Best horror book on Reddit

448 reviews from r/horrorlit, r/horror, r/suggestmeabook and 7 more subreddits

448 reviews from

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Stephen King

4.8

(129)

"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."

"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"

Shirley Jackson

4.8

(17)

"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."

"The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a classic."

"The Haunting of Hill House easily!!"

"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"

Nick Cutter

4.6

(17)

"The Troop by Nick Cutter"

"Nick Cutter for some visceral body horror. The Troop is fantastic."

"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 Nick Cutter."

"The Troop by Nick Cutter"

"The Troop by Nick Cutter."

"Someone earlier recommended The Troop by Nick Cutter. Disquieting and horrifying on many levels."

"The Troop by Nick Cutter. Horrific."

Joe Hill

4.6

(16)

"*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."

"My personal favorite is NOS4A2 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! He happens to be Stephen King's son."

"NOS4A2 by Joe Hill."

Paul Tremblay

4.4

(15)

"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."

"The cabin at the end of the world 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."

T. Kingfisher

4.5

(13)

"*The Hollow Places* by T. Kingfisher is one of my favorites."

"I love T. Kingfisher for horror. The Twisted Ones or The Hollow Places would be my suggestions."

"The Twisted Ones (you will never feel the same about willows or rocks again)."

"T. Kingfisher's The Hollow Places."

"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."

"I've read all of T. Kingfisher's horror novellas and enjoyed them all."

"What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher"

Clive Barker

4.8

(12)

"The Damnation Game by Clive Barker is an excellent horror!"

"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 Damnation Game by Clive Barker was my first choice after reading it."

"The Books of Blood by Clive Barker."

"The Damnation Game by Clive Barker."

"Books of blood - clive barker."

John Langan

4.9

(11)

"The Fisherman by John Langan - great Cthulu like story involving the deep sea and the past."

"The prose is so powerful. Combine that with a beautifully mythical story you’ve got an absolute banger."

"The Fisherman by John Langan. Its amazing"

"The Fisherman or White Pines take my vote."

"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 if you're looking for a novel."

"The Fisherman by John Langan."

"A few more: The Fisherman John Langan."

Peter Straub

4.7

(11)

"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. I just love the whole flow of the novel."

"Ghost Story by Peter Straub."

"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."

"One of my favorites is “Ghost Story” by Peter Straub."

#10

Dan Simmons

4.5

(11)

"One of the most epic horror novels iv ever read."

"Summer of Night by Dan Simmons. It's probably in the top 5 best books I've ever read."

"Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons. I loved the character development and premise of the book."

"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."

"Summer Of Night by Dan Simmons is pretty darn good if you ask me."

"Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons."

"Summer of Nights by Dan Simmons."

"Highly recommend The Terror by Dan Simmons."

#11

Josh Malerman

4.9

(9)

"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"

"Book that made me unnerved to go outside when it was over: Bird Box by Josh Malerman"

"Only *Incidents Around the House* by Josh Malerman has given me the chills."

"Birdbox by Josh Malerman"

"Incidents Around the House!"

"Absolutely no doubt– 'Incidents Around The House' by Josh Malerman."

"Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman."

#12

Grady Hendrix

4.6

(9)

"Final girl support group by Grady Hendrix."

"How to sell a haunted house by Grady Hendrix."

"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."

"The serial killer-focused Final Girl Support Group was much more frightening for me."

"These are some of my favorites though:"

#13

William Peter Blatty

5.0

(7)

"The Exorcist's author wrote the movie script and it is one of the best horror adaptations ever."

"The Exorcist."

"Hard to pick a favourite, but I really really love *The Exorcist.*"

"The Exorcist - William Peter Blatty."

"Exorcist is also up there"

"The Exorcist by William Peter Blaty"

"The Exorcist easy for me."

#14

Jack Ketchum

4.6

(7)

"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."

"Off Season by Jack Ketchum or Depraved by Bryan Smith would be a great place to start."

"Be warned, these books have very graphic depictions of extreme violence."

#15

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."

#16

Thomas Olde Heuvelt

4.7

(6)

"Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt is great."

"Hex by Thomas olde heuvelt."

"I’m not sure if it’s the best ever, but I’ve read Hex three times now and it is always really good."

"I’m surprised no one has mentioned Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt."

"Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt."

"Hex by Thomas Olde Heavault"

#17

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"

#18

Tananarive Due

4.5

(6)

"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."

"House of Windows by John Langan and The Good House by Tananarive Due"

"The good house by Tananarive due."

"The Reformatory Tananarive Due."

"The Good House by Tananarive Due."

#19

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)."

#20

Catriona Ward

4.8

(5)

"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."

#21

Brom

4.6

(5)

"Slewfoot by Brom"

"Slewfoot by BROM! Not talked about enough."

"Slewfoot by Brom. Soooo good"

"Slewfoot by Brom."

"I just finished {Slewfoot by Brom} last night and found it to be a pretty solid read."

#22

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."

#23

Dathan Auerbach

5.0

(4)

"Penpal by Dathan Auerbach is one of my favorites by far."

"Most people like and find Penpal by Dathan Auerbach scary."

"Penpal by Dathan Auerbach is the best stalker horror book I have read."

"I recently read Penpal by Dathan Auerbach and loved it."

#24

Adam Nevill

4.8

(4)

"Adam Nevill - Last Days"

"I read it earlier this year and miss the excitement it made me feel while reading it all the time."

"Last Days by Adam Nevill. Awesome book."

"Is scary stuff (author of The ritual)"

#25

Marcus Kliewer

4.8

(4)

"We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer."

"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."

#26

Mary Shelley

4.8

(4)

"Mary shelley Frankenstein is my ultimate favourite."

"Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein a classic."

"Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I've probably read it more times than any other book."

"I read Frankenstein around Halloween this year and I’m still thinking about it."

#27

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."

#28

Thomas Harris

4.8

(4)

"Red Dragon. Absolute edge of my seat thriller."

"Red Dragon for me! Francis Dollarhyde still makes me uneasy to this day."

"Red Dragon by Thomas Harris is the scariest books I’ve ever read."

"Legit scary."

#29

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"

#30

Mira Grant

4.5

(4)

"Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant. It’s a horror about killer “mermaids”."

"A favorite of mine is “Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant."

"Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant."

#31

Scott Smith

4.3

(4)

"Also The Ruins by Scott Smith is amazing."

"In the middle of reading “The Ruins” by Scott Smith. It’s a creepy one!"

"The Ruins by Scott Smith"

#32

N/A

5.0

(3)

"The troop!!! Can’t recommend it enough."

"Such a good read, definitely recommend!"

"The Troop freaked me the fuck out"

#33

John Ajvide Lindqvist

5.0

(3)

"Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist"

"Let The Right One In."

"Let the Right one In — Lindqvust."

#34

Felix Blackwell

5.0

(3)

"Just read Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell! It was super creepy."

"Stolen toungues by Felix Blackwell is one of my favorites."

"Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell, was originally a nosleep series, but was published as a book."

#35

Jeff Long

4.7

(3)

"Bares remarkable similarities to the movie of the same name."

"The Descent by Jeff Long"

"The Descent by Jeff Long."

#36

Brian Lumley

4.7

(3)

"Check out Necroscope by Brian Lumley."

"I recommend it every chance I get."

"Necroscope by Brian Lumley"

#37

Dean Koontz

4.7

(3)

"*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."

#38

Jeff VanderMeer

4.7

(3)

"My personal fav is Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer (cosmic eco-horror)."

"Annihilation and The Haunting of Hill House (show) are both incredible."

"Has one of the strangest, creepiest vibes of any book I’ve ever read."

#39

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."

#40

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."

#41

Ronald Malfi

4.3

(3)

"Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi."

#42

Chuck Palahniuk

4.3

(3)

"Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk."

"My first real horror book was Haunted by Chuck Palanuik."

"Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk"

#43

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."

#44

Max Brooks

4.3

(3)

"Devolution by Max Brooks"

"Sasquatch horror"

"And *Devolution* by Max Brooks."

#45

Scott Sigler

4.0

(3)

"Ancestor is also pretty good and horrifying."

"Ancestor by Scott Sigler."

"Ancestor by Scott Sigler is a creature feature about the horrors of xenotransplantation experiments."

#46

Michael McDowell

4.0

(3)

"The Elementals by Michael McDowell."

"The Elementals by Michael McDowell"

"The Elementals - Michael McDowell."

#47

Robert McCammon

5.0

(2)

"Swan Song Robert McCammon"

"{Swan Song} or {Mine} both by Robert McCammon"

#48

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."

#49

Ania Ahlborn

5.0

(2)

"Brother by Ania Ahlborn stuck with me long after I finished it."

"Brother by Ania Ahlborn"

#50

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

5.0

(2)

"Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia really stood out."

#51

Stephen Leather

5.0

(2)

"Nightfall by Stephen Leather"

#52

Mariana Enriquez

5.0

(2)

"Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez. Its so different but familiar."

"Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez. Really cool. Rich people cult shit, backdrop is the Argentine dictatorship. Mesmerizing."

#53

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."

#54

Brian Evenson

5.0

(2)

"Last Days by Brian Evenson is one of my favorite cult novels."

#55

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!!"

#56

David Sodergren

4.5

(2)

"Maggie’s grave by David Sodergren."

"I'd start with Maggie's Grave as it's a wild ride."

#57

David Wellington

4.5

(2)

"Paradise-1 by David Wellington. I liked all of the main characters."

#58

Richard Laymon

4.5

(2)

"Anything by Richard Laymon."

"Any book by Richard Laymon."

#59

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"

#60

Steven Peck

4.5

(2)

"This is my favorite sub-genre of books!"

"Not conventionally scary but will traumatise you."

#61

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."

#62

Camilla Sten

4.0

(2)

"The Lost Village by Camilla Sten."

"Great suspense, creepy abandoned town atmosphere"

#63

Nat Cassidy

4.0

(2)

"Mary by Nat Cassidy."

#64

TJ Payne

4.0

(2)

"Intercepts by TJ Payne and The Black Farm by Elias Witherow"

#65

Poppy Z Brite

4.0

(2)

"Exquisite Corpse, by Poppy Z Brite."

"*Exquisite Corpse* seems to be the go-to around here, but I loved *Lost Souls*."

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