5 Creepy Books That Will Keep You Up Like a Netflix Binge

Expect the unexpected: these reads aren’t typical horror books, as they span across different literary genres, offering chilling surprises at every turn. Perfect for fans of True Crime and Paranormal Podcasts


11/10/2024

By Giulia Piceni. Cover image by Margaret Mitchem.

These five creepy books go beyond typical horror. Picking ghost stories would be too easy; we prefer less ordinary, monstrous narratives. From noir mysteries to futuristic dystopias, from paranormal hauntings to unsettling psychological dramas, and from witches to chillingly real human struggles, each story will leave you questioning reality. That eerie feeling will creep in with every turn of the page. Get ready to be thrilled and deeply unsettled!


5 Creepy Books for Shaking and Shivering


1. Elizabeth by Ken Greenhall

Mirror reflections can be incredibly deceptive. Listening to them might transform you, making you stronger but also more dangerous. This is the gothic coming-of-age story of Elizabeth, a young witch. After the mysterious death of her parents – to whom she seems eerily linked – she moves to a luxurious mansion in the sombre outskirts of Manhattan, near the abandoned riverbank, to live with her father’s family. In this atmosphere charged with forbidden eroticism, reminiscent of Balthus’ paintings, Elizabeth embarks on a journey of self-realisation. Guided by the meticulous instructions of a 16th-century ancestor who communicates with her through mirrors, she starts to unlock the darker, more powerful aspects of her identity, and discovers the true meaning of evil.

Who This Book Is For

This book is for those who are unafraid to confront the uncanny, who appreciate a sharp, irreverent prose that transforms the subtitle “a novel of the unnatural” into a story that feels eerily plausible.

@alessiabiondi.talee

Esce oggi Elizabeth di Ken Greenhall, il libro perfetto per un autunno gotico e sinistro 🌙 @Adelphi Edizioni #booktokitalia #booktok #booktokitaliano #spookyseason #adelphi #booktokitalia

♬ suono originale – Alessia 🍄🪴 Talee letterarie

2. Asylum by Patrick McGrath

There is something far more sinister than a foggy night in the middle of nowhere, a haunted house, or even a classic noir. Explicit language and scabrous events: A deep pathos intertwines with the monotone, analytical narration of psychiatrist Peter as he unfolds the tale with unsettling detachment. The cold, dark, and foetid atmosphere of a decaying asylum serves as the foreboding backdrop for a disturbing love story. Stella, a woman driven by a relentless quest for intense experiences, finds herself in a downward spiral of madness. Her failing marriage to the asylum’s director, Max, and a dangerously obsessive affair with one of the institution’s most troubled patients, Edgar Stark, fuels the tension. The result is an emotionally charged, psychological drama blurring the line between sanity and insanity. 

Who This Book Is For

Asylum by Patrick Mc Grath is a recommended read for those who seek profoundly disquieting books. It delves into the rawest state of the human mind where light interweaves shadow, morality is murky, and every revelation pushes the limits of comfort. This bookis both captivating and unsettling, leaving a lingering impression long after the final page.

@enneppi_

5⭐️ for Asylum by Patrick McGrath, which adds up to a now long list of great reads for this beginning of 2024 💕 #booktok #booktokfyp #patrickmcgath #bookreader

♬ original sound – enneppì📚

3. Red Lights by Georges Simenon

A seemingly straightforward short story that hides the breakdown of communication within a marriage. It’s Friday evening before Labour Day, and the roads are crowded with traffic, the air heavy with exhaustion after a long workweek. Steve and Nancy, like many other parents, are on their way to pick up their children from a summer camp in Maine. Steve’s drunken behaviour and Nancy’s growing impatience with his crude manners lead them to go their separate ways to collect the kids. That very night, a dangerous criminal named Sid Halligan escapes from Sing Sing prison, and it doesn’t take long before his sudden reappearance turns their lives upside down in a way neither could have imagined.

Who This Book Is For

Red Lights is the perfect read for those with little time but who still crave that subtle, lingering unease that can unsettle the mind. Recommended for fans of the chilling atmosphere found in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals (2016).


4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

This unusual horror book is centerd around ghosts and hallucinations, offering a sophisticated, captivating and intensely psychological take on horror. The occult Professor Montague summons Eleanor and Theodora to the remote location of Hill House to study its paranormal activity. Eleanor has previously experienced poltergeist activity (the sudden movement of objects), while Theodora has extrasensory perception. During their stay at the eerie mansion, alongside the charming Luke, the heir to Hill House, they witness strange occurrences such as walls shifting at odd angles and objects moving unexpectedly. The suspense builds up to a tragic conclusion, where the psychological unease surpasses the fear of the supernatural. This is where Jackson’s brilliant writing truly lies.

Who This Book Is For

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is recommended for those who enjoy unpredictable horror. Perfect for anyone looking to impress friends on Halloween night with a story that creeps up silently like a shiver down the spine. Best enjoyed in a secluded house outside the city: it’s guaranteed to frighten!


5. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Many have hailed it as the book of the year, and this is certainly a statement with merit. In a dystopian future, a deadly virus has infected all animal species except humans. To protect human health, every government in the world has agreed to exterminate all remaining livestock, pets, and wildlife. With farms emptied and the subsequent collapse of the meat market, the farming of humans has been normalised, targeting as livestock the most marginalised groups, such as the poor, the homeless, and immigrants. These grim events are narrated from the perspective of Marcos, a butcher who, after inheriting his father’s job, finds himself dissecting human bodies to sell in order to make a living for himself and his father, now in a care home. A horrifying and revolting story that brings to the forefront issues such as political manipulation, capitalism, veganism, and cruelty in all its forms.

Who This Book Is For

Recommended only for those who have a strong stomach and are comfortable with raw, violent, and graphic content. This horror book can unsettle even the most seasoned reader.

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