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PREMIUM
Silver Nitrate
Moreno-Garcia (The Daughter of Doctor Moreau) has written a love letter to Mexico City’s film industry and an excellent entry into the popular horror subgenre of occult films. Suggest to fans of The Shoemaker’s Magician by Cynthia Pelayo, Experimental Film by Gemma Files, and The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman.
Two-time Hugo finalist Tingle (Straight) has a huge cult following, and his brilliant mainstream debut does not disappoint. Suggest to fans of authors such as V. Castro and Hailey Piper, who take well-worn tropes and explore them through marginalized perspectives, creating something breathtaking and wholly new.
Yet another not-to-miss release by the popular and critically acclaimed Tremblay (The Pallbearers Club), showcasing a discomfort that is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson but still new and thought-provoking.
This book can be enjoyed from cover to cover or as a choose-your-own spooky adventure; either way, it will entice all who encounter it to seek out more horror. Libraries should consider having a reference and a circulating copy and may want to make extra copies of the reading checklist in the back to hand out.
PREMIUM
Vampires of El Norte
The many fans of The Hacienda will be eager for Cañas’s second novel, which will also thrill and chill readers who’d enjoy a mash-up of Alma Katsu’s historical horror, Andy Davidson’s In the Valley of the Sun, and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
PREMIUM
What Kind of Mother
Chapman (Ghost Eaters) is becoming a not-to-miss horror novelist. Suggest this one to a varied audience of fans who enjoy intense psychological tales like Paul Tremblay’s The Pallbearers Club, body horror like Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad, and parental horror like Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth; don’t forget fans of the pulp classic “Clickers” series, originated by J.F. Gonzalez.
Both fantastic storytellers, Kowal (The Spare Man) and Kingfisher (What Moves the Dead) are a perfect pairing for this excellent Southern gothic, an essential purchase.
PREMIUM
Cursed Bunny: Stories
Fans of unsettling short stories should give Chung’s twisted modern folk tales a listen. These visceral, smart tales, teaching their lessons through suffering, make an impact.
LaValle’s gorgeous prose and dynamic characters, combined with the horrific supernatural, make for a compelling listen. Share with fans of Alma Katsu, Erin E. Adams, and Isabel Cañas.
PREMIUM
The Haunting of Alejandra
Listeners will be buoyed by Alejandra’s decision to find herself, save her children, and break free from generational curses. A feminist retelling that will appeal to fans of psychological horror and the works of Isabel Cañas and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
PREMIUM
Bad Cree
Johns is an exciting new Indigenous voice in the horror genre. Readers who enjoyed Stephen Graham Jones’s The Only Good Indians and Erika Wurth’s White Horse will not want to miss this.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a dark, dizzying domestic thriller steeped in menace and mistrust. Recommended for fans of Gillian Flynn, Ashley Audrain, and Riley Sager.
PREMIUM
Briardark
A promising otherworldly horror series that offers mystery, momentum, and a touch of sci-fi. Listeners will be glad to know that a sequel is due out in 2024.
PREMIUM
Queer Little Nightmares
Listeners will likely sympathize and perhaps even root for these monsters not because they are monstrous but because their status as outsiders is universally human.
PREMIUM
All Hallows
Although this Halloween horror is deeply steeped in nostalgia, Golden doesn’t shy away from putting his characters, and listeners, through the emotional wringer. Recommended for fans of Dean Koontz, Grady Hendrix, and Joe Hill.
This story, full of heart and hemorrhages, emphatically proves that literary beauty and gory kills aren’t mutually exclusive. Jade Daniels could be the horror heroine who will have both Freddy and Jason checking under their own beds.
PREMIUM
Sister, Maiden, Monster
A unique and thought-provoking horror, visceral and violent, but deepened by Snyder’s deft touch for relationships, both sexual and platonic. An enthralling portrait of a world teetering on the brink of destruction.
American Book Award winner Due (The Wishing Pool and Other Stories) has written a masterpiece of fiction whose fear actively surrounds its readers, while the novel speaks to all situations where injustice occurs and compels its audience to act. For fans of The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, The Trees by Percival Everett, and The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones.
PREMIUM
A Moonlit Path of Madness
A historical tale of psychological horror, expertly rendered in the style of a classic gothic novel from the era in which it’s set, this small-press title can be confidently suggested to readers who enjoyed Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Molly Pohlig’s The Unsuitable, or anything by Jennifer McMahon.
A provocative and harrowing thriller with a distinct and passionately expressed perspective on the modern world.
PREMIUM
Her Little Flowers
Overall, the novel provides a compelling supernatural mystery that will hold a reader’s attention right up to the last page. Recommend to fans of Kate Morton and Eve Chase.
Libraries looking to add the leading edge of modern horror to their collection should purchase Fracassi’s new book. Some good read-alikes include The Troop by Nick Cutter, What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher, and Goddess of Filth by V. Castro.
PREMIUM
The Edge of Sleep
Cosmic horror at its finest (and weirdest), this is a wild ride that is equally trippy and jarring.
PREMIUM
Burn the Negative
Winning’s latest, after The Shadow Glass, is a spine-tingling, rip-roaring yarn that hearkens back to the thrills and chills of the best ’80s slasher horror. Hand this to readers who liked The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, or My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
PREMIUM
Jawbone
This experimental horror novel is not for the faint of heart. For those brave enough to take it on, however, it offers a terrifying look into the trauma of womanhood and desire.
In this immersive, richly detailed novel, Mary is an enthralling heroine with whom readers will empathize, and owing to assured, luscious prose, whose plight they will champion.
PREMIUM
Starve Acre
Reminiscent of Henry James and Shirley Jackson’s slow-burn scares and bubbling unease, this book is for readers who like their scares to come with a tauntingly slow drawing back of a stage curtain rather than the spring-loaded explosion of a jack-in-the-box.
PREMIUM
The Militia House
Milas served in Helmand Province and writes with clarity and precision about the physical and psychological realities of the war in Afghanistan. Fans of Stephen King’s horror and Phil Klay’s fictional explorations of war will be drawn to this.
Australian author Kaaron Warren talks to LJ about her youthful bibliomania, how the horror genre chose her, and an ancient fish sauce that inspired her new novel, Bitters.
LaRocca (They Were Here Before Us) has seen viral success with their shorter works, but their first full-length novel demonstrates their growth as a writer. A perfect example of how writers from historically marginalized communities, like Hailey Piper, R.J. Joseph, and V. Castro, are actively mining the horror of their personal experiences to create terrifying, original, and emotionally resonant works that speak loudly to readers.
With this brilliantly constructed tale that consciously takes on a well-known story and violently breaks it open to reveal a heartfelt core, Khaw cements their status as a must-read author. For fans of sinister, thought-provoking, horrific retellings of Western classics by authors of marginalized identity like Helen Oyeyemi and Ahmed Saadawi.
Will be enjoyed by fans of Cassandra Khaw and Lucy Snyder, but more importantly, it’s another stellar collection from Undertow, making the independent publisher a not-to-miss player in the horror marketplace.
PREMIUM
Paradise-1
Wellington (The Last Astronaut), one of the innovators of novel serializations, retains that spirit in this open-ended series starter. A solid entry in the popular space-horror subgenre, which will appeal to fans of S.A. Barnes and John Scalzi.
PREMIUM
Maeve Fly
Obvious comparisons will be made to American Psycho, but this illicitly alluring tale pairs even better with current voices in the extreme-horror subgenre, such as Michael J. Seidlinger, Eric LaRocca, and Hailey Piper.
PREMIUM
Graveyard of Lost Children
Monroe’s (They Drown Our Daughters) honest and thoughtful contemplation of the horrors of postpartum depression is as big a draw as the visceral dread of the suspenseful thriller/horror hybrid storyline. A perfect choice for fans of motherhood-framed psychological horror like Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi DeMeester and Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel.
Well known in Australia for her critically acclaimed and compelling speculative fiction, Warren has written a must-read for fans of menacing, thought-provoking, horror-laced dystopias like Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender is the Flesh and Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves.
PREMIUM
The Screaming Child
A great suggestion for readers who enjoy the atmospheric, horror-adjacent novels of Simone St. James or psychological horror such as Petra’s Ghost by C.S. O’Cinneide.
A sometimes harrowing, sometimes gruesome, but always entertaining collection; listeners may want to take care not to listen near a forest! Fans of feminist folklore retellings will find much to love.
Riveting literary horror superbly realized in audio, highlighted by narrator Graham Halstead, who effectively conveys Hale’s disintegrating mental state. Narrators Toni Frutin, Shiromi Arserio, Jennifer Aquino, and Gary Tiedemann further enhance the audio by giving voice to reporters, interviewees, and medical personnel.
PREMIUM
How To Sell a Haunted House
Hendrix is poised to be one of the greats of horror fiction, and libraries will want to put this audio at the top of their lists. A must-add for any horror collection.
PREMIUM
Abandon
This early work of Crouch, only recently brought to life as an audiobook, is ultimately a tale of how humanity, under the right circumstances, can become very inhumane.
PREMIUM
The Insatiable Volt Sisters
Twists and turns keep readers riveted through the entire novel, and the ending will stick with them for days. Fans of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House will appreciate it.
These stories come together to create an excellent jumping-off point for discovering Due’s body of work.
PREMIUM
DMV
A wild romp that will appeal to readers who like their horror tinted with a little wry humor.
PREMIUM
The Marigold
Sullivan’s story blends body horror, urban dystopia, and eco-horror into a unique tale about the high price of progress.
This book’s haunted house doesn’t stop at a few creaky floorboards, cold spots, and moans that could be dismissed as caused by the wind. Rumfitt’s house forces its victims (and listeners as well) to confront the horrors just outside their windows.
PREMIUM
The Nightmare Man
Fans of Paul Tremblay, T. Kingfisher, and Stephen King will enjoy Markert’s fast-paced, old-school horror, brimming with edgy tension and evil.
Fans of the supernatural rooted in realism, as well as of Indigenous authors such as Stephen Graham Jones, will want to accompany Kari on her spiritual and emotional journey.
PREMIUM
Final Girls
Grant, a pseudonym of Seanan McGuire, has penned a vivid if brief story grounded with strong characterizations and intriguing questions about identity and friendship.
PREMIUM
The Spite House
A deliciously chilling novel with notes of The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson and The Shining by Stephen King.
Lux creates a beautifully poignant tale of the consequences of desire, both of getting what we want and the pain of its being just out of reach.
PREMIUM
Vial Thoughts
Overall, this book is a solid debut and sure to be enjoyed by steampunk fans who’d like to dip a toe into the bloody horror pool.
A collection of autobiographical works that are personal, moving, and frightening, plus some recounted ghost stories, that will likely appeal to both memoir and horror readers.
PREMIUM
Our Share of Night
This dense novel unfortunately lacks cohesion and, for some, might lose its appeal halfway through, despite the immersive depiction of the socio-economic landscape and well-formed characters. Readers new to Enriquez and seeking unsettling gothic horror might pick up her short story collection first.
PREMIUM
Claw Heart Mountain
This propulsive story is made even more terrifying in audio and is a must-add to any collection, perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay and Stephen Graham Jones.
PREMIUM
A Sliver of Darkness: Stories
Good for fans of short stories and horror, but share also with writers, artists, and creators who can relate to Tudor’s struggles as an author torn between the creative process and real life.
PREMIUM
Monstrilio
An enthralling debut that packs a heavy emotional punch. Fans of domestic horror like Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth or Ashley Audrain’s The Push will find a lot to chew on here.
Highly recommended for lovers of Southern gothics, readers who like their horror to sneak up on them, and anyone who appreciates the voice of Kingfisher (What Moves the Dead), no matter what genre she’s currently writing.
PREMIUM
Piñata
A great choice for readers who enjoy novels where the true horrors of colonization and human-rights atrocities are corrected in gruesomely riveting fashion while retaining the utmost respect to the victims, as seen in the works of V. Castro, Stephen Graham Jones, and Tananarive Due.
PREMIUM
Lone Women
LaValle grips readers with the subtle terror of inevitability, only to hold tight with tenderness.
PREMIUM
Head Cleaner
Once it gets going, Keaton’s (She Was Found in a Guitar Case) novel is a nonstop thrill ride blending science fiction, horror, and a lot of humor. For readers who enjoy Chuck Palahniuk and Lauren Beukes.
PREMIUM
Twelve Months and a Day
Though Young doesn’t stint on the heart-wrenching sadness inherent in the losses her characters face, she gives them enough time and space to discover that there is still room for love and hope (and humor) in their futures.
PREMIUM
Sisters of the Lost Nation
Though the Takoda tribe is not a real one, the author has based it on existing Indigenous nations, and the crimes against Indigenous women in the book are sadly realistic. But it’s the importance of stories, and who gets to keep and tell them, that’s at the heart of Medina’s gothic mystery.
Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo is an International Latino Book Award–winning and three-time Bram Stoker Awards–nominated poet and author. She talks with LJ about her writing process, writing history, and the horror genre.
PREMIUM
Claw Heart Mountain
Oppegaard wisely keeps the action moving at the speed of an action thriller or a slasher movie, giving the novel a frenetic pace that makes it a fun read, even though his characterizations don’t go beyond their archetypes (spunky final girl Nova, rich and beautiful Mackenna, stone-cold hit man Bannock, etc.).
PREMIUM
Ghostwritten
This delightfully horrific book is also a flex of Malfi’s writing talent, showcasing the marvelous assortment of horror subgenres and character archetypes in his writing toolbox. Share with fans of Paul Tremblay, Stephen King and Joe Hill.
PREMIUM
Sister, Maiden, Monster
Snyder (“Jessie Shimmer” series; Halloween Season), a critically acclaimed indie horror vet, steps boldly into her major-press debut, setting a new standard for readers looking to try cosmic horror. Fans of this subgenre will be delighted, awestruck, and terrified in equal measure, much like when they read Caitlin R. Kiernan or Hailey Piper.
A gripping story filled with ghosts, mystery, and history, this novel has many excellent entry points for a wide range of readers, but especially for those who enjoy creepy retellings of western folklore, as written by authors like Helen Oyeyemi, and books about occult movies, such as Experimental Film by Gemma Files.
The popularity of the Lovecraft Country TV show means that even more readers will be eager for the return of Ruff (88 Names; The Mirage). A great suggestion for fans of novels hat grapple with the racism in stalwart horror tropes, such as Ring Shout by P. Djéli Clark and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
PREMIUM
Mothered
Stage’s latest (after The Girl Who Outgrew the World) feels like a nice bookend to her Bram Stoker Award–nominated debut novel, Baby Teeth, an LJ Best Book of 2018. A great choice for fans of intense psychological horror where nothing can be trusted and no one can look away from the emerging nightmare, such as in Now You’re One of Us by Asa Nonami or The Unsuitable by Molly Pohlig.
PREMIUM
Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger
This fun, imaginative, and confident series opener will be a massive crowd pleaser for general audiences, especially for those who enjoy a wide range of popular weird western offerings, from the more historical, like Stoker’s Wilde West by Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi, to those with cosmic elements, such as The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon.
The big-five-publisher debut by Castro (Out of Aztlan; Bram Stoker Award–nominated The Queen of the Cicadas) will bring her critically acclaimed, honest, sensual, and raw storytelling to a larger audience. Suggest far and wide to fans of unapologetically feminist, thought-provoking, and engrossing horror, such as the works of Carmen Maria Machado and Gwendolyn Kiste.
Fracassi, coming off a Bram Stoker Award nomination for his horror short-story collection Beneath a Pale Sky, is on a roll. A violent and original entry into both the cursed-object and writer-descending-into-madness tropes, with palpable fear leaping off the page, similar to The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
Full of frights both real and supernatural, the best horror novels of 2022 are a terrifying joy to read.
In this subversion of the classic haunted-house/found-footage story, DiLouie demonstrates his ability to toy with and eventually upend readers’ expectations. What could have been a story full of the typical tropes becomes an unsettling exploration into what lies beyond life, death, and reality itself.
PREMIUM
The Spite House
One part road trip, one part family relationships, and one part haunted house, serve this update on genre staples to showcase the voice of a rising new writer to an audience that adores the classics.
PREMIUM
Such Sharp Teeth
Perfect for listeners who enjoy their horror on the supernatural side with an added smidge of romance to season the tale.
PREMIUM
They Drown Our Daughters
This story, reminiscent of classic gothic horror such as The Haunting of Hill House but with a modern flair, will appeal to a wide range of horror readers. Recommended for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Jennifer McMahon, or any other reader looking for a creepy and satisfying listen.
PREMIUM
The Devil Takes You Home
Iglesias’s horrifying latest will have cross-appeal for fans of horror and crime. The intense violence may not appeal to all listeners, but this book is an excellent fit for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Stephen Graham Jones, and S.A. Cosby.
An inclusive and thoughtful collection that will leave listeners with a list of new authors and narrators to seek out.
PREMIUM
Dead Water
The story eventually turns into a taut survival horror, but it is a long slog before listeners get there. An optional purchase for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Black Mouth
This horrific tale will appeal to readers who appreciate coming-of-age stories, found families, sibling relationships, and childhood friends reuniting as adults to defeat a villain from their youth. Share with fans of Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, and Peter Straub.
PREMIUM
Bad Dolls
With whip-smart dialogue and many awkwardly compelling situations, this collection delivers. Recommend to listeners looking for eerie, rather than gory, horror.
PREMIUM
When the Night Bells Ring
Part Weird West horror and part claustrophobic descent into darkness, this book’s double narratives will drag readers into its Stygian depths.
Adding Malerman’s flair for creating sympathetic characters and his brutal descriptions of violence creates a fun and fright-filled ghost story, along with a villain that could easily live and thrive in horror fans’ nightmares. Fans of Thomas Olde Heuvelt, Grady Hendrix, and Riley Sager will be delighted.
PREMIUM
Old Country
This is basically a by-the-book ghost story set in rural Idaho, but VandenHuevel’s and Goglia’s depictions of Harry and Sasha are empathetic enough that listeners will be wholly invested in their story.
PREMIUM
Ghost Eaters
Expect Chapman’s latest to become a horror classic. An exceptional addition to any library’s collection, and a must-listen for fans of Paul Tremblay, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Stephen Graham Jones, and T. Kingfisher.
PREMIUM
Coyote Songs
First published in 2018 and now available in audio, Iglesias’s (The Devil Takes You Home) haunting mix of crime, horror, and magical realism will not be easily forgotten.
PREMIUM
The Nightmare Man
Markert’s (Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel, published under the name James Markert) first horror novel is both a literary thrill ride and a supernaturally satisfying guilty pleasure.
A deeply unsettling, breathlessly thrilling, uncommonly engrossing horror story, rendered in exquisitely atmospheric illustration, and a provocative meditation on what it takes to stay alive, and to stay human, in a collapsing world. This volume collects the first six issues of a 12-issue story.
PREMIUM
Out of Aztlan
Colorful and complex language paired with an edgy tone and mystical plotlines make this an easy choice for acquisition departments. Some good suggestions for read-alikes include Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, Other Terrors: An Inclusive Anthology edited by Vince A. Liaguno and Rena Mason, and Both Sides: Stories From the Border edited by Gabino Iglesias.
PREMIUM
Bad Cree
Despite some of the genuinely eerie imagery and horror elements, when the book ends, what readers will remember most are the moments these characters shared together, playing cards and talking late into the night.
PREMIUM
A History of Fear
Scariest and most relatable for collections with a young adult readership tackling college in the near future.
A must-have for any library that will appeal to a broad audience. Hendrix is a best-seller for a reason, and this new novel shows he is only getting better with age. Some excellent read-alikes to recommend are Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw, The Invited by Jennifer McMahon, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
PREMIUM
Dear Diary: Run Like Hell
Moore has pulled off a home run with this wonderfully written book. Recommend to readers who like the “Sandman Slim” series by Richard Kadrey and Billy Summers by Stephen King.
PREMIUM
Reluctant Immortals
Fans of gothic horror will appreciate this complex tale, which is ultimately a story about two women drawing strength from each other so they can each write their own stories.
PREMIUM
The Creeper
Deliciously eerie, this may get off to a slow start, but it builds intense momentum and suspense in a spooky setting that is so immersive, readers will not be able to shake that feeling of dread and foreboding long after they’ve closed the book and the curtains, for good measure.
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