I want you to feel something, something that makes you want to want to hide from whatever is waiting for you in the darkness. To experience nightmares that have been curated by literature that sends shivers up your spine. I want you to feel fear with this list of the top 10 most disturbing horror books that I have read.
I often come across predictable horror book lists that feature older books or ones that I don’t find scary at all. Many of these lists heavily rely on mainstream authors like Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, and Dean Koontz, so I decided to create my own list that excludes their works (with a few honourable mentions). As someone who has listened to over a hundred horror books and enjoys the genre, I present my top 10 list of genuinely disturbing horror books.
10: The only good Indians - Stephen Graham Jones
Synopsis: The only good Indians is a modern retelling of a Native American supernatural folktale, exploring themes of revenge, racism, loss, and lineage.
Why it’s disturbing: While there are graphic death scenes, the animal mutilation and the relentless spirit in the story add to the creepiness. The book has excellent character development, and the disturbing elements are not as graphic as some other books on this list.
Rating: Half a sleepless night. One scene especially involving a motorcycle death really got to me unexpectedly.
9: Dead Moon by Peter Clines
Synopsis: The third book in the Threshold series, “Dead Moon” takes place on the moon, where a colony discovers a mysterious egg that brings about terrifying consequences.
Why it’s disturbing: The horror in this book mainly comes from the creature itself and the presence of zombies. However, it’s the first blob-like monster that swallows people whole and adds them to its mass that truly scares me.
Rating: Just over a sleepless night due mostly to the terrifying Lovecraftian entity.
8: The Ritual by Adam Nevill
Synopsis: A group of British friends takes a shortcut through an off-the-beaten-track trail during a hiking trip in Sweden.
Why it’s disturbing: Personally, this book hit close to home for me because of a childhood experience. The ancient entity and the constant dread of journeying through a dense forest with the characters added to the disturbing atmosphere.
Rating: two and a half sleepless nights because I have a fear of the woods after being lost in them as a child.
7: Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Synopsis: The book follows a family dealing with their eldest daughter, whom they believe is possessed by an evil entity. The story switches between the present day and the past, where the family agrees to have the possession televised due to financial difficulties.
Why it’s disturbing: This book blurs the lines between mental illness and possession, leaving the reader questioning the true nature of the daughter’s actions. The twist and the perspective of the younger sister add to the unsettling nature of the story.
Rating: Three full sleepless nights due to one of the most disturbing outcomes I have ever heard.
6: John Dies at the End by Jason Pargin (David Wong)
Synopsis: The book follows John, an anti-hero, as he narrates his story to a journalist. The narrative involves doppelgängers, a multiverse, and body horror elements.
Why it’s disturbing: While technically a horror comedy, “John Dies at the End” has some truly disturbing moments. The nuanced exploration of the doppelgänger theme and the creepy alternative universe, particularly a scene involving an execution, made me feel sick in a good way.
Rating: Four and a half sleepless nights due to the alternative universe and its creepy body horror.
6: Pinkie by me (Shameless self promotion)
Synopsis: Pinkie follows newly wed couple Max and Pholoso as they struggle to build a life in England battling cold, local hostility and an ancient curse that followed them.
I really wanted to write something funny for once. I grew up on British comedies while in South Africa and as I grew up and started to get into horror I always wanted to combine the two genres. I really wanted to channel both my inner Nick Cutter and my inner Nick Frost.
Rating: One particularly bad night. I remember having a dream about a version of my wife sitting at the end of my bed.
Read more about Pinkie
5: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison
Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic world, a supercomputer named AM tortures the few remaining humans relentlessly.
Why it’s disturbing: Despite being the oldest book on this list, it still holds up well. The depiction of AM as an evil sentient computer is chilling and disturbing.
Rating: Six solid sleepless nights. Hearing the author read it adds to the impact.
4: The Troop by Craig Davidson (Nick Cutter)
Synopsis: Described as “Lord of the Flies” with giant parasitic worms, this book follows a group of adolescent boys on an isolated island.
Why it’s disturbing: Nick Cutter’s works are known for grotesque imagery, and “The Troop” is no exception. The concept of worms infesting the body can be deeply unsettling.
Rating: Seven sleepless nights due to nightmares about worms infesting my body and brain.
3: The Ruins by Scott Smith
Synopsis: A group of tourists in Mexico finds themselves facing an ancient evil entity in a remote area.
Why it’s disturbing: This book features a dark and grim plot, and the malevolent otherworldly entity reveling in the characters’ suffering is deeply disturbing.
Rating: Ten sleepless nights, primarily due to the unsettling ending.
2: Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (translated by Sarah Moses)
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian world where animals have gone extinct, humans are raised as livestock. The story takes place in a human slaughterhouse.
Why it’s disturbing: This book delves into cannibalism and contains imagery that made me feel sick. It is not for everyone and made me question my dietary choices.
Rating: Countless sleepless nights due to the disturbing imagery, particularly surrounding veal.
Honorable Mentions:
- “The Wilder Girls” by Rory Powers – YA with great body horror elements.
- “1408” by Stephen King – Stephen King’s most disturbing book, in my opinion.
- “Phantoms” by Dean Koontz – Recommended if you’re looking to read a Dean Koontz book.
- “Metro 2033” by Dmitry Glukhovsky – Features creatures that can imitate humans and a sense of horror in living underground.
- “Unspeakable Things” by Jess Lourey – Grounded in reality but might not be as disturbing as other books on the list.
- “Broken Monsters” by Lauren Beukes – A South African author, but other books had a more significant impact.
- “Little Heaven” by Nick Cutter – Another Nick Cutter book worth mentioning.
1: The Deep by Craig Davidson (Nick Cutter)
Synopsis: This book begins with a deadly disease, explores the pursuit of immortality, involves bees, and features otherworldly sci-fi monsters. The plot can be disjointed at times.
Why it’s disturbing: I can’t pinpoint exactly what disturbed me the most about this book, but the vivid imagery stayed with me long after I listened to it. It effectively describes terror and has haunted me for years.
Rating: Unending nightmares. Even after three years, the book still haunts me.
