Match BookHorror books, by how dark and how fast
Horror ranges from quiet, eerie dread to relentless, fast-moving terror, and from endings that let you sleep to endings that don't.
Every book here has its mood, pace and ending spelled out, so you can pick the kind of frightened you want to be.
114 books, best known first. New to the dimensions? Here's what each one means.
Hidden PicturesJason Rekulakhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- Scary Stories to Tell in the DarkAlvin Schwartzhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The Stepford WivesIra Levinhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- AnnihilationJeff Vandermeerhorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Canon Alberic's Scrapbook (Fantasy and Horror Classics)M.R. Jameshorror · eerie · slow burn · dark ending
- Does It Hurt?H.D. Carltonhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- Fever DreamSamanta Schweblinhorror · eerie · fast paced · ambiguous ending
Her Fearful SymmetryAudrey Niffeneggerhorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending
How to Sell a Haunted HouseGrady Hendrixhorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending
Incidents Around the HouseJosh Malermanhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
Mexican GothicSilvia Moreno-Garciahorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending- NocturnesJohn Connollyhorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- North American Lake MonstersNathan Ballingrudhorror · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
RelicDouglas Prestonhorror · eerie · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
ReliquaryDouglas Prestonhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- Small FavorsErin A. Craighorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- The BlanksGrady Hendrixhorror · eerie · fast paced · ambiguous ending
- The Book of AccidentsChuck Wendighorror · dark · fast paced · ambiguous ending
- The BreachNick Cutterhorror · dark · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
- The DoriansNick Cutterhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
The Drowning KindJennifer McMahonhorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending- The ElementalsMichael McDowellhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
The Final Girl Support GroupGrady Hendrixhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The HistorianElizabeth Kostovahorror · eerie · slow burn · resolved and happy ending- The InvitedJennifer McMahonhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
The Last House on Needless StreetCatriona Wardhorror · eerie · fast paced · ambiguous ending
The RuinsScott Smithhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying VampiresGrady Hendrixhorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending- The Sun Down MotelSimone St. Jameshorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
- The TroopNick Cutterhorror · cosy · fast paced · dark ending
- The WitchFreida McFaddenhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The Witching HourAnne Ricehorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending- ThornhillPam Smyhorror · eerie · slow burn · bittersweet ending
ThunderheadDouglas Prestonhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- Witchcraft for Wayward GirlsGrady Hendrixhorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending
- A Good and Happy ChildJustin Evanshorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- A History of FearLuke Dumashorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- Breeding GroundSarah Pinboroughhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
Bury Your GaysChuck Tinglehorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Come CloserSara Granhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending- Devil's CreekTodd Keislinghorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- DollhouseAnya Allynhorror · eerie · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
Florence & GilesJohn Hardinghorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
Games for Dead GirlsJen Williamshorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
Heads Will RollJosh Winninghorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- HellmouthGiles Kristianhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- I Call Upon TheeAnia Ahlbornhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- It Was Her House FirstCherie Priesthorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- Kill CreekScott Thomashorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- Maeve FlyC.J. Leedehorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
- ManhuntGretchen Felker-Martinhorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
MaryNat Cassidyhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- Mr. ShiversRobert Jackson Bennetthorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
Phantom LimbLucinda Berryhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
Play NiceRachel Harrisonhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending- Reluctant ImmortalsGwendolyn Kistehorror · eerie · moderate · bittersweet ending
Ring ShoutP. Djèlí Clarkhorror · dark · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- SineaterElizabeth Massiehorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
- Such Sharp TeethRachel Harrisonhorror · funny · moderate · resolved and happy ending
SundialCatriona Wardhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- Tell Me I’m WorthlessAlison Rumfitthorror · dark · moderate · ambiguous ending
The Children on the HillJennifer McMahonhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending- The CreepingAlexandra Sirowyhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The Devil Crept InAnia Ahlbornhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The drowning GirlCaitlín R. Kiernanhorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending
The Girl from RawbloodCatriona Wardhorror · eerie · moderate · bittersweet ending- The Lamb Will Slaughter the LionMargaret Killjoyhorror · eerie · fast paced · cliffhanger ending
- The Lighthouse WitchesC.J. Cookehorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending
The Lost Causes of Bleak CreekRhett McLaughlinhorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending- The Lost VillageCamilla Stenhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The Luminous DeadCaitlin Starlinghorror · tense · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
The NeedHelen Phillipshorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending- The Prettiest Girl in the GraveKristopher Trianahorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- The Quiet BoyNick Antoscahorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The Salt Grows HeavyCassandra Khawhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
The September HouseCarissa Orlandohorror · eerie · moderate · bittersweet ending- The Shadow at the Bottom of the WorldThomas Ligottihorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending
The Shape of DarknessLaura Purcellhorror · eerie · moderate · bittersweet ending
The Silent CompanionsLaura Purcellhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- The Twenty Days of TurinGiorgio De Mariahorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending
- The Worm In Every HeartGemma Fileshorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- They Were Here Before Us: A Novella in PiecesEric LaRoccahorror · eerie · slow burn · dark ending
- Under the BladeMatt Serafinihorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
We Used to Live HereMarcus Kliewerhorror · eerie · fast paced · ambiguous ending- When I Arrived at the CastleE.M. Carrollhorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending
- Wyrd and Other DerelictionsAdam L.G. Nevillhorror · eerie · slow burn · dark ending
- A Dark RouxBlaine Daiglehorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- After UnderKennedy Cannonhorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- And the Sea Gave Up the DeadWilliam Friendhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
BlackwaterJeannette Arroyohorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- Blood NightJonathan Danielhorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
BrackenbeastKate Alice Marshallhorror · eerie · moderate · resolved and happy ending- Chlorophobia: An Eco-Horror AnthologyA.R. Wardhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- Crafting for SinnersJenny Kieferhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- Desert CreaturesKay Chronisterhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- Galloway's GospelSam Rebeleinhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
- Home SickRhiannon Gristhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- I'll Bring You the Birds from Out of the SkyBrian Hodgehorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- LambMatt Hillhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- Recessive NatureBrandon Perras-Sanchezhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- She Waits Where Shadows GatherMichelle Tanghorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
Something in the WallsDaisy Pearcehorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- Stab the RabbitShane McKenziehorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
- Summer Camp for Slasher VictimsMatthew Mercerhorror · eerie · fast paced · resolved and happy ending
Tap, TapDavid Lozell Martinhorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending- The Ghost WomenJennifer Murphyhorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
The HoundingXenobe Purvishorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending- The House of DustNoah Broyleshorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- The Once Yellow HouseGemma Amorhorror · eerie · moderate · dark ending
- The UnmothersLeslie J. Andersonhorror · eerie · moderate · ambiguous ending
- The Wingspan of Severed HandsJoanna Kochhorror · eerie · slow burn · ambiguous ending
- We Ate the DarkMallory Pearsonhorror · dark · moderate · dark ending
- What Feeds The LakeJ.C. Hemstreethorror · eerie · fast paced · dark ending
- When Angels BleedJohn Ashleyhorror · dark · fast paced · dark ending
More collections
- Fantasy books, by how they actually read (343)
- Science fiction books, by mood, pace and tone (158)
- Thrillers, sorted by pace, darkness and ending (213)
- Mystery novels, by mood, pace and tone (125)
- Literary fiction, by mood, pace and weight (78)
- Historical fiction, by mood, pace and ending (69)
- Young adult books, by mood, pace and tone (69)
- Contemporary fiction, by mood, pace and tone (36)
- Narrative nonfiction that reads like a story (127)
- Memoirs, by mood and weight (31)
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