The Definitive Horror Book List

Please vote on, or add your favorite horror books to this list.
Authors be WARNED! This is not a promotional page for your books, please do not spam this list, it would be futile. All authors who spam this list will be removed!

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

401	The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe 4.03 avg rating — 55,039 ratings score: 322, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
402	Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist 3.88 avg rating — 11,424 ratings score: 320, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
403	The Shunned House by H.P. Lovecraft 3.51 avg rating — 6,393 ratings score: 319, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
404	The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle 3.84 avg rating — 33,029 ratings score: 311, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
405	To Wake The Dead by Richard Laymon 3.59 avg rating — 1,811 ratings score: 310, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
406	The Touch (Adversary Cycle, #3) by F. Paul Wilson (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 2,343 ratings score: 309, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
407	Nightworld (Adversary Cycle, #6) by F. Paul Wilson (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 2,661 ratings score: 308, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
407	The Croning by Laird Barron (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 6,153 ratings score: 308, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
409	The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1) by Carrie Ryan (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 87,145 ratings score: 305, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
410	Nailed by the Heart by Simon Clark 3.57 avg rating — 283 ratings score: 303, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
411	Night Show by Richard Laymon 3.63 avg rating — 1,566 ratings score: 300, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
411	A Demon Lies Within by Tony Hubbard (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 47 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
411	The Wide Game (Harmony, Indiana, #1) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 230 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
411	The Immortal Coil (The Immortal Coil, #1) by J. Armand 3.49 avg rating — 241 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
415	The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 74,258 ratings score: 299, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
416	Dark Country by Monique Snyman (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 95 ratings score: 298, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
417	The Twelve (The Passage, #2) by Justin Cronin (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 105,224 ratings score: 297, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
418	Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe 3.65 avg rating — 6,054 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
418	Cinema of Shadows (Harmony, Indiana, #2) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 331 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
420	Deadspeak (Necroscope, #4) by Brian Lumley 4.15 avg rating — 5,525 ratings score: 294, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
421	Spook House (Harmony, Indiana, #3) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 268 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
422	The Ignored by Bentley Little 3.80 avg rating — 2,195 ratings score: 292, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
422	Bite by Richard Laymon 3.58 avg rating — 2,501 ratings score: 292, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
424	Strings by Allison M. Dickson (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 593 ratings score: 290, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
424	Dead Man's Song (Pine Deep, #2) by Jonathan Maberry (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 4,142 ratings score: 290, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
424	Nightmare at 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories by Richard Matheson 4.06 avg rating — 8,209 ratings score: 290, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
427	Apartment 16 by Adam L.G. Nevill (Goodreads Author) 3.20 avg rating — 6,108 ratings score: 289, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
427	Poseidon’s Children (The Legacy of the Gods, #1) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.53 avg rating — 445 ratings score: 289, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
427	Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 15,657 ratings score: 289, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
430	Torment of Shadows (Angels & Sinners, #1) by Chelsea Luna (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 71 ratings score: 288, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
431	New England Witch Chronicles Boxed Set (New England Witch Chronicles #1-4) by Chelsea Luna (Goodreads Author) 4.44 avg rating — 73 ratings score: 287, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
432	Serial Uncut: Extended Edition by Jack Kilborn 3.96 avg rating — 1,331 ratings score: 286, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
432	Skull Full of Kisses by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 74 ratings score: 286, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
434	Death & the Zombie Apocalypse (Zombie Apocalypse, #2) by Chelsea Luna (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 440 ratings score: 283, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
435	Darkness by John Saul 3.95 avg rating — 21,450 ratings score: 280, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
435	The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 135,446 ratings score: 280, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
437	Spawn by Shaun Hutson 3.52 avg rating — 1,077 ratings score: 278, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
438	The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter 3.91 avg rating — 63,675 ratings score: 276, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
439	Mary Reilly by Valerie Martin (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 2,891 ratings score: 274, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
440	Twisted by Andrew E. Kaufman (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 9,894 ratings score: 273, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
440	Forever Odd (Odd Thomas, #2) by Dean Koontz (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 80,686 ratings score: 273, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
442	The Monstrumologist (The Monstrumologist, #1) by Rick Yancey 3.91 avg rating — 20,479 ratings score: 271, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
442	The Magpies (The Magpies, #1) by Mark Edwards (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 34,477 ratings score: 271, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
444	Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett, #1) by Robert McCammon 4.16 avg rating — 14,775 ratings score: 268, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
444	The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 175,799 ratings score: 268, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
444	Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton 4.13 avg rating — 1,040,728 ratings score: 268, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
447	Deep in the Darkness by Michael Laimo (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 683 ratings score: 266, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
447	The Butterfly Garden (The Collector, #1) by Dot Hutchison 4.09 avg rating — 266,733 ratings score: 266, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
449	The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 66,803 ratings score: 265, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
449	Beware! by Richard Laymond 3.50 avg rating — 2,575 ratings score: 265, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
451	Strange Highways by Dean Koontz (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 19,998 ratings score: 264, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
452	Devil's Day: A Folk Horror Tale Exploring the Haunting Legacy of a Rural Village by Andrew Michael Hurley 3.39 avg rating — 3,555 ratings score: 260, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
453	Succulent Prey by Wrath James White (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 1,129 ratings score: 258, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
453	The Cats of Ulthar by H.P. Lovecraft 3.68 avg rating — 5,828 ratings score: 258, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
455	Dweller by Jeff Strand (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,159 ratings score: 256, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
456	The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosiński 3.91 avg rating — 27,997 ratings score: 255, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
456	Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 823,229 ratings score: 255, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
458	Blood Games by Richard Laymon 3.72 avg rating — 2,910 ratings score: 253, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
458	The Demonologist by Gerald Brittle 3.88 avg rating — 9,161 ratings score: 253, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
460	Noctuary by Thomas Ligotti 3.93 avg rating — 2,243 ratings score: 252, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
461	Carnacki, the Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson 3.73 avg rating — 2,537 ratings score: 248, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
462	The Nightmare Factory by Thomas Ligotti 4.31 avg rating — 1,360 ratings score: 246, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
462	Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) by Charlaine Harris (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 266,072 ratings score: 246, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
464	Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy 4.16 avg rating — 208,582 ratings score: 245, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
465	Vampire Junction by S.P. Somtow (Goodreads Author) 3.56 avg rating — 707 ratings score: 242, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
465	Hunted Past Reason by Richard Matheson 3.12 avg rating — 1,022 ratings score: 242, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
465	Dark Matter: A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver 3.95 avg rating — 22,379 ratings score: 242, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
465	Goblin Market: A Tale of Two Sisters by Christina Rossetti 4.08 avg rating — 16,141 ratings score: 242, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
469	The Darkest Part of the Woods by Ramsey Campbell 3.28 avg rating — 836 ratings score: 241, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
470	Apt Pupil by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 40,230 ratings score: 240, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
471	Doomsday Book (Oxford Time Travel, #1) by Connie Willis 4.03 avg rating — 63,832 ratings score: 239, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
472	Cemetery of Angels by Noel Hynd (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 430 ratings score: 238, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
473	The Rats in the Walls by H.P. Lovecraft 3.97 avg rating — 11,729 ratings score: 237, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
473	The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe 3.42 avg rating — 16,717 ratings score: 237, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
473	Hop Frog by Edgar Allan Poe 3.69 avg rating — 3,368 ratings score: 237, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
476	Ravenous by Ray Garton 3.80 avg rating — 1,091 ratings score: 235, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
476	Case of the Ivy Hollow Werewolf (Monster Club, #1) by Chelsea Luna (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 49 ratings score: 235, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
476	The Nameless City by H.P. Lovecraft 3.63 avg rating — 6,418 ratings score: 235, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
479	The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker (Goodreads Author) 3.50 avg rating — 10,872 ratings score: 234, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
480	New Moon (The Twilight Saga, #2) by Stephenie Meyer 3.61 avg rating — 2,090,609 ratings score: 233, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
481	Deeper by James A. Moore 3.52 avg rating — 489 ratings score: 231, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
482	The Devil in Gray by Graham Masterton 3.78 avg rating — 1,221 ratings score: 230, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
482	Everville (Book of the Art #2) by Clive Barker (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 11,107 ratings score: 230, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
482	The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe 4.36 avg rating — 70,042 ratings score: 230, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
485	Halloween III: Season of the Witch by Jack Martin (Pseudonym) 3.67 avg rating — 389 ratings score: 227, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
485	Inferno (Robert Langdon, #4) by Dan Brown (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 583,845 ratings score: 227, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
485	The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, #7) by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 186,496 ratings score: 227, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
488	Nathaniel by John Saul 3.85 avg rating — 6,165 ratings score: 226, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
489	Pressure by Jeff Strand (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 2,854 ratings score: 225, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
489	The Outsider by H.P. Lovecraft 3.95 avg rating — 6,232 ratings score: 225, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
491	Midnight Sun [2008 Draft] by Stephenie Meyer 4.01 avg rating — 148,894 ratings score: 224, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
491	Riding the Bullet by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) (contributor) 3.66 avg rating — 19,673 ratings score: 224, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
493	Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 216,207 ratings score: 223, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
494	The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge 3.97 avg rating — 62,034 ratings score: 222, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
495	The Shadow at the Bottom of the World by Thomas Ligotti 4.19 avg rating — 518 ratings score: 221, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
496	Walkers by Graham Masterton 3.75 avg rating — 2,305 ratings score: 219, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
497	Darkness, Tell Us by Richard Laymon 3.69 avg rating — 3,472 ratings score: 217, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
498	After Dark by Haruki Murakami 3.74 avg rating — 184,358 ratings score: 216, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
498	The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 182,716 ratings score: 216, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
500	The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks 3.75 avg rating — 105,717 ratings score: 215, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 13 14 Next →

1,368 books · 1,958 voters · list created October 20th, 2009 by Kevin (votes) .

Tags: definitive, horror, thrillers

654 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (1958)

Kevin 1580 books
96 friends

Greyweather 2660 books
65 friends

JDB 590 books
11 friends

Christy 7507 books
2609 friends

Erin 7006 books
1675 friends

Marvin 2196 books
825 friends

Express 22 books
0 friends

James 151 books
24 friends

More voters…

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 50 (50 new)

date

newest »

message 1: by Eric (new)

Oct 21, 2009 09:51AM

This is a great list! There's actually stuff on it that I like a lot! I think it's much better than the other horror book lists on this website - good job, voters!

reply | flag

message 2: by William (new)

Jan 03, 2010 05:35PM

I agree. Overall a very good list that helped reorder my to-reads.

reply | flag

message 3: by Tressa (new)

Jan 03, 2010 06:01PM

I saw some Simon Clarks and other books I'd like to read soon.

reply | flag

message 4: by Carl (new)

Jan 04, 2010 05:54AM

What do I do? Just click on numerous ones I think are the best?

reply | flag

message 5: by Tressa (new)

Jan 04, 2010 06:04AM

Yes.

reply | flag

message 6: by David (new)

Jan 27, 2010 02:21PM

They should combine the Pet Semetary votes. There are two on the list but combined, it would have enough votes for the top 5. Great list!

reply | flag

message 7: by Normandy (new)

Nov 15, 2011 07:12PM

I just voted on this list. I have read several books on this list but there are so many I have not read. There are definitely some books I need to check out.

reply | flag

message 8: by Jeff (new)

Jan 15, 2012 02:27PM

Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons is a superb horror novel. Anyone that's a horror fan should read this book. Chances are you will love it.

reply | flag

message 9: by TJ (new)

Feb 12, 2012 06:11AM

Terrific list! Lots of horror classics present!

reply | flag

message 10: by [deleted user] (new)

Jun 28, 2012 04:09PM

the ressurectionist by Wrath James White. A masterpiece and creepy as all get out

reply | flag

message 11: by Jennifer (new)

Jul 21, 2013 11:31PM

If you haven't read Hell House or The Devil Next Door...go get a copy!!!!

reply | flag

message 12: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Aug 11, 2013 04:56PM

Removed at list creator's request:

Cryonic: A Zombie Novel

reply | flag

message 13: by Kevin (new)

Aug 11, 2013 10:48PM

Thank you Susanna

reply | flag

message 14: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Aug 12, 2013 08:22AM

No problem.

reply | flag

message 15: by Marilyn (new)

Feb 16, 2014 01:09PM

How are the Twilight books even on this list? It's about as scary as two-week-old, stale bread.

reply | flag

message 16: by Kevin (new)

Feb 16, 2014 08:39PM

People can add any book that they thought scared them. I assume someone found Twilight scary? In any case, those books haven't even broke into the top 100 list.

reply | flag

message 17: by Marilyn (new)

Feb 17, 2014 12:56AM

Weaksauces, then.

reply | flag

message 18: by Kirsten (new)

Jul 28, 2014 01:16PM

Kevin wrote: "People can add any book that they thought scared them. I assume someone found Twilight scary? In any case, those books haven't even broke into the top 100 list."

Well, Twilight fans can be a little scary. I had one overhear me speaking to a fellow English major from the other side of the room. I don't remember what book we were talking about, but the Twilight fan assumed we must be talking about Twilight and decided to insert herself into our conversation. It was a harrowing experience.

reply | flag

message 19: by Darren (new)

Oct 02, 2014 07:14AM

The Tommyknockers

reply | flag

message 20: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Dec 17, 2014 07:06PM

Removed by list creator request:

Mateguas Island: A Novel of Terror and Suspense

reply | flag

message 21: by Kevin (new)

Dec 18, 2014 12:49AM

Thank you Susanna.

reply | flag

message 22: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Dec 18, 2014 10:50AM

No problem.

reply | flag

message 23: by Kevin (last edited Jun 08, 2015 08:59PM) (new)

Jun 08, 2015 02:37PM

I will not tolerate spamming on this list. Books that jump into the top 100 with ratings of less than 1000 will be removed. There is NO way a book belongs in the top 100 with lower ratings.

Books that are up for removal:
1. Dancing With A Dead Horse
2. The Cruise
3. Sorrow's Point
4. Plebs
5. The Culling
6. Forever and Ever

Anthony Hulse, do not spam my list! I will have Susanna remove your books ASAP! This is not a promotional page for wanna-be authors! This list is for reference!

reply | flag

message 24: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jun 09, 2015 08:34AM

Removed the books Kevin listed, at his request.

reply | flag

message 25: by Kevin (new)

Jun 09, 2015 02:19PM

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Removed the books Kevin listed, at his request."

Thank you Susanna :-)

reply | flag

message 26: by Greg (new)

Sep 03, 2015 01:31PM

Of all the goodreads lists, this one seems to reflect my own reading taste best, even though horror is not my favorite genre. Easily, I put "The Terror" as my favorite horror novel. The second is the extremely disturbing "After Dark" by Murakami, which I read twice in a row. Third, "Rosemary's Baby."

reply | flag

message 27: by Mitchell (new)

Oct 09, 2015 08:46AM

Please check out The Most Popular Horror on Goodreads and add what I missed. Thanks.

reply | flag

message 28: by Mitchell (new)

Oct 09, 2015 08:52AM

A suggestion - you could set the minimum ratings for a book newer than say year 2000 at 1000 ratings. Books older than 2000 could have no minimum - that way a lost classic could be rediscovered but won't be overshadowed.

reply | flag

message 29: by Leigh (new)

Oct 24, 2015 08:04AM

Marilyn wrote: "How are the Twilight books even on this list? It's about as scary as two-week-old, stale bread."

I don't know, it's pretty terrifying to read it and then realise that she got paid for it.

reply | flag

message 30: by Kevin (new)

Feb 17, 2016 10:16AM

People, if you know of a book that hasn't made the list, feel free to add it. Do not post the books not on the list in the comment section. It does no good here.

reply | flag

message 31: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Jan 17, 2017 02:21AM) (new)

Jan 17, 2017 02:06AM

Pity one can't check this list for duplicates anymore, due to a bug :-( So please, do go through all pages before you add a book you've read, in order to avoid duplicates...

reply | flag

message 32: by Shadowjac (new)

Jan 23, 2017 11:24AM

Went through and removed author spam, removed 50+ books that the authors have put on the list, DID NOT remove books that looked like they'd been added by a sock puppet account though because there's no way to be sure.

reply | flag

message 33: by Seth (new)

Feb 14, 2018 07:45PM

The Gunslinger by Stephen King is not technically Horror it's Fantasy. It should removed.

reply | flag

message 34: by Mitchell (last edited Feb 14, 2018 11:27PM) (new)

Feb 14, 2018 11:26PM

Seth wrote: "The Gunslinger by Stephen King is not technically Horror it's Fantasy. It should removed."

Apparently the 2685 people who shelved The Gunslinger as Horror (including me), disagree with you.

reply | flag

message 35: by Seth (new)

Feb 15, 2018 12:37PM

Well according to Wikipedia: "The Dark Tower is a series of eight books written by American author Stephen King that incorporates themes from multiple genres, including dark fantasy, science fantasy, horror, and Western."

So I guess we are both right in a sense however I would say that the first book the Gunslinger is not horror, it has more a western and a start of a fantasy epic feel to it.

reply | flag

message 36: by Mitchell (new)

Feb 15, 2018 02:13PM

Seth wrote: "Well according to Wikipedia: "The Dark Tower is a series of eight books written by American author Stephen King that incorporates themes from multiple genres, including dark fantasy, science fantas..."

I shelved it as:
fantasy, fiction, horror, liked-reviews, read, series, western

So I agree.

reply | flag

message 37: by Kellianne (new)

Apr 30, 2019 01:46PM

This is a pretty good list, lots of stuff that I like. I do have some concerns about the folks that consider the Twilight series to be horror. I mean... Twilight? Really? and the Sookie Stackhouse series? and while the Dark Tower series is my very favorite series in the world, there's not a horror filled moment in the lot of them.

reply | flag

message 38: by Matthew (new)

Sep 15, 2019 07:57PM

A question...what' s the difference between dark fantasy and horror? Stephen King and Clive Barker are consistently described as both.

reply | flag

message 39: by Mitchell (last edited Sep 15, 2019 10:06PM) (new)

Sep 15, 2019 09:42PM

The challenge with a goodreads list is that without setting clear criteria in the list description, a book can be added due to personal opinion and there really isn't a good rationale for removing it.

On my equivalent lists I typically set minimum number of ratings and minimum number of shelving for a topic.

Is Twilight horror? On the surface I think that vampires are generally horror. But look at the shelving - 18k ya, 16k fantasy for the 3rd and 4th most shelved categories for Twilight. 497 people also shelved it as horror - but it was the 41st highest category.

I'd say it's not horror.

But I'd also have a minimum number of shelving for horror - say 1000 - and this is what has been declared in the comments of this list - at least for the first page.

I have a horror list that is a lot more restrictive and it only has 125 books on it and 79 voters. And it still requires maintenance, removing inappropriate books and tightening down the list criteria.

reply | flag

message 40: by Greg (new)

Nov 25, 2020 02:35PM

I think great horror novels must, first and foremost, be a great book. Then, for me, it should make me uncomfortable during a read, and then have scenes that will never leave my mind. Like in "The Terror", I felt the absolute isolation, the freezing cold, the unknown all around. The same author's "Abomination" has all of those elements plus feelings of vertigo, but it's just not a great novel because it runs out of steam. "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" is a very good book. But it's not horror at all. It's very moody, and a murder mystery, but not scary.

reply | flag

message 41: by Kevin (last edited Nov 26, 2020 06:51AM) (new)

Nov 26, 2020 06:49AM

Greg wrote: "I think great horror novels must, first and foremost, be a great book. Then, for me, it should make me uncomfortable during a read, and then have scenes that will never leave my mind. Like in "The ..."

To be honest, trying to define what horror is is a task not easily done. Some may define horror as anything containing horrific acts which could include a multitude of situations. Others may state horror must have an element of the supernatural with things that go 'bump in the night'. Defining horror can only be subjective. What scares one may not scare another. Some may define horror as speculative fiction. The idea here is to not overthink it. This is a list for reference and nothing more. People may browse the list and they can decide for themselves what interest them and which books they may choose to give a pass.

reply | flag

message 42: by ``Laurie (new)

Mar 29, 2022 08:42PM

The Exorcist is listed twice

reply | flag

message 43: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (new)

Mar 30, 2022 12:31AM

``Laurie wrote: "The Exorcist is listed twice"

Shouldn't be anymore (I had the system perform a duplicate check and it found 4 duplicates).

reply | flag

message 44: by Kevin (new)

Apr 03, 2022 09:55AM

BookLovingLady wrote: "``Laurie wrote: "The Exorcist is listed twice"

Shouldn't be anymore (I had the system perform a duplicate check and it found 4 duplicates)."

Thank you for clearing the duplicates.

reply | flag

message 45: by Carolyn (new)

May 20, 2022 07:48PM

Way too many Stephen King books. Need a wider range of books from different time periods.

reply | flag

message 46: by Werefox by moonlight: (new)

Jul 23, 2022 01:40PM

Werefox by moonlight: Half man, half beast, but all horror

1984 isn't horror

reply | flag

message 47: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Jul 23, 2022 10:38PM) (new)

Jul 23, 2022 10:36PM

I, Were-fox: wrote: "1984 isn't horror"
I agree, 1984 (#77) isn't horror in my opinion. But at least 40 people thought otherwise 😁

reply | flag

message 48: by Kevin (new)

Aug 03, 2022 10:03PM

1984 is a dystopian tale based on a grim look of what society could be. Scary? I say yes. It is subjective.

reply | flag

message 49: by Kevin (new)

Aug 03, 2022 10:08PM

Carolyn, Stephen King is a prolific author who also has garnered quite a following. There are over 1300 books posted here, so yes, there is a very wide range of reads listed. You simply need to browse through the pages to understand this.

reply | flag

message 50: by Sally (new)

Jun 11, 2023 05:41AM