.Yeager."
"Negative Space B.R. Yeager."
#29
Brian Lumley
4.7
(3)
"Check out Necroscope by Brian Lumley."
"I recommend it every chance I get."
"Necroscope by Brian Lumley"
#30
Brom
4.7
(3)
"Slewfoot by Brom"
"Slewfoot by BROM! Not talked about enough."
"Slewfoot by Brom."
#31
Mary Shelley
4.7
(3)
"Mary shelley Frankenstein is my ultimate favourite."
"Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein a classic."
"I read Frankenstein around Halloween this year and I’m still thinking about it."
#32
Marcus Kliewer
4.7
(3)
"We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer is hands down the best horror book I've read all year."
"We used to live here by Marcus Kliewer."
#33
Darcy Coates
4.3
(3)
"Scary in the sense that it’s quite a claustrophobic environment that’s not easy to escape."
"From below by Darcy Coates."
"I would recommend 'From Below' by Darcy Coates."
#34
Max Brooks
4.3
(3)
"Devolution by Max Brooks"
"Sasquatch horror"
"And *Devolution* by Max Brooks."
#35
Scott Smith
4.3
(3)
"Also The Ruins by Scott Smith is amazing."
"In the middle of reading “The Ruins” by Scott Smith. It’s a creepy one!"
#36
Ronald Malfi
4.3
(3)
"Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi."
#37
Michael McDowell
4.0
(3)
"The Elementals by Michael McDowell."
"The Elementals by Michael McDowell"
"The Elementals - Michael McDowell."
#38
Felix Blackwell
5.0
(2)
"Just read Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell! It was super creepy."
"Stolen toungues by Felix Blackwell is one of my favorites."
#39
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
5.0
(2)
"Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia really stood out."
#40
Jeff Long
5.0
(2)
"Bares remarkable similarities to the movie of the same name."
"The Descent by Jeff Long"
#41
RR Haywood
5.0
(2)
"It has horror, comedy, tragedy and some really great hero's and villains."
"I always recommend The Undead by RR Haywood."
#42
Neil Gaiman
5.0
(2)
"Coraline by Niel Gaiman. I think it is a very good lovecraftian story."
"Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz."
#43
Laird Barron
5.0
(2)
"Really great cosmic horror and some of the best character writing I’ve read in horror"
"The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All by Laird Barron."
#44
Stephen Leather
5.0
(2)
"Nightfall by Stephen Leather"
"Nightfall by Stephen Leather"
#45
Karin Slaughter
5.0
(2)
"I LOVED Gone to see the River Man. It was one of the most gripping books I’ve ever read."
"Was so freaking phenomenal!!"
#46
Ania Ahlborn
5.0
(2)
"Brother by Ania Ahlborn stuck with me long after I finished it."
"Brother by Ania Ahlborn"
#47
Dathan Auerbach
5.0
(2)
"Penpal by Dathan Auerbach is the best stalker horror book I have read."
"I recently read Penpal by Dathan Auerbach and loved it."
#48
David Sodergren
4.5
(2)
"The Haar by David Sodergren."
"The Haar by David Sodergren, Maggie’s Grave by the same author!"
#49
Jeff VanderMeer
4.5
(2)
"My personal fav is Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer (cosmic eco-horror)."
"Has one of the strangest, creepiest vibes of any book I’ve ever read."
#50
Chuck Palahniuk
4.5
(2)
"Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk."
"Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk"
#51
SJ Patrick
4.5
(2)
"Exhumed by SJ Patrick, easily the best for me."
#52
Mira Grant
4.5
(2)
"Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant."
#53
Thomas Harris
4.5
(2)
"Red Dragon by Thomas Harris is the scariest books I’ve ever read."
"Legit scary."
#54
Richard Laymon
4.5
(2)
"Anything by Richard Laymon."
"Any book by Richard Laymon."
#55
Carissa Orlando
4.5
(2)
"The September House by Carissa Orlando or A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay."
"The September House by Carissa Orlando"
#56
Steven Peck
4.5
(2)
"This is my favorite sub-genre of books!"
"Not conventionally scary but will traumatise you."
#57
Junji Ito
4.5
(2)
"Anything by Junji Ito, ESPECIALLY The Enigma of Amigara Fault."
"Manga and Kazou Umezz's manga both are fantastic artists."
#58
Matthew Lyons
4.0
(2)
"Hit all the right notes for me and had a cool protagonist."
#59
CJ Leede
4.0
(2)
"Maeve Fly by CJ Leede (although you might consider her a sociopathic Mary sue, but I think there's a lot of depth there)"
"Maeve Fly by CJ Leede."
#60
Scott Sigler
4.0
(2)
"Ancestor is also pretty good and horrifying."
"Ancestor by Scott Sigler."
#61
Nat Cassidy
4.0
(2)
"Mary by Nat Cassidy."
#62
Camilla Sten
4.0
(2)
"The Lost Village by Camilla Sten."
"Great suspense, creepy abandoned town atmosphere"
#63
TJ Payne
4.0
(2)
"Intercepts by TJ Payne and The Black Farm by Elias Witherow"
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