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By Crossroad Publisher Team
With Halloween around the corner, what better way to spook up the atmosphere than immersing in your favorite horror stories? Today’s blog lists some of the most terrifying stories to read this season. Our list covers everything from extraterrestrial viruses to haunted houses in remote villages. Let’s get started!
Our list begins with one of the most popular tales of haunted houses. Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been described as “the thinking reader’s ghost story.” However, it is a genuinely scary book.
The page-turner becomes progressively dreadful as the disturbed protagonist Eleanor Vance investigates paranormal activities at Hill House.
Visitors are warned to “get away from here at once.” But Jackson’s timeless classic is something you should revisit this Halloween.
econd on our list is a contemporary pick. Victor LaValle’s tale is worth reading because it infuses horror with social commentary. The latter is often scarier!
The Changeling is a story of a man searching for his abducted child in a setting that readers wish is a nightmare. The novel confronts us with genuine fears of loneliness, insanity, and losing a child. Yet, its prose is perfect in a way few modern horror stories are. It is a must-read for fans of this genre.
Moving on, no list of the best horror stories (or the best horror authors) is complete without Stephen King. The #3 recommendation for Halloween 2024 is the first collection of King’s short stories.
His terrifying genius can be seen in stories like Children of the Corn and Jerusalem’s Lot. Particularly creepy is Graveyard Shift, a horror story of a rat infestation in a Maine factory. The tales are spooky, but the short story format makes for a great reading experience.
On number #4 is Deliverance by James Dickey. Many do not consider it a horror story, especially because the film adaptation relegates it to the survivor action genre. But that is the beauty of Dickey’s writing.
Namely, the subtle allusions to something “out there” that is unnamed or undesirable. Yet, it’s there. The “lyrically perfect” narrative describes the journey of men who want nothing more than an outdoor adventure. By the end, they want nothing more than escape.
Next, we have a genre-defying story by Mark Z. Danielweski. House of Leaves resembles an academic tome.
However, it is a deeply intricate (and terrifying) story. Danielewski’s tale revolves around a haunted house that’s bigger on the inside. It is an immersive tale for serious fans of the genre.
This horror story blends supernatural horror, body horror, and apocalyptic themes. It is set in the seemingly quiet town of Hampstead. Soon the narrative intertwines with a chemical disaster. The novel’s grotesque imagery is hard to forget; the horror continues long after the final page
Technically a sci-fi thriller, Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain tells a story about a military satellite that returns to Earth contaminated. Like House of Leaves, this book can come across as academic (complete with charts and diagrams).
However, the dry tone of the novel enhances its unsettling realism. Crichton blends medical horror with a scientific narrative. The result is a near-apocalyptic tale that feels disturbingly relevant decades after its release.
Another horror classic by King, It combines supernatural horror with deep psychological fear. One of the most iconic scenes features young Ben Hanscom encountering the evil clown, Pennywise, at the Derry Canal.
This moment has left an indelible mark on readers (and movie viewers). Relive the terrifying experience of Ben and his friends this Halloween with one of the best books by Stephen King.
On number #9 is the origin story of the world’s most beloved cannibal: Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The novel focuses on FBI profiler Will Graham. He has to convince the cannibalistic psychiatrist to help track down an elusive and brutal serial killer known as "The Tooth Fairy."
This unusual partnership in pursuit of the twisted Francis Dolarhyde adds chills and thrills to this genre-defining novel.
Our final pick is Sierra's folk-horror novel Nightwatching. Set in rural Wales, it follows a woman who tries to escape her past but encounters the occult.
Soon, it becomes hard to distinguish between reality and the supernatural. As the protagonist questions her sanity, readers are drawn deeper into a tale of creeping paranoia. A slow burn, but a gripping narrative nonetheless.
That’s about it! Let us know your favorite horror reads in the comments. Also, share this list with fellow horror lovers.
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