It’s 1988, the height of the slasher film era, and director Max Maurey is well-known for his series of low-budget horror films, Jack the Knife. After It’s 1988, the height of the slasher film era, and director Max Maurey is well-known for his series of low-budget horror films, Jack the Knife. After his latest premiere, he is appalled and frustrated by the way the audience cheers his film, so for his next movie, he is determined to express true, authentic horror. When he meets aspiring actress Sally Priest, who longs to join his next film as the Final Girl, they bond over their belief that “horror isn’t horror unless it’s real”. Then they discover a cursed camera that may hold the power to help them realize their dark dreams.
The creepiest part of this novel is how Max becomes increasingly unhinged in his pursuit to create the perfect horror movie, no matter the cost. Otherwise, this disturbing cursed-object thriller is essentially a love letter to the horror genre. Max’s chilling endeavor attempts to capture the essence of what makes horror both terrifying and enjoyable. The narrative plays with familiar horror tropes, and the author’s deep knowledge of film production also shines through, making this a great read for those who enjoy slasher-movie storytelling.
Jake Baker is a present-day brain surgeon who looks back on his youth in the 1980s, when he and his misfit friends explored the mysticism of their smaJake Baker is a present-day brain surgeon who looks back on his youth in the 1980s, when he and his misfit friends explored the mysticism of their small Niagara Falls hometown. Jake’s eccentric Uncle Cal believes in the spirit world and owns an occult shop, and he invites Jake and his friends to form a ghost hunting club, where Cal shares the tragic stories behind each of the eerie places they visit. As they investigate these areas, Jake starts to suspect that there is deeper meaning behind the strangeness of both his uncle and the world.
Author Craig Davidson, who also writes under the pen name Nick Cutter, presents a nostalgic coming-of-age tale that is reminiscent of The Wonder Years and surprisingly full of understanding and compassion. Though there are the harrowing moments that accompany any childhood, Jake’s adventures are more so a thought-provoking and almost whimsical psychological exploration of how the mind handles horrors. This is a story about family, memory, and regret, with quirky but genuine characters, and a tone that is all at once introspective, retrospective, and sentimental.
For another nostalgic coming-of-age tale that takes place in the 1990s rather than the 80s, try The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal....more
Rita Todacheene is a young Navajo woman and a crime scene photographer who works for the Albuquerque police. Much of her expertise comes from her flaiRita Todacheene is a young Navajo woman and a crime scene photographer who works for the Albuquerque police. Much of her expertise comes from her flair for meticulous photography, but there’s also the fact that she can communicate with the ghosts of the dead. Her latest case involves a woman whose death they rule as a suicide, but her ghost won’t leave Rita alone, and soon she’s mercilessly driven right into the crosshairs of a vicious cartel.
This own voices indigenous novel is an impressive and absorbing debut that has a cinematic feel to it. There’s the arid landscape of New Mexico, the culture of the Navajo Nation, and a young woman who is pushed to the edge of sanity by her supernatural ability and the grisly crime scenes she witnesses. All provide a unique touch of atmosphere and believability to the mystery. This is solid storytelling with a haunting undertone, and it’s a paranormal page-turner that is perfect for crime fiction fans.
Life in Eden, Kentucky has never been easy for Opal, who works as a cleaner to barely scrape by and support her teenage brother. Then she finds herselLife in Eden, Kentucky has never been easy for Opal, who works as a cleaner to barely scrape by and support her teenage brother. Then she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Starling House, a haunted house that is shrouded in mystery and legend. Everyone thinks it best to leave the house to rot, right alongside its last warden, Arthur Starling. But sinister forces conspire to draw Opal and Arthur together, and they must confront their fears and unravel the secrets of this unsettling town.
This is an absorbing gothic tale that is in turns spooky and romantic. The moody atmosphere, the enhanced imagery, and the elegant prose will suck you right in. Opal and Arthur are relatable characters who have realistic baggage and are fully fleshed out, and the house itself feels like another character. While a classic haunted house story, the book still thoughtfully commentates upon the power dynamics of class and race, but mostly this is a tender tale about love and the lengths you will go to for your family. -AD
Sadie Grace is a witch with a bounty on her head, and Old Tom is hot on her trail. He’s joined by his mute ward Rabbit, a couple of Texas cowboys, andSadie Grace is a witch with a bounty on her head, and Old Tom is hot on her trail. He’s joined by his mute ward Rabbit, a couple of Texas cowboys, and a recently widowed schoolteacher. Their supernatural journey takes them across post-Civil War Kansas, where they confront one horror after the next. Their episodic adventures involve possessed outlaws, ghosts, a shapeshifter, ghouls, and more, and their wild ride is an epic page-turner.
Western Horror seems to be trending right now, and this darkly whimsical tale brings something new to the genre. While this is a fairly long book and there is a large cast of characters, the storytelling is so smooth and their quest is so cinematic that you never get bogged down. These unlikely characters form a ragtag posse with engaging chemistry, and their individual stories enrich the plot and add hints of found family to a gory and ruthless setting. -AD
The year is 1980, and haunted by a violent past, Travis Stillwell is a mysterious young man wandering through the dusty backroads of rural Texas. TravThe year is 1980, and haunted by a violent past, Travis Stillwell is a mysterious young man wandering through the dusty backroads of rural Texas. Travis is not a good man, and he takes out his frustration with life on the women he encounters, until he encounters the wrong woman. Reeling and forever changed by their embrace, he stumbles out of his cab and finds himself at a deserted motel owned by the widow Annabelle and her son Sandy. In the meantime, Reader the Texas Ranger is hot on Travis’ heels.
This slow-burning and bold debut novel is an absorbing mix of police procedural, horror, and western, where vampires and cowboys collide. It’s bloody and dark, and the grim atmosphere evokes a strong feel for the era and the place. All of the characters are flawed, and their layered stories make it hard to decide if anyone is truly a villain, despite the horrible things they do.
The stylistic complexity of the writing gives off Cormac McCarthy and Stephen Graham Jones vibes, and you can see why it was a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award. Perfect for those who enjoy gritty horror and literary psychological suspense. -AD
This story is not at all what you think it is. It begins in 1989 as a coming-of-age tale, featuring the awkward teenager Wilder Harrow, who summers inThis story is not at all what you think it is. It begins in 1989 as a coming-of-age tale, featuring the awkward teenager Wilder Harrow, who summers in a cottage overlooking Whistler Bay along the Maine coast. He befriends Nat and Harper, who teach him about the local folklore and about the Dagger Man, who takes threatening pictures of children as they sleep. The appalling truth behind the Dagger Man will upend all of their lives, and the story spirals more and more out of control from there.
Blending witchcraft, serial killers, secrets, and identity, this is psychological horror at its best and most unsettling. More than an unreliable narrator, it follows an entire unreliable cast. The pages are full of uncertainty as they blur the line between reality and fiction. It’s a story within a story within a story that morphs into a maze of multilayered meta madness. It’s creepy and mind-bending, and you won’t see the end coming. -AD
After a year and a half of sobriety, Mallory is ready for a second chance at life, so she takes a job in the picturesque town of Spring Brook as a nanAfter a year and a half of sobriety, Mallory is ready for a second chance at life, so she takes a job in the picturesque town of Spring Brook as a nanny for Teddy. Her overwhelming gratitude towards the Maxwell family at first allows her to turn a blind eye to some of the stranger happenings around her cozy cottage, including Teddy’s unnerving imaginary friend Anya. Teddy loves to draw, but as his sketches get more bizarre and uncannily dark, she can no longer ignore the horrors that lurk around her new home.
This is a riveting crime-horror mash-up that will keep you on your toes until the very end. There are plenty of twists and turns as Mallory teams up with the attractive landscaper Adrian to investigate the history of the property. All the characters are believable, especially Mallory, who displays significant character growth over the course of the story. She is an admirable character who is understandably flawed while she struggles with addiction and overcoming the stigma that surrounds it.
Hidden Pictures is perfectly executed suspense that exposes the dark underbelly of pristine suburbia with a gratifying and heart-racing finale. –AD
Ted is an awkward and introverted recluse who still lives in his childhood home, along with his cat Olivia and his daughter Lauren. Their home sits onTed is an awkward and introverted recluse who still lives in his childhood home, along with his cat Olivia and his daughter Lauren. Their home sits on the very end of Needless Street, at the edge of the forest, where they’re isolated and alone until Dee moves in next door, driven by her suspicion that something is terribly off about this house and its occupants.
This brilliant book may disguise itself as a simple gothic horror story, but it is anything but. Instead, it may be one of the creepiest horror books in the genre. There is something off-balance about the entire story. The weird interlocking perspectives, including a POV from the cat, evoke a desperate need to unravel the truth.
This is dark psychological horror that will shake you to the core, so there are some raw and uncomfortable moments to endure before the ingenious twists and turns flip everything on its head. It seems impossible that such horror could end on a note of hope, but it’s there. It’s worthwhile to read the afterword too, which adds another dimension to the purpose of this heart-wrenching and captivating tale of survival. -AD
This admirable debut features the alien creatures known as book eaters, who consume knowledge and stories by eating books. Their secret society hides This admirable debut features the alien creatures known as book eaters, who consume knowledge and stories by eating books. Their secret society hides on the outskirts of England, and they’re divided into the Families, complete with their mob-like mentalities. Devon grows up as a fairytale princess until she gives birth to her son, Cai, who, as a mind eater, hungers for much darker things.
Gothic fantasy fans will love this. It’s both ruthlessly disturbing and deliciously gratifying. The premise is unique, especially the innovative take on dragons. The fairytales she grew up consuming take on a darker edge as Devon chafes under the Families’ control and learns that life is not all about happy endings. Her spiraling machinations gradually transform her from a smothered fairytale princess into a hardened survivor. The only cure for Cai’s insatiable hunger is nearly impossible to attain, but this story is about a mother who will go to any lengths to protect her child. -AD
For a similar urban fantasy tale featuring characters with mysterious abilities and set in atmospheric England, try The Nightjar by Deborah Hewitt....more
Those who love the classic Dracula will love this one just as much, written by the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker himself. The spine-chilling story Those who love the classic Dracula will love this one just as much, written by the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker himself. The spine-chilling story features Bram as one of the main characters. As a child, he suffers from an unknown but deadly ailment until he turns seven-years-old and is mysteriously healed by his nanny, Ellen Crone. Shortly after, she vanishes from their home, but the lives of the Stoker children are changed forever.
Dracul serves as a prequel to Dracula, and there are clear parallels between the two. The story is told through the journals and letters of the Stoker siblings—Bram, Matilda, and Thornley—as well as the master of the macabre, Arminius Vambéry. It really is a perfect example of dark gothic fiction, as it’s both haunting and atmospheric, taking place mostly in old villages, castle ruins, and cemeteries in the dark of night. There is flawless buildup of tension and dread as their pursuit leads up to the confrontation with the terrifying and legendary monster himself.
Overall, this pays perfect homage to the original classic and its author and really delves into some of the mystery surrounding both. -AD
Patricia Campbell is a hardworking housewife who suffers from suburban malaise and longs for a bit more variety in her life. This initially comes in tPatricia Campbell is a hardworking housewife who suffers from suburban malaise and longs for a bit more variety in her life. This initially comes in the form of a book club with the other neighborhood mothers, where they mostly discuss gruesome true crime novels. What should they do when the makings of a true crime novel appear on their doorstep? What should they do when their husbands don’t believe them? What should they do when their particular flavor of serial killer is actually an ancient vampire?
This is yet another brutally fun, fast-paced, and cheeky tale from eclectic author Grady Hendrix. It perfectly blends horror and humor, while also addressing issues of sexism and racism. Set in the deep South in the 90s, it’s atmospheric and creepy, with a large cast of colorful characters, and there’s a palpable sense of tension and anxiety as every gnarly attack ensues. It’s easy to admire the way Patricia takes ownership of her own life, and she will do anything to protect her children and the children of her town. Don’t underestimate housewives. –AD
This was perfectly executed and lives up to the hype, and it’s so engrossing that it’s impossible to put down. The story follows the author himself asThis was perfectly executed and lives up to the hype, and it’s so engrossing that it’s impossible to put down. The story follows the author himself as a 22-year-old who temporarily moves back in with his parents in his small hometown of Edgewood, Maryland. Thus begins the summer he will never forget as one after the other, four teenage girls are snatched from their homes or off the street and brutally murdered.
The killer leaves no evidence behind, no witnesses, nothing, to the point that many believe he’s supernaturally inclined. The police are desperate for answers, and Richard teams up with the fierce journalist Carly Albright as they closely follow the case, but nothing comes to light.
The story is such a unique premise, as it presents fictional psychological suspense that reads like true crime. The case is ominously realistic, and serial killers are the epitome of horror because they are real-life monsters. There are even historical photos included with nearly every chapter, and though they are fictional, they really lend that air of stark realism.
Richard Chizmar is perhaps best known for co-writing Gwendy's Button Box with Stephen King, and he’s the perfect narrator for this tale as he captures a poignant sense of childhood nostalgia despite the graphic subject matter. Fans of Riley Sager and C.J. Tudor will also enjoy this haunting and creepy small town horror. Fictional True Crime could be a promising new genre if they’re all like this.
Noemí Taboada, the privileged daughter of a wealthy industrialist and a high-spirited socialite, receives a disturbing letter from her cousin CatalinaNoemí Taboada, the privileged daughter of a wealthy industrialist and a high-spirited socialite, receives a disturbing letter from her cousin Catalina. Catalina is either suffering delusions or at risk from her spouse, so Noemí sets off to the gloom-ridden, mold-infested manor house where she lives. She immediately senses something off about the home’s strict rules and the dying patriarch’s obsession with eugenics, though that’s nothing compared to the menacing and unnervingly realistic dreams that haunt her sleep.
This is an outstanding example of classic gothic horror with a stunning sense of place and vibrant culture, specifically Mexico City in the 1950s. The elegantly grotesque scene-setting and lurid imagery amplifies the spine-chilling suspense, but Noemí is no delicate flower as she endures true horrors. She is a charming and courageous character who fights to rescue her cousin and herself, and the slow-burning romance serves to raise the stakes even higher. The prose is ornate and immersive even as events get wilder and more visceral with every chapter, leading up to a heart-pounding finale. –AD
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff also takes place in the 1950s, where the main character in their twenty-somethings fights to save their family members from racist adversaries in the midst of Lovecraftian horrors. ...more
Nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives with her younger sister and her agoraphobic mother in an old farmhouse, right on the edge of a forest where there have Nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives with her younger sister and her agoraphobic mother in an old farmhouse, right on the edge of a forest where there have been mysterious deaths, inexplicable disappearances, and ominous ghost sightings. After Ruthie’s mother disappears, she finds a tattered diary with the secrets of Sara Harrison Shea, who once lived in the same house in 1908 and grieved the tragic loss of her daughter. Eerie parallels emerge between these dual timelines, and Ruthie is swept up into a claustrophobic investigation to save her family.
The Winter People is a chilling, psychological horror story that takes place in an atmospheric little Vermont village. Ruthie and Sara’s perspectives switch back and forth between past and present until they seamlessly blend together towards a thrilling conclusion. Their accounts deftly capture the desperation of grief and the lengths that people will go to if it means bringing back a loved one, especially a child, even as the old adage “be careful what you wish for” comes to mind. -AD
For more immersive and psychological suspense where children and their families inhabit cold, dark settings, try The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne....more
Nate and Maddie Graves are both haunted by their pasts. Their teenage son Oliver has his own troubles due to his high degree of empathy for others, ofNate and Maddie Graves are both haunted by their pasts. Their teenage son Oliver has his own troubles due to his high degree of empathy for others, often to the detriment of his own mental and emotional health. For a change of pace and scenery, the family moves to Nate’s old hometown, which has dark secrets of its own. Nate must face the ghostly memories of his late abusive father even as Maddie’s art mysteriously comes to life and Oliver befriends the creepy boy who dabbles in black magic.
The Book of Accidents is truly a smorgasbord of all things horror, with ghosts, demons, serial killers, alternate realities, and family drama. This tome of literary horror gives off Stephen King vibes, with intriguing sci-fi twists and a powerful theme about breaking the cycle of abuse. The harrying suspense is graphic and visual, and one can’t help but root for the flawed but brave Graves family as they struggle to hold back the tide of darkness.
Despite the slasher action and the primeval evil, this is a strangely comforting and sensitive novel that horror fans won’t want to miss. -AD
For as long as he can remember, Jamie Conklin has been able to see and talk to dead people just before they pass on. This is rarely a pleasant experieFor as long as he can remember, Jamie Conklin has been able to see and talk to dead people just before they pass on. This is rarely a pleasant experience, since he sees them as they died, even in the case of violent crimes and disfiguring accidents. He lets the readers know from the outset that this is a horror story, and it’s definitely gruesome, but at the same time, it’s a sensitive coming-of-age tale. His mother is a struggling single mother who gets wrapped up with a corrupt cop, and thus he comes of age in the midst of drug deals gone wrong, soured love affairs, kidnappings, desperation, and secrets.
As with some of Stephen King’s previous works, like Joyland, this is a riveting example of genre blending, as it’s as much a hard case crime story as it is a haunting ghost story. The corrupt NYPD detective Liz Dutton ropes Jamie in for some paranormal sleuthing in order to prevent tragedy and further death, even as it inevitably leads to more death. This quick read promises chills and thrills and high prices to pay. –AD
Galadriel contemplates murder from the very start as she maneuvers herself through the Scholomance, the diabolical and deadly school for the magicallyGaladriel contemplates murder from the very start as she maneuvers herself through the Scholomance, the diabolical and deadly school for the magically gifted. Her education is literally a deadly education as she faces an endless gauntlet of monsters, the nebulous void, and a tiered system of students where she’s the lowest of the low. She’s a rejected outcast, an unwilling dark sorceress, and hounded by an ominous prophecy. She needs alliances, but sometimes she’s too fierce and snarky for her own good as she rants and raves her way through one trial after the next.
A Deadly Education is a more vicious and ruthless version of Harry Potter, and it’s a wonderfully dark spin on the magical boarding school setting in general. The school is unpredictable and dangerous and kills unwary students, and the magic system is complex but thoroughly explained along the way as Galadriel comes into her power. She is murderous but absolutely lovable, and the story really plumbs the depths of her character, as well as the people around her. These are characters who just want to be treated like people, not heroes, not monsters, and it’s gratifying and lovely how friendships form from adversity, including one perfect enemies to friends arc.
Overall, this is a darkly humorous delight that will leave readers eager for the next installment! –AD
The haunted doctor William Abbey conveys his story to a Florence Nightingale nurse as bombs explode around them, and the story he tells is just as earThe haunted doctor William Abbey conveys his story to a Florence Nightingale nurse as bombs explode around them, and the story he tells is just as earth-shattering. As a young man, William Abbey watches silently as a Zulu boy is unjustly burned and executed by white men, and in her grief and rage, the mother curses him with the boy’s ghost, a shadow that pursues him for the rest of his life. Whenever the ghost catches up, the one he loves most will die. He also becomes incapable of lying when it is near, and he can see the truth of others’ hearts and souls, making him a truth-speaker.
Because of his abilities, he is recruited as a spy for the British government against his will, and thus begins a life of backhanded and miserable espionage. He meets other truth-speakers around the world, some who are cursed like him, some who are blessed, some who accept their shadow as a rite of passage. To others, they are experiments, and in his fear of lobotomies and his fear of love, he makes drastic decisions.
Claire North has a heavy, stylistically complex, and a one-of-a-kind writing style. The characters come and go in a tale that spans years and crosses all around the world and back again. This is a story of betrayal, fear, and desperation. It’s about a man who can’t love falling in love so that it’s tragically epic and painfully poignant. It explores the horrors of the truth, how sometimes knowing the truth makes no difference, and how powerful people abuse the truth. It’s a story of how William Abbey and the people he encounters along the way watch the world burn. It’s like no other story told before. -AD
Amy suffers from the drudgery of an underpaid, unappreciated working life, and it doesn’t help that spooky things are happening in the store where sheAmy suffers from the drudgery of an underpaid, unappreciated working life, and it doesn’t help that spooky things are happening in the store where she works. Desperate as she is though, she accepts her boss’s request to hang around after hours and investigate the strange happenings. Soon, five employees are trapped inside the big-box furnishing store, and they’ll be lucky if any of them make it out.
This brilliant parody and clever ghost story is perfectly executed and has an exceptional oddball allure. It effortlessly straddles the line between horror and humor, since on the one hand it reads like an IKEA catalog, and on the other hand it’s freaky, nightmarish, torturous, and claustrophobic. The characters are a bit silly at first, but also hardy as they dig deep for wells of courage to fight the ghosts that haunt them between the furniture.
In short, this witty little book is fast-paced and relentless so that it can be read in one sitting, with an unsettling focus on the weight of responsibility and the horrors of working retail. -AD
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