Dark & Spooky 2024 Horror Books (Paranormal, Thrillers & More)

Spooky season is upon us, and that means reading books with all the spooky vibes! As a big fan of horror novels, I wanted to share some of my most-anticipated and favorite new 2024 horror books to help inspire your Halloween TBR list!

stack of hardcover 2024 horror books on a fluffy grey blanket next to a black lantern and mini glitter pumpkins

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New 2024 Horror Novels for Halloween & Beyond

Every year when October rolls around, I start to panic: my spooky books TBR list is always way too long to be feasible. Of course, I just have to remind myself that I can read spooky books anytime. 🙂

But I do like to prioritize seasonal reading, especially in the fall. (If you’re the same way, be sure to check out my seasonal fall reading guide and spooky season reading guide.) And that means spooky novels during October and Halloween!

This list includes a mix of genres, all of which have some horror elements. Alongside more traditional horror novels, you’ll also find dark fantasy, paranormal horror, and creepy thrillers.

Now, let’s get to the list!

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

Incidents Around the House book cover

Genre: Horror/Paranormal

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If you love horror novels that feel like watching a scary movie, you’ll love this book!

Incidents Around the House is Josh Malerman’s newest novel (author of the bestseller Bird Box).

It’s a quietly yet powerfully chilling story told from the perspective of a young girl. There’s a presence in her room that’s trying to befriend her, and it’s getting more and more persistent.

This was compulsively readable – nearly impossible to put down. The story’s format is unique, but that just adds to the creepy atmosphere even more.

Publication date: June 25th, 2024

(I read an advanced gifted copy of this book from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.)

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

So Thirsty book cover

Genre: Horror/Paranormal/Thriller

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After a wild night out to celebrate her birthday with her best friend – and a group of strangers – Sloane goes through some pretty major changes that will alter the course of her life. But is this a good thing for Sloane, or not so much?

Here are more thrilling vampire novels to check out!

Release date: September 10th, 2024

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

An Academy for Liars book cover

Genre: Gothic Fantasy/Horror

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Fans of campus-based fantasy books like Ninth House will love this new novel about a young woman who receives an invitation to a secret college for magic in Savannah, Georgia.

She’s gifted with a special power of persuasion, which grants her entry to Drayton College. But as she hones her power, she also becomes entangled in the college’s dark past.

Release date: September 17th, 2024

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne

Diavola book cover

Genre: Horror/Gothic

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This twist on the traditional haunted house novel features an unusual family vacation to a small, remote, possibly haunted villa in Italy.

Hilariously unhinged family dynamics meets creepy horror in this unique new Gothic novel!

Publication date: March 26th, 2024

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

new Stephen King 2024 book cover

Genre: Short Stories/Horror/Mystery

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The master of horror – Stephen King – is back with a brand new short story collection coming in 2024, featuring twelve brand new stories.

These stories explore the darker side of life, from an unfortunate inheritance to a job that makes a man question if some parts of the world are better left alone.

Publication date: May 21st, 2024

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra

Nightwatching book cover

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror

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In the middle of a blizzard, an intruder breaks into a woman’s house. She and her children quickly hide in a secret room hidden behind a wall, but it seems the intruder will try anything to lure them out.

Eventually, the woman realizes the man is familiar to her. She knows exactly why he’s there, and it’s even worse than she imagined.

Publication date: February 6th, 2024

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

Phantasma book cover

Genre: Gothic Fantasy/Romance/Horror/Paranormal

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If you’re looking for a spicy romantasy book with a darker side, check this one out! Phantasma is about a necromancer (named Ophelia) and a phantom who must work together in order to win a harrowing competition set in a dark Gothic manor.

The competition’s prize: a single wish, granted – but most of the competitors won’t survive. When Ophelia finds out her sister has entered, she has no choice but to enter herself in order to save her.

Release date: September 3rd, 2024

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

A Sorceress Comes to Call book cover

Genre: Dark Fantasy/Retellings/Horror

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This enchanting novel is a dark retelling of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale (The Goose Girl). I’d say it’s on the lighter end of the horror spectrum, but there are definitely some eerie elements to it!

It’s about a teenage girl who has a powerful sorceress for a mother, but her mother hides her magic and only uses it to get what she wants. She intends to marry a rich man in order to further her place in society – and she finds a perfect hapless target.

The story had a perfect balance of real-world/historical vibes and fantasy elements, and I think even those who don’t typically read fantasy will enjoy this!

(Side note: if you love horror, be sure to check out Kingfisher’s novel The Hollow Places – it’s so unique and entertaining!)

Publication date: August 6th, 2024

(I read an advanced gifted copy of this book from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.)

The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel

The Hitchcock Hotel book cover

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror

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Alfred Smettle owns and operates a Hitchcock-themed hotel in the mountains – a large Victorian manor stuffed with Hitchcock memorabilia. It even has an aviary filled with crows as an homage to the popular director.

Smettle invites his estranged college film club friends to celebrate its one year anniversary, but they don’t know he has something extra special planned for them.

Publication date: September 24th, 2024

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

The Gathering book cover

Genre: Crime/Mystery/Horror

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This eerie story toes the line between mystery and horror. It’s set in a small, remote Alaskan town that gets very little daylight – and also happens to have a coven of vampires living nearby.

In this similar version of our world, vampires (known as “vampyres”) are legally allowed to live near humans – as long as they keep to themselves. But when a body turns up and it looks like it could have been a vampyre attack, an investigator is sent out to figure out what really happened.

This is such a unique read, and hard to put down! It has multiple POVs, with a fascinating small town setting. It sort of has those dark and mysterious True Detective vibes (but with vampires).

Publication date: April 11th, 2024

(I read an advanced gifted copy of this book from the publisher. My thoughts are my own.)

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

Deadly Animals book cover

Genre: Mystery/Crime Thriller/Horror

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This chilling story follows an unusual fourteen year old girl named Ava who spends her nights exploring her small town, researching the decomposition of roadkill. But one night, she discovers a dead body – and she decides to track down the killer herself.

Publication date: November 12th, 2024

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert

Sleep Tight book cover

Genre: Horror/Thriller/Crime

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This novel is about a killer who terrorized the small town of Twisted Tree two decades ago, but even after his death, there are now signs that he could be back.

It’s been described as perfect for fans of Catriona Ward and Stephen King (so it’s obviously on my list to read this spooky season!).

Publication date: September 10th, 2024

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

We Used to Live Here book cover

Genre: Horror/Psychological Thriller

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A young couple gets a killer deal on an old house in a beautiful neighborhood, and it almost seems too good to be true.

Shortly after Charlie and Eve move in, someone knocks on the door claiming to be a former owner of the house, asking if he can show his family around.

But very strange things start happening, and soon, Charlie disappears. Is something up with the house, or is Eve losing her mind?

Publication date: June 18th, 2024

Which new 2024 horror books are on your list to read this spooky season?

For more spooky reading inspiration, check out these other book lists:

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