15 Horror Novels That Aren’t By Stephen King

Stephen King has seven titles out of the top ten horror novels on Good Reads. It’s safe to say he dominates the horror genre, and the man writes like he can’t breathe without it, producing book after book. I think it’s time we looked at some other horror authors.

If you’re like me, you probably go with what you know and what’s familiar, so trying out a new writer can be challenging. Hopefully, this article will give you some ideas for your next gripping read.

1. The Little Woods by A. G. Mock

Set in the summer of 1977 in Pennsylvania woods, a group of childhood friends participate in an annual tradition, unaware of the evil force they’re about to encounter. Flash forward to 1995, two brothers reunite to confront the nightmare of their past, aided by a psychic from New Orleans.

This coming-of-age story is told in two parallel times. It’s been likened to Stephen King’s Stand by Me or William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.

2. Intercepts by T. J. Payne

In Intercepts, Joe finds his work at a human experimentation facility infiltrating his personal life and unleashing unforeseen horrors. Driven by government interests in unlocking latent human abilities, subjects are subjected to extreme sensory deprivation, leading to violent insanity.

Despite the severe consequences, the research persists, now nearly perfected, offering a glimpse into a gruesome and chillingly real world. From the author of In My Father’s Basement, this gripping tale delivers terror designed to haunt the reader.

3. The Hunger by Alma Katsu

Blending historical facts with speculation, The Hunger’s narrative explores the eerie circumstances surrounding the infamous Donner Party. This infamous wagon train got lost and stuck in the mountains with rumors of cannibalism. The pioneers confront the unforgiving landscape and the specter of hostile forces to form a gripping tale of survival, betrayal, and the unknown.

Stephen King said it was hard to put down and wouldn’t recommend reading it at night. The Hunger has been nominated for several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Best Novel in 2018.

4. A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul G. Tremblay

The Barrett family’s peaceful suburban life is shattered by Marjorie’s onset of schizophrenia, leading to a desperate search for answers amidst a descent into chaos. As medical interventions fail, they turn to a Catholic priest who suggests an exorcism. This sets off a chain of events, resulting in their involvement in a reality TV show.

Fifteen years later, Marjorie’s sister, Merry, revisits the traumatic events, uncovering buried truths and challenging perceptions of reality in a mind-bending exploration of psychological horror. A Head Full of Ghosts is being adapted for the screen and is currently in pre-production with Robert Downey Jr. as one of the producers.

5. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

In NOS4A2, Victoria McQueen possesses the unique ability to find lost items, propelled by her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike that transports her across great distances in moments. Meanwhile, Charles Talent Manx uses his supernatural powers to abduct children in his Rolls-Royce Wraith, leading them to a horrifying realm he calls “Christmasland.”

The novel blends horror and the supernatural, creating a unique world within the perpetual story of good vs. evil. Joe Hill is an award-winning author.

6. Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

As single mother Kate Reese seeks refuge from an abusive relationship in Mill Grove, Pennsylvania, her son Christopher mysteriously disappears, only to reappear with a haunting revelation. With a voice in his head and a chilling ultimatum, Christopher embarks on a mission that threatens to unravel the tranquility of their new home.

Stephen Chbosky is a screenwriter known for his 1999 novel and subsequent film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This is his first horror novel.

7. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

Maggie Holt inherits the infamous Victorian estate her family fled twenty-five years ago. Despite her skepticism of her father’s bestselling horror memoir detailing their terrifying experiences, Maggie returns to renovate the house. However, eerie occurrences reminiscent of her father’s accounts soon unfold.

Maggie is forced to confront the chilling possibility that the supernatural forces he described may be real after all. Riley Sager is a New York Times bestseller and has written 17 books to date.

8. The Changeling by Victor LaValle

Apollo Kagwa’s father disappears, leaving puzzling dreams and a box of books marked ‘improbalia.’ Now a father himself, he and his wife, Emma, struggle with exhaustion and anxiety, and Emma’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic. After committing a horrific act and vanishing, Apollo embarks on a journey through a world he thought he knew, encountering mysterious strangers and uncovering family secrets.

This book retells the European changeling myth, exploring themes of parental obsession, spousal love, and the impact of hidden truths. The Changeling has won multiple awards, including the Locus Award for Best Horror Novel 2018.

9. Penpal by Dathan Auerbach

A man delves into his childhood’s unsettling and seemingly disconnected events, driven by a need to unravel their sinister connection. As he pieces together fragments of his past, he uncovers a chilling narrative that has haunted him for some time.

This tale explores themes of fear, friendship, and the enduring impact of childhood experiences. The narrative started as online fiction on Reddit and was then funded by Kickstarter to come into existence. Readers are mixed in how they feel about this novel.

10. Alice by Christina Henry

In a rundown part of the city lies a hospital where a woman with no memory of her past seeks answers. When a fire breaks out, she escapes, but not alone. Now, she must confront dark forces to uncover the truth behind her forgotten tea party and find her way home.

The narrative is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland novels. If those stories weren’t bizarre enough, this story takes it down an even darker path.

11. Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Marcos works at a processing plant where humans are slaughtered legally due to a virus making animal meat toxic. Despite trying to avoid the moral implications, Marcos finds himself conflicted when he forms a connection with a live specimen given to him as a gift.

Agustina Bazterrica hails from Argentina, and this novel has been translated into English. The author isn’t shy about going into gory details, so if that’s your thing, go for it.

12. Beast by Anna Willett

This book contains two horror novellas — The Last Call and The Widow. The first is about two women who decide that the abandoned Red Water Hotel is an excellent place for a photoshoot, but disturbing things start to happen.

The second is the story of a man who, down on his luck, agrees to rob a house in the country with an acquaintance. When he arrives, his friend is gone, and he has to deal with the house’s odd occupant. Anna Willet is an Australian author with over 20 books to her name.

13. Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

In 1902, at The Brookhants School for Girls, students Flo and Clara created The Plain Bad Heroine Society inspired by scandalous writer Mary MacLane. They perish in an orchard, seemingly attacked by yellow jackets. A century later, their story inspired a film. As filming begins, the lines blur between past curses and present exploitation.

This LGBTQ novel has been nominated for many awards, including the British Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel.

14. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men as they confront a relentless entity seeking revenge, forcing them to face the violent repercussions of abandoning their cultural heritage. It explores the themes of revenge, cultural identity, and the consequences of defying tradition.

This novel has won numerous awards, including the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction.

15. My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino

In a small town where conformity is enforced, Leah struggles under the weight of expectations until one desperate night when she wishes her baby brother away to the mysterious Lord of the Wood. Faced with shame and the town’s judgment, Leah ventures into the woods to retrieve Owen, only to encounter a surprising revelation about the enigmatic figure who holds him captive.

Leah’s journey challenges everything she’s been taught to believe. Many reviewers have likened it to the story of the 1986 film Labyrinth.

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Ree Winter, an Australian journalist now based in New Orleans, combines her love for solo travel with a sharp eye for great flight and accommodation deals. She eagerly shares her travel insights with her audience, drawing from her rich experiences. Ree holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and History. Her fascination with history is evident in her stint as a tour guide at historic house museums, showcasing her knowledge of architectural history. Beyond journalism and history, Ree has a unique flair for coffee culture. As a barista, she’s operated a coffee van at various events and markets, showcasing her skill in coffee preparation.