Horror books have the power to terrify, thrill, and disturb readers with their eerie atmospheres, psychological tension, and supernatural elements. Whether you enjoy classic gothic horror, psychological terror, or supernatural thrillers, these horror novels will keep you up at night.
Here’s a list of 20 must-read horror novels, complete with details about their authors, country of origin, genre, publication year, language, and global popularity.
1. The Shining – Stephen King
- Author: Stephen King (United States)
- Published: 1977
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Supernatural Horror
- Language: English (translated into 50+ languages)
- Popularity: Over 4 million copies sold, adapted into an iconic horror movie by Stanley Kubrick.
- About the Author: King is the master of horror fiction, having written over 60 novels and 200 short stories.
- Why Read It?:
A terrifying tale of a haunted hotel, a psychic child, and a father slowly descending into madness.
2. Dracula – Bram Stoker
- Author: Bram Stoker (Ireland)
- Published: 1897
- Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction
- Language: English
- Popularity: One of the most famous vampire novels, inspiring countless adaptations and modern vampire lore.
- About the Author: Stoker was an Irish writer who created one of the most enduring horror legends.
- Why Read It?:
The original vampire novel that introduces Count Dracula, the ultimate horror icon.
3. The Exorcist – William Peter Blatty
- Author: William Peter Blatty (United States)
- Published: 1971
- Genre: Supernatural Horror, Psychological Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: Over 13 million copies sold, adapted into an Oscar-winning horror film.
- About the Author: Blatty was a screenwriter and novelist known for his deeply disturbing horror fiction.
- Why Read It?:
A bone-chilling tale of demonic possession, based on a real-life exorcism case.
4. The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson
- Author: Shirley Jackson (United States)
- Published: 1959
- Genre: Gothic Horror, Psychological Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: One of the greatest haunted house novels, adapted into a Netflix series.
- About the Author: Jackson was a master of psychological terror, known for her unsettling storytelling.
- Why Read It?:
A spine-chilling haunted house story that leaves you questioning what is real and what is imagined.
5. Pet Sematary – Stephen King
- Author: Stephen King (United States)
- Published: 1983
- Genre: Supernatural Horror, Psychological Horror
- Language: English (translated into 30+ languages)
- Popularity: Over 6 million copies sold, adapted into multiple horror movies.
- Why Read It?:
A disturbing tale about death, grief, and the consequences of bringing the dead back to life.
6. House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
- Author: Mark Z. Danielewski (United States)
- Published: 2000
- Genre: Experimental Horror, Psychological Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A cult classic, known for its unique and terrifying storytelling format.
- About the Author: Danielewski is known for blending horror with postmodern experimental fiction.
- Why Read It?:
A mind-bending horror novel about a house that is bigger on the inside than the outside.
7. Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
- Author: Mary Shelley (United Kingdom)
- Published: 1818
- Genre: Gothic Horror, Science Fiction
- Language: English
- Popularity: One of the most influential horror and science fiction novels ever written.
- About the Author: Shelley was a British writer who created one of the most enduring horror characters in history.
- Why Read It?:
A classic horror tale about a scientist playing God and creating a monster.
8. Bird Box – Josh Malerman
- Author: Josh Malerman (United States)
- Published: 2014
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Apocalyptic Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, adapted into a hit Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock.
- About the Author: Malerman is a horror writer and musician known for his creepy, suspenseful storytelling.
- Why Read It?:
A terrifying novel about a world where seeing unknown creatures drives people to insanity and death.
9. The Silence of the Lambs – Thomas Harris
- Author: Thomas Harris (United States)
- Published: 1988
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Thriller
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Anthony Hopkins.
- About the Author: Harris is known for creating one of the most chilling villains in fiction—Hannibal Lecter.
- Why Read It?:
A gripping and terrifying psychological thriller featuring a serial killer and an FBI trainee.
10. The Amityville Horror – Jay Anson
- Author: Jay Anson (United States)
- Published: 1977
- Genre: Paranormal Horror, Supernatural Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, adapted into multiple horror movies.
- About the Author: Anson was a journalist who wrote one of the most famous haunted house stories, allegedly based on true events.
- Why Read It?:
A chilling account of a real-life haunting in the infamous Amityville house.
11. Hell House – Richard Matheson
- Author: Richard Matheson (United States)
- Published: 1971
- Genre: Paranormal Horror, Gothic Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A classic haunted house novel, adapted into multiple films.
- About the Author: Matheson was a master of horror and science fiction, inspiring authors like Stephen King.
- Why Read It?:
A terrifying haunted house story about a team of investigators who explore the most sinister mansion ever built.
12. The Fisherman – John Langan
- Author: John Langan (United States)
- Published: 2016
- Genre: Cosmic Horror, Supernatural Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: Won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.
- About the Author: Langan is a contemporary horror writer known for blending Lovecraftian horror with emotional depth.
- Why Read It?:
A disturbing and deeply emotional horror novel about two widowers who encounter something ancient and horrifying in a mysterious river.
13. The Ruins – Scott Smith
- Author: Scott Smith (United States)
- Published: 2006
- Genre: Survival Horror, Psychological Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, adapted into a 2008 horror movie.
- About the Author: Smith is a horror novelist and screenwriter known for his intense, gripping storytelling.
- Why Read It?:
A terrifying survival horror novel where a group of tourists encounters a deadly supernatural force in a remote jungle.
14. The Troop – Nick Cutter
- Author: Nick Cutter (Canada)
- Published: 2014
- Genre: Body Horror, Survival Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, widely praised for its extreme horror.
- About the Author: Cutter is a Canadian horror writer, known for visceral and disturbing storytelling.
- Why Read It?:
A brutal horror story about a group of Boy Scouts trapped on an island with a horrifying parasite.
15. The Only Good Indians – Stephen Graham Jones
- Author: Stephen Graham Jones (United States)
- Published: 2020
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Supernatural Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: Winner of multiple horror awards, critically acclaimed.
- About the Author: Jones is a Native American horror writer, known for blending indigenous folklore with modern horror.
- Why Read It?:
A brilliant mix of horror and social commentary, following four Native American men haunted by their past actions.
16. Come Closer – Sara Gran
- Author: Sara Gran (United States)
- Published: 2003
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Supernatural Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A cult favorite in psychological horror.
- About the Author: Gran is a novelist and screenwriter known for her unsettling horror themes.
- Why Read It?:
A short but terrifying novel about a woman who gradually realizes she might be possessed.
17. Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexico/Canada)
- Published: 2020
- Genre: Gothic Horror, Historical Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A New York Times bestseller, winner of the Locus Award for Best Horror Novel.
- About the Author: Moreno-Garcia is a Mexican-Canadian writer, known for blending gothic horror with rich cultural themes.
- Why Read It?:
A haunting gothic horror novel set in 1950s Mexico, featuring a decaying mansion, eerie secrets, and disturbing visions.
18. The Ballad of Black Tom – Victor LaValle
- Author: Victor LaValle (United States)
- Published: 2016
- Genre: Cosmic Horror, Lovecraftian Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: Winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for horror fiction.
- About the Author: LaValle is a renowned horror and fantasy writer, known for tackling race and social issues through horror.
- Why Read It?:
A Lovecraftian horror tale with a modern twist, reimagining H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook from a new perspective.
19. The Hunger – Alma Katsu
- Author: Alma Katsu (United States)
- Published: 2018
- Genre: Historical Horror, Supernatural Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, critically acclaimed for its chilling atmosphere.
- About the Author: Katsu is a horror writer known for blending history with supernatural horror.
- Why Read It?:
A terrifying retelling of the Donner Party tragedy, with a supernatural twist that makes it even scarier.
20. The Deep – Nick Cutter
- Author: Nick Cutter (Canada)
- Published: 2015
- Genre: Psychological Horror, Cosmic Horror
- Language: English
- Popularity: A bestseller, known for its disturbing imagery and claustrophobic horror.
- Why Read It?:
A terrifying deep-sea horror story about scientists trapped in an underwater research station as a mysterious disease spreads.
Final Thoughts
Horror books unleash our deepest fears and keep us hooked with their suspense, terror, and mind-bending horror. These 10 additional must-read horror novels offer a variety of scares, from psychological terror to supernatural frights.
Which horror book has left you sleepless? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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