The 10 Best Horror Books (All Time)

Are you a fan of Stephen King, Ira Levin, Edgar Allan Poe, or Richard Matheson ?

Did you enjoy movies like IT, the Shining, or Rosemary's Baby?

This list is for you.

We've prepared a selection of the top 10 best horror books of all time for you to read, with reviews from avid readers like me and you.

If you want to purchase any of the books listed below, click on the titles. They are affiliated links that will take you directly to the store.

10. Rosemary's Baby (Ira Levin)

Even those who haven't read the book yet, must have heard about this story that was popularized through the film adaptation by Roman Polanski.

Released in 1967, Rosemary's Baby tells the story of a couple who move into a building with very "quirky" neighbors. Rosemary begins to witness uncomfortable and frightening situations during her pregnancy, making her come to doubt her own sanity.

The book is just over 200 pages, but it's more than enough to create an atmosphere of extreme tension and an incredible wealth of dialogue.

For those who want to start venturing into this genre of reading, this work should be mandatory in your TBR (To Be Read).

9. The Exorcist (William Peter Blatty)

The recognition of this work is timeless, immortalized as one of the most frightening of all times and, obviously, it couldn't be left out of this list!

Supposedly, William Blatty was inspired by a case of real exorcism to create the story of Regan MacNeil, a 12-year-old girl who sees herself possessed by the devil.

Throughout the narrative, we follow the development of possession, showing the growing degradation of the young woman through disturbing physical and psychological changes.

The Exorcist had a film adaptation (1973), directed by William Friedkin, which is quite faithful to the book. The film is still considered one of the scariest of the genre and a reference for any story that involves demonic possessions.

8. IT (Stephen King)

One of the most revered (and scary) books by the horror master Stephen King. IT introduces us to the hideous Pennywise, a demonic entity that takes on the clown's power to hunt and devour children, his favorite "dish".

Originally published in 1986, IT is one of the author's most extensive works, with over a thousand pages. But even so, get ready to devour this heap, as the story is so engrossing and frightening that it's impossible not to read, read and read.

Please note: Coulrophobia sufferers will have a VERY terrifying experience with this book. Be prepared, ok?

7. The Shining (Stephen King)

"More Stephen King?" Yes, we have more Kings on the list! After all, he is none other than one of the most notable names of the 20th century when it comes to horror literature. And The Shining is among his main works!

The Overlook Hotel story will stick in your head for a long time, and you'll probably have nightmares whenever you bump into some long, empty hallway out there.

The Shining tells the story of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and an alcoholic in treatment, who takes a temporary job as a hotel janitor for the winter. The worst choice he could have made in his life...

The horrors of the hotel affect Jack's sanity, which is slowly becoming a threat to his own family.

This work by King was adapted for film and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in 1980.

6. The Complete Collection (Edgar Allan Poe)

Poe is the inventor of the crime fiction genre, but it was with horror literature that his work was immortalized.

If you are a real fan of dark books, with psychological depth and that address themes that are made for us to reflect on the complexity and human insignificance, then you can't miss this author's work!

Here are gathered some of Poe's main horror tales, such as the tenebrous story "The Black Cat", the harrowing "The Well and the Pendulum", "The Stolen Letter", among others.

5. Ghost Story (Peter Straub)

Straub's gift for storytelling makes this book able to show you strong and complete images from beginning to end!

Don't think of it as a "plain book about ghosts", as this work by Straub is considered to be the best on the subject you can find!

With a fluid, attractive and dense reading, the characters are complex and you will hardly be able to put down the book until you finish reading its 500 pages!

4. Pet Sematary (Stephen King)

If you still had any doubts, Stephen King's Pet Sematary definitely affirms his gift for horror literature!

Louis Creed, the protagonist of this story, discovers that there are secrets that can be much more mysterious and disturbing than death itself.

This is regarded as one of King's most terrifying works. The story is so bizarre that the author himself allegedly declared that he found Pet Sematary "so scary that it shouldn't be published."

Well, true or not, the fact is that the book is a great worldwide success and one of the author's most interesting, without a doubt.

3. The Scarlet Gospels (Clive Barker)

Pinhead's stories could not be missing, of course. Barker, its creator, presents in The Scarlet Gospels the final chapter of the Hellraiser saga, which followed and took the sleep of fans for the last 30 years!

If you still don't know the story of the Priest of Hell, then before reading The Scarlet Gospels start with Hellraiser. Have a good time!

2. The Collector (John Fowles)

Written in 1963, this is Fowles' debut book who, incidentally, couldn't have started his writing career better!

The story focuses on Frederick Clegg, a public servant who earns a fortune, and who plans to kidnap his long-time platonic passion: Miranda Grey.

Miranda is the opposite of the eccentric Frederick, as she has modern ideas and a very strong and intellectual personality. Clegg, on the other hand, is friendless, insecure, introspective, and his only hobby is collecting butterflies.

The Collector is disturbing. The work doesn't have many action scenes, but it catches the reader's attention (as well as leaves him totally shocked) with the emotional conflicts of the characters that are exposed throughout the plot.

1. Hell House (Richard Matheson)

From the same author of I Am Legend, another great book that borders on horror, Matheson has created one of the best haunted house stories you will ever find. Serious.

The fear and terror in Hell House goes far beyond the shadows, slamming doors and other hideous oddities. The insanity of the "Infernal House" is so terrifying that the protagonists start to go crazy, and the author manages to describe the whole process perfectly.