I personally think horror and thriller novels have a unique ability to blow your mind and keep you on edge. I recommend you a mix of Best Horror and Thriller Books that can leave you genuinely afraid and that i personally read it. No matter, if you’re in the mood for a spooky read or just looking for something to keep you up at night, there’s always a solid title that fits the bill. The options are endless, from stories about a haunted road that dooms unsuspecting hitchhikers to a cat-and-mouse whodunit that spans oceans and time.
In my experience, some of these books will certainly offer the nightmarish pleasure of staying with you long after you’ve turned the last page. While not every book is everyone’s cup of tea, there are best choices out there that will make you dive into the general world of horror and thriller, especially with Halloween around the corner. Some novels will cross boundaries you didn’t even know existed, while others will just grab you and never let go, taking you to a world of gory demise and leaving an unforgettable mark on your mind. It’s all about finding the right book for that perfect reading mood!
Here Are Best Horror and Thriller Books
Island Witch By Amanda Jayatissa
Set in Sri Lanka during the 19th century, Island Witch weaves a story that immerses readers in the culture and history of the time. The tone is richly atmospheric, pulling you into the life of Amara, an 18-year-old girl caught between her father’s beliefs and the pull of the old ways. As the villagers whisper about witches and demons, tension rises on the island, where Christianity introduced by colonizers clashes with longstanding traditions. Amara is torn—she thinks there’s more to the attacking men and tormented villagers than mere superstition.
The pacing keeps you gripped as she becomes more determined to uncover the truth while facing haunting challenges that linger like a shadow. The author masterfully crafts a world both familiar and foreign, with characters who stick with you long after.
Night Shift by Stephen King
Stephen King’s Night Shift offers a masterful blend of ordinary life twisted into realms of horror and terror. In this collection, the mundane — people, objects, even the light of day — is relentlessly invaded by dark, shadows that transform the safe and familiar into something terrifying. What makes King’s stories so gripping is his ability to take everyday situations and strangely alter them, turning seemingly harmless moments into ones that pulse with suspense. You can practically feel the fingers of terror creeping along your skin, brushing lightly across the nape of your neck as you read. It’s a visceral experience that builds with every page, drawing you deeper into a world where nothing is as it seems.
As the stories progress, King places his characters in an increasingly mad world where panic and blind fear become the only truths. The friendly faces and familiar settings they once trusted begin to deceive, luring them into a sense of reality that feels like a tightening grip around their throat. The sense of unease grows as the characters struggle to maintain control, their emotions locking them into a white-knuckled battle for survival. Night Shift pulls you into a space where the ordinary turns terrifying, and the shadows of night become more than just a backdrop — they are the real threat.
You’d Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace
In You’d Look Better as a Ghost, Joanna Wallace delivers a darkly comedic, twisted tale of a sarcastic and short-tempered protagonist named Claire. With her nightly hobby of caving in the heads of anyone who crosses her, Claire becomes a part-time serial killer—but not for the usual reasons. Instead, her gruesome and gory exploits stem from the pettiest of triggers, like a bad haircut or someone cutting in line. These absurd motivations make Claire a fascinating character, and Wallace’s writing brings out the darkly funny aspects of her actions, keeping readers engaged with wry and biting observations about the annoying ticks and irritating traits of the eclectic people Claire encounters.
As Claire’s part-time escapades spiral out of control, she finds herself being blackmailed by an anonymous source, which sends everything into chaos—shit hits the fan. Her trials and tribulations could easily fill the pages of a thrilling series, as her unpredictable exploits lead to a continuous tension. Claire, embodying the pure id, is the physical manifestation of a sudden flash of rage when a guy bumps into you on the sidewalk and doesn’t even say sorry. In a world full of terrible manners, it’s easy to see where she’s coming from—though, of course, it’s all exaggerated for effect.
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
In Diavola by Jennifer Thorne, the story unfolds with a sinister Italian villa that sets the perfect stage for a stressful family vacation. The gothic atmosphere is similar to the TV adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, bringing dysfunctional family dynamics to life. As the Pace family arrives in a remote villa in the countryside town of Monteperso, the main character, Anna, soon discovers that the peaceful getaway quickly devolves into chaos.
Unexplained injuries, warnings from local villagers, and a dark aura surrounding the villa turn the vacation into a nightmare. If this were on Airbnb, the reviews would surely be wild. The underlying ancient evil lurking in the villa adds a chilling layer to the story, keeping readers hooked with jump scares in book form.
Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera
In Listen For the Lie, Lucy is unapologetic about her self-destruction, much like a millennial, online version of Camille Preaker from Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects. Lucy’s apathy is her shield, especially after being wrongly accused of brutally murdering her best friend. Returning to her hometown, where she’s been vilified, Lucy faces her demons head-on while also dealing with the fallout of her case being covered by a true crime podcast. The host, a charming figure, wants to interview her about the night her BFF was killed, but Lucy isn’t sure she’s ready to confront the past.
The novel has a twisty plot with a biting sense of humor that keeps you hooked. The sharp observations on issues like misogyny, women’s struggles, and cancel culture are just as relevant in small towns as they are on a universal scale. Despite a bit of questionable lingo that feels too online at times, the story moves quickly, thanks to its propulsive plot and the prickly, complex heroine at its core. With killer twists and a gripping narrative, Listen For the Lie is a top-tier murder mystery that’s sure to keep you guessing.
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
The Night Guest is a psychological horror novella set in Reykjavík, following Iðunn, a woman in her late 20s who suffers from severe sleep issues. She can fall asleep but wakes up feeling even more exhausted, which a simple Ambien prescription doesn’t seem to help. As she tries to figure out what’s happening, she discovers she’s been walking through the city overnight, with no memory of it.
Each morning, she wakes up with new cuts and bruises, and the neighborhood pets have mysteriously disappeared. The story’s rhythm is shaped by sparse chapters and short updates about her nights out, creating an unsettling atmosphere with ominous sentences and vivid descriptions of her wounds and the wet, soggy detritus on her clothes.
The horrors of the story unfold in a way that keeps you on edge, making this short book hard to put down. Tension builds as Iðunn struggles with the mystery of what’s happening to her, leading to moments of psychological suspense. The creepy, almost chilling atmosphere only intensifies as the story progresses, leaving the reader with a sense of loneliness and regret. With every chapter, the surprise of what’s next grows, and the narrative’s brief nature makes it easy to finish in one sitting—if you can handle the murderous psychosis that slowly takes over.
Murder Road by Simone St. James
In Murder Road by Simone St. James, the story pulls readers into an unsettling spooky atmosphere, where danger feels just out of sight, like a shadow in your peripheral vision. Set in the early 90s, it follows Eddie and April, a young couple on their honeymoon, whose journey takes a dark turn after they stumble across an injured girl on a winding road.
What begins as an act of kindness—stopping to help—turns into a nightmare as the couple discovers a weird little town with a sinister history and gory killings tied to this specific stretch of road. As the tension builds, the writing avoids cheap jump scares, instead opting for an ice-cold chill that sneaks up gradually, instilling fear as though something is always lurking in the dark corners of the room.
St. James’s talent for blending horror, thriller, and mystery is unmatched, as seen in her earlier books like The Sun Down Motel and The Book of Cold Cases. Much like these stories, Murder Road delivers an eerie, unsettling experience that goes beyond over-the-top nightmare fests. Instead, it plays on primal fears, such as being trapped in an unfamiliar place where time seems frozen and the past continues to haunt the present.
For fans of gory mysteries, the story offers just enough bloody roadside murder scenes to keep you hooked without going overboard. Whether it’s the sunburned unease of summer or the nauseating tension akin to sea sickness, St. James’s storytelling ensures you’ll feel every beat of the horror as the couple ventures deeper into this chilling tale.
If Something Happens To Me by Alex Finlay
Alex Finlay has solidified himself as an auto-buy author for me, delivering fast-paced thrillers that keep readers hooked from start to finish. His talent was evident in The Night Shift, a five-star read that left a lasting impression, and his 2021 novel, Every Last Fear, only cemented his reputation as a winner in the genre. With If Something Happens to Me, Finlay brings his signature gift for weaving a complicated web of intersecting characters, timelines, and motivations into an enthralling narrative.
The story spans across Italy, England, and France, pulling readers into a world filled with intrigue and suspense, while a young deputy in Kansas battles to unravel a mysterious kidnapping case. Finlay masterfully balances the chaos, ensuring the plot stays consistent and gripping.
What makes this book stand out is its cinematic, action-packed conclusion, which will undoubtedly appeal to true crime fans. The stakes rise with the involvement of organized crime in Philadelphia, fueling a dangerous path of revenge. Finlay handles the layers of the story with remarkable finesse, proving his expertise at keeping readers engaged without losing track of the threads.
Every twist feels intentional, and each detail enriches the narrative. His ability to handle such a dynamic, high-stakes story is truly exceptional, and it’s why he remains an author I eagerly anticipate with every new release.
Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning
Friday the 13th fans will find a new favorite in Josh Winning’s Heads Will Roll, a bloody delight that puts a unique spin on the usual set-up of teens being ripped limb-from-limb in the outdoors. Set in a remote, upstate New York summer camp transformed into an adults-only oasis, it offers more than just fun and a gruesome twist. Campers arrive to escape technology addiction, social media cancelation, and other First World Problems by toasting marshmallows, swimming in the lake, and finding healing through yoga—only to be chased by an axe-wielding maniac.
This queer slasher embraces cancel culture, a vengeful ghost, bad wigs, and spooky religious imagery while following the journey of disgraced sitcom star Willow as she fights to save her fellow and herself campers from the deadly swing of an axe. Every fan of the slasher genre will relish the thrill ride, making it a must for their TBR pile, though the ending might not be everyone’s favorite.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
Paul Tremblay, a celebrated author, crafts stories with an odd, unique touch, and his book, Horror Movie, captures an art-house horror feel that fans of A24 films might appreciate. The set-up of the story takes readers back to June 1993, when a group of guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making a notorious, disturbing flick. Only three scenes were ever released to the public, yet it built a loyal fanbase over the decades. The Thin Kid, the only surviving cast member, now finds himself at the heart of Hollywood’s push for a big-budget reboot, grappling with the secrets and tragedy that defined the original project.
Tremblay’s story blurs the boundaries of reality and film, exploring the memories that flood back as the man navigates the world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and fan conventions. The original screenplay, shaped by bizarre events and crossed lines on set, holds the haunting key to the story’s remake. The narrative unfolds with a balance of past and present, blending the surreal with a sharp critique of the industry’s obsession with nostalgia. Despite the demons that linger, Tremblay delivered a tale that remains well-written, proving his place on any serious list of contemporary horror storytellers.
Paul Tremblay, a talented author, often works in the gray area of the horror genre. His plots leave you wondering what’s actually happening, making you question whether the scary thing is truly real or just in the mind. The story has shades of psychological, mind-bending horror, but the bulk of it leans more towards a drama, with slashes of gorgeous, ominous prose that create a unique reading experience. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for an offbeat best horror novel in the market.
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
In the second book of Jess Lourey’s Steinbeck and Reed series, Agents Harry Steinbeck and Evangeline Reed are called to investigate decades-old, unsolved cold cases involving missing children, ritual sacrifice, and an eerie cult. The story takes place in a crumbling sanatorium, where troubling flashbacks plague the investigation. The chilling atmosphere draws inspiration from Finnish folk tales and mythology, blending them seamlessly into a traditional detective procedural. As the agents dig deeper, they uncover a town full of strange, almost unnerving people whose unique way of speaking and similar facial structures gave off serious Children of the Corn vibes.
Lourey’s ability to reference plot points from the first novel, The Taken Ones, while still making this book feel like a standalone is a real testament to her writing skills. The town of Alku itself is a character, with its mysterious nature, and even features a nursing home for ailing serial killers on the premises—a truly dark twist. Though there are some moments where I wasn’t crazy about the pacing, I still enjoyed how Lourey wraps this all together in a horror novel that feels fresh, centered, and full of disturbing twists.
Near the Bone by Christina Henry
Josh Winning’s novel Heads Will Roll is a story that takes readers into the most bleak, scary corners of human and otherworldly nature. The narrative intertwines tragic, ripped-from-the-headlines moments, evoking the haunting real-life kidnappings of Elizabeth Smart, Jaycee Dugard, and Amanda Berry, with a menacing monster lurking in the shadows. Much like Christina Henry’s Near the Bone, this critically-acclaimed 2021 horror-thriller novel grips the audience with its bone-chilling premise.
The story opens in a remote, snowy mountain setting, where Mattie, a young, vulnerable protagonist, stumbles upon a gruesome scene—a dead fox torn apart with a level of sophistication that suggests a predator far beyond the realm of a bear or wolf. But her true horror lies within the cabin she shares with her much older husband and captor, William, whose daily presence turns her life into a waking nightmare.
As the tale unfolds, Heads Will Roll echoes the thrilling, suspenseful genre seen in works like Devolution by Max Brooks or the TV series The Walking Dead, emphasizing how nothing is scarier than human nature. The viciousness of the creatures in this story is terrifying, yet it pales in comparison to the capacity for evil that lies in humanity itself. The writing, much like Henry’s, delivers an intensity that hits readers hard, especially when faced with the threats looming in both human and otherworldly forms.
Scenes involving towering trees, where characters imagine being strung up by their innards just for fun, make the atmosphere palpably tense. Winning’s mastery of horror storytelling ensures that every detail feels both horrifyingly real and impossibly hard to forget.
The Fervor by Alma Katsu
Set during World War II, The Fervor delves into the terrifying experiences of Japanese American families forced into internment camps. In 1944, Meiko Briggs and her daughter Aiko find themselves trapped in a remote camp in Idaho, torn away from their home in Seattle after Meiko’s husband joined the air force in the Pacific. Despite being born in America, Aiko’s Japanese heritage makes her a threat in the eyes of the American government, leaving the mother and daughter desperate to maintain their identity amidst the growing horrors around them.
Their struggles intensify when a mysterious disease sweeps through the camp, triggering spontaneous fits of violence, aggression, and even death. Adding to the fear is the arrival of disconcerting doctors, whose presence feels more threatening than the illness itself. Joined by a newspaper reporter and a widowed missionary, Meiko and Aiko investigate the unsettling events. They soon uncover a sinister force lurking in the shadows—a demon from Meiko’s childhood, determined to infiltrate their already strange and fractured world. The psychological and supernatural undertones of their story heighten the tension, making this tale an unforgettable exploration of resilience and fear.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
There’s something deeply unsettling about Bela’s life in her seemingly ordinary home, where the closet hides more than clothes—could it be a man, a monster, or perhaps even a demon? Josh Malerman, the brilliant author of Bird Box, masterfully blends an almost horrific mix of fear and intrigue in Incidents Around the House. The story follows a young girl caught in the grip of a shockingly furry entity, whose manipulative nature is both eerie and dangerously obsessed.
Malerman’s creative take transforms this familiar horror idea—a family trying to escape the clutches of a haunted house—into something uniquely terrifying that you won’t forget. With his knack for the scary, the house becomes more than a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing nightmare. Add this gem to your TBR pile ASAP for a thrill unlike any other.
This Cursed House
In the fall of 1962, a young Black woman named Jemma Barker, twenty-seven years old, leaves her life in 1960s Chicago, where she has been haunted by the spirits she has always been able to see. Desperate to escape, she accepts an unexpected job offer from the Duchon family in New Orleans, imagining this move as her chance to start over. But as Jemma settles into her position, she begins to discover that the Duchon family is far more mysterious than she anticipated.
The family members, light enough to pass as white, subtly look down on her brown-skinned appearance. Their tenuous hold on reality becomes apparent in their eccentric behaviors, from the haughty grandmother Honorine to the beautiful yet inscrutable cousin Fosette.
Jemma soon learns the shocking truth: the Duchons are under a curse, a dark and unrelenting force that binds them to their tragic fate. They think Jemma possesses the power to break it, but the weight of their expectations grows suffocating. Their clan, steeped in gothic traditions, reflects the eeriness of a Southern horror debut. Jemma’s courage is tested as she navigates the eccentric family dynamics, their seeming reality, and the oppressive dark truth lurking beneath. Every moment feels like a dance with the unknown, leaving Jemma questioning if she can truly escape her past while becoming entangled in theirs.
The Watchers by A.M. Shine
The Watchers, a horror novel by A.M. Shine, delves deep into the eerie corners of Irish folklore with a story that grips you from the first page. Set in a dense, remote forest in Ireland, it tells of a group of strangers trapped in a shack, kept like pets by a horde of terrifying humanoid beings. These strange creatures only appear at night, ready to terrorize their captives if they dare to venture outside the safety of the building. Just a step beyond the light after dark, and the Watchers will drag you to a painful death—at least, that’s what the group has been told.
Reading this fast-paced, creepy-as-hell book, I found myself completely immersed in its freaky scenes and vivid descriptions. Shine’s ability to make you feel as though you’re being hunted through the woods or navigating a pitch-black house is truly unsettling. I rarely feel so genuinely scared by a horror genre book, but this one had me checking the locks on my door and even peeking under my bed. While I was occasionally grossed out and often shocked, the story’s relentless suspense made it impossible to put down—even though the ending didn’t entirely work for me. That said, this novel is an unforgettable addition to the genre and a must-read for anyone who loves being thoroughly creeped out.
Middle of the Night
Riley Sager, known for crafting gripping thrillers, takes readers on a haunting journey through the picture-perfect neighborhood of Hemlock Circle. On a quiet July night, ten-year-old Ethan Marsh and his best friend Billy, both eager for adventure, fell asleep in a tent pitched on the manicured lawn of their New Jersey cul de sac. By morning, Ethan woke up to an empty tent, with Billy nowhere to be found. The safe confines of their idyllic neighborhood had been shattered, leaving Ethan to grapple with the disappearance of his closest companion. For thirty years, the mystery remained unsolved, and Billy was never seen again.
Now, as an adult, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home, haunted by bad dreams and plagued with insomnia. In the middle of the night, strange occurrences unfold—signs of Billy’s presence emerge in the backyard, and someone appears to be roaming the cul de sac during odd hours. The eerie combination of dark secrets and unexplained activity leaves Ethan questioning whether this is a cruel prank or if Billy, once thought dead, has somehow returned. The chilling uncertainty of Hemlock Circle forces Ethan to confront his deepest fears, unraveling a web of mysteries that defies explanation.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
Ava Reid’s retelling of Lady Macbeth is a masterful blend of dark, historical, and fantasy elements that breathes fresh life into this iconic character. From the pitch-black depths of cavern prisons to blood-soaked battlefields, the book is teeming with visceral details that blur the lines between horror and thriller genres. Reid’s storytelling is steeped in atmospheric tension, featuring witches banished to shadowy realms, an ice-cold pool filled with writhing lampreys, and a man’s transformation into a massive, scaled beast. Every scene builds on this eerie, mesmerizing world, making it one of my favorite books of the year. It’s a tale drenched in murder and laced with gothic flair that is impossible to put down.
What truly sets Reid’s gothic backstory apart is the bleak, unforgiving world in which her titular character exists. Lady Macbeth is both manipulative and cunning, wielding her razor-sharp ambition like a blade sheathed in a swan’s body. While her hands are still bloody, her actions are driven by desperation to survive rather than a blind thirst for power. Reid’s take on this classic tale explores the ethics of her choices and the delicate balance of trying to escape while protecting the lives she holds dear. This isn’t the Lady Macbeth we know from yore—she is a character reborn, navigating a world that underestimates, lusts after, and fears her with equal measure.
Pro-tip: Dive into this novel as the pleasant crisp of November shifts to the damp, frigid gusts of wind in December, setting the perfect vibe for this haunting, transformative read.
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