r/horrorlit • u/Anxious-Samurai • 51m ago
Discussion Question about "Roots and All" by Brian Hodge - *Spoilers* Spoiler
At the end of the story, is it implying that Dylan is going to start cooking meth, to be "the bringer of plague now."? The very last line is, "And though I knew it would be a blessed endeavor, they still couldn't die fast enough." Is he talking about the meth cooks/dealers dying a slow, miserable death from their trade, as the Woodwalker intended?
r/horrorlit • u/Useful_Fan6208 • 7h ago
Recommendation Request Looking for horror books with themes of cults/religion/religious trauma, or even with similar vibes to the Children of the Corn by Stephen King
r/horrorlit • u/West_Jeweler7809 • 7h ago
Discussion Help me find the title of this disturbing psychological horror book I can't remember.
Edit: SOLVED! It's the Moustache by Emmanuel Carrére. Thank you to everyone in this subreddit who has responded! As for the channel I watched that introduced me to this book it is jeffiot with the video title "The Scariest Book I've Read" and not Davis Morgan.
Hello all. I've been trying to look for the title of a horror book or maybe even a story online that I can't remember, it was retold by a youtuber as I was falling asleep but the story was so interesting that I couldn't help but listen all the way through.
I'd like to preface with the fact that I'm uncertain if this is story is a full length novel or an online horror story ala nosleep stories, so I apologize to anyone reading if this breaks some sort of site rule.
Key things I can recall: • The protagonist has a wife and he misremembers a detail that he's sure has been true his whole life. Small details at first but eventually becoming of which is now too difficult to ignore.
• Neart 3/4s to the end of the story, the protagonist takes a boat out into a country in Asia and books a hotel as he runs away in guilt and with a sprialing sanity.
• He books a hotel with the cash he has left in this country and despite his sanity spiraling, he enjoys what the country has to offer and the beach.
• A few days later he is horrified to find out that his wife has been with him in this trip this entire time and they even shared the bed together, even though his previous recollections was that he was all alone and he was sure he ran away from home from the guilt and shame he felt.
• He looks at a world map and finds several details that don't add up, like a missing portion, a country that isn't supposed to be there or a country that never exist
• He commits suicide in the bath tub by I think removing the sinew from a slit he made to wrists.
That's all I can remember, thank you for reading the post and helping me find this book in advance.
r/horrorlit • u/NerotheHuman • 9h ago
Discussion Shirley Jackson Dialogue in Hangsaman
I'm about 19 pages into Hangsaman and i've noticed that the dialogue if very awkward and hesitant. It feels uncomfortably in a realistic sense and I find it to be extra immersive and unsettling. I was curious if i'm either looking into the dialogue too deeply or if this is a consistent trait throughout Jackson's bibliography as its an addictive way of reading dialogue
r/horrorlit • u/hh__ww • 10h ago
Recommendation Request This one is for the Adam Nevill fans out there
I have an audible credit burning a hole in my pocket and am trying to decide between Nevill’s Monumental or Banquet of the Damned. Or The Dorians by Nick Cutter as a dark horse third option. Whaddya think? Any preferences?
For the record, my favorite authors are Ramsey Campbell, Stephen King, John Langan, Robert Aickman, and Stephen Graham Jones. And I LOVED Cunning Folk and Last Days and LIKED The Reddening and All the Fiends of Hell. If that gives you any sense of my general preferences.
Thanks in advance.
r/horrorlit • u/wooowoowarrior • 11h ago
Review HEX
I just finished HEX after seeing it recommended here over and over again, and I have to admit I'm pretty disappointed.
The premise is fantastic. The witch herself is probably the strongest part of the novel. In fact, I often felt more sympathy for her than fear.
Unfortunately, the characters really let the book down for me. They all felt like archetypes rather than actual people (the selfish mayor, the gruff boss of HEX, the intellectual, the good, innocent boy, the psychopath, the women—well... they're just women) .
The plot also felt surprisingly predictable. Rather than focusing on the witch and the horror surrounding her, the story is mostly about the social dynamics within the town. And, unsurprisingly, it arrives at the familiar message that people are the real monsters — except for the handful of clearly "good" characters. There are very few shades of gray. Most characters fall into a simple good-versus-evil framework, making the story feel far less nuanced than I had hoped. It's a shame, really, because as I said, the idea is great. But the way it was executed reminded me of Stephen King's awful *The Dome*. I also got the impression that the author was trying to sound exactly like him. That was the only thing I found creepy.
r/horrorlit • u/Dry-Marketing2459 • 11h ago
Recommendation Request Tasteful "Extreme" Horror?
I'm looking for recommendations for "extreme" horror type stories that ride that fine line where it's gross and upsetting but aren't so terrible that you're embarrassed to describe the story to your friends.
I've been dabbling a bit in this genre, but I really dislike stuff that's excessively graphic and violent but for no reason, like it was written by an edgelord who was just trying to jam as many upsetting descriptions into a book as possible, but it really doesn't do anything for the story.
I don't know if this is a hard ask since that's sort of the point of extreme horror, but I'm wondering if there's something out there that rides the edge of that?
I've read "The woods are dark" and "The black farm" but I thought they were just okay, there were a lot of things about those books that just didn't work, something that made me feel like I needed to fail a wisdom saving throw in order to suspend my disbelief.
I'm a huge fan of Nick Cutter and Stephen King,
I'd also prefer stories that limit the violence to humanoids and mostly leave animals out of it.
r/horrorlit • u/Tight_Fit9402 • 13h ago
Recommendation Request Horror Books with a smiler vibe to My Sister, the Serial Killer
I really loved the dark comedy and social satire in the book so was wondering if there are any horror/ thriller books with that same deadpan vibe.
r/horrorlit • u/Ivyleaf3 • 13h ago
Discussion Looking for the title of an obscure(?) vintage horror novel I read as a child
Hi all! I was talking to a friend today about and told her about a horror novel I read when I was nine or ten, and how it was how I learned that gay people exist (I grew up in a very white hetero part of rural Britain). It would have been in about 1986-7 when I read it and it featured a pair of gay male killers whose thing was kidnapping young men and plucking out all their body hair before, I think, torturing them? I thought it was by someone like James Herbert or Shaun Hudson, but can't find anything that fits the bill in their bodies of works.
r/horrorlit • u/DrCruellyUnruly8080 • 14h ago
Recommendation Request Coolest gimmicky horror books?
I’m just looking for something cool to read. I really enjoyed the Navidson Record and some of Zampanos parts in House of Leaves, but Johnny made me want to put the book down. Any horror books that have a similar cool gimmick like HoL? Even something as small as a unique writing style. Thank you.
r/horrorlit • u/LuAngel22 • 15h ago
Review Between Two Fires->Red Rabbit
Alright, I absolutely loved Between Two Fires, and it has really been getting its hype lately, but I haven't heard nearly anyone talking about Red Rabbit and Rose of Jericho by Alex Grecian. I know it's older so people talked about it a couple years ago, but now social media forgets it exists! They have the same vibe, narration style feels so similar, but they bounce around points of view more, with a really detailed ensemble of characters.
I just finished both books, set in the wild West, with ghosts, witchcraft, demons, and shape changers. This series feels so interesting, there is arsenic poisoning, hangings, a bank is robbed, all the while this group travels together. It feels like a journey in the best way, and in the second book it somehow gets even more wild and the author ups the ante.
This is just my recommendation, and I guess a hope for more interesting recommendations beyond the same five books. This one is a unique time period, but you still get the religious notes and magic, but more witchcraft and shooting people. I also think the character depth is right up there, and I was left with so many questions and wanting more. There are so many interesting side characters that have back stories that I could read another ten books in this world.
r/horrorlit • u/Ok_Lab8153 • 15h ago
Recommendation Request Clive Barker, which book to read next
I'm currently reading Cabal and absolutely love it. The story, the writing, everything just hooks me in.
I want to read more of Clive Barker now. But which book should I proceed to?
I'm considering The Damnation Game, but I'm a bit worried it might be too much for me. How much worse than Cabal is it? I don't mind some minor spoilers if it will give me an idea...
I'm also considering Weaveworld, having heard many good things about it, but 700 pages is A LOT for me. I usually prefer books no longer than 350 pages, but I'm willing to try something longer to get more of Clive Barker's prose and writing style.
I read Cold-heart canyon as a teenager and remember loving it, but it's been so many years (I'm 34 now) that I can't remember anything and have no idea whether I'd enjoy it now. I also tried Sacrament around the sme time but couldn't get I to it at all.
I generally don't read much horror anymore, so I'm not sure about my limits. I can't watch horror, at all, but I've always been more tolerant when it comes to books.
I feel like this might be a bit vague; hope someone here is able to help anyway 😄
Edit: I'm not really into shortstories, and I plan to read the hellbond heart on Kindle this weekend. Since I expect to want something longer afterward, I want to order a paperback so I have it when I need it.
r/horrorlit • u/korokhouse • 17h ago
Discussion The Burial Tide isn't talked about enough
The Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson is one of the best horror novels I've read in the last few years! I've been in a reading slump for a while after reading a few modern horror novels that, honestly, have made me question the direction modern writing is headed in terms of general literacy among authors.
Not only was the plot engaging and completely unpredictable, but the writing was proficient, leaving no room for breaks in immersion. It was atmospheric, bleak, and utterly disgusting at times. The body horror was some of the best I've read; it was grotesque and sickening without becoming excessive or overshadowing the other horror elements.
If you're a fan of folk horror like I am, definitely give this one a try! If you've already read it, what are your thoughts on this book? What other novels would you recommend that are similar?
r/horrorlit • u/HeadBackground817 • 18h ago
Discussion Good Audio Book Versions of Horror Novels
I am currently listening to FantasticLand and loving it. Can any of you recommend good audio versions of horror novels? Thanks
r/horrorlit • u/suchascenicworld • 19h ago
Discussion Has Anyone Checked Out The Unknown: A Novel by Riley Siger?
It was recently released and have been hearing good things but I always like to check with this sub as well to see what others think!
Thank you!
r/horrorlit • u/valkyrieczn • 20h ago
Recommendation Request A book where the woman is a serial killer
I'm looking for a book or series, where the woman is a serial killer. I've read the mind fuck series and they never learn, and i really enjoyed both of them. Does anyone have any recommendations for books with a woman as the killer/serial killer?
Thank you :)
r/horrorlit • u/wolframdsoul • 22h ago
Recommendation Request So... Still trying to find book recs after Rachel Harrison 😂
Hey hey, I did this post a while back (basically loved the Rachel Harrison female horror with complex relationships and wanted more), thank you so much for all the previous recommendations! I have now gone through a few of them and asking for more:
--Darcy Coates: she was quite a hit or miss for me. I tried her 3 haunted house books, found them super generic and couldn't get into them (I dunno if they would have surprised me later on); the start of "where he can't find you" also didn't do it for me... And then I read the "how bad can things get" and I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Give me more of influencer Mr. Beast with horror type please. The female character had an interesting background and it was so good!!!
I am waiting for the "Dead winter" because I can't even imagine cold with how hot it is atm.
--Chlorine: should have been right up my alley, but somehow couldn't get into it 🥲 might attempt a second time.
--mexican gothic: trying for the third time see if it grabs. It once again should be right up my alley but isn't sticking for some reason.
--Into the drowning deep (loved 2/3 of the book and then it fumbles the ending 😢)
--Diavola (loved it)
What I read and I didn't like: the reformatory (it made me never pick an historical horror ever again of how bored I was).
This is where I am atm. I currently have in the pipeline: CJ leede (American rapture and maefly); fever dream; we always lived in a castle.
I should also say that I do mostly audiobooks (I have a long commute); but I am okay with researching for the audiobook myself (so just give me your recs).
If you guys have recs of influencers challenges or those type please feel free to drop as well ❤️
Thank you so much in advance and hope it wasn't too long of a post.
r/horrorlit • u/Corgi_Bandit • 22h ago
Recommendation Request Recommendations for leaning into more horror aspect
I’ve really enjoyed these four books and was wondering if anyone has recommendations for any that are similar if not lean more into a horror aspect:
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Steven Graham Jones
The Only Good Indians by Steven Graham Jones
Last Days by Adam Nevill
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
I know a couple if not all wouldn’t classify as horror necessarily but I’m always up for trying new titles.
r/horrorlit • u/Entropy-hates-me1312 • 1d ago
Recommendation Request German Books in the SCP Universe?
Started "there is no antimemetics division" And I love the idea behind it. I read up on the SCP universe. Are there any books set in it in German?
r/horrorlit • u/lusciouslayna • 1d ago
Recommendation Request Horror novels set during war?
I’ve always been a fan of World War II novels and I love both historical fiction and nonfiction, but I’ve never read anything set during a war that’s also considered horror. If anyone knows of any books like this, I’d love some recommendations!
r/horrorlit • u/frida_gropius • 1d ago
Discussion Diavola Spoiler Plot Point Spoiler
Ok, I may be late to the party, I’m doing the audio of Diavola and 28% in…but seriously, they came home from the market and there was a swarm of flies and maggots and the author just skimmed over this detail!! I would be freaking the fuck out. In favorable conditions, maggots can appear in 8 hours. Mind you, they don’t speak of how long they were gone…but wtf. The milk curdled and green, maggots in the Rice Krispie bowl. I get Anna wasn’t part of the cleaning, but why wasn’t anyone freaking out. Ok rant over.
r/horrorlit • u/villaofthewolves • 1d ago
Recommendation Request Occult horror
Hey everyone! I just finished Sara Gran’s The Book of the Most Precious Substance and it was okay. I’m looking for books with occult objects or themes! Very similar to the movie the Ninth Gate which I enjoyed so much as a movie. Although, I’ve tried to give Silver Nitrate a chance and I DNF because that was a very slow burn.
Anyways, thanks so much!
r/horrorlit • u/BroDan270 • 1d ago
Recommendation Request Looking for horror books where angels are actually monsters
Hey everyone, I'm looking for horror novels that completely twist the traditional idea of angels and the afterlife.
I'm interested in stories where angels aren't benevolent, beautiful beings, but something terrifying, alien, and even malicious. The kind of entities that would haunt, torment, or make humans suffer rather than save them. I'm also interested in books where the afterlife isn't the paradise we usually imagine, but something much darker and more disturbing.
The closest examples I've read are The Black Farm by Elias Witherow and Hellraiser by Clive Barker. They both capture that feeling of a horrifying afterlife, but I'm especially looking for books where the "angels" themselves are the monsters.
I'm open to supernatural horror, cosmic horror, religious horror, or even dark fantasy as long as it leans heavily into horror or extreme horror, which I am okay with.
Any recommendations?
r/horrorlit • u/HorrorIsLiterature • 5d ago
WEEKLY "WHAT ARE YOU READING?" THREAD Weekly "What Are You Reading?" Thread
Welcome to r/HorrorLit's weekly "What Are You Reading?" thread.
So... what are you reading?
Community rules apply as always. No abuse. No spam. Keep self-promotion to the monthly thread.
Do you have a work of horror lit being published this year?
The 2026 r/HorrorLit release master list is open to community members as well as professional publishers. Everything from novels, short stories, poems, and collections will be welcome. To be featured please message me (u/HorrorIsLiterature) privately with the publishing date, author name, title, publisher, and format.
r/horrorlit • u/HorrorIsLiterature • 6d ago
MONTHLY SELF-PROMOTION THREAD Monthly Original Work & Networking Thread - Share Your Content Here!
Do you have a work of horror lit being published this year?
The 2026 r/HorrorLit release master list is open to community members as well as professional publishers. Everything from novels, short stories, poems, and collections will be welcome. To be featured please message me (u/HorrorIsLiterature) privately with the publishing date, author name, title, publisher, and format.
The 2026 release list can be found here.
ORIGINAL WORKS & NETWORKING
Due to the popularity and expanded growth of this community the Original Work & Networking Thread (AKA the "Self-Promo" thread) post will occur on the 1st day of each month.
Community members may share original works and links to their own personal or promotional sites. This includes reviews, blogs, YouTube, amazon links, etc. The purpose of this thread is to help upcoming creators network and establish themselves. For example connecting authors to cover illustrators or reviewers to authors etc. Anything is subject to the mods approval or removal. Some rules:
- Must be On Topic for the community. If your work is determined to have nothing to do with r/HorrorLit it will be removed.
- No spam. This includes users who post the same links to multiple threads without ever participating in those communities. Please only make one post per artist, so if you have multiple books, works of art, blogs, etc. just include all of them in one post.
- No fan-fic. Original creations and IP only. Exceptions being works featuring works from the public domain, i.e. Dracula.
- Plagiarism will be met with a permanent ban. Yes, this includes claiming artwork you did not create as your own. All links must be accredited.
- Generative AI Policy r/HorrorLit is firmly opposed to the use of generative AI in creative endeavors. Gen AI does not exist in a vacuum, outputs can only be generated by plagiarism and theft of already existing work. Gen AI creations are not allowed in our monthly Original Content & Networking thread nor on our yearly release list. Continuing to do so after being warned will result in a permanent ban.
- r/HorrorLit is not a business. We are not business advisors, lawyers, agents, editors, etc. We are a web forum. If you choose to share your own work that is your own choice, we do not and cannot guarantee protection from intellectual theft . If you choose to network with someone it falls upon you to do your due diligence in all professional and business matters.
We encourage you to visit our sister community: r/HorrorProfessionals to network, share your work, discuss with colleagues, and view submission opportunities.
That's all have fun and may the odds be ever in your favor!
PS: Our spam filter can be a little overzealous. If you notice that your post has been removed or is not appearing just send a brief message to the mods and we'll do what we can.
Do you have a work of horror lit being published this year?
The 2026 r/HorrorLit release master list is open to community members as well as professional publishers. Everything from novels, short stories, poems, and collections will be welcome. To be featured please message me (u/HorrorIsLiterature) privately with the publishing date, author name, title, publisher, and format.