15 best horror books of 2024

There was no shortage of great news horror books in 2024, and the best of them successfully delivered scares and tackled important subjects at the same time. Horror is often used to uncover disturbing elements of the real world, and in that regard, 2024's releases don't disappoint. The best new romance novels in the genre tackle everything from religious extremism to harmful Hollywood tropes, so there's a lot to be gained by choosing them.

The best horror books of 2024 also put a unique spin on common tropes and narrativess, revamping everything from hauntings to horror stories. Some series have also continued or ended, with Stephen Graham Jones and Keith Rosson delivering highly anticipated finales this year. 2024's offerings cover such a wide range of concepts, themes, and characters that there really is something for every type of horror reader. Those who love the genre have had an absolute feast of new releases to enjoy over the past 12 months.

15

What parties at night

By T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher had an impressive 2024, releasing one of the best fantasy books of the year with A sorceress comes to callas well as one of the biggest new horror releases. What are night parties the second part of the author's book Sworn Soldier Seriesand live to the heights What moves the dead. The novel is as mysterious as it should be, using Kingfisher's atmospheric prose to weave a masterful continuation of the 2022 story, this time involving a hunting lodge in Gallacia.

Strange incidents begin to happen from the moment Alex Easton steps into the inn, and they soon find themselves embroiled in a horror story similar to their last adventure. Alex's character is so compelling that it's impossible not to follow him down the final Kingfisher rabbit hole. It's no wonder that What parties at night was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the horror categoryand it's really only its slow growth and short length that keeps it from reaching the heights of some of 2024's biggest horror releases. Hopefully, we'll get more of Alex in a third book.

14

Model house

By Rios Solomon

Rivers of Solomon Model house is a top horror book of 2024and not just because of its eye-catching green cover. Using the author's lyrical prose to stunning effect, Model house sees three brothers returning to their old home - a place they never wanted to set foot in again - after the death of their parents. Model house It may seem like a haunted house story on the surface, but its narrative uses it to raise conversations about trauma, racism, and grief. Its conclusions are appropriately chilling, making it a must-read for 2024.

Model house masterfully weaves its themes into its plot, and never feels like it's sacrificing one in favor of the other. Though it's off to a slow start—and could definitely take a little longer once things get going—Solomon's latest continues the author's trend of effectively using horror stories to convey poignant and necessary messages. It's a necessary take on the haunted house subgenre, and it's certainly among the best the category had to offer in 2024.

13

I was a teenage killer

By Stephen Graham Jones

Stephen Graham Jones is the author of two of the best horror books of 2024, one of them being I was a teenage killer. One of the most anticipated horror books of summer 2024, I was a teenage killer delivers on its promise of putting a fresh and fun spin on the slasher genre. It's the kind of story that hooks readers from the start and then keeps them turning the pages with its surprisingly compelling characters and relationships. The memoir format sets it apart, and its ending secures its place among the best horror books of 2024.

I was a teenage killer appropriately pays homage to the slasher categoryand more than deserves the Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for Readers' Favorite Horror. It's comical and creative, if a little strange at times. It may not delve into critical themes as deeply as some of the year's other horror releases, but it delivers the fun, thrilling ride that its premise teases.

12

Diavola

By Jennifer Thorne

Jennifer Thorne Diavola takes a family vacation narrative and turns it upside downproviding a physical manifestation of the horror so many feel at the thought of family gatherings. And as its premise suggests, this gothic horror book goes beyond scares. Anna's trip to a haunted village in Italy offers the perfect mix of family drama and supernatural suspense, keeping tensions high on multiple fronts. It's an extremely fun tour, but at its core it has deeper discussions about family dynamics.

Diavola is fast-paced and suspenseful, but its greatest strength comes from the book being so relatable. The characters may not be likable, but that's exactly the point - and most readers will admit to knowing someone who matches their portrayal, even if they're not family. The supernatural aspects Diavola It could be stronger, and the romance takes a while to get going. But the end result will leave readers wanting more, and its Goodreads Choice Awards nomination highlights how much it's resonating with readers.

11

House of Bones and Rain

By Gabino Iglesias

Gabino Iglesias is a reference horror author, and 2024 House of Bones and Rain drives that point home. Another nominee in the Goodreads Choice Awards horror category House of Bones and Rain It's a wonderfully written and moving story. about five friends in Puerto Rico whose lives and connections are shaped by loss and trauma. One of them sets out to seek revenge, which coincides with a massive hurricane that supposedly leaves evil spirits and horrors in its wake.

House of Bones and Rain is an emotional rollercoaster of a romance, and its characters are at the center of its success. Of course, Iglesias does an impressive job of combining the central revenge narrative with the book's supernatural elements.just as the author infuses what is mostly a dark story with poignant moments and revelations that keep readers engaged. The violence and darkness of this story may not be for everyone, but it's these qualities that make it such a memorable 2024 release.

10

The black girl survives in this

By various authors

Sometimes the best horror books are compilations of stories focused on a single theme, and The black girl survives in this prove so much. Edited by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell, The black girl survives in this is a horror anthology that deserves much more attention in the conversation surrounding 2024's new releases. This collection upends the unfortunately common and harmful trope that black people, and especially women, die young in horror stories. To challenge you, The black girl survives in this introduces readers to a series of incredible black finalists.

Featuring authors such as Justina Ireland and LL McKinney The black girl survives in this allows its heroines to shine in a variety of horror narratives, encompassing everything from supernatural terrors to blends of horror and sci-fi. The collection is one of the most impressive (and important) additions to 2024's horror lineupand it is 4.06 Good reads the classification talks about this. As with any anthology, some stories stand out more than others. However, all of them will leave readers wanting more innovative narratives like those in the pages of the collection.

9

The angel of the Indian lake

By Stephen Graham Jones

The second book by Stephen Graham Jones to be among the best horror releases of 2024, The Angel of the Indian Lake bring the author Indian Lake Trilogy for an exciting and satisfying ending. Set four years later Don't fear the reaper, The Angel of the Indian Lake sees Jade Daniels returning to Proofrock, Idaho, and fighting off one last wave of murders. Jade has grown a lot over the previous books, and that's clear as day in this final issue. It's also clear how much love Graham Jones has for the character, the story, and the genre in general; this shines through in its emotional ending.

The Angel of the Indian Lake It doesn't waste time getting into Jade's final adventure, nor does it fail to link this story to previous episodes. Anyone who loves Graham Jones' series will undoubtedly be happy with its conclusion, which is the best rated of the three books, with an average of 4.17. Good reads score. It also scored a Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for Readers' Favorite Horror, which is no surprise given how beloved the entire trilogy has been. At times it feels more suspenseful than horror, but that doesn't stop it from delivering suspense.

8

Incidents at home

By Josh Malerman

Josh Malerman Incidents at home has received a lot of attention in 2024, with the consensus that the author's newest novel will keep even seasoned horror readers awake. Centering on an eight-year-old girl who is being haunted by a supernatural being called the Other Mommy, Incidents at home has all the right ingredients for a terrible time. The choice to tell this story from a child's point of view is reminiscent of some of the scariest horror films, and Another Mom's portrayal is not for the faint of heart.

Malerman's latest book does exactly what any good horror book should strive to do: Keeps readers looking over their shoulders and staying up later than they should. While it doesn't necessarily involve deeper conversations or feature lyrical prose, its straightforward approach to horror is refreshing. That's why so many readers are excited about it, and it earned it a Goodreads Choice Awards nomination for Readers' Favorite Horror. With any luck, Incidents at home will be chosen for a film adaptation as it suits one well.

7

Not a ray of light: stories

By Laird Barron

Award-winning author Laird Barron returns with a new collection of stories in 2024, and Not a particle of light It's one of the biggest horror releases of the year. Released as "a mosaic of the bloody and macabre", Not a particle of light it's a reminder of what makes Barron's work shine. His narratives feel like a return to form for the author, embracing his signature style while bringing something undeniably new to the table. As always, the prose is immaculate and the stories deliver on the promise of the dark and bizarre.

There is such a wide variety of stories in Not a particle of light It’s impossible to get bored, and “Tiptoe” will certainly go down as one of the author’s most memorable works. That said, not every story rises to the level of the best in the book, and the overall collection isn't the best Barron has to offer. That's saying something, like Not a particle of light It's still a stunning and worthwhile read, especially for those who like their horror a little weird.

6

Bury your gays

By Chuck Tingle

Chuck Tingle may have started his writing career with kinky erotic novels, but the Damascus Camp the author has found his breakthrough in the horror category in recent years. Bury your gays is a testament to that, proving Tingle's best addition to the genre yet. Taking on Hollywood's Problems"bury you gays"trope, along with how it relates greedy business practices and LGBTQ+ representation in the media, Bury your gays is as important as it is exciting. It perfectly balances its central narrative with its comments, making it a complete and engaging read.

Bury your gays It's not as scary as some of the other novels hitting stores in 2024, but its engaging plot, compelling main character, and central themes make up for it. The book's average of 4.18 Good reads The score and Goodreads Choice Award nomination highlight its strengths, which go beyond its social commentary. Bury your gays is both a love letter to storytelling and a critique of Hollywood, challenging the way we allow money and technology to corrupt this critical part of the human experience.

5

American Rapture

By CJ Leede

CJ Leede American Rapture takes an unflinching look at the apocalypse, religious trauma, and bodily autonomymaking it one of the most influential horror books of 2024. Using the concept of a virus that essentially turns humans into uncontrollably excited zombies, Leede sends its protégé main character on a cross-country adventure that uncovers problematic beliefs surrounding sexuality. Exploring the consequences of repressed sexuality and shame is an uncomfortable but necessary task that underscores many real-world terrors.

Given its central plot, American Rapture It's not an easy read and won't be for all horror fans. It's definitely a book to check out for trigger warnings. However, it is well-crafted, thought-provoking, and intense – all strengths that place it among the top five horror books of 2024. American Rapture deserves much more attention in this year's horror conversationlike its positive reviews and 4.15 Good reads rating suggests. Their comments go beyond discussions of sexuality, which they use as a starting point to explore some of the scariest aspects of humanity.

4

The devil by name

By Keith Rosson

With Stephen King praising Keith Rosson House of Fever duology, it's not surprising that the second installment is among the best new horror books of 2024. The devil by name explores the consequences of what happens in House of Feverbut it somehow manages to surpass its predecessor while also tying up loose ends in a satisfying way. The devil by name recaptures everything that made the first book great: its crazy concepts, horrific violence and emotional impact.

The narrative that encompasses all of these strengths is different in The devil by name, as it has been five years since the severed hand incident from the first book. This new book addresses how society survives and rebuilds itself after an apocalyptic event, and its poignant take on that conversation will no doubt leave readers thinking about this sequel long after it ends. Rosson's latest is a masterclass in storytelling, and the ending more than deserves its impressive 4.33 Good reads assessment. Unfortunately, it made a slightly smaller impact than 2024's three biggest horror releases.

3

The eyes are the best part

By Monika Kim

Most horror readers have heard of Monika Kim The eyes are the best partwhich dominated discussions about the genre in 2024. Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in the horror and debut categories, Kim's 2024 novel tackles the psychological horror and female rage promised in its synopsis. It's disturbing enough to make readers squirm, but it also contains valuable commentary that leaves a lasting impression. Despite her violent obsession, Ji-won's character is compelling enough to keep readers invested in this story from start to finish.

And once The eyes are the best part gets to the heart of Ji-won's story, it's incredibly hard to put down. Readers will find they can't look away as Ji-won spirals out of control, and may even root for her despite her obvious moral flaws. The strengths of Kim's novel go beyond the impressive body horror and engaging main character, with the story's relationships and supporting cast also offering plenty of substance. The eyes are the best part is easily one of the top three horror releases of 2024justifying all the hype around it.

2

We used to live here

By Marcus Kliewer

Another horror debut, Marcus Kliewer We used to live here is one of the wildest horror books of 2024 – and almost the best overall. It's the kind of story readers will be thinking about long after they close the book, as its mind-bending journey raises as many questions as it answers. This approach may not suit everyone, but there's no denying it We used to live here is a meticulously crafted novel this benefits by making readers question what is real and what is not. After all, your heroine is doing the same, and we're going along with her.

We used to live hereThe premise of - which involves a family visiting their old home and then wreaking havoc on the queer couple who live there - is incredibly unique, and the book's twists and turns are truly chilling. Eve's characterization and her relationship with Charlie will keep readers invested and hoping for a happy ending, even as it seems less and less likely that they'll find their way home (or at least, to the home they know). We used to live here It deserves both Goodreads Choice Awards nominations, as it is the best horror release of the year. Second only to the King of Terror.

1

Do you like it darker

By Stephen King

The King of Horror is at the top of the list of the best releases of 2024 with Do you like it darker, as Stephen King's Newest Collection Is Truly Something Special. It feels reminiscent of King's early books, touching on the darkest parts of humanity and the supernatural in an incredibly satisfying way. The author Whose sequence, rattlesnakes, is more than enough reason to pick up this 2024 release. However, stories like Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream, The Answer Man and Two talented Bastids all serve as reminders of why King is such a prolific author in the horror genre.

While some Do you like it darker the stories are more exciting than others, there is not a bad story in the entire collection. Throughout the book, King emphasizes existential horror, exploring everything from mortality and sadness to unfulfilled dreams. Do you like it darker It tugs at the heartstrings as much as it causes scaresstriking the right balance between the two. The book is one of King's best releases in recent years, and the Goodreads Choice Awards win in the horror category highlights how well it went down with readers.