15 Best Horror Authors to Read in 2024
Get ready to dive into a world that sends shivers down your spine! We’ve embarked on a chilling expedition to discover the finest works by the best horror authors. In curating this list of 15 spine-tingling tales, we focused on books that truly showcase these authors’ ability to create a creepy atmosphere, build tension, and leave us sleeping with the lights on. From classic eerie tales to modern-day frighteners, our selection brims with hair-raising narratives that will grip you tighter than a monster under your bed.
On this list:
15 Carrie by Stephen King
Stephen King’s debut is a classic! We were hooked by Carrie’s telekinetic wrath and her revenge on the bullies. It’s like watching a train wreck – you can’t look away!
14 The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson made us want to sleep with the lights on. The creepy old house and eerie happenings make this a bone-chilling read. It’s a haunted house story done right!
13 Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Close your eyes and hold onto your seat! Josh Malerman gives us a world where seeing is deadly. Suspenseful and thrilling, we couldn’t put it down until we found out how it ends.
12 Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
This Swedish horror novel is a refreshing take on vampirism and loneliness. The friendship between Oskar and Eli is hauntingly beautiful. Horror with heart – it’s a must-read!
11 The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Possession stories don’t come more terrifying than this! Blatty’s tale of a young girl possessed by a demon still gives us nightmares. It’s intense and not for the faint-hearted!
10 American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Meet Patrick Bateman, the charming yet psychopathic protagonist. Ellis gives us a glimpse into the mind of a serial killer with wit and horror. Disturbingly fascinating!
9 The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Cannibalistic psychopaths? Check. Intense psychological thriller? Check. Harris’s tale of Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter is a gripping game of cat and mouse. We loved every terrifying page!
8 House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
A labyrinth of text and mystery! House of Leaves is not your typical ghost story, and we were left questioning reality. It’s a mind-bending experience like no other!
7 The Shining by Stephen King
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! The Overlook Hotel becomes horrifyingly real in King’s tale of madness and ghosts. A masterpiece of dread.
6 Hell House by Richard Matheson
Come along for a spooky ride in the haunted Belasco House. Matheson’s story is chilling and atmospheric. One of the best haunted house tales ever!
5 World War Z by Max Brooks
Zombie apocalypse survival guide! Brooks’s account of the global zombie war is detailed and frighteningly realistic. It’s not just about zombies – it’s about survival!
4 Dracula by Bram Stoker
The original vampire novel that started it all! Stoker’s Dracula is a timeless classic. Atmospheric and creepy, it set the bar for vampire tales.
3 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley’s cautionary tale of science gone wrong still resonates. Victor Frankenstein and his creation explore themes of life, death, and the human condition. A literary icon!
2 Pet Sematary by Stephen King
King’s tale of love, loss, and resurrection got us seriously creeped out. The story explores the idea that some things are better left buried. Bone-chilling!
1 It by Stephen King
We chose ‘It’ as the best for its sheer terror and depth. Pennywise the clown is fear incarnate, lurking in the sewers of Derry. King’s story expertly intertwines the innocence of childhood with bone-chilling horror. In our quest for the best horror writers, Stephen King’s ‘It’ stands as a monumental achievement. King crafts a narrative that doesn’t just scare – it delves into universal fears of growing up, friendship, and facing our demons. At over 1,000 pages, ‘It’ may be daunting, but it’s a journey worth every scare. A testament to King’s mastery, ‘It’ remains a cornerstone of horror literature.
