Courtney has been reading and collecting books almost as long as she's been alive. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Creative Writing. Courtney has been writing with Book Riot since 2019, and is a Bibliologist with TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations. She's currently brainstorming for her next creative project. You can follow her on Instagram.
New horror fans and seasoned readers alike can appreciate the terrifying ideas and slow creeping dread of monster-free horror. Without the supernatural goblins and ghouls to provide the shivers, these novels rely on deep-seeded fears of humanity. Some monster-free horror books use an obvious villain, like Annie Wilkes in Stephen King’s Misery to navigate themes of isolation and addiction. In that book, the environment plays as much a villain as the obvious bad guy. Building on feelings of dread and paranoia, the protagonist’s fears grow into their own personalized monster. Fast-paced horror thrillers are also commonly without a supernatural monster. The soon-to-be revealed serial killer is monster enough.
While not always monster-less, social horror is another subgenre of horror ideal for those who prefer not to read about the supernatural. Social horror books exaggerate social issues, sometimes to an absurd degree to showcase the horror in reality. Tackling racism, sexism, classism, and other oppressive systems, social horror exposes the monster(s) that reside alongside us. While you may not jump out of your skin, while reading these types of books, you may find yourself lying awake pondering the questions raised and consequences presented.
In this selection of horror books, there might not be a monster to unmask, but there are sure to be some real scares along the way.
Lakewood by Megan Giddings
After Lena’s grandmother dies, the family’s full debt is revealed and Lena is forced to drop out of college. She takes a mysterious job in Lakewood, Michigan, in a secret medical program. The research is supposed to be groundbreaking, but the consequences for participants could be devastating. Lena must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her family and what is too far. Unnerving and atmospheric, this novel centers on the long history of experimentation on Black bodies for white scientific gain.
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
At the request of her estranged mother, Vera returns to her childhood home. The house remains a painful reminder of Vera’s serial killer father and his victims. Vera becomes suspicious when she learns that a strange artist is renting out the guest house. As the artist’s behavior becomes more erratic, Vera finds notes in her father’s writing. Rotting from the inside out, the house is consuming everything Vera knows.
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar
Inspired by true events, this metafiction novel combines horror with true crime. After the bodies of several missing girls are discovered in small town Maryland, residents begin to fall into paranoia. Recent college grad Richard finds himself in the middle of the action and begins to write his own account of the authorities’ search for the killer. High concept and high payout, this novel immerses the reader into the story from page one.
To The Bone by Alena Bruzas
Indentured servant Ellis hopes for a fresh start, but upon arrival at James Fort, she is greeted with the prospect of starvation and hardship. Ellis’ budding friendship with Jane, another new arrival, provides a glimmer of hope as she faces her master’s cruelty and the coming winter. This historical YA horror novel addresses the very real horrors of colonization in sparse, riveting prose.
Perfume: The Story of a Murder by Patrick Süskind
Born in the slums of 18th century Paris, Jean-Baptiste is gifted with an exquisite sense of smell. After learning the trade of perfumery from a master, Jean-Baptiste leans into his olfactory obsessions. When he notices a young woman with the most heavenly odor, Jean-Baptiste will not stop until he has distilled her exact scent. Guiltlessly leaving victims in his wake, Jean-Baptiste tears through Paris searching for perfection. Fairytale-like in tone, this dark German classic is a sensorial experience.
The Eyes Are The Best Part by Monica Kim
Eighteen-year-old Ji-won is barely holding it together as the eldest daughter in a family that’s falling apart. As she struggles with her responsibilities, Ji-won becomes obsessed with eyeballs. Ji-won’s dreams are filled with disturbing images of eyeballs while her waking hours are busy with justified anger. Darkly comedic and visceral, this novel is a grotesque family drama.
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
Holistik, a high end beauty and wellness company, recruits the unnamed narrator as a new employee. Caring for her immigrant parents, Holistik offers her the money and freedom she hasn’t had before. Her life slowly becomes more entangled with Holistick as something more sinister than all the tinctures and procedures begins to ferment beneath the surface.
The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun
When Oghi discovers that his wife died in the car accident that left him in a coma and paralyzed, he realizes that his grieving mother-in-law is now his caretaker. Oghi’s world is the size of a cramped bedroom as he watches his mother-in-law uproot his wife’s carefully tended garden to dig holes. Haunted by memories and disturbed by his mother-in-law’s obsession, Oghi begins planning his escape. Claustrophobic and quiet, this novel sits at a low, dread-inducing, simmer.
When you’re ready for all the monsters and ghosts again, Monstrify Your Book Shelf with these Horror Books About Monsters. For metaphorical monsters, try these not so typical monster books. Be sure to grab an extra lightbulb for you nightlight, because you’ll definitely need it after reading these books!
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