Many people turn to TV or film to get their horror fix, but the creepiest stories can often be found in books. We don't just mean monsters such as vampires and witches; psychological horror is one of the spookiest sub-genres around, and authors like Stephen King are experts at creating horrifying works with seemingly ordinary settings.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the best horror books to buy online in 2022 at Amazon, including eBooks that you can download straight to your Kindle. Our curated list of recommendations includes stories for kids, teens, young adults, and grown-ups, genre classics as well as new releases by female authors. Moreover, we have partnered with Literarian Benjamin Titmus for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy.
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Benjamin gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy. Learn more about him and his blogs from here.
Psychological horror novels typically focus on the emotions and fears we all share as humans. While the story may begin in an ordinary setting, things soon take a sinister turn, and the protagonist finds themselves dealing with paranoia or disturbing thoughts.
This is what makes this sub-genre so scary - as the main character begins to doubt their own mind, the reader starts to feel unsettled too! There are no physical monsters or ghosts to be found here, just the horrors that are already lurking inside your head. The protagonist is usually a lonely fellow, someone portrayed as being on the fringes of society.
A host of characters can comfort us; we feel less lonely when there’s more happening. But when the protagonist suffers alone, we share that with them. Their own sense of insignificance rubs off on us and this creates excellent stories. Only question is, do you believe what’s happening, or is it all in your head?
Gertrude Barrows Bennet (sometimes known under her pseudonym Francis Stevens) is considered to be the writer who pioneered the dark fantasy sub-genre. If you’ve already read any of her nightmarish novels and enjoyed them, this category will likely be right up your street!
For those who are new to dark fantasy though, the simplest way to describe it is as a mash-up genre where two worlds collide, combining both fantasy and frights. So not only will you encounter dragons, elves, and other mystical beings, but there'll be a scary layer within the story too.
The horror can often be more visceral due to the creativity involved in fantasy writing. It’s quite curious, however, that at the same time as scaring the reader, the best dark-fantasy writers develop almost tangible worlds for us to explore. Their worlds contain death and evil, but there are also the evergreen glades, and mountains we so often associate with fantasy.
What exactly is the paranormal? The definition given by the Oxford Dictionary is anything that's "impossible to explain by known natural forces or science". While vampires or zombies are neither natural forces nor explainable by science, they’re unlikely to be found in paranormal books.
Instead, stories with paranormal plots tend to involve gruesome ghosts and demonic forces - think hauntings, unexplained noises in the middle of the night, and possessed objects. If supernatural spookiness appeals to you, this is undoubtedly the sub-genre to pick! The supernatural can also come from other worlds and parallel universes.
It can be two twins who communicate telepathically or a precocious child who occupies the souls of people at will. Paranormal can also be quite mundane. The word itself is made up of para and normal; para means close, besides, and normal, meaning a set standard.
So, something close to normal. That which appears in our daily lives could, in fact, be the source of inspiration for a paranormal fiction writer. Ask yourself, did you really leave your glasses on that side table?
Delve deeper into this spooky genre with our top 10 Halloween books.
Lastly, we have comedy horror. Comedy horror is a genre where writers like to put two completely different themes side by side. Think Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The comedy is derived from the interaction between these two contrasting locales.
If you like getting stuck into all things creepy but need to come up for air from time to time, this sub-genre will do nicely! Rather than sitting through 300 pages of constant dread, this type of novel will feature moments of respite that punctuate the gloom with a welcome chuckle.
While this sub-genre is less revered in the literary world than in cinema, we think it's well worth checking out. Fans of films like Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland will be happy to know that there are plenty of novels that provide the same fun yet frightful experience!
The next decision you'll need to make is whether to opt for a classic or contemporary novel. The former will likely have a good reputation, having gained die-hard fans in the years since its release. However, older stories can be filled with clichés and may feel a little stagnant.
Contemporary horror novels, on the other hand, will keep you right up to date with the goings-on in the literary world, meaning you'll be the one telling all your friends what's worth checking out. Plus, the plot and references will probably be more relatable as well as being a breath of fresh air.
There are usually more people reading what's current. Even though a newer novel tends to be more relatable and easier to read, an older one will stimulate your mind and give you more to talk about with those who share similar interests. It's always best to read widely.
If you fancy a change, try an older novel and take your time reading it because it can take a few chapters to familiarise yourself with the difference in styles. There are plenty of great writers to uncover from beneath the mountains of books that have been written since.
Fan of graphic novels? Take a look at our top 10 horror graphic novels!
£12.14
Mexican Gothic is a slow-burning and atmospheric masterpiece that won "Best Horror" at the Goodreads Choice Awards 2020. It gradually becomes gorier as you turn the pages, with some seriously shocking scenes that will shake you to your very core! We particularly love that Silvia Moreno-Garcia draws influence from Mexican folklore, injecting fresh blood into the classic Gothic formula.
Set in the 1950s, the novel follows socialite Noemí Taboada, who receives a letter from her cousin Catalina. Catalina makes disturbing claims about her new husband and his family home, so Noemí visits them to investigate. During her stay, the dark secrets of High Place slowly unfold - but will Noemí be able to escape this grotesque nightmare? A genuinely terrifying read that'll keep you up all night!
£7.99
In the hilariously named Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, we meet Sam - an ordinary guy working in a fast-food restaurant. He might not lead the most exciting life, but things are going alright. That is until one prank at work catches the attention of Douglas, a creepy customer with a violent streak.
When Douglas reveals that he's a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and wants to join forces with Sam, the story takes a wacky turn - our protagonist is going to need all the help he can get! With lively characters and a light-hearted approach to horror, this book is perfect for teens and younger readers seeking something that's not too scary.
£7.16
Shirley Jackson is known for writing some of the most petrifying tales of all time, and The Haunting of Hill House is her pièce de résistance. This spine-tingling story has inspired everyone from Neil Gaiman to Stephen King and was recently adapted into a Netflix series.
The novel follows a group of thrill-seekers who are invited to spend time in a haunted house to check out the ghostly goings-on. However, the characters are unaware that the house itself is alive and gathering its powers - soon, it will decide which visitor to trap inside forever...
£7.37
Those familiar with Stephen Graham Jones' work will be incredibly excited to hear us rave about his latest novel. With Jones, you can always guarantee an engaging plot, a host of damaged characters, and a whole lot of weirdness. The Only Good Indians delivers on all of these fronts!
The story follows four Native American friends whose teenage hunting trip haunts them for the next ten years. Hair-raising paranormal elements and moments of brutal violence aside, Jones' shocking tale gets the reader thinking about cultural identity, tradition, and the price of revenge.
£12.35
For adventurer Auric Manteo, the days of diving into forbidden ruins searching for dark wisdom and treasure are over. He's happily retired, living in the countryside with the fruits of his labour. Then, he begins to have endless nightmares urging him back to his old ways to save his only daughter, and he's plunged into a dangerous world of monstrous creatures, a deadly plague, and a bloodthirsty god.
This gore-tastic dark fantasy novel is the first in the Iconoclasts trilogy from Mike Shel, an RPG adventure designer with an unrivalled imagination. The second instalment has already been published, so if you like the sound of this twisted world, what are you waiting for?
£21.98
Following the lives of Jackie and her crush Ann, this book examines the extreme measures that people will take to hold onto their loved ones. Jackie still sees the ghost of her mother, who died of cancer, while Ann's family members have turned into violent creatures that need to be chained to the basement and fed living animals.
Although zombies and a headless ghost are featured in this tongue-in-cheek tale, the real focus is on the romance between the two female protagonists. There are still plenty of gruesome scenes, though, making this a story that's heartwarming, hysterical, and horrifying in equal measure.
£5.03
While The Trial may not be the first novel that springs to mind when you think of classic horror, we think it's absolutely terrifying! Respectable bank worker Josef K is accused of a crime he did not commit, yet no one will tell him what he is being charged with. As the story progresses, the protagonist becomes increasingly paranoid about his fate, further accelerating his eventual downfall.
This bleak, nightmarish novel wasn't published until 1925 (a year after Kafka's death), but it's one of his best works, in our humble opinion. It's part existential crisis and part prophecy, exploring how bureaucracy and totalitarianism affect humanity - a theme that still rings true to this day.
£10.99
Cherie Priest is the author of the enormously successful sci-fi novel Boneshaker, which won her plenty of awards. The Family Plot, which sees her delve into the horror genre, is a gloriously gothic ghost story with plenty of chills and Southern spookiness.
The book follows Dahlia, who is sent by her father to oversee a family estate in Tennessee that his company has bought to sell on. While the empty property seems in good shape, it's anything but abandoned - and something is lurking in the overgrown cemetery!
£9.84
Grady Hendrix is famous for his comically creepy novels, and this particular tale provides a humorous take on the classic haunted house story. When stock at a furniture store keeps being destroyed, but nothing shows up on the security cameras, three employees stay overnight to patrol the showroom floor. However, they soon learn that something much more sinister is at work!
The added twist? Horrorstör is set inside a Scandinavian-style superstore that you're probably very familiar with, and the book actually resembles their distinctive catalogue. With detailed, colourful photographs and a softcover binding, this is one that we recommend picking a physical copy of!
£6.80
Dan Simmons' notoriously nasty novel is based in Calcutta, and this backdrop is so fleshed out that it feels like a central character - rife with iniquity, corruption, and squalor. It's surprising that the author only spent a reported two and a half days in the city before writing this book, as he really captures its spirit in remarkable detail.
Song of Kali follows Robert Luzack, who travels to India to write an article about a renowned local poet named M. Das. Believed to be dead, the poet has mysteriously reappeared, and there are rumours that a grisly human sacrifice ceremony is behind his return. As Robert digs deeper, he faces cult worship, kidnapping, and other truly horrifying practices. Not one for the faint-hearted!
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
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