“Community is when you never let go of each other. Not even after you’re gone.”
If you’re on the hunt for queer horror books that mix spine-tingling terror with LGBTQ+ perspectives, good news, you’re in the right place. In this roundup of LGBT horror books, we’re spotlighting the most haunting tales where queer protagonists take centre stage – whether they’re battling supernatural forces, uncovering dark family legacies, or grappling with their own inner demons. From blood-drenched gothic nightmares to psychological horrors that linger long after the final page, these horror books with LGBT characters deliver pulse-pounding suspense and emotional depth in equal measure. Whether you’re craving a slow-burn terror or an all-out monster mash, join us at What We Reading for the best queer horror novels, each bringing fresh, unforgettable twists to the genre that promise to haunt you in the best way. Read on for these titles that refuse to be ignored, and won’t let you rest.
Manhunt – Gretchen Felker-Martin
First up on our list of the best queer horror books is Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin. Set in a post-apocalyptic New England ravaged by a virus that turns men into feral monsters, this visceral tale follows Beth and Fran, two trans women surviving in the wastelands, harvesting testosterone from infected men to preserve their identities and stay alive. Alongside them is Robbie, a determined trans man navigating the same dangers. Together, they are faced with not only the monstrous infected but also radical TERF militias and the haunting trauma of a world built to erase them.
This is not just a gory survival story – it’s a furious and fearless exploration of gender, bodily autonomy, and queer resistance. Manhunt blends bold LGBT horror fiction with social commentary, pushing boundaries and refusing to flinch away. Perfect for readers looking for trans horror novels, Felker-Martin’s tale is a must-read for anyone ready to confront the horrors both real and imagined.
The Honeys – Ryan La Sala
Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow of his sister, Caroline. But when Caroline suddenly dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he is able to about his once inseparable sister. Mars’ genderfluidity means he’s excluded from the traditions – and expectations – of his politically correct family. This includes attending the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy, where his sister spent so much time. But, with the grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.
What Mars finds is a folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities, old-fashioned gender roles, and a toxic preparatory rigour. Mars also happens upon Caroline’s old friends, an eccentric group of girls dubbed the Honeys, who he is convinced had something to do with his sister’s death. But the longer he remains at Aspen, the more the mountain breeze gives way to a whiff of decay. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can’t find it soon, it promises to eat him alive.
Tell Me I’m Worthless – Alison Rumfitt
Three years ago, Alice spent one night in an abandoned house with her friends, Ila and Hannah. Since then, Alice’s life has spiralled. She lives a haunted existence, selling videos of herself for money, going to parties she hates, and drinking herself to sleep every night. Memories of that fateful night torment Alice. Yet, when Ila asks her to return to the house, to go past the big KEEP OUT sign and over the sick earth where teenagers dare each other to venture, Alice somehow knows she must go.
Together, Alice and Ila must face the horrors that happened inside the estate, must pull themselves apart from the inside out, put their differences aside, and try to rescue Hannah, whom the house has chosen to make its own. Dark, brutal, and politically-charged, Tell Me I’m Worthless is a bold trans horror novel that confronts social decay head-on with sharp insight and searing rage.
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Plain Bad Heroines – Emily M. Danforth
Emily Danforth’s Plain Bad Heroines is a captivating blend of queer horror books and dark academia, filled with mystery, sapphic love, and eerie, supernatural intrigue. The novel alternates between two timelines: one set in 1902, where a tragic death at an all-girls boarding school sparks a cursed legacy, and another in present-day Hollywood, where a movie adaptation of the story brings new attention – and danger – to the long-buried secrets.
At the heart of this haunting tale are the women – both past and present – who find themselves ensnared in a web of forbidden love, obsession, and the lure of a chilling curse. Danforth weaves queer relationships and feminist themes into a Gothic narrative, making Plain Bad Heroines still one of the absolute standouts in the realm of LGBTQ+ horror fiction. For fans of dark academia horror and twisted, haunting tales with a queer edge, this remains an absolute must-read.
The Devourers – Indra Das
On a cool evening in Kolkata, beneath a full moon, as the whirling rhythms of travelling musicians flood the night, college professor Alok encounters a mysterious stranger with a bizarre confession and an extraordinary story. Enthralled by the man’s unfinished story, Alok will do anything to hear how it ends. So Alok agrees, at the stranger’s request, to transcribe a collection of battered notebooks, weathered parchments, and once-living skins.
From these documents spill the chronicle of a race of people at once more than human yet kin to beasts, ruled by instincts and desires that have run blood-deep for entire eras. The tale features a rough wanderer in seventeenth-century Mughal India who finds himself pulled to a defiant woman – and destined to be torn asunder by two clashing worlds. With every passing chapter of beauty and brutality in Indra Das’ queer horror book, The Devourers, Alok’s interest in the stranger grows and morphs into something far darker and more urgent.
The Luminous Dead – Caitlin Starling
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling is a gripping and atmospheric queer horror novel that blends psychological tension with sci-fi horror. In a desolate, alien world, Gyre, a woman on a solo expedition, must rely on her guide, a mysterious technician named Em, as she navigates a dangerous, uncharted planet. Yet, as the journey deepens, Gyre discovers that the only way to survive may just be to trust Em – a woman she has never seen, and only knows through radio communication.
As both the physical environment and their fragile relationship threaten to sever, Gyre confronts not only the harsh, deadly terrains but also the ghosts of her own past. Starling’s novel weaves a terrifying, slow-burning, claustrophobic atmosphere that masterfully explores survival, trust, and intimacy. At its heart, The Luminous Dead is a queer sci-fi horror book that touches on themes of trauma, identity, and the power dynamics of love.
Into The Drowning Deep (Rolling In The Deep #1) – Mira Grant
Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” designed to bring ancient sea creatures of legend to life. It was lost at sea with all hands on board. Some have labelled it a hoax, others have claimed it to be a maritime tragedy.
Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time, they’re not setting out to entertain. Some look to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Others are looking for the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart, this is a voyage to discover the fate of the sister she lost. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep always come with a heavy price. With killer mermaids, bisexual rep, and deep sea terrors that are equal part smart and terrifying, Into the Drowning Deep is one of the best queer horror books if you’re looking for your next deep sea adventure.
My Heart Is A Chainsaw – Stephen Graham Jones
Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart is a Chainsaw is a pulse-pounding queer horror book that reinvents the slasher genre with sharp wit, emotional depth, and a gripping narrative. Jade Daniels, a mixed-race, queer teenager, is an outsider in her home town. Her obsession with slasher films becomes her survival tool when a real-life horror begins to unfold. As a series of brutal killings plagues her town, Jade must piece together clues and fight to survive, all whilst navigating her own trauma and complex identity.
Jones blends elements of LGBTQ+ horror with dark humour and suspense, paying homage to the slasher genre while crafting a story that feels fresh, exciting, and deliciously unsettling. My Heart is a Chainsaw is a love letter to horror fans with a fierce, flawed protagonist at its centre that demands to be put on your TBR pile if you love scares with a side of subversion and complexity.
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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).
