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The best horror books to read this spooky season

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Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating may come and go, but losing yourself in a creepy horror novel is timeless. Whether you're drawn to chilling gothic literature, psychological thrillers or full-blown supernatural terror, horror books remain one of the best ways to get into the spooky spirit.

Need some inspiration for your next scary read? You’re in the right place. We’ve put together the following guide to bone-chilling stories, cult classics, and new releases, to help you find the best horror books to read – if you dare…

If you already know what you’re looking for, jump straight to the section by clicking below: 

Famous horror books you have to read once

You can’t beat a classic. If you haven’t read these famous horror books, you need to add them to your list.

Pet Sematary by Stephen King (1983)

Sometimes dead is better. That’s the lesson at the heart of Stephen King’s deeply unsettling novel about grief, guilt and what happens when we try to undo the natural order. When Louis Creed moves his family to a quiet town in Maine, he discovers a makeshift pet cemetery behind their house – and something even darker hidden beyond it. Pet Sematary is widely regarded as one of King’s creepiest horror books, not just for its supernatural chills, but for the unbearable choices at its core.

The best new horror books for Halloween

Looking for a modern read? Here’s some of the best horror novels from the last few years…

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (2025)

Grady Hendrix returns with a blistering blend of feminist rage and dark humour in this supernatural tale of rebellion. A secret coven of girls find power through witchcraft but as their magic begins to grow, so too does the danger. Hendrix turns a coming-of-age story into a chilling look at trauma, sisterhood and vengeance. Expect eerie twists, occult rituals and sharp social commentary in one of the best new horror books for fans of The Year of the Witching.

The scariest horror books you’ll ever read

If you’re after something truly terrifying, this list of the creepiest horror books is guaranteed to get you shaking in your boots.

The Shining by Stephen King (1977)

Set in an isolated hotel cut off from the world, The Shining follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as winter caretaker. With his wife and son in tow, he hopes for a fresh start – but the Overlook Hotel has other plans. Haunted by ghosts both literal and psychological, Jack begins to unravel, while his son Danny’s psychic “shining” reveals horrors the adults can’t see. Claustrophobic, creeping and completely terrifying, this is one of the scariest horror novels of all time – and a masterclass in how madness takes hold.

Frequently asked questions

What is the scariest horror book ever written?

There’s no ‘one’ scariest horror book – for some, it’s the slow-burn psychological dread of The Haunting of Hill House or The Shining. Supernatural fans will say The Exorcist or House of Leaves. And more recently, books like Burn the Negative and There Is No Antimemetics Division have introduced new kinds of fear, tapping into media horror, memory loss and self-erasing ideas. Horror is personal, but these titles are often considered among the scariest horror books ever published.

What is considered the best horror novel of all time?

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dracula by Bram Stoker are often considered the most influential horror novels of all time, having shaped the entire genre from the 1800s. For modern readers, The Shining by Stephen King and Beloved by Toni Morrison stand out for being powerful, literary explorations of fear, trauma and the unknown. But the best horror novel is often the one that speaks to your deepest fears – whether that’s monsters, ghosts, or complete isolation.

Which Stephen King book is the scariest?

Stephen King has written dozens of terrifying books, but The Shining is often named as his scariest thanks to its claustrophobic setting, descent into madness, and supernatural twists. Pet Sematary is another top contender, dealing with grief and resurrection in a way that unsettles long after you’ve finished. For fans of short stories, Night Shift offers dozens of bite-sized frights, while It delivers epic-scale horror that spans generations.

Looking for more creepy reads? Discover books you’ll love based on your favourite horror movies as well as the greatest villains in literature.