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The 40 Most Popular Horror Novels of the Last 5 Years
It’s October, which means it’s the perfect time to scare yourself with a truly unsettling book. But if you’re a casual reader of dread and terror, you may have missed some of the most popular recent novels of the genre—the ones that will keep you awake, and we mean wide awake, all night.
Fear not! We unearthed your fellow readers’ 40 most popular horror novels of the last five years to help you devise your perfect Halloween reading list. Sure, there are plenty of choices for Stephen King fans, and fans of books written by people related to Stephen King. You’ll also find plenty of other ghosts, creatures, vampires, witches, Gothic creepiness, haunted places, and eeriness to scratch, tear, or bite any sort of horror itch.
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What newer horror novel would you recommend to your fellow readers? Tell us in the comments!
Comments Showing 1-50 of 64 (64 new)
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Obsidian
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Oct 05, 2020 09:57AM
Only read 11 of these. My favorite so far was "The Changeling."
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Am reading The Year of the Witching and loving it. Just finished The Crooked Mask, which was really creepy - set in a circus in Norway and based on Norse mythology. If you don't like clowns/jesters, maybe one to avoid though! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
This was great!!! Thank you!
Obsidian wrote: "Only read 11 of these. My favorite so far was "The Changeling.""I had read "The ballad...." and I didn't like it at all, I'll give a chance to " The changeling". Thanks ;)
Berna wrote: "Obsidian wrote: "Only read 11 of these. My favorite so far was "The Changeling.""I had read "The ballad...." and I didn't like it at all, I'll give a chance to " The changeling". Thanks ;)"
Welcome! I hope you enjoy! I didn't like The Devil in Silver, but thought this one was just about perfect.
I love how it's just Stephen King this, Stephen King that 😂
Sofia wrote: "I love how it's just Stephen King this, Stephen King that 😂" and family... :)
The fireman by Kings son is incredible I've listened to it 4 times
Mira Grant's "Into the Drowning Deep" is incredible and I highly recommend it if you love oceanic horror.
If you want a horror read that will scare your pants off then check out this book and it is fiction:Hell: The Possession and Exorcism of Cassie Stevens by Tom Lewis
Natalie wrote: "What age group is Alice for?"Adults! It's extremely graphic, including sexual violence and gore. That said, it's an excellent read :)
Keen to read quite a few of these. Which should I start with? As an aside, I don't like books written in the first person.
Thanks
Thanks
Carmen wrote: "Keen to read quite a few of these. Which should I start with? As an aside, I don't like books written in the first person.Thanks"
I think Meddling Kids would be an easy start to this list. It's a bit more light-hearted than the others, in my opinion. I can't recall if it's first person though, it's been a little while since I read it.
Silvia wrote: "I read The Hunger and it was very very good."I am almost done with The Hunger and I'm thoroughly enjoying it as well!!! Very well written and a great supernatural take on the Donner party!
The Shadows—creepy, scary, horrific, and, yes, funny. And one of the most hilarious dogs in fiction doesn’t die!
Silvia wrote: "I read The Hunger and it was very very good."Agreed.
I have read 12 of these, and am currently reading Alice by Christina Henry. The Silent Companions is the book that scared me most on this list. And to be honest, I DNF a bunch of these.
Imaginary Friend was decently scary but it’s also over 700 pages and really doesn’t need to be. I’d recommend reading only if you want to be frustrated when the story meanders instead of wrapping up.
GR Sooo needs a list of MG and YA horror novels: DON'T TURN OUT THE LIGHTS
THE FORGOTTEN GIRL
HIDE AND SEEKER
Highly recommend The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni, especially for those who liked Mexican Gothic!
Obsidian wrote: "Only read 11 of these. My favorite so far was "The Changeling.""ive read 9 but had to order a couple to read after seeing this list
The Road by Cormac McCarthy REALLY creeps me out. I know it's not classified as horror but definitely unsettling.
I have one that might this list as well but I have not read it yet though I plan on it
This one might be a good one to put to the test
Kristina wrote: "Imaginary Friend was decently scary but it’s also over 700 pages and really doesn’t need to be. I’d recommend reading only if you want to be frustrated when the story meanders instead of wrapping up."Agreed. Strong start, and then horribly repetitive.
The Only Good Indians has one of my favourite horror moments ever. Head Full of Ghosts, Grady Hendrix, The Hunger are all great. I love Ice Cream Man for comics horror.
I've only read The Butterfly Garden and I didn't care for it. The gardener was portrayed as too normal of a person rather than the sick psychopath he was. It unsettled me.
Could anyone recommend a book that's more on the side of spooky than outright scary?
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones is definitely creepy.
Bay City Murder on the East Side, by John Hynes. Is the second episode in the series The chronicles of Johnny Blake: John at the scene of a young murdered girl. Over here Johnny. Yeah John Same M O as the first girl small with short blonde hair. My God! Sammy, Paula small with short blonde hair! What clue did one of the young murdered girls leave behind? This episode is available on amazon e-book and paperback.
Phil On The Hill wrote: "Only 4. :-("i didnt even know about some of these books until this list. I will read more
Chiara wrote: "Could anyone recommend a book that's more on the side of spooky than outright scary?"Murder in Bay City by John Hynes
Bay City Murder on the East Side, by John Hynes. Both episodes are
a romantic murder Mystery, not scary.
available on amazon e-book For $ 2.99, I think you may enjoy.
sctoppy wrote: "Kristina wrote: "Imaginary Friend was decently scary but it’s also over 700 pages and really doesn’t need to be. I’d recommend reading only if you want to be frustrated when the story meanders inst..."it started strong and then i agree went on too long
The single most frightening book I have ever read is Geoffrey Household's Dance of the Dwarves. Everyone whom I have told about it agrees with me
Obsidian wrote: "Only read 11 of these. My favorite so far was "The Changeling.""Yes!!! So happy to see 2 of his books on the list.
*Reads title* "Please don't let it be all Stephen King, Please don't let it be all Stephen King, Please don't let it be all Stephen King," *opens list*DAMMIT!
Ryan wrote: "Lokesh wrote: "I started reading horror with goosebumps"SAY CHEESE AND DIE!!!!!!"
Hey . That's a good one . I read it too !! R.L. Stine's GOOSEBUMPS aren't bad . He knows when to turn the fright machine off .
Sofia wrote: "I love how it's just Stephen King this, Stephen King that 😂"Well, he is the master of the horror genre. Though I prefer his older books...I haven't read much of his newer stuff.
Ania Ahlborn needs to be added. She is known as the female Stephen King
The Night Sister- Jennifer McMahonBag of Bones- S. King
The Wyckham House- Sharon Gerlach
The Quiet Boy- Short story by Nick Acosta- “Antlers”@
@Natalie H "What age group is Alice for?" Alice is a teen in the book however there is adult content. I would not let my 12 year old read it.
I really enjoyed HEX by Thomas Olde Heuvelt! It has been translated into English and was recommended by the great Stephen King himself.
