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Greatest horror novels of all time
Haunting novels best read during daylight hours.
Published on May 19, 2023
I Am Legend
Richard MathesonWhen a pandemic sweeps the planet in this 1954 post-apocalyptic horror novel by Matheson (“The Twilight Zone”), everyone either dies or becomes a vampire. Except for one man. You may know him as the character played by Will Smith in the 2007 movie adaptation. (Or Vincent Price in the 1964 version “The Last Man on Earth.” Or Charlton Heston in the 1971 version “The Omega Man.”) This winner of the Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award for “Vampire Novel of the Century” defined the zombie-vampire plague genre, where the lone hero battles for survival night after night against invading mutants.
The Only Good Indians
Stephen Graham JonesJones’ 2020 horror novel, often lauded as one of the buzziest books of its release year, is “scary good'' according to author Tommy Orange (“There There”), who says: “[The Only Good Indians] is full of humor and bone chilling images. It’s got love and revenge, blood and basketball. … It also both reveals and subverts ideas about contemporary Native life and identity.” Years after four young friends go hunting on forbidden land, an eerie supernatural being stalks them, hellbent on vengeance in this gory thriller.
A Head Full of Ghosts: A Novel
Paul TremblayTry to discern the truth as “A Head Full of Ghosts” moves quickly between past and present. As narrator Merry Barrett is interviewed by a writer, she shares the events that destroyed her family 15 prior. Back then, Merry’s older sister Marjorie exhibited signs of schizophrenia, so her parents turned to exorcism and allowed a film crew to watch. But their televised account differs wildly from Merry’s disturbing memories.
The Fisherman
John LanganSharp and imaginative, Langan weaves together a story within a story of two men, both dealing with grief and loss, who bond over their love of fishing. Even if fishing isn’t your cup of tea, don’t skip out on this brilliant work of literary horror that combines elements of the cosmic and supernatural within a realistic setting.
Black Dahlia & White Rose: Stories
Joyce Carol OatesA fantastic collection of short horror stories from Oates (“Blonde,” “The Gravedigger’s Daughter”) that explore the dangers that lurk just around the corner. From the depths of a maximum-security prison to the nurse’s office of a local school, the settings vary widely but all explore the darkness that exists at the edges of even the most seemingly mundane lives.
Carmilla
Joseph Sheridan Le FanuA gripping sapphic vampire romance that predates Dracula? Sign us up. Set in 19th-century Austria, “Carmilla” follows the mysterious titular character as she grows closer to 19-year-old Laura. Carmilla’s appearance brings with it a mysterious plague that targets the young women of Laura’s village. Surprisingly steamy for a story published in 1872, “Carmilla” laid the foundation for future works of vampire fiction.
The King in Yellow
Robert W. ChambersAlthough he is not as widely known as those he influenced, Chambers’ collection of short stories is widely regarded as one of the most important works in American supernatural horror. “The King in Yellow” is a fictional play that serves as a link to both the rest of the tales in the collection and also a greater fictional universe; the legend of the play goes that anyone who reads it is condemned to madness or some other horrific event.
The Scarlet Plague
Jack LondonThere's no Harrison Ford or big-hearted dog buddy in this tale, but like in “The Call of the Wild,” Jack London explores the theme of how close civilization lies to sliding back into savagery in this sci-fi novella. The master storyteller imagines a survivor recounting how a devastating pandemic wiped out life and culture to his grandsons, who know nothing of science, or art, or literature.
Conjure Wife
Fritz LeiberLeiber takes the phrase “Behind every great man, there’s a great woman” a step further in his 1943 gothic urban fantasy, “Conjure Wife.” Norman, a professor at the local college, discovers that his wife, Tansy, is a practicing witch. Incensed, he demands that she give up her practice. However, he soon finds out that much of his success and their comfortable lifestyle was a result of Tansy’s doing. Bad luck and mishaps soon plague Norman, culminating in the disappearance of Tansy. To save her, Norman may have to dabble in some magic of his own.
The Good House: A Novel
Tananarive DueDue, a heavyweight in the Black horror genre, packs a punch in this paranormal horror that is so much more than just a haunted house story. “The Good House” takes place in a little town in Washington, where people are enamored with Angela Toussaint’s late grandmother’s house. Angela is hoping that good things will happen when her family decides to stay there for the summer: Instead, a tragedy rips them apart. The novel “tackles the intersection — the collision, really — between violence and young Black manhood,” Nisi Shawl wrote for Tor.
My Best Friend's Exorcism: A Novel
Grady HendrixA lighthearted version of “The Exorcist” meets “Carrie” with “Stranger Things” vibes mixed in. Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since the fifth grade. However, now that they’re in high school, Gretchen’s changed. Abby realizes these aren’t the normal adolescent changes teens go through, but rather signs of demonic possession.
Audition
Ryu MurakamiWidowed filmmaker Aoyama never remarried after losing his wife. However, even his son, Shige, is encouraging him to get back in the dating game. Aoyama and a friend set up fake auditions to help him find a partner. He meets Yamasaki, a young and beautiful former ballerina who seems to be the perfect match. However, not all is as it seems as their relationship progresses. “Audition” seemingly starts out as a mystery thriller and then quickly evolves into full-blown psychological horror. Great for fans of Stephen King’s “Misery.”
Tender Is the Flesh
Agustina BazterricaNot for the faint of heart, this blend of science fiction and horror tells the tale of a future world where a mysterious virus has rendered all animal meat poisonous to humans. Unfortunately, humanity finds cannibalism a more appetizing option than going vegetarian. Pull up a chair and devour Bazterrica’s delectable debut.
Horrid
Katrina LenoCreepy old mansion, a small town hiding sinister secrets, and family loss? Check, check, and check. “Horrid” has all the makings of a standard horror novel. However, Leno delivers so much more in this incredibly captivating read that touches on grief, trauma, bullying, and family dysfunction.
Heart-Shaped Box
Joe HillRetired rocker Judas Coyne has a thing for the macabre. No, seriously. His collection includes a cookbook for cannibals and a used hangman’s noose, amongst other such disturbing items. It’s not much of a leap for him to buy a ghost on the Internet. After a dead man’s suit shows up in a heart-shaped box, Judas begins to experience terrifying visions and people around him mysteriously die one by one. Hill, the son of Stephen King, clearly takes after his father when it comes to penning paranormal horrors.
Dracula
Bram StokerCount Dracula has been the most portrayed character on stage and screen, with more than 200 versions frightening (and tantalizing) audiences over the years. But his first appearance in Stoker’s horror novel is still the best. Read the classic for yourself and find out why.
Frankenstein
Mary ShelleyThis is the fabled story of the OG mad scientist-created monster. Equally horrific and misunderstood, Dr. Frankenstein’s (and Shelly’s) creation causes utter chaos everywhere he goes as he attempts to manage growing up in a world that doesn’t accept him. This book is legendary for a reason.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis StevensonLegend has it that the plot for this horror classic came to Stevenson during a particularly productive nightmare. Ironically, this novella, the vanguard of split personality stories, has been the cause of nightmares since it first shocked Victorian-era readers upon its 1886 publication.
Fledgling
Octavia E. ButlerButler masterfully mixes horror with science fiction in this chilling tale of a 50-something, genetically modified vampire who wakes up trapped inside the body of an injured, young Black girl. Suffering from amnesia, she fights to recall her past life and discover who wants to destroy her before it’s too late.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Ray BradburyBradbury influenced so many of today’s great spooky story writers, including Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and R.L. Stine. Stine even calls “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” “the scariest book I ever read.” Experience the frights for yourself in this classic mashup of fantasy and horror about an evil traveling carnival.
It
Stephen KingKing captures the magic of childhood and lifts the reader’s spirit high with his depiction of the shielding power of friendship in the face of evil for a group of grammar school kids. The book breaks your heart, too, floating to the surface the pain kids suffer as they grow aware of the failures of their would-be adult protectors. “It” will terrify you. But read it. It’s gotten several movie adaptations for a reason.
Ghost Story
Peter StraubThe men of the Chowder Society have a lot in common. They all live in the same town, like to drink whiskey and smoke cigars, and love to tell ghost stories. Lastly, each of them has a secret they would rather stay hidden. It’s what Stephen King called “one of the finest horror novels of the late 20th century.”