Best Horror Books to Read in October for a Chilling Experience

As the nights grow longer and shadows stretch a little closer, October beckons the brave to dive into tales that chill and thrill. Whether you’re a seasoned horror aficionado or just looking to spice up your autumn reading, these 10 great horror books promise spine-tingling suspense, eerie atmospheres, and unforgettable scares-perfect for the season of fright.

While there’s truly no hard-and-fast rule on the best time of year to read scary stories, if you’re anything like me, you like to pack in as many as possible in the days leading up to Halloween. Below you’ll find a list of 10 recent horror novels that are perfect for the month of October (and beyond).

A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll

Emily Carroll’s A Guest in the House is a chilling adult graphic novel that masterfully blends gothic horror with psychological tension. The story follows Abby, a newlywed who moves into her husband David’s home, only to become haunted by the mysterious presence of his late wife, Sheila. As Abby navigates her new roles as wife and stepmother, she uncovers unsettling secrets about Sheila’s death, blurring the lines between ghostly hauntings and Abby’s own mental struggles. Carroll’s striking use of black-and-white art contrasted with vivid colors enhances the eerie atmosphere, while the slow-burn narrative explores themes of identity, isolation, and the complexities of family dynamics. This haunting tale has earned critical acclaim, including the 2024 LA Times Book Prize, and is perfect for readers seeking a deeply atmospheric and unsettling horror experience this October.

Nine years ago, Emily Carroll released a truly chilling anthology of gorgeously illustrated and grotesquely visceral horror stories titled Through the Woods. If, like me, you were a fan of this collection (I still think about the story “His Face All Red” fairly regularly), then you’ll rejoice to hear that Carroll’s recent adult graphic novel is every bit as unsettling as her early work.

A Guest in the House tells the story of Abby, a quiet and lonely young woman who, upon learning about the sudden death of her new husband’s first wife, Sheila, begins to question his innocence. Was it really natural causes that killed her, or something much more sinister? Were all of her possessions truly destroyed in a fire? Why does he live by a lake if he doesn’t swim, and why won’t he let his daughter go near the water? As Abby adjusts to married life, her obsession with Sheila continues to grow until a startling encounter with her predecessor’s ghost changes everything.

Taking inspiration from the gothic tales that have come before it, and punctuated by startling shocks of color amid black-and-white pages, A Guest in the House is a perfect blend of domestic and supernatural horror. There’s a pervasive sense of wrongness simmering just under the surface of this story that will make readers’ skin crawl from the first page.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell is a chilling Victorian Gothic horror novel that masterfully blends historical fiction with supernatural terror. It follows Elsie Bainbridge, a newly widowed and pregnant woman who moves into her late husband’s eerie ancestral home, The Bridge, where she encounters unsettling wooden figures known as the silent companions. These lifelike cutouts seem to move on their own, haunting Elsie as she unravels dark family secrets spanning two centuries. Told through a dual timeline and Elsie’s fragmented memories from a mental asylum, the novel builds a slow-burning, atmospheric dread that culminates in a gripping and sinister climax. Perfect for readers seeking a creepy, immersive story with strong female characters and Gothic suspense this October.

Trust me when I say that you’ll be sleeping with the lights on and listening intently to every ambient sound your house makes while you’re reading this book.

After the sudden and mysterious death of her husband, Elsie is sent to his family’s sprawling country estate, The Bridge, to see out the final months of her pregnancy away from the overwhelming hustle and bustle of London. What she discovers upon arrival is a manor house falling into disrepair and a staff that already seems to resent her very presence despite having never met her before. Worse still is the ominous wooden creation lying in wait behind a locked door – a life-size, free-standing, flat figure that has been painted in painstaking detail to look as realistically human as possible. If that isn’t terrifying enough, it bears an uncanny resemblance to Elsie herself. While the wooden figure seems harmless and stationary at first, that swiftly changes as more begin to appear and move on their own throughout the house.

The Militia House by John Milas

John Milas’s debut novel, The Militia House, is a chilling gothic horror set in 2010 Afghanistan, where Corporal Loyette and his Marines encounter eerie and supernatural phenomena in a haunted Soviet-era barracks near their base. Drawing on his own experience as a Marine stationed in the region, Milas masterfully blends the psychological toll and monotony of military life with creeping paranormal terror. The novel builds slowly, immersing readers in the soldiers’ daily struggles before unleashing a haunting climax that explores the futility and trauma of modern warfare through a uniquely unsettling lens. It’s a gripping, atmospheric read that lingers long after the final page.

The year is 2010, and Cpl. Loyette and his unit are counting down the days until their time in Afghanistan finally comes to an end.

Their days are spent doing little more than loading and unloading cargo from helicopters, so when they hear rumors of a haunted Soviet-era militia house near their base, they jump at the opportunity to explore it. While nothing of note happens when they enter the old building, their unease and distrust in one another begins to grow in the days after. Porcupine quills are discovered around their base, strange drawings begin to appear on the walls, and some of the men are plagued by horrendous night terrors. Loyette himself is determined to write off his company’s behavior as a combination of boredom and exhaustion, but there’s something about the old building that he cannot ignore.

John Milas’ debut novel, The Militia House, is truly unlike any other haunted house novel. Milas seamlessly blends the horrors of war with psychological turmoil, and the result is a deeply unsettling and propulsive story that elegantly tackles the trauma that young service members face – both when abroad and coming home – and the supernatural.

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

Cassandra Khaw’s The Salt Grows Heavy is a darkly enchanting novella that reimagines the mermaid myth through a lens of brutal body horror and gothic fantasy. Narrated by a mute mermaid who has lost her tongue in a ritual to ensure loyalty, the story follows her and a mysterious plague doctor as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world where their ravenous daughters have destroyed a kingdom. Their journey leads them to a sinister village ruled by a cult of surgical saints controlling ageless, bloodthirsty children. Khaw’s precise, lyrical prose blends grotesque imagery with haunting fairy tale elements, exploring themes of power, transformation, and grief in a chilling, immersive narrative that has earned acclaim as one of 2023’s best horror books.

Set in a world where fairy-tale creatures have come to life, The Salt Grows Heavy follows a mermaid who has cut out her own tongue and a mysterious plague doctor as they traverse a desolate frozen wasteland together. While their conversation is decidedly one-sided, the chemistry between them as their journey unfolds is undeniable. At the bloody heart of this tale, like so many fables that have come before it, is a love story. Along the way, the mermaid and the plague doctor stumble across a village of bloodthirsty children – think Peter Pan’s Lost Boys, but much, much worse – and the terrifying, cannibalistic saints who watch over them.

With masterfully creepy stories like Nothing but Blackened Teeth, Hammers on Bone, The Salt Grows Heavy, and The Dead Take the A Train (out Oct. 3 and co-written with Richard Kadrey) under their belt, Cassandra Khaw is easily one of the most exciting voices in the horror world today. The Salt Grows Heavy stands out in particular for its spectacular world-building and cringe-worthy depictions of body horror – this one isn’t for the faint of heart. While it’s only 112 pages, you’ll wish there were 200 more to go by the end of it.

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

In Rachel Harrison’s Black Sheep, Vesper, a cynical woman in her twenties, is estranged from her family and working a job she hates when she receives an invitation to her cousin’s wedding, which lures her back to the toxic environment she escaped years ago. As Vesper confronts her family’s dark secrets, she is forced to face her crisis of faith, her identity, and the haunting grip of family secrets, realizing that her family is part of a powerful satanic group.

It’s fair to say that Vesper Wright had one hell of a childhood.

Her mother, Constance, is a beloved horror movie star who never gave Vesper the time of day and filled her home with monster movie paraphernalia, Vesper’s father was never around, and she was raised in a remote, strictly religious community. Vesper ran away from home at the age of 18, but when an envelope appears on her doorstep containing a wedding invitation, she decides to tempt fate and return to the farm where she grew up.

When Vesper’s return reveals the ugly truth about her family and a deadly secret that has been kept from her all her life, she finds herself torn between the people who love her and saving the world.

Rachel Harrison is the queen of deliciously pulpy horror that is a blast to read from start to finish, and she’s back once again with Black Sheep. It’s a gory and often laugh-out-loud-funny love letter to cult-classic horror films, scream queens, and indestructible final girls.

Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen

In Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen, readers are drawn into a chilling tale that blends psychological horror with a haunting exploration of loneliness and desire. This novella masterfully builds tension through its eerie atmosphere and unsettling characters, making it a perfect read for October nights when the shadows seem to whisper secrets. Allen’s sharp prose and emotional depth elevate the story beyond typical horror, offering a unique and memorable experience for fans of the genre.

Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen contains multitudes. It is, first and foremost, a compulsively readable horror novel that was clearly inspired by box-office slashers. It’s also a queer rom-com, satirical to its core, and contains biting commentary on America’s obsession with sensational reality TV shows such as The Bachelor. There also happens to be a murderous, misunderstood lady Bigfoot whose love language is physical affection.

Set in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Patricia Wants to Cuddle tells the story of the final four women in a cutthroat reality dating competition. Each woman has her own motivation to win – brand sponsorships and true love included – but their plans are thrown for a loop when dead bodies begin to appear. Within the first pages of Patricia Wants to Cuddle, a severed arm is spotted bobbing along the coast, and things only get more violent from there. Watching them from the shadows is the titular Patricia, and the locals who will do anything in their power, no matter the cost, to protect her.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas is a compelling blend of historical fiction, horror, and romance set during the Mexican-American War in the 1840s. The story follows Nena, the daughter of a rancher, and Néstor, a vaquero, who reunite after years apart amid the chaos of war and the terror of vampires preying on soldiers and locals. Cañas offers a unique and chilling portrayal of vampires, intertwining folklore and the harsh realities of conflict, while exploring themes of love, betrayal, and survival. The novel balances intense horror scenes with a slow-burning romance, making it a gripping read for fans of Gothic historical horror with emotional depth.

Peanut butter and chocolate. Apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Biscuits and gravy. There are some things that go perfectly together, and now, thanks to Isabel Cañas, vampires and cowboys can be added to that list. In Vampires of El Norte, Cañas once again blends historical fiction, romance, and horror to fantastic, swoon-worthy results.

Set along the Texas-Mexico border during the 1840s, Vampires of El Norte tells the story of Nena, a wealthy rancher’s daughter, and Néstor, a ranch hand on the farm where she lives. It’s clear from the first pages of this book that Nena and Néstor are meant to be together – they’re practically inseparable – despite her father’s disapproval of their relationship. When Nena is attacked by a terrifying, bloodsucking monster, the young vaquero is forced to go on the run to save his own life. It’s only when the United States attacks Mexico six years later that the two finally meet again. Néstor, haunted by the memory of his childhood sweetheart, is rightfully shocked to find her very much alive and furious with him for seemingly abandoning her. Miscommunication and stubbornness aside, the tension and chemistry between them is still palpable. Their reunion is made infinitely more complicated, however, when Mexican soldiers begin to fall mysteriously ill and the creature from Nena and Néstor’s past threatens their future.

Chlorine by Jade Song

Chlorine by Jade Song

Chlorine is a haunting debut novel that blends a literary coming-of-age story with dark, unsettling horror. It follows Ren Yu, a competitive high school swimmer whose life revolves around the pool, her coach, and the pressure to succeed. Haunted by mermaid myths and driven by a fierce desire to transform and find freedom, Ren’s journey explores themes of immigration, sapphic longing, and the intense, often painful process of becoming oneself. The novel vividly portrays the physical and emotional toll of growing up in a society that scrutinizes young women’s bodies, weaving supernatural elements with real-world struggles of identity, abuse, and belonging. Praised for its visionary and disturbing narrative, Chlorine is a powerful, immersive read perfect for October’s dark moods.

If horror stories over the years have told us anything, teenage girls are truly some of the toughest and most terrifying people on the planet. Chlorine’s main character, Ren Yu, is no exception.

Chlorine is a dark and deeply unsettling sapphic coming-of-age tale about an obsessive and manipulative young woman who will do whatever it takes to prove to her friends and family that she is actually a mermaid. It is a fever dream of a book, and Ren’s quest for a tail becomes increasingly intense until it culminates in a uniquely grotesque and viscerally upsetting scene best left for you to discover on your own. Caught in Ren’s wake is her best friend, Cathy, who is struggling with her own feelings for Ren. As the two girls grow closer, Cathy finds herself torn between what is best for Ren and her friend’s insatiable desire to return to the water.

Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

Gerardo Sámano Córdova’s Monstrilio is a literary horror debut that explores the raw and complex emotions of grief, acceptance, and the monstrous facets of love and loyalty. The novel follows Magos, a grieving mother who nurtures a sentient, carnivorous creature born from a piece of her deceased son’s lung, hidden within the walls of their decaying Mexico City home. Spanning from Mexico City to Brooklyn and Berlin, Monstrilio offers a haunting and precise portrait of humanity through its blend of bold imagination and emotional depth. This ambitious work challenges genre conventions with its visceral body horror and tender exploration of family, identity, and queerness, making it a standout in contemporary horror fiction.

Told in four parts and in four distinct voices, Gerardo Sámano Córdova’s debut literary horror novel, Monstrilio, is a work of art, a pitch-perfect look at what makes a family and the lengths that we will go to for those we love.

Few things in this world are more shattering than the loss of a child. When Magos’ son dies, she cuts out a piece of his lung to keep with her in a startling act of anguish and violence. It’s enough to drive away her husband – who’s already grappling with the weight of his own grief – and their relationship crumbles as a result. When the lung begins to grow limbs (in an image not unlike the novelty grow-a-boyfriend toys), a thin layer of fur, and gains some semblance of sentience, Magos attempts to hide the creature in her decaying family home. But keeping Monstrilio, who begins to resemble her deceased son, secret and safe from the general public who would undoubtedly kill him becomes increasingly more difficult as his insatiable hunger continues to grow.

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus is a gripping and scientifically accurate thriller that follows Jay Gardiner, a troubled teenage diver who embarks on a solo mission to recover his estranged father’s remains from the Pacific Ocean. During the dive, Jay is unexpectedly swallowed by a massive sperm whale, setting off a harrowing fight for survival inside the whale’s belly with only an hour of oxygen left. Beyond the intense physical ordeal, the novel delves deeply into themes of guilt, grief, and reconciliation as Jay confronts his complicated relationship with his father and seeks redemption. Kraus masterfully blends suspense, marine biology, and emotional depth to create a unique horror experience that is both thrilling and poignant.

Whalefall is quite unlike any of the other horror novels on this list. There is no body horror or possessions here. There are no vampires or monsters hiding in the shadows. Instead, there is an utterly oblivious, 60-ton sperm whale and the man it accidentally swallows alive.

A cramped, heart-pounding, and compulsively readable survival-horror story, Whalefall begins as Jay Gardiner, wracked with guilt over his complicated relationship with his recently deceased father, sets out on a quest to recover his remains off the coast of Monastery Beach. The dive begins without incident, but quickly takes a turn when Jay finds himself grappled in the tentacles of a giant squid. As if that isn’t terrifying enough, things go from bad to much, much worse when the squid and Jay are both drawn into the mouth of a hungry whale in a moment that feels straight out of Moby Dick. Now quite literally trapped in the belly of a whale, Jay only has an hour of oxygen to try and escape a watery grave.

Which horror books will keep you awake all October long

Here are some horror books that will keep you awake all October long with their chilling, suspenseful, and terrifying stories:

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King – A classic vampire tale set in October that combines scares and a fun read perfect for spooky season.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – A psychological horror masterpiece that plunges you into eerie paranoia and ghostly dread.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty – One of the scariest books ever, dealing with demonic possession and supernatural terror.
No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Neville – A terrifying, atmospheric horror novel that builds dread steadily.
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman – A dark, plague-era horror novel praised as a masterpiece of the genre.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill – A creepy story about a haunted item that will keep you turning pages.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward – A mind-boggling horror with twists and a chilling mystery binding its characters.
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff – A bloody, gory vampire epic that’s intense and haunting.
Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge – A seasonal horror novel perfect for October’s atmosphere.
Halloween Fiend by Various Authors – A collection of October-themed horror stories to get you in the mood.

These selections span classic and contemporary horror, psychological terror, supernatural dread, and intense suspense, ensuring sleepless nights throughout October.

Which horror books are most likely to keep me awake all October long

For a truly sleepless October filled with relentless scares, these horror books come highly recommended by avid readers and horror communities:

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King – A perennial October favorite, this vampire novel combines classic horror with a chilling small-town atmosphere that many reread every year.
No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Neville – Praised for its steady buildup of dread and terrifying atmosphere, despite some readers finding it lengthy.
The Ritual by Adam Neville and The Keep by F. Paul Wilson – Both deliver intense, unsettling horror perfect for spooky season.
Cunning Folk by Adam Neville – Noted for its masterful pacing of dread and well-written, immersive horror.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill – A creepy tale centered around a haunted object that keeps readers hooked.
Dark Harvest and Halloween Fiend – Especially fitting for October, these books capture the season’s eerie vibe.
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman – A dark, plague-era horror novel lauded as a masterpiece with a biblical, apocalyptic tone.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward – A mind-bending novel full of twists and chilling mysteries.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – A psychological horror classic that expertly builds unease and ghostly dread.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty – One of the scariest novels ever written about demonic possession.

Additional notable mentions include Summer of Night, Ghost Story, Bone White, The Narrows, Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, and works by Thomas Ligotti for those who enjoy atmospheric, existential horror.

These selections span supernatural terror, psychological horror, and atmospheric dread, ensuring many sleepless nights throughout October.