It bothers me that all my favorite authors (which I define by having about 5 of their books on my shelf) are male.

Does anyone have any recommendations for women who primarily write horror, and have a decent number of published books to read through?

I’ve read and liked a couple books by Ania Ahlborn and CJ Leede, but no 5 stars. I really liked T Kingfisher’s “Hollow Places” but couldn’t get into her other works. I’ve also tried Catriona Ward, but her books don’t feel like horror to me (more thriller).

I tend to like my horror bloody, if that helps to know. Some of my current favorite authors are David Sodergren, Josh Malerman, Nick Cutter, Grady Hendrix, Joe Hill and of course Stephen King.

Anyone have any recommendations to help me out here?

Holy fucking shit, what a great book. It's been a long time since something has gotten under my skin in quite this way, and there were certain stories in here that had me clenching my teeth and holding my breath in ways I haven't done in a long time reading a horror novel.

Loved the format, and the way the various different ghost stories fed into one another to create a bigger picture of what's actually going on. I love how just encountering a ghost in this world is enough to ruin your life forever. The ending is satisfying but doesn't completely answer every question I had which is perfect and made me want to re-read the book immediately to see if I'd missed anything.

Are there any other books like this? Multiple different 'short stories' feeding into one another, creating a narrative through repeating details and slowly unraveling something even more terrifying? I think it's a genius way to construct a horror story and would love any recommendations even slightly similar.

Here are my horror reads so far this month- Dropping quick blurbs for each but I’d love to hear from others! (No Spoilers)

The Troop - Nick Cutter (3.5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 8/10 Spookies
Baby’s first splatter-punk. Someone else summarized this book perfectly; “there is a really great 150 page story inside of this 350 page novel”. There are a few strikingly impactful scenes in this one.

The September House - Carissa Orlando (4) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 6/10 Spookies
The first book I’ve ever read that I’d call “cozy horror”. Narrative is pretty heavy-handed with the 1:1 allegories which had me rolling my eyes a few times, but overall this one was fun and quick-paced. The ending was so balls-to-the-wall crazy that I’m giving it an extra star.

Incidents Around the House - Josh Malerman (3.5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
7/10 Spookies
I wasn’t distracted by the narration like many people have mentioned. It’s fast paced and builds a great atmosphere of helplessness and completely fumbles the ending. I didn’t really feel the pay off to the build up of dread.

I Who Have Never Known Men - Jacqueline Harpman (4) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 6/10 Spookies
This one isn’t traditional “horror” but it is sci-fi/dystopian and I really think everyone should read it at least once. I am mad at this book and still thinking about it weeks later.

The Yellow Wallpaper- Charlotte Perkins Gilman (4) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻7/10 Spookies
This is such a cool short story. I’ve never come across a short horror story that didn’t involve visceral horror and actually gave me a feeling of unease.

My Life As a Teenage Slasher - Stephen Graham Jones (3) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 4/10 Spookies
I think SGJ is a brilliant horror writer and I thought this was a really fun concept, the first half was strong but the second half felt rushed and a little all over the place and the ending PISSED me off. I still 🩷 you though, Stephen.

Walking Practice - Dolki Min (4) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 8/10 Spookies
Picked this one up for the cover art and it did NOT disappoint. Body horror & a lil bit of sci fi- really solid quick horror read.

Mary: An awakening of terror - Nat Cassidy (3.5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 7/10 Spookies
I really wanted to love this one. The intro & the concept had me hooked. I felt like the “plot twist” was projected pretty clearly from the beginning and it was so overt that I was almost annoyed at how long the reveal took. The direction the ending took subverted my expectations but that isn’t always a good thing. 10/10 recommend the audiobook for this one- the narrator is excellent.

The Lamb -Lucy Rose (5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 8/10 Spookies
If you liked the themes of Incidents Around the House but wanted something edgier and more thematically satisfying, this is it. I devoured this book. I have a habit of predicting endings and I had about 5 different theories on this one and none of them were right. So often I find strong stories that just can’t nail the ending and this one absolutely did.

Between Two Fires - Christopher Buehlman⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 9/10 Spookies
Favorite horror book of 2026. This novel has grit and humor and existential horror and hope and love and balances them so effectively. The fact that there are many graphic depictions of horror and death but It’s not shock the sake of shock; there is a real story here and it’s beautifully crafted. The ending subverted my expectations in the best way.

I just finished FantasticLand, which I was reading because I’m going extra hard on horror books for October. Holy shit! I couldn’t put it down. Read it in just 2 days, ironically back and forth on flights to/from Omaha. I actually bought it awhile ago because it was listed as a Nebraska author and I go there regularly for work.

Anyway, it was amazing! I highly recommend! So scary, gory, and a fantastic reflection on modern humanity. All things I love in good horror. Many characters and scenes will stick with me.

I really hope they make a movie or miniseries. It would do so well. The Warthogs/hotel storyline was one of the best and scariest for me. Reminds me of the Voyage of the Demeter movie, where they made a whole scary ass movie out of one chapter of Dracula. Would absolutely love to see something similar from Fantasticland.

On to my next spooky Halloweentime read! 🎃💀👻

I'd been kind of wanting to see 'Other Mommy' when I saw the trailer and then all I've been hearing is how bad it is so I figured I'd check out the book instead.

I just finished reading it and I gotta say, I wound up enjoying it way more than I thought I would!

I found everything being from the little girl's perspective to make things far more impactful and scary.

I also really enjoyed how we don't truly get to understand just what Other Mommy is. Aside from the fact that she absolutely is NOT Bela's mommy lol.

I'd love to get into a discussion with others here who've read it and what y'all think!

Heads up for folks that haven't read this book yet as I intend to get into spoiler heavy talks if anyone wants to. :)

Hey guys, it's spooky month and I just finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, loved it! Now I'm looking to read some more vampire horror.

Can be modern or classic, but please no "sexy" vampires.

Some vampire novels I've read include:

- Dracula (Of course.)

- Salem's Lot.

- They Thirst.

- Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires.

- Interview with the Vampire and Vampire Lestat.

- The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.

- I am Legend.

Also I'd prefer a standalone, don't really have time to dedicate myself to a trilogy/series like Necroscope or Empire of the Vampire right now.

TIA!

I just finished a darling book of this subreddit, and I loved it. The main thing that’s nagging me is how Matthieu doesn’t seem to have much of an ending beyond his death? He was only mentioned a handful of times, and nearly all by his brother in passing. Have I missed some sort of allusion to his current situation? Like, is he in Heaven? Was he revived like Thomas and “the real” Delphine? He was a main character for at least 60-70% of the book and was given so much nuance and attention, I can’t imagine he was just forgotten. I really loved his character and I would be very appreciative if someone smarter than me could lmk :)

Last resort to find this book.
I read a vampire book when I was a kid (2010s).

I can only remember one specific scene.
A girl was chased down the street by a male vampire and was bit (possibly under a streetlight).
It was painful for her and she was scared.

This may have not been an age appropriate book because it scared me as child despite loving vampires.
it was a paperback book found on my grandmas bookshelf- my moms childhood home.
Makes me wonder if this was a book she may have had growing up? Born in 1971. Possibly an 80s-90s book?

not sure if anyone can help or if there is a different sub for this but i have been wondering what book i read for probably 10+ years now 😅

Tried google and been on many many websites on vampire books.

Hi all!
Im doing some research for a story Im writing and want some recommendations for books with topics like dual personality or split personalities, body swapping, possession, etc.

Im open to any genre although Im pretty sure most of these will live within horror or thriller, but Id be just as happy reading a non-fiction as well if it can give psychology insight.

Im currently reading The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which Im really enjoying. Anything similar would get a big thumbs up from me.

Thanks!

Is anyone familiar with this author and able to recommend some books?

Someone recently posted about a short story of his (I’ll Bring You the Birds from Out of the Sky) and I loved it. Someone in the comments mentioned a short story collection (Black Hole Sundown) which I am loving even more. I decided to look into his other stuff but it’s kind of a rabbit hole of out-of-print, used books. I’m totally fine buying used but I don’t know where to even begin.

So, if you’re familiar with him and feel very strongly that I should check out something specific by him, I would love to hear it!

I saw a couple posts asking about this, but they specified the zombies and failed experiment aspect. I’m looking for a book that will feel similar to the vibe of the movie. Specifically, the main character being alone most of the story, dark and snowy, and things unfolding like they did in resident evil. I think I would prefer first person perspective, but it’s not required if there’s a good one that’s not first person. I also want something that has some comedy in it, but doesn’t make the entire thing a comedy, and is actually funny. It doesn’t have to be zombies, and most of the time zombies are boring to me. I liked how fucked up and scary the monsters were in resident evil.

I’m in the need for some horror books(ideally more on the body horror or cosmic horror side, but other sub genres are welcome too) what would you suggest?

When this inevitably gets made into a movie, I desperately need Mark to be played by Bill Skarsgard. Just putting this out into the universe. Anyone else see their casting choices in action while reading?

Currently rereading this book, and honestly, not only is it my fave Grady Hendrix book (though I love all of his) but it's one of my favorites in general. I'm a huge fan of the slasher genre and the Final Girl trope, and so I love seeing it explored in the book and all the references and easter eggs (the names of the final girls referencing the actresses of the final girls they're based on, the article excerpts throughout, the fictional franchises mirroring real life one's throughout, etc) scattered through each chapter. I really like Lynette's character arc (and her awesome plant Fine) and I think her trauma (the survivor's guilt, hyperarousal, paranoia, isolation) is written pretty well and I just felt absolutely terrible for her how she was wrong every time about what she suspected was going on. I feel like everyone is the group was written pretty well and have really distinct personaltiies, and I just absoluelty love how unapologetic and chaotic Heather is. Skye and Stephanie give me MAJOR Richie and Amber from Scream 5 vibes (especially with the reddit excerpt in the beginning), does anyone else feel that way lol? I really like the ending where the girls refuse to continue the cycle of violence and stay together to try to bring Stephanie into recovery. The book is getting a movie adaptation and although I am so stoked for that, after what a disappointing disaster the My best Friend's Exorcism adaptation was, I'm gonna go into it with cautious expectations when it comes out. Overall, I really love the book, though I totally understand why it could've fallen flat for some people and has mixed reviews compared to his other ones. What were your thoughts on the book?

So I read The Troop last year and this year I read The Handyman Method. (I didnt really like either of them) but seriously what did turtles do to this guy 😭

My child is reading “Deep and Dark and Dangerous” by Mary Downing Hahn — it is missing just the very last page (page 187). She’s torn not knowing the very end (understandably) so I am wondering if someone who has a copy could post a photo!!

It took me quite some time to finish this book but I really did love it. It was so beautifully written and poetic, despite the grotesque content. I enjoyed the duality in that.

Now… I want to talk about the ending, spoilers coming.

Throughout the book I was CERTAIN she was going to live and build a new life for herself. What I wasn’t sure of was….how? How would she build a life for herself after living through an immensely abusive childhood but also, she seemed to enjoy eating people? Maybe not the ethics of it all but the taste? And had she survived and her upbringing became public, COULD she even live in peace or would she be that freak who ate people and forever have to hide away? I’m curious what other readers might think. Had Margot survived, what would her life have been like and what would the public’s perception of her be?

Hi, I just recently discovered that my favorite series on Reddit, "How To Survive Camping," is now an actual book series (kudos to the author and their success). I love r/Ruleshorror. Are there any other rules horror books? I want to read more now that I have finished the first book in the series and am about to start the second.

I know The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer fits the bill, but I wanted to know if there were any more.

Hi all,

I'm on a short fiction kick at the moment and have found myself with a craving for good stories about possession (demonic or otherwise). I'd prefer newer stories if possible, but I'm very open to classics or older stories too. The only caveat is that I really don't want anything novel length at the moment.

I've tried searching Reddit and googling but discussions around shorts are much less common than people recommending novels so I have unfortunately come away a bit empty-handed. If you have any recommendations I'd love to hear them!

So I haven’t read very many slasher novels, but have really enjoyed the ones I’ve read. What are some that I absolutely need to put on my TBR? The ones I’ve read recently are: I Was a Teenage Slasher, My Heart is a Chainsaw, and Clown in a Cornfield (plus the sequels).

Thanks so much!

Hey everyone!

Mods please take this down if it doesn’t fit, but I am working on a full-cast production of an often recommended book on this subreddit, with SFX, scoring, and all kinds of fun stuff and am looking towards some new projects.

I would love to hear of any books you’d love to hear produced in this style! Absolutely open to indie authors that might be on here as well!

Thanks everyone!