15 Most Anticipated Horror Books Coming Out The Rest Of 2024

Summary 2024 brings an exciting lineup of horror novels, with skyrocketing sales showing the genre's continued popularity.

From haunted spirits to slasher stories, the upcoming releases promise thrills and chills for horror enthusiasts.

Renowned authors like Stephen King and fresh voices like Monika Kim add diversity to the diverse and captivating horror genre in 2024.

Though 2023 was an incredible literary year for horror, 2024 has an even more exciting slate of horror books scheduled to release throughout the year. 2024 novels such as The Black Girl Survives in This One, edited by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell, and The House of Last Resort, by Christopher Golden, have already flown off the shelves. In fact, according to The Guardian, in the first three months of 2024 horror sales were 34% higher than in previous years. The horror genre continues to grow in popularity, and the range of upcoming releases will not disappoint.

There are many reasons that horror is continuing to gain fans. Scary movies and TV shows based on books could be partly responsible. Recent popular releases like Apple TV+'s The Changeling and Kenneth Branagh's A Haunting in Venice have opened the door to jumping from great horror movies to great horror books for people who may have never dabbled in the style, likely contributing to their rise. The genre's captivating mysteries, paired with its twists and turns, are the perfect escapes for readers, which likely accounts for some growth. No matter the reason for reading horror, there is no shortage of exciting novels set for release throughout the rest of 2024.

Related 14 Most Anticipated Non-Fiction Books Coming Out The Rest Of 2024 2024 is a big year for literature, with several great non-fiction books that readers have been patiently waiting for finally hitting the shelves.

15 My Darling Dreadful Thing By Johanna Van Veen

This debut novel by Netherlands-based author Johanna Van Veen is one of the most anticipated horror releases of the year. My Darling Dreadful Thing is a gothic horror novel that follows the story of Roos and her mysterious spirit companion Ruth. Roos believes that she is the only person who can see Ruth, but the arrival of Agnes Knoop during one of Roos' seances makes her realize that she is not alone. Roos and Agnes grow close through their spiritual bond, but a murder flips everything upside down.

Roos must somehow find a way to prove her innocence, but the question of who or what is responsible for the death still remains. Though she believes in spirits, having had a close relationship with Ruth, the law does not. The psychologist Roos meets with before her trial, Doctor Montague, blames her behavior on a wild fantasy. However, Roos knows the truth. This gothic horror examines the truth of what is real in the world, and what people can make themselves believe.

14 You Like It Darker By Stephen King

Stephen King is one of the most well-known authors across the globe. His previous books include masterpieces like The Shining, It, Pet Sematary, and Carrie, with countless adaptations of his works hitting screens. Currently, a new adaptation King's Salem's Lot is set to release in 2024. He has a talent for creating staples in the horror genre, so there is no question that his newest novel is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. You Like It Darker is a collection of exhilarating short stories by the masterful author that spans a variety of familiar King themes.

The stories include a sequel to Cujo entitled Rattlesnakes, in which a trip to Florida turns into an unexpected inheritance with dark consequences. Another one of the short stories, The Answer Man, touches on the question of foreknowledge and whether possessing it is a good or bad thing. Just like his previous novels, Stephen King's newest release will not shy away from the deeper questions of human existence, while still terrifying readers to their core. You Like It Darker is sure to please both longtime fans of the author and newer horror readers looking for a fun scare.

13 Small Town Horror By Ronald Malfi

Much like Stephen King, Ronald Malfi is no stranger to the literary world. Malfi is a multiple-time Bram Stoker Award nominee and is best known for his novel Come with Me. The talented author has delved into a myriad of genres, including horror, thriller, and mystery. His newest novel, Small Town Horror, checks all three of those boxes. Following the story of five childhood friends who are forced to reckon with something dark in their past, the story is set to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The tale centers on Andrew Larimer, and his return home after a late-night phone call he receives from an old friend. As he confronts his hometown, he must also confront the truth about a mysterious night he shared with his friends and a secret that the five of them have never dared to share. The premise of returning home to face past trauma is a staple of the horror genre, with amazing results, making Small Town Horror one of the most exciting upcoming releases.

12 Horror Movie By Paul Tremblay

From the mind of Paul Tremblay, author of popular releases like The Cabin at the End of the World and The Pallbearers Club, comes a new novel that is expected to match the high praise of his previous work. Horror Movie is a novel that examines the making of a fictional famous indie horror film, and the terror that came along with it. It follows the story of the only surviving cast member of the popular film, also titled Horror Movie, and his attempt to help remake it.

With the popularity of horror films in today's world, along with the desire to learn what happens behind the scenes, Horror Movie is destined to be a fascinating read. Though rooted in fiction, it is no secret that casts and crews have claimed mysterious happenings on real-life horror sets. Paul Tremblay's examination of these themes will make for an incredible story and a much-anticipated release.

11 Cuckoo By Gretchen Felker-Martin

Cuckoo, not to be confused with the upcoming film Cuckoo starring Hunter Schafer, is a thrilling new release by author Gretchen Felker-Martin. She is best known for her book Manhunt, which was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Horror in 2022. Her new novel is sure to continue her trend of horror excellence. It follows the story of seven queer children who are left at a conversion camp in the desert. Something evil lurks in the environment, and the kids must face it head-on.

Sixteen years after that summer, the survivors must find a way to stop the evil from spreading, whatever it takes. So many incredible horror novels are led by LGBTQ+ characters, and Gretchen Felker-Martin's new addition should be no different. Readers can look forward to finding themselves in the characters, as Felker-Martin is known for her incredibly written relationship dynamics. If Cuckoo is anything like her previous work, it is certain to be full of chills.

10 How To Make A Horror Movie And Survive By Craig DiLouie

Crag DiLouie is another successful Bram Stoker Award-nominated author, and his upcoming release How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive is set to be one of the books of the summer. The novel is set in the 1980s on the set of a slasher film. However, there is more to the story. Instead of the typical film set with normal equipment, their camera is possibly possessed by a demon. With this twist on the horror film trope, there is much to be explored in Craig DiLouie's upcoming release.

The novel is set to blend the genres of comedy and horror, creating the perfect summer read. DiLouie will lean into the trope of the final girl, with the character of Sally Priest aiming for the role in the fictional film, but potentially landing it in real life. How To Make A Horror Movie And Survive's unique style and absurd premise make it one of 2024's more fascinating horror releases.

9 We Used To Live Here By Marcus Kliewer

Marcus Kliewer's debut novel We Used to Live Here has a fascinating life that began in 2021. That year, Kliewer published We Used to Live Here as a short story on Reddit. The popularity of the piece grew, and Simon & Schuster picked it up for publication. The same year that the Reddit story was published, Netflix also picked up the rights, with Blake Lively pinned to produce and star in the film. With such a rich backstory, there is no question that people have been waiting for We Used to Live Here to release for a long time.

We Used to Live Here follows the story of Charlie and Eve, a house-flipping couple that just landed their newest project. It is a gorgeous antique home in a beautiful neighborhood. One day, a family knocks at their door and asks to step inside. The man explains that he previously lived in the home and wants his kids to take a look at it. Once they are let in the house, chaos ensues. Though fans of the original piece may know parts of this thrilling ride, the expansion of the story will be sure to leave all fans satisfied.

8 Incidents Around The House By Josh Malerman

Josh Malerman is the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box, a book that was later turned into a successful Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock. So there is no question that his upcoming novel Incidents Around the House has been highly anticipated by horror fans. Incidents Around the House tells the story of someone haunted by an entity that is attempting to enter into their body. The real twist of the book, however, is that it is narrated by a young girl.

The choice to have this terrifying novel shown through the eyes of someone so young is incredibly enticing and makes the release date of June 25 feel too far away. The publisher of the novel, Penguin Random House, has a history of releasing books with huge potential and thrilling plots. Incidents Around the House is sure to be no exception, with its haunting themes of familial strength, coming-of-age, and loyalty.

7 The Eyes Are The Best Part By Monika Kim

The Eyes Are the Best Part is the debut novel by Korean-American author Monika Kim. Inspired by her mother's Korean superstitions, the book examines the foundation of a serial killer from the perspective of a Korean-American woman. It follows the character Ji-won, who is grappling with her family's unraveling due to an affair. She plunges into deep despair, but her dreams begin to give her dark thoughts that inspire her real-life actions.

Though this is Monika Kim's first book, the promise of a feminist-based take on the making of a serial killer will satisfy readers, and likely leave them wanting more from the author. With the release still months away, the question of what Ji-won's actions entail remains open. The release of The Eyes Are the Best Part will address whether audiences can root for Ji-won to bring her family back together, or if she will step too far over the line.

6 The Blonde Dies First By Joelle Wellington

Joelle Wellington is not new to the horror genre, with her previous 2023 novel Their Vicious Game granting her a strong fan base. Her second novel, The Blonde Dies First, is a thriller that continues her trend of writing for young adults. This summer release is set in that same season, with the twin leads celebrating their greatest summer ever before one of them must head to college. However, they make the mistake of messing with a Ouija board, which changes the trajectory of their future plans.

Devon makes it her mission to save her sister and friend from the demon, who strangely seems to be acting out the plot of a horror slasher. The novel looks to lean into more meta themes, similar to the Scream franchise. The unique mix of the paranormal and slasher horror tropes makes this book stand out as a clear front-runner amidst the 2024 horror releases.

5 I Was A Teenage Slasher By Stephen Graham Jones

After the success of Stephen Graham Jones's New York Times bestselling novel The Only Good Indians, his follow-up book has been highly anticipated by fans of his writing. I Was a Teenage Slasher promises to deliver to those readers. Set to release on July 16, the book centers on a small Texas town in the 1980s. The novel is set to be a fun slasher story but will be from the perspective of the killer.

Stephen Graham Jones grew up in Texas himself, allowing this Southern novel to be rooted in truth and home. The book will focus on these themes, and force readers to find themselves rooting for the killer. This fun, new twist on the genre sets it apart from others of its kind and makes it a rousing addition to the 2024 horror slate.

4 Clown In A Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo By Adam Cesare

Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield series returns with his third installment, Clown in a Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo. Though Quinn has once again survived the evil clown Frendo's schemes, she knows that he will stop at nothing to kill. Quinn must take matters into her own hands, and confront the problem at its source: the believers. It is unsure if this will be Cesare's final installment in the Clown in a Cornfield franchise, but it is set to be his most interesting yet.

Adam Cesare has published numerous horror classics, with the original Clown in a Cornfield winning the 2020 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Young Adult Novel. Fans of the series have been waiting for a new installment since 2022, and Cesare is sure to exceed expectations. The question of Frendo's fate in the newest novel is impending, making readers more anxious than ever for its release.

3 So Thirsty By Rachel Harrison

New York-based author Rachel Harrison is set to release her newest work in a long line of successful novels. So Thirsty follows the story of Sloane Parker, and her birthday trip that goes terribly wrong. Though Sloane hates her birthday, she agrees to go on a surprise birthday trip with her best friend Naomi. Of course, Naomi has more planned than just a typical spa weekend, and they find themselves facing a shocking twist that alters them for good.

If Harrison's previous novels Black Sheep, Such Sharp Teeth, and The Return are any indication, then So Thirsty will be a fulfilling thriller that makes readers question their own lives. With Penguin Random House publishing the novel, its success and popularity among horror fans is eminent. A tale centered around the strength of female friendship will be a satisfying read for new and old fans of Rachel Harrison's work.

2 The Dark Becomes Her By Judy I. Lin

The Dark Becomes Her will be Judy I. Lin's first horror novel, but far from her first published work. Lin is the #1 bestselling author of A Magic Seeped in Poison. Under the endorsement of Rick Riordan, she steps into horror with this upcoming fall release. With one of the biggest names in young adult fiction behind her, The Dark Becomes Her is sure to be a grounded horror staple.

The Dark Becomes Her centers on the character of Ruby Chen, and her encounter with a Chinatown ghost that alters the trajectory of her well-behaved life. Ruby notices that her sister is being possessed by a demon, but finds herself in the underworld after an attempt to save her. The future and safety of her community falls on her shoulders, and Chen's book explores whether she can fix herself to stand up for others. The central themes of family and community, paired with Riordan's attachment, make this one of the most exciting 2024 releases.

1 The Queen By Nick Cutter

Nick Cutter has made waves in the horror genre, with his previous novel The Troop becoming a viral "#HorrorBookTok" obsession. Luckily for internet fans, his next novel, The Queen, is slated to be released right before Halloween 2024. The Queen seems to push the envelope on horror, blending genres and creating a science-fiction and thriller mashup. With Simon & Schuster publishing the novel, it is on track to be one of the biggest horror releases of the year.

In The Queen, Margaret Carpenter's best friend Charity Atwater, has been missing for a month. When Margaret finds an unrecognizable phone on her doorstep with a text from Charity waiting on it, she dives headfirst into the mystery to find her friend. The underlying secret of Charity's life promises to be shocking, putting a new ring on what the horror genre has created thus far. With the release date still far in the distance, fans are kept on the edge of their seats in anticipation.

Source: The Guardian