Phil Treagus-EvansWhy are we publishing the scariest books of 2022 now? Well, because it’s the season for the scariest books. And what’s not to love about a good horror book? They’re suspenseful, they’re thrilling, and they keep you up at night. But why do we love them so much? One reason may be that horror books help us to confront our fears. By reading about horrifying creatures and gruesome murders, we can vicariously experience the adrenaline rush of fear without actually putting ourselves in danger. In addition, horror books can be a form of cathartic release, allowing us to explore the dark side of human nature in a safe and controlled environment.
If you’re looking for a good scare, then you’ll want to check out some of the best new horror books of 2022. From tales of hauntings and possessions to stories of murderous maniacs, these books are sure to send a chill down your spine. So if you’re feeling brave, why not delve into one of these scariest books and see what all the fuss is about? You may just find yourself reading late into the night with the lights on.
Road of Bones by Christopher Golden
One might not expect a book about the scariest road in the world to be a bestseller, but that’s exactly what happened with Christopher Golden’s Road of Bones. In this book, an American documentarian travels across Siberia on one of the world’s most haunted highways. Due to the icy conditions, fatal car accidents are not uncommon on this road. However, as they drive the road and arrive at an abandoned town, things take a turn for the worse when otherworldly beasts start to hunt them.
Stephen King described the book as “tightly wound, atmospheric, and creepy as hell”. Christopher Golden, a New York Times bestseller and Bram Stoker award-winning author, is known for his horror books. Golden’s book paints a harrowing picture of this dangerous road, and it’s easy to see why it’s been named one of the scariest books of 2022.
The Hacienda by Isabel Canas
The scariest books are the ones that feel the most real. And The Hacienda by Isabel Canas is about as real as it gets. The story follows Beatriz, during the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence. When she moves in with her new partner, his impressive estate is not what you might expect. When her partner leaves the house for work, Beatriz is left alone with the feeling of being watched in every room. She befriends the local priest who must help her overcome whatever malevolent spirit is haunting the hacienda.
The New York Times describe the book as, “A thing of uncanny, chilling beauty. Hauntings, exorcisms, incantations, forbidden love — The Hacienda transports one to a world where love triumphs over demons”. Isabel Cañas is a Mexican-American speculative fiction writer and this is her impressive debut novel.
Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
Andrew Joseph White’s Hell Followed With Us is a debut novel about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors. The story follows a 16-year-old trans boy called Benji who is on the run from the cult that raised him. Cornered by monsters, Benji is saved by a group of teens from the local LGBTQ+ Center, known as the ALC. However, the group might not be exactly what Benji was expecting as he discovers some of their secrets.
White does an excellent job of creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, and you might find yourself turning the pages quickly to see what would happen next. If you’re looking for a good scare, Hell Followed With Us is definitely worth checking out. The author, Aden Polydros said of the book, “Hands down the best YA horror book I’ve read.”
A Black and Endless Sky by Matthew Lyons
One of the scariest books of 2022 is A Black and Endless Sky by Matthew Lyons. The book is about two siblings, Jonah and Nell Talbot. Growing up they were inseparable, however as they got older they grew apart and stopped talking. Following Jonah’s divorce, they decide to take a road trip across America to their original hometown of Albuquerque, as a way to reconnect. However, following a strange accident, Nell begins to have visions and exhibit otherworldly symptoms.
The race is then on to save his sister before whatever (or whoever!) inside of her takes full control. However, the road ahead is full of worse things and mysterious strangers who seem to know of Nell’s condition. The book is suspenseful and chilling, and it will keep you up at night. The library journal said of the book, “Atmospheric and terrifying . . . readers won’t be able to put it down.”
The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias
If you’re looking for one of the scariest books of 2022, look no further than The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias. This spine-chilling novel follows the story of a Father who has an ill daughter and a marriage on the verge of ending. Out of desperation, he takes a job as a hitman to raise some quick cash to pay medical bills. As things spiral out of control, he agrees to one final mission that results in a nightmarish encounter that defies explanation.
Iglesias has created a truly frightening and genre-defying tale that will leave readers feeling unsettled long after they’ve turned the final page. Gabino Iglesias is a writer, journalist, professor, and literary critic living in Austin, TX. Simon Romero of The New York Times said of the book, “It is a haunting noir thriller…a borderlands odyssey that blends noir and magical realism, meditations on religiosity and human cruelty, and social commentary on guns, the drug trade and resurgent racism.”
The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon
A list of the scariest books of 2022 would not be accurate if it does not include The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon. The novel tells a story inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, filled with eerie mysteries of childhood and the evils perpetrated by the monsters among us. Set across two different times, the story follows Lizzy who in the present day is the host of a popular podcast about monsters. When a monster is sighted in Vermont, Lizzy is on her way – because she knows what to expect due to her past and her mysterious sister.
Full of suspense and eerie atmosphere, The Children on the Hill is sure to keep you gripped. Whether you’re looking for a pulse-pounding thriller or a slow-burn horror story, this novel is sure to keep you up all night. Of the book, LibraryReads said “This modern take on Frankenstein has a delicious twist at the end. This novel is an all-nighter!”
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
There’s been a lot of talk about the scariest books of 2022, and Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey definitely deserves its place on that list. Likened to Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, the book follows the story of Vera who returns home to be with her Mother following a long estrangement. When notes start appearing around the house from her deceased Father, Vera must face the secrets of this house and discover just how deep the rot goes.
The book is a masterful blend of suspense and horror, and it’s sure to send chills down your spine. If you’re looking for a truly terrifying read, then Just Like Home is definitely the book for you. Of the book, Publisher’s Weekly said “Creepy, exhilarating science fiction… A series of dark reveals leave both the characters and the audience reeling. Readers won’t want to put this one down.”
The Resting Place by Camilla Sten
In this unforgettable novel of horror and suspense, expect deep-rooted secrets, dark family history and a house that has a mind of its own. The book tells the story of Eleanor who lives with a condition known as prosopagnosia, the inability to recognize a familiar person’s face. Naturally, this makes life difficult. Difficult panes into significance however when Eleanor walks in on her Grandma being brutally murdered, but of course is unable to recognise the killer’s face. She is then haunted by the possible return of this person.
Eleanor is then left her grandmother’s house in the Swedish woods after her Grandma’s death. She heads there with her boyfriend and aunt. However, this house is full of secrets and they all quickly wish they perhaps hadn’t come at all. Booklist said of the book, “Very hard to put down…delivers maximum dread with remarkable restraint, and as the situation goes from bad to worse to terrifying, readers will revel in the chills.”
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Gretchen Felker-Martin’s horror novel Manhunt is one of the scariest books of 2022. The story follows Beth and Fran who meet up with Robbie, all three of them spend their time travelling around the ravaged New England coast. This found family of survivors must a sociopathic billionaire bunker brat and a strange group of personalities, all whilst escaping the onslaught of feral men who are hunting them.
The book is full of suspense, gore, and twists that will keep readers guessing until the very end. While the violence is certainly disturbing, it is expertly crafted and never feels gratuitous. Described by author, Carmen Maria Machado as “A modern horror masterpiece.”, and by The New Yorker as “A filthy, furious delight.” – you want to miss this one!
Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
Titanic meets The Shining in this horror novel. The book follows the story of Claire Kovalik who along with her crew decide to investigate a strange distress signal. They end up discovering a famous luxury spaceliner that vanished during its maiden tour of the solar system over twenty years ago. Excited by the find and the potentially lucrative opportunities that would surely follow, they begin to investigate further. However, they quickly discover that something about the ship is not right. Are they alone on this ship? What happened here?
This atmospheric space horror is an absolute thrill ride that will have you refusing to put the book down. Library Journal said of Dead Silence, “With a compelling haunted-house-in-space frame, excellent worldbuilding, vivid imagery, biting social commentary, sustained tension, and a storytelling style that seamlessly moves between the mortal danger of the present and Kovalik’s unsettling past, this sci-fi/horror blend will resonate loudly with readers.”
A lot of people tend to avoid horror books, thinking that they’ll be too scared to sleep at night. But what they don’t realize is that horror books can actually be really good for you. They can help improve your imagination, make you more empathetic, and even increase your sense of self-awareness. So if you’re looking for a way to get people to start reading more, why not encourage them to pick up a few horror books? Not only will they get to experience all the benefits that come with reading, but they’ll also get a few thrills along the way. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even find a few new fans of the genre in the process.