Summary: In today's article, I have handpicked 20 of the best scary books I think will make your heart race with terror. Here are my top 3 picks:
- The Ruins by Scott Smith
- The Exorcist's House by Nick Roberts
- Morsels: A Novel by Abe Moss
Scary books are a thrilling way to dive into the unknown, tapping into our deepest fears and anxieties. They keep you on the edge of your seat, building tension, suspense, and eerie atmospheres that make your heart race. Horror lets you explore dark, unsettling themes from a safe distance, pushing your limits while offering an exciting rush. If you love being spooked, challenged, and drawn into stories that linger long after you’ve finished, scary books are the perfect mix of fear and fascination.
TOP 20: Best Scary Books
- The Ruins by Scott Smith
- The Exorcist's House by Nick Roberts
- Morsels: A Novel by Abe Moss
- FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven
- Smilodon by L.J. Vitanza
- My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
- Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo
- Slewfoot by Brom
- Intercepts by T.J. Payne
- Dead End Girl by L.T. Vargus
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
- Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
- Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
- The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole
- The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
- The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman
- Slash or Pass by Tylor Paige
- The Ultimate Horror Collection by Various Authors
- Horror: The 100 Best Books by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
- Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
1. The Ruins
- Author: Scott Smith
- About: A group of friends on vacation in Mexico discover a remote archaeological site, where they encounter a deadly force.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, descriptive, and eerie.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: High; lingering sense of dread.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; some complex language but generally accessible.
- Why read it: For a heart-pounding survival story set in a terrifying and isolated location.
2. The Exorcist's House
- Author: Nick Roberts
- About: A family is plagued by a powerful demonic presence, and an exorcist is called to save them.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric, and chilling.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong; deeply disturbing.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; technical religious terminology.
- Why read it: For fans of supernatural horror with themes of possession and exorcism.
3. Morsels: A Novel
- Author: Abe Moss
- About: A psychological horror story about a man obsessed with solving the mystery of a disappearance.
- Style of writing: Psychological, gritty, and introspective.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; leaves a lingering sense of unease.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; requires attention to detail and psychological depth.
- Why read it: For a chilling exploration of obsession and the dark side of human nature.
4. FantasticLand
- Author: Mike Bockoven
- About: A disaster strikes a theme park, and guests become trapped in a deadly survival game.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, darkly humorous, and engaging.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Moderate; thrilling but not emotionally taxing.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; straightforward but immersive.
- Why read it: For a thrilling, satirical take on survival horror in an unexpected setting.
5. Smilodon
- Author: L.J. Vitanza
- About: A prehistoric predator is unleashed, and a group of people must survive its terror.
- Style of writing: Tense, vivid, and atmospheric.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate to high; awe and fear mix in this survival tale.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; blends history and horror effectively.
- Why read it: For fans of prehistoric creatures and survival horror.
6. My Dark Vanessa
- Author: Kate Elizabeth Russell
- About: A student’s relationship with her teacher has lifelong consequences, exploring manipulation and trauma.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, haunting, and thought-provoking.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Very strong; deeply unsettling and resonant.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; complex psychological depth.
- Why read it: For a disturbing examination of power dynamics and trauma.
7. Vanishing Daughters
- Author: Cynthia Pelayo
- About: A detective uncovers a series of disappearances of young women with supernatural undertones.
- Style of writing: Gripping, suspenseful, and atmospheric.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: High; keeps you invested emotionally in the investigation.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; heavy subject matter but easy to follow.
- Why read it: For a suspenseful thriller with chilling real-world implications.
8. Slewfoot
- Author: Brom
- About: A dark fantasy about a woman facing a malevolent forest spirit in New England.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, poetic, and gothic horror.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Strong; dark folklore and themes leave a lasting impression.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; gothic style can be complex at times.
- Why read it: For lovers of folklore and dark fantasy with horror elements.
9. Intercepts
- Author: T.J. Payne
- About: An investigator uncovers a supernatural conspiracy involving otherworldly threats.
- Style of writing: Thrilling, fast-paced, and suspenseful.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate; keeps you on edge with fast-paced thrills.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; accessible and engaging.
- Why read it: For a high-octane supernatural thriller.
10. Dead End Girl
- Author: L.T. Vargus
- About: A woman investigates the disappearance of a girl, only to uncover a dangerous criminal network.
- Style of writing: Dark, gritty, and suspenseful.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: High; tense and emotionally engaging.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; easy to follow but emotionally intense.
- Why read it: For a suspenseful thriller that combines crime and psychological horror.
11. The Serpent and the Wings of Night
- Author: Carissa Broadbent
- About: A dark fantasy where a young woman must navigate a brutal world of politics, vampires, and ancient secrets.
- Style of writing: Rich, descriptive, and immersive.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate to high; captivates with its dark atmosphere and emotional depth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; intricate world-building and character development.
- Why read it: For fans of dark fantasy with vampire lore and high stakes.
12. Spark of the Everflame
- Author: Penn Cole
- About: A group of people must survive in a post-apocalyptic world filled with dangerous creatures and supernatural forces.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, action-packed, and thrilling.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate; suspenseful, but emotionally less intense.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; accessible with action-driven plot.
- Why read it: For a high-energy adventure with supernatural elements and a survival focus.
13. Phantasma
- Author: Kaylie Smith
- About: A dark romance with horror elements, exploring the relationship between a woman and a mysterious figure who might not be entirely human.
- Style of writing: Dark, romantic, and eerie.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate; leaves readers unsettled by the mixture of romance and horror.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible but with a blend of supernatural and emotional themes.
- Why read it: For those who enjoy a mix of romance and dark supernatural elements.
14. The Book of Azrael
- Author: Amber V. Nicole
- About: A young woman must confront her destiny as she uncovers ancient secrets and a powerful being that threatens her world.
- Style of writing: Epic, atmospheric, and filled with dark themes.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: High; creates a deep emotional connection with the protagonist’s journey.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; complex plot and deep world-building.
- Why read it: For those who love dark fantasy mixed with horror and mythology.
15. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King
- Author: Carissa Broadbent
- About: The continuation of a high-stakes story involving vampires, political intrigue, and forbidden magic.
- Style of writing: Dark, immersive, and fast-paced.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate to high; emotional connections with complex characters.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; requires attention to detail with intricate plotlines.
- Why read it: For fans of dark fantasy that mixes intrigue, magic, and suspense.
16. The Gate of the Feral Gods
- Author: Matt Dinniman
- About: A horror-filled adventure where characters must battle against ancient and malevolent gods that threaten to destroy their world.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, tense, and action-packed.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: High; intense and thrilling, with moments of horror and dread.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; easy to follow with action-driven plot.
- Why read it: For a thrilling adventure involving ancient gods and survival.
17. Slash or Pass
- Author: Tylor Paige
- About: A dark romance mixed with horror, where a woman gets caught in the dangerous world of a masked killer.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, darkly erotic, and intense.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: High; thrilling and disturbing.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; accessible but emotionally charged.
- Why read it: For fans of dark romance with a chilling, thriller edge.
18. The Ultimate Horror Collection
- Author: Various (H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, etc.)
- About: A comprehensive anthology featuring the most influential horror stories by classic authors.
- Style of writing: Classic, atmospheric, and chilling.
- Length: ~500,000+ words
- Year written: Various (published as a collection)
- Emotional impact: High; offers a collection of stories that have stood the test of time and still unsettle.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high; language and themes reflect the classic period of horror.
- Why read it: For those who enjoy classic horror and want to explore the origins of the genre.
19. Horror: The 100 Best Books
- Author: Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
- About: A critical collection exploring 100 of the best horror books, with insight into their themes, influences, and cultural impact.
- Style of writing: Analytical, detailed, and informative.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Moderate; provides deep insight rather than emotional impact.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; an academic approach to horror literature.
- Why read it: For readers who want a comprehensive overview and analysis of horror literature’s greatest works.
20. Don't Fear the Reaper
- Author: Stephen Graham Jones
- About: A horror novel involving the psychological and supernatural elements of death, following a group of people dealing with trauma and ghosts.
- Style of writing: Haunting, immersive, and introspective.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: High; deeply emotional and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; intense themes require focus.
- Why read it: For a deep, emotional horror story with a powerful exploration of trauma and the supernatural.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, scary books are a great way to dive into the darker side of life and the supernatural, leaving you with a lingering sense of unease. In my opinion, if you're after something truly spine-tingling, The Ruins, The Exorcist's House, and Morsels: A Novel are must-reads. The Ruins will keep you on the edge of your seat with its intense survival horror, set in a remote jungle. The Exorcist's House brings supernatural terror to life, tapping into deep fears of possession. Meanwhile, Morsels: A Novel explores the unsettling world of obsession, making it perfect for fans of psychological thrillers. Each of these books offers its own unique brand of horror, and I honestly think they’ll guarantee a truly thrilling experience.
