2020 was the year that horror tropes got real as pandemic spread across the world. Nevertheless, now more than ever we need an escape from reality, and this list of the best new horror books is sure to whisk you away into an exciting and chilling world, where haunted houses, zombies and creepy mysteries come alive.
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Bent Heavens By Daniel Kraus
NY Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus takes on the dark side of human nature in his latest young adult Novel Bent Heavens. This creepy book finds a way to get under your skin as you follow Liv Fleming’s search for her missing father who disappeared shortly after making claims about alien abduction. Equal parts horrifying and compelling, this book is genre-defying and utterly chilling.
The Only Good Indians By Stephen Graham Jones
Stephen Graham Jones boldly tackles the troubled waters of cultural identity in his latest horror masterpiece. The story traces the journey of four young American Indian men whose lives are indelibly marked by the choices of their young. Ray Torres, book blogger at Next coursework and Brit Student describes The Only Good Indians as “a gripping story about revenge and the risks of leaving cultural traditions behind - horror cut with questions of identity, primed to be a bestseller in 2020.”
The Return By Rachel Harrison
Rachel Harrison’s spine-chilling offer for 2020 begins with the mysterious return of Elise, two years after she disappeared hiking, wearing the same outfit she vanished in with claims of a lost memory. A spooky enough beginning, but when the action transposes to a remote inn where three college friends are meeting Elise for a reunion, things get worse. In this eerie setting it begins to be clear everything is not as it seems, and Elise seems changed forever. The Return is a total page turner as the truth begins to unfold.
The Haunting Of Ashburn House By Darcy Coates
That’s right, it’s a haunted house, that all-time spooky totem. Darcy Coates doesn’t break any new ground with her take on the genre, rather creating a perfectly creepy tale that gives a knowing nod to all the clichés. The plot follows Adrienne, who moves into the ramshackle old place after inheriting it from an aunt. She soon finds herself haunted by the portraits on the wall with eyes that seem to follow her around the room, and questions surround the mysterious grave in the back garden.
NY Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus takes on the dark side of human nature in his latest young adult Novel Bent Heavens. This creepy book finds a way to get under your skin as you follow Liv Fleming’s search for her missing father who disappeared shortly after making claims about alien abduction. Equal parts horrifying and compelling, this book is genre-defying and utterly chilling.
The Only Good Indians By Stephen Graham Jones
Stephen Graham Jones boldly tackles the troubled waters of cultural identity in his latest horror masterpiece. The story traces the journey of four young American Indian men whose lives are indelibly marked by the choices of their young. Ray Torres, book blogger at Next coursework and Brit Student describes The Only Good Indians as “a gripping story about revenge and the risks of leaving cultural traditions behind - horror cut with questions of identity, primed to be a bestseller in 2020.”
The Return By Rachel Harrison
Rachel Harrison’s spine-chilling offer for 2020 begins with the mysterious return of Elise, two years after she disappeared hiking, wearing the same outfit she vanished in with claims of a lost memory. A spooky enough beginning, but when the action transposes to a remote inn where three college friends are meeting Elise for a reunion, things get worse. In this eerie setting it begins to be clear everything is not as it seems, and Elise seems changed forever. The Return is a total page turner as the truth begins to unfold.
The Haunting Of Ashburn House By Darcy Coates
That’s right, it’s a haunted house, that all-time spooky totem. Darcy Coates doesn’t break any new ground with her take on the genre, rather creating a perfectly creepy tale that gives a knowing nod to all the clichés. The plot follows Adrienne, who moves into the ramshackle old place after inheriting it from an aunt. She soon finds herself haunted by the portraits on the wall with eyes that seem to follow her around the room, and questions surround the mysterious grave in the back garden.
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Mexican Gothic By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexico’s long tradition of the Gothic is taken up by Moreno-Garcia in this fiercely chilling gothic thriller set in 1950s Mexico. Our heroine Noemi is the recipient of a disturbing letter from her newlywed cousin. As she’s drawn to the remote mansion where the couple reside, Noemi begins to uncover the secrets of the rich family’s past. Populated by a rich cast of characters and fantastically placed in the 1950s period, Mexican Gothic is an unforgettable read.
Girls Save The World In This One By Ash Parsons
Ash Parson’s light-hearted take on the zombie genre creates a brilliantly readable young adult comedy-horror. With a sidelong glance at the fourth wall, the book follows June and her two best friends, Imani and Siggy, as they attend ZombieCon. Their ambitions of meeting the heartthrob stars of their favourite zombie shows are soon abandoned in favour of simple survival as the zombie apocalypse they’ve spent so much time imagining unfolds before their very eyes. This enjoyable comedy shows the strength of girl power and friendship against the odds.
Malorie by Josh Malerman
The author of Bird Box became a cultural sensation in 2018 when Netflix adapted it into a gripping movie starring Sandra Bullock. Now with Malorie Josh Malerman returns to the Bird Box universe with a gripping sequel. The novel follows Malorie, mother of two, who has perfected the art of hiding from the “creatures” in the chilling world Malerman created in Bird Box. However, when a census-taker hints at the possibility of a refuge, Malorie takes the risk of setting out on a journey across the dangerous lands, with her children in tow. Gilberto Penning, writer at Writemyx and 1Day2write, describes how “Malerman’s world-building is back in full effect as he sends Malorie on a terrifying journey across the wilderness. This thrilling, chilling tale is the equal of Bird Box and sure to be another sensation.”
There you have it - the perfect reading list for spooky summer nights!
Vanessa Kearney is a writer and editor at Phdkingdom.com and Write my coursework. She is a passionate reader and loves getting lost in a good book. More of her writing can be found at Originwritings.com blog.
