15 Scary Stories Every True Fan of Creepy Books Must Read

For true fans of creepy books, nothing beats the thrill of a story that crawls under your skin and lingers in the dark corners of your mind. As Halloween 2025 approaches, the horror genre is alive with chilling tales that span classic gothic novels, modern psychological thrillers, and fresh 2025 releases. These 15 scary stories, novels, novellas, and short story collections are must-reads for anyone who craves the eerie, the unsettling, and the downright terrifying. From supernatural hauntings to human depravity, this explores each story’s plot, themes, and why it’s a cornerstone of horror literature. I’ve included author insights, critical reception, and where to find these books, ensuring you can build the ultimate creepy reading list. Whether you’re a seasoned horror aficionado or seeking your next sleepless night, these stories will haunt you long after the final page. Ready to face the fear? Let’s dive in! Note: Availability may vary by region, and some 2025 titles are available for preorder, so check retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org.

1. The Shining by Stephen King (1977)

Stephen King’s The Shining follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. With his wife Wendy and son Danny, whose psychic “shining” ability attracts malevolent spirits, Jack descends into madness as the hotel’s ghosts awaken. The novel’s claustrophobic setting and psychological horror, paired with supernatural dread, make it a chilling masterpiece. Its 4.2/5 Goodreads rating and 93% Rotten Tomatoes score for the 1980 film adaptation cement its legacy. Find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or libraries.

2. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)

Henry James’ gothic novella centers on a governess hired to care for two children, Miles and Flora, at a remote estate. She begins to see ghostly figures, Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, who may be corrupting the children—or her own mind. The ambiguous narrative and creeping dread make it a timeless haunt. With a 4.0/5 Goodreads rating, it’s a must for fans of psychological horror. Available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, or Project Gutenberg for free e-text.

3. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (1959)

Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House follows four people, led by Dr. Montague, investigating the haunted Hill House. Eleanor Vance, a sensitive loner, becomes entangled with the house’s malevolent presence. Its lyrical prose and psychological ambiguity deliver bone-chilling terror. With a 4.0/5 Goodreads rating and influence on works like American Horror Story, it’s a horror staple. Find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or libraries.

4. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)

Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel blends historical and supernatural horror, following Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter, Beloved. The novel’s raw depiction of trauma, memory, and guilt creates a haunting atmosphere. Its 3.9/5 Goodreads rating reflects its literary depth and emotional weight. A must-read for fans of layered horror, it’s available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, or libraries.

5. Hell House by Richard Matheson (1971)

Richard Matheson’s Hell House follows a team investigating the Belasco House, dubbed the “Mount Everest of haunted houses.” Led by physicist Barrett, they face demonic forces and personal demons. Its explicit supernatural horror and psychological tension rival The Shining. With a 3.8/5 Goodreads rating, it’s a cult favorite. Find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or libraries.

6. The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum (1989)

Jack Ketchum’s The Girl Next Door, inspired by the Sylvia Likens case, follows Meg and Susan, sisters tortured by their aunt and neighborhood kids in 1950s America. Narrated by a guilt-ridden witness, its unflinching depiction of cruelty is gut-wrenching. With a 4.0/5 Goodreads rating, it’s a harrowing read for extreme horror fans. Available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but approach with caution due to graphic content.

7. The Books of Blood by Clive Barker (1984–1985)

Clive Barker’s Books of Blood is a six-volume short story collection featuring tales like “The Midnight Meat Train” and “Rawhead Rex.” Barker’s visceral prose and imaginative horrors—demons, monsters, and human depravity—redefined the genre. With a 4.1/5 Goodreads rating, it’s essential for fans of short-form horror. Find it at Amazon, Bookshop.org, or libraries.

8. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (2025)

Grady Hendrix’s January 14, 2025, release is set in 1970s Florida at Wellwood House, where pregnant teen Fern and others face strict control. An occult book sparks rebellion, but dark forces demand a price. Hendrix’s blend of feminist horror, supernatural dread, and biting humor makes it a chilling 2025 must-read. Early buzz predicts a 4.3/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Bookshop.org.

9. The Lamb by Lucy Rose (2025)

Lucy Rose’s debut, out January 30, 2025, follows a mother and daughter with a sinister hunger for strays, disrupted by a mysterious woman’s arrival. Its gothic atmosphere, psychological horror, and unsettling family dynamics promise sleepless nights. Early reviews project a 4.1/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

10. Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (2025)

Virginia Feito’s Victorian Psycho, releasing February 4, 2025, follows a governess unraveling amid the Pounds family’s twisted secrets in a gothic manor. Its psychological descent and eerie atmosphere make it a perfect creepy read. A24’s upcoming adaptation fuels hype, with a projected 4.2/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Bookshop.org.

11. Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel (2025)

Neena Viel’s February 4, 2025, debut follows Calla protecting her brother Jamie in a creepy AirBnB after a protest turns deadly. Its slasher-like tension and sibling bond deliver heart-pounding horror. Early buzz suggests a 4.0/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

12. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (2025)

Stephen Graham Jones’ March 18, 2025, novel follows a Blackfeet vampire seeking vengeance on a reservation. Blending cultural depth, historical horror, and visceral gore, it’s a gripping addition to Jones’ oeuvre. Early reviews predict a 4.4/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Bookshop.org.

13. The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth (2025)

Erika T. Wurth’s March 18, 2025, release follows Olivia, a paranormal investigator uncovering ghostly secrets in a Denver hotel’s cursed Room 904 after her sister’s death. Its emotional depth and supernatural chills make it ideal for Halloween. Projected 4.1/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

14. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2025)

Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s July 15, 2025, novel follows Minerva, a student researching a horror author, uncovering witchcraft ties across generations. Its gothic and academic horror blend is spellbinding. Early buzz predicts a 4.3/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Bookshop.org.

15. Never Flinch by Stephen King (2025)

Stephen King’s May 27, 2025, release features Holly Gibney facing two killers—one seeking revenge, another targeting a feminist activist. Its psychological suspense and relentless pace make it a chilling read. Early reviews project a 4.5/5 Goodreads rating. Preorder on Amazon or Scribner.

Why These Stories Are So Creepy

These stories terrify through diverse mechanisms. Classics like The Shining and The Haunting of Hill House use isolated settings and psychological unraveling to evoke dread, with supernatural forces amplifying fear. Beloved and The Girl Next Door confront real-world horrors—slavery, abuse—making their terrors painfully human. The Books of Blood shocks with visceral imagery, while 2025 releases like Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and The Buffalo Hunter Hunter weave modern anxieties (misogyny, cultural trauma) with supernatural chills. Victorian Psycho and The Bewitching excel in gothic unease, using unreliable narrators and dark secrets. Their vivid prose, taboo themes, and emotional stakes ensure they haunt readers long after the final page.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

These stories have shaped horror literature profoundly. Dracula and Frankenstein (though not listed, their influence echoes in The Buffalo Hunter Hunter) birthed vampire and sci-fi horror tropes. The Shining and The Haunting of Hill House redefined haunted spaces, inspiring modern works like Hereditary. Beloved brought literary gravitas to horror, influencing authors like Victor LaValle. The Books of Blood pushed boundaries for short horror, paving the way for Nightmare at 20,000 Feet. New 2025 titles like Never Flinch and The Bewitching continue this legacy, blending cultural commentary with terror, while The Buffalo Hunter Hunter and The Haunting of Room 904 amplify Indigenous voices. Their exploration of fear—mortality, guilt, isolation—ensures their enduring relevance.

Where to Find These Books

Here’s where to access these creepy reads (check local availability):

• The Shining: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, libraries
• The Turn of the Screw: Amazon, Bookshop.org, Project Gutenberg (free e-text)
• The Haunting of Hill House: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, libraries
• Beloved: Amazon, Bookshop.org, libraries
• Hell House: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, libraries
• The Girl Next Door: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
• The Books of Blood: Amazon, Bookshop.org, libraries
• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls: Preorder on Amazon, Bookshop.org (January 14, 2025)
• The Lamb: Preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (January 30, 2025)
• Victorian Psycho: Preorder on Amazon, Bookshop.org (February 4, 2025)
• Listen to Your Sister: Preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (February 4, 2025)
• The Buffalo Hunter Hunter: Preorder on Amazon, Bookshop.org (March 18, 2025)
• The Haunting of Room 904: Preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (March 18, 2025)
• The Bewitching: Preorder on Amazon, Bookshop.org (July 15, 2025)
• Never Flinch: Preorder on Amazon, Scribner (May 27, 2025)

Check retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or libraries. For 2025 releases, Kindle Unlimited or Audible preorders may be available.

Final Thoughts

These 15 scary stories, from King’s The Shining to Moreno-Garcia’s The Bewitching, are essential for true fans of creepy books. Classics like The Haunting of Hill House and The Turn of the Screw deliver timeless gothic chills, while modern horrors like The Girl Next Door shock with raw humanity. The 2025 releases—Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, Never Flinch, and more—promise fresh nightmares, blending cultural depth with heart-pounding terror. Perfect for Halloween 2025, these tales will keep you awake, questioning every creak in the dark. Which story will you dive into first? Share your thoughts in the comments, and happy (terrifying) reading!