“What a blessed if painful thing, this business of being alive.”
Stephen King is undoubtedly the most famous and successful horror writer in the world. From Carrie to Pennywise to Dr. Sleep, King’s books both in and out of the horror scene tap into an array of different genres and strategies, all of which find a way of keeping us both spooked and enthralled. With sixty-five novels to his name, over 100 different awards and 350 million sales worldwide, King’s reign at the summit of the horror genre is unquestionable. Yet, as with every author, sometimes readers want something different. Thankfully, there are plenty of other chilling horror books out there penned by other greater writers in the field. So, join us today at What We Reading as we lift the lid on some of the best horror books we’ve read not written by Stephen King (sorry Stephen, still love you)!
NOS4A2 – Joe Hill
Joe Hill is a number one New York Times bestselling and Bram Stoker Award-winning author who kicks off our list of the best horror books not written by Stephen King with NOS4A2. Victoria McQueen has a knack for finding things. From misplaced bracelets to unanswerable questions, she does it all on her trusty Raleigh Tuff Burner bike.
Soon, she finds Charles Talent Manx. Manx takes children for rides in his 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith, complete with its NOS4A2 number plate, to his terrifying playground of amusements known as ‘Christmasland’. Today, Vic is the only kid to ever escape from Christmasland. But her attempts to leave the past horrors behind her are brought to an end when Charles returns to town, with her son as his passenger. NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling horror story that is both disturbing and surprisingly touching, with Hill shining at his absolute best.
Baby Teeth – Zoje Stage
In Baby Teeth, Zoje Stage introduces readers to Hanna, a sweet but silent angel according to her father. A proper daddy’s girl, he is the only one who understands her and all she wants to do is live happily ever after with him.
Suzette is Hanna’s mother but, whilst she does love her daughter, the years of expulsions and home-schooling attempts have already begun to take a toll on her sanity. Soon, Hanna’s tricks to get rid of her become increasingly sophisticated, though her husband never seems to realise what is going on under his roof. Before long, Suzette fears whether there may be something seriously wrong with her daughter and whether home is the best place for her.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism – Grady Hendrix
Abby and Gretchen have been inseparable best friends since fifth grade, bonding over everything from E.T. to scratch-and-sniff stickers. But, after starting high school, Gretchen begins to act differently. As a series of coincidences and bizarre behaviours start to dominate their friendship, Abby deduces that her best friend has a demon living inside of her.
Whilst the rest of their friendship group happily turn their backs on her, Abby becomes determined to save Gretchen from the evil force that has taken over her body. Even if it means standing up to one of the most powerful demons from Hell. Filled with cheesy 80s vibes, witty writing and genuinely creepy concepts, Grady Hendrix’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism is the best book for any Stranger Things fans, as well as those who love stories like The Exorcist.
Just Like Home – Sarah Gailey
Despite their long-estranged relationship, when Vera’s mother calls for her to ‘come home’, Vera does as she’s told. Despite the memories, she returns to the home of a serial killer. Back to face the love of her father, and the many bodies he buried inside. Returning home is hard enough for Vera, and the experience is only made worse by the arrival of an artist who has moved into the guest house out back.
Despite erasing all of Vera’s childhood memories, he insists he isn’t the one leaving behind notes in her father’s handwriting. The question is, if he isn’t, who is? The Crowder House is infamous, but countless secrets are hiding within its walls yet to be discovered. One of the best horror books not by Stephen King in 2022, Sarah Gailey takes readers on a tour through the estate to uncover just how deep the rot inside stretches.
Black Sheep – Rachel Harrison
Black Sheep is a 2023 horror book by Rachel Harrison, author of Such Sharp Teeth and Cackle. In it, readers are introduced to Vesper Wright and her truly bizarre family. Having left her family and the surrounding religious community behind her at the age of eighteen, she never thought she would return. Until an envelope lands on her door, inviting her to the wedding of her cousin, Rose, due to be hosted at the family’s barn.
Something inside of her insists on going, even if it means returning to the toxic environment she had worked so hard to escape from. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror movie icon. Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards, Black Sheep follows Rachel as she steps back into the dark world of family secrets and dubious beliefs, exploring how family ties can restrict us as we forge our paths in the world.
Imaginary Friend (Imaginary Friend #1) – Stephen Chbosky
Kate Reese is a single mother on the run. Determined to forge a better life for herself and her son, Christopher, she has fled an abusive relationship and arrived at the tight-knit community of Mill Grove in Pennsylvania. With one highway in and one highway out, it is about as remote as you can get.
To begin with, it looks like the perfect place to finally settle down. Then Christopher disappears. After six days, he reemerges, seemingly unharmed physically but noticeably different in his behaviour. He claims to have a voice in his head that has told him to build a treehouse in the woods before Christmas. Not doing so will ensure no one in the town will ever be the same again. From the bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Imaginary Friend is an emotionally rich and accomplished horror book that’s best read with the lights on.
My Heart Is A Chainsaw (The Indian Lake Trilogy #1) – Stephen Graham Jones
Another Goodreads-nominated horror book not by Stephen King, Stephen Graham Jones kicks off his Indian Lake Trilogy with My Heart Is a Chainsaw. Jade Daniels is a bitter half-Indian outcast. Half her town has disowned her, her father is abusive and her mother is absent. Strangely, her solace comes from her encyclopedic passion for horror movies, especially the ones where the masked killer embarks on a spree against those who wronged them.
And, when blood begins to spill across the town of Proofrock, she taps into her knowledge of all things horror to predict exactly how the plot will unfold. But, underneath the fever dream of attempting to unmask a killer, readers begin to see how Jade is far more than just another angry outcast. Beneath the hockey mask lies an individual capable of fierce devotion, and profound love and who, deep down, is simply looking to belong.
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Silver Nitrate – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
From the bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate is a 2023 horror book that blends Mexican horror movies with Nazi occultism for a deliciously dark and suspenseful thriller. Montserrat has always been a talented sound editor but finds herself locked out of the boys’ club running the shows in 1993 Mexico City. She’s all but invisible even to her best friend, Tristan, who she has been in love with since childhood.
Then Tristan discovers that his new neighbour is the horror director Abel Urueta. Abel claims to be able to change lives, though his tales of Nazi occultists instilling magic into silver nitrate film sound dubious, at best. The magic film never finished filming, which Abel claims has left him cursed. He wants Montserrat and Tristan to help shoot the missing scene. As they begin to work on-set and unravel more of the mysteries of the film and its occultist creator, the pair soon begin to notice strange and dark presences following them wherever they go.
Mary – Nat Cassidy
In his 2022 horror book, Nat Cassidy introduces readers to Mary, a quiet, unremarkable middle-aged woman content with blending into the background. However, lately, things have been changing for Mary. Suffering from hot flashes, aches and pains and now unable to look in the mirror without passing out, the voices in her head have been urging her to do unspeakable things.
Having been fired from her job, she moves back to her hometown in the hopes of reconnecting with her past. Instead, what she finds are terrifying visions strange thoughts and messages being written without her control. Mary soon discovers these are the echoes of an infamous serial killer. And when the killings begin again, she is forced to finally reckon with everything she is and everything she wants to avoid being. Filled with serial killers, ghosts, unreliable narrators and plenty of smart commentaries on the hardships of ageing, Mary is one of the best horror books not by Stephen King for anyone looking for their next creepy, creative read!
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
