26 Best Horror Books of All Time

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October is the perfect time of year to curl up with a great horror novel. As the leaves fall from the trees, the air gets crisp, and pumpkin pops up everywhere from the streets to the coffee shops, nothing sounds better than a delightfully scary book. You may find yourself wondering, what are the best horror books of all time?

Iconic scary stories have been a piece of the Halloween-time vernacular for as long as any of us can remember, from the classic stories of Edgar Allan Poe and Henry James to the modern horrors of Stephen King and Anne Rice.

It by Stephen King

It by Stephen King

Our Recommendation for Horror Book

This spine-tingling landmark novel from the Master of Horror tells the tale of seven men and women who revisit their haunting hometown to confront the evil clown who terrorized their childhoods.

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Whether you’re interested in stories about the supernatural or you’re more into ax murders, these books have you covered.

From shark attacks and pieced-together zombies to a cannibalistic serial killer and an exorcism gone wrong, the best horror books of all time will have you satisfied and terrified at the same time.

Best Horror Books of All Time

Make a bowl of buttery popcorn, pour a steaming hot mug of apple cider, grab a fuzzy blanket, and settle in with one of the best horror books of all time to make your October a spooky literary masterpiece.

Sr. No.TitlePublication DatePrint LengthAuthorPublisherWhere to Buy
1It by Stephen KingJuly 30, 20191184 pagesStephen King ScribnerAmazon
2The Body by Stephen KingJune 5, 2018192 pages
Stephen KingScribner
Amazon
3Carrie by Stephen KingDecember 31, 2018320 pagesAnchor BooksBook Shop
4Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyDecember 21, 2020
144 pages Mary ShelleyCreateSpace Independent Publishing PlatformAmazon
5The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley JacksonNovember 28, 2006208 pagesShirley Jackson
Penguin ClassicsAmazon
6Dracula by Bram StokerAugust 25, 2020512 pagesBram StokerPuffin BooksBook Shop
7Bird Box by Josh MalermanMay 13, 2014272 pagesJosh MalermanEccoAmazon
8The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas HarrisSeptember 15, 1998352 pagesThomas HarrisSt. Martin's Griffin; 1st editionAmazon
9American Psycho by Bret Easton EllisMarch 1, 1991399 pagesBret Easton EllisKnopf Doubleday Publishing Group; 1st editionAmazon
10The Tell-Tale Heart and Other WritingsSeptember 13, 2018210 pagesEdgar Allan PoeSuzeteo EnterprisesBook Shop
11The Sleep Experiment by Jeremy BatesAugust 27, 2019255 pagesJeremy BatesGhillinnein BooksAmazon

1. It by Stephen King

It by Stephen King
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The story of a murderous clown named Pennywise who lives in a storm drain is the exact kind of novel that will keep you from getting any sleep. 

Check out our list of the best Stephen King quotes!

2. The Body by Stephen King

The Body by Stephen King
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Coming-of-age meets spookiness when a group of young boys goes out looking for a body, in a book that marries together terror and heartwarming comedy.

3. Carrie by Stephen King

Carrie by Stephen King
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In the inimitable Stephen King’s first novel, readers learn the dangers of treating their classmates with cruelty when Carrie White decides to strike back.

4. Pet Sematary by Stephen King

Pet Sematary by Stephen King
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Widely considered one of King’s most terrifying books, this novel confronts the anxiety that comes with mortality and the horrifying side of death in a certain old graveyard.

5. The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining by Stephen King
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Set in the eerie Overlook Hotel, this book is packed full of the supernatural and the super-scary to keep you hiding under your covers and looking over your shoulder as the Torrance family experiences the supernatural.

6. Jaws by Peter Benchley

Jaws by Peter Benchley
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Telling the untold stories of some of the creatures of the ocean, this story has some teeth and may keep you far away from the waters of the ocean for quite a while. 

7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
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A classic scary tale, this book tells the story of a science experiment gone wrong and explains to us the terrors that can ensue when humans try to play God.

8. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
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An incredibly terrifying and spooky book rooted in the supernatural and the occult, this book recently inspired a Netflix series of the same name, which explores the events that unfold in an insanely scary home.

9. Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula by Bram Stoker
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The famous and iconic vampire Dracula comes to life in this tale, which follows the mascot of vampires from Transylvania to England as he tries to find ways to widen the curse of the undead.

10. Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Bird Box by Josh Malerman
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Set in an apocalyptic near-future world, this book – which inspired the recent Netflix film Bird Box – takes readers on a terrifying, blindfolded journey in the dark.

11. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

The silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
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One of the most suspenseful books and stories of our time, this creepy book takes readers on the journey of FBI agent Clarice Starling as she searches for a notorious serial killer named Buffalo Bill and consults with another one named Hannibal Lecter.

12. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
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The underbelly of what actually goes on in some people’s minds comes to life in this book, which tells the story of a horrifying man and the double life he leads in New York City once the sun goes down.

13. The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe

The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe
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This iconic selection of stories and poems are some of the world’s scariest, ranging from Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart” to “The Raven.”

14. The Sleep Experiment by Jeremy Bates

The Sleep Experiment by Jeremy Bates
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This sensational 2019 novel is the perfect modern horror story for anyone who loves the classic works of authors such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

It follows a crazed psychology professor who attempts to recreate one of the darkest and deadliest human experiments of all time.

The Turn of the Screw and Other Stories by Henry James
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Written by perhaps the most classic of all ghost story writers, this essential collection explores the supernatural in ways that will give you chills.

16. Psycho by Robert Bloch

Psycho by Robert Bloch
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Norman Bates is a part of the scary story vernacular, and this book tells his chilling story (with just a little bit of blood).

17. Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
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From a spooky apartment to a sickening pregnancy, this tale is an icon for the ages.

18. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
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A truly famous tale diving deep into the occult, this creepy book tells the story of Regan and the events that ensue once she is possessed.

19. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
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Anne Rice is the cornerstone of the vampire genre, and this novel is a wildly enthralling and scary venture into the vampire world.

20. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
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As Neil Gaiman has proven time and time again, children’s books can be just as scary as their adult counterparts. This book tells the story of Coraline, and what ensues when she finds herself behind a certain previously locked door.

21. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
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After ignoring the news of the DeFeo family’s brutal murder in their new home just a year before, the Lutz family moves into a stunning home on Long Island. In the pages of this book, you’ll find out the terrors that ensued in the 28 days they lived in the house.

22. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
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The exploration of a split personality disorder makes for a fascinating read in this classic book, which has reached icon status in the book world.

23. Ring by Kōji Suzuki

Ring by Kōji Suzuki
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In this book, which inspired the blockbuster of the same name, a mysterious video tells each viewer that they’ll die in a week. After four teenagers drop dead one week past viewing, a journalist works furiously to figure out why.

24. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
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A classic ghost story told beautifully, Daphne du Maurier’s classic explores what happens when a new bride goes looking for answers. 

25. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
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The sinister Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show’s visit to Green Town threatens to destroy everything it can, and this is the story of what happens when people try to figure out its mysteries.

26. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
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In this haunting tale, readers travel alongside a family who soon learns after moving into their new house that something is just… not right.

Best Horror Books of All Time

What Are Your Favorite Horror Books?

From murderous clowns and crazy high school students to devilish experiences and mysterious carnivals, these books are all you need for a spooky, creepy, and downright scary night of reading.

Whether you prefer tales of the occult or enjoy reading about serial killers, this list of the best horror books of all time will leave chills running down your spine.

We recommend pairing a night of spooky reading with some dimmed lights, a jack-o-lantern, and a cheesy pizza for the ideal reading experience.

If you’re feeling fancy, check out the film versions of some of these books after you turn the final page. The Ring, American Psycho, Jaws, and The Shining will have you double and triple-checking that your doors are locked, but they’ll certainly keep you entertained. 

If you’re looking for some more books to add to your list, check out our list of the best books of all time. As always, we want to see what you’re up to. Tell us what scary book you choose by tagging us at #hookedtobooks. Happy Scary reading to you all!

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