Books matching: chilling novella
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- #1
Save:A moody, weird, and atmospheric collection perfect for fans of unsettling small-town tales - just don’t expect tidy endings or traditional scares.
Goblin: A Novel in Six Novellas by Josh Malerman is a collection of interconnected stories set in the peculiar town of Goblin. The book weaves together tales of mysterious occurrences and dark secrets that haunt the town's residents. Each novella introduces unique characters and explores the eerie atmosphere of Goblin, creating a sense of unease and suspense throughout the stories. The writing style varies from supernatural elements to psychological depth, keeping the reader engaged with unexpected twists and turns.
“I know it,” Jerry said, making his most sympathetic face. Cigar smoke rose from the ashtray on his desk and curled about his big belly. “And I’m gonna give you triple for the run. The recipient gave...November 2017•428 pages - #2
Save:A fast, creepy read perfect for a dark and stormy night - great for horror fans, but might not wow those looking for originality or complex plotting.
'I Call Upon Thee' by Ania Ahlborn is a chilling tale that follows Maggie Olsen as she returns to her Southern home after the tragic death of her sister Brynn. As Maggie delves into her past, she uncovers dark and supernatural forces at play within her family. The story weaves between the present and the past, revealing eerie experiences involving a cemetery, a porcelain doll, and a Ouija board. Maggie's journey is filled with suspense, supernatural encounters, and a sense of looming dread as she navigates the shadows of her haunted homestead.
The author, Ania Ahlborn, expertly builds tension and creates a vivid atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The plot unfolds with a mix of familiar scenarios like playing with a Ouija board, but takes a sinister turn as malevolent spirits and family secrets come to light. The narrative skillfully blends elements of horror and psychological suspense, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, making 'I Call Upon Thee' a captivating and haunting read.
Maggie peeked an eye open despite herself. Personally, she wasn’t concerned about the oncoming storm. Having grown up on the Georgia coast, she’d lived through dozens of tropical depressions far worse...August 2017•256 pages - #3
Save:Maniac Gods is a chilling novella by Rich Hawkins, blending cosmic horror with emotional depth. The story follows Albie Samways, a desperate father searching for his missing daughter, Milly, in a village overrun by grotesque cultists and nightmarish entities. The tension builds through a balance of sparse, haunting prose and visceral description, creating vivid yet unsettling imagery reminiscent of classic horror writers. Albie's journey takes him through a bleak landscape filled with dread and despair, as he confronts the mysterious Doctor Ridings and his monstrous followers.
Hawkins writes with a style that is both fast-paced and atmospheric. The novella’s structure enhances its urgency, drawing readers into a nightmarish world without pause. While Albie's character could have been explored further, his bond with Milly serves as a powerful emotional anchor amidst the horror. Rich Hawkins delivers horrific yet poetic storytelling that captivates and unsettles, showcasing his mastery of the genre and establishing a compelling narrative rich with Lovecraftian elements.
Albie Samways woke from a restless sleep on the sofa and remembered fragments of troubling dreams. He screwed up his face at the sour taste in his mouth and the nausea in his throat. Rubbed his stingi...July 2018•202 pages - #4
Save:A chilling, classic ghost story - equal parts psychological puzzle and gothic suspense - that rewards patient readers but may frustrate those who want straightforward scares or definitive answers.
'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James is a psychological horror story that revolves around a governess who starts working in an old house with two children and encounters ghosts of the previous caretakers. The narrative delves into the governess's increasing paranoia and ambiguity surrounding the ghosts and the children's behavior, blurring the lines between reality and supernatural elements. The writing style is described as dense and antiquated, with long sentences and an overuse of commas, which some readers found challenging but others found rewarding in unraveling the psychological and sexual themes of the story.
My counselor couldn't read! I winced at my mistake, which I attenuated as I could, and opened my letter again to repeat it to her; then, faltering in the act and folding it up once more, I put it back...1891•129 pages - #5
Save:A suspenseful, chilling novella that balances cryptid horror with emotional depth - short, sharp, and perfect for horror fans who like both monsters and meaningful character journeys.
Laurel Hightower's novella, 'Below', is a gripping horror story that follows the journey of the relatable protagonist, Addy, as she faces a night of horrors in the dark mountains of West Virginia. The book is praised for its well-written and fast-paced narrative, filled with tension and suspense that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Hightower masterfully weaves a tale of survival, personal transformation, and psychological terror, creating a haunting and action-packed story that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page.
'Below' delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience, and facing inner demons, all set against a backdrop of eerie and claustrophobic atmospheres. The novella combines elements of creature horror, survival story, and supernatural mystery, delivering a visceral and intense reading experience that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. Hightower's writing style is commended for its ability to evoke fear, tension, and a sense of unease, making 'Below' a must-read for horror fans looking for a thrilling and immersive story.
Addy’s hands shook, the band of her grandmother’s wedding ring tapping an erratic rhythm on the edge of the chipped porcelain mug she held so tight. The coffee within had long gone cold, but she could...March 2022•119 pages - #6
Save:A clever, quick, and entertaining sci-fi twist on the detective genre - great concept, fun execution, but don’t expect it to change your life. Perfect for a smart palate cleanser between longer reads.
The Dispatcher by John Scalzi is a unique combination of detective story and science fiction. Set in a near-future world where most murder victims simply reappear alive at home, the narrative revolves around a dispatcher, whose job is to legally kill those about to die from other causes. The novella cleverly explores the moral complexities and societal changes that arise from this unusual premise while telling a gripping tale about a mysterious disappearance.
Scalzi's writing style is engaging and tight, making the book a quick read, often described as light and pulpy yet still thought-provoking. The character-driven dialogue is witty and humorous, reminiscent of hard-boiled noir tales, with a focus on the protagonist's reluctant role as an investigator. Although the book does not dive deeply into the world-building, it effectively utilizes its fascinating concept to keep readers intrigued and entertained.
“Tell me that’s not the person I think it is,” Chao said, to Sheila Reeves. Reeves, a hospital administrator, had accompanied me into the scrub room. Chao was scrubbing up and after the initial glance...2016•140 pages - #7
Save:A must for fans of literary and cosmic horror - brimming with moody atmosphere and inventive scares. Not every story is a hit, but the standouts make it worth a read!
John Langan's 'Sefira and Other Betrayals' is a collection of masterful horror stories that intertwines literary fiction with mythological gods and demonic deities, as well as weird and unexpected setups. The stories delve deep into characters, exploring various forms of betrayal in different times and settings. From succubi to vampires to old gods like Kronos, each story offers a unique and chilling perspective on betrayal and horror. The writing style is described as uncannily weird, with surprising twists and turns that keep readers engaged until the very end.
The process had started a week ago, her second day on the road. She’d been washing her hands in the ladies’ room of a rest stop on I-80, somewhere in the sprawling middle of Pennsylvania, and when she...April 2019•360 pages - #8
Save:A dark, atmospheric Christmas mystery ideal for fans of quick, twisty reads with a gothic vibe - just don’t expect a typical festive romp or deep character work.
Ashley, a California girl studying in London, is invited by her classmate Emma to spend Christmas at her family's country manor. Despite the picturesque setting, Ashley finds herself entangled in a dark and chilling tale involving Emma's twin brother, who is a person of interest in a local girl's death. The story unfolds through Ashley's diary entries, revealing a complex web of relationships and a shocking twist that keeps the reader hooked until the end. The writing style is described as atmospheric, gothic, and fully fleshed out, capturing the reader's attention with its detailed characters and unexpected plot twists.
It’s strange to sit here on this plane and know that over the next few months I will meet new people and experience new places and try new foods and I don’t know what any of those things are yet. But...October 2023•108 pages - #9
Save:A gorgeous, unsettling blend of sci-fi and psychological horror - perfect if you love mysteries that refuse to explain themselves. Not for everyone, but unforgettable for the right reader.
'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer is a mysterious and eerie novel set in a landscape undergoing a transformation due to an outside agent, reminiscent of the Strugatsky brothers' work. The story follows the protagonist, a biologist, as part of an expedition into Area X, a zone being altered by something completely alien, leading to rapid disintegration of their mission and inevitable eerie encounters. The narrative style is described as straddling the line between science fiction and horror, with an unreliable narrator providing a vague description of Area X, leaving more questions than answers.
The tower, which was not supposed to be there, plunges into the earth in a place just before the black pine forest begins to give way to swamp and then the reeds and wind-gnarled trees of the marsh fl...2014•209 pages - #10
Save:A hair-raising, fast-paced horror novella packed with eerie imagery and psychological twists - "Sour Candy" is a deliciously creepy choice for anyone looking for a quick, memorable scare.
Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke is a novella that delves into the unsettling and eerie tale of Phil Pendleton, a man whose life takes a drastic turn when a strange boy enters his life claiming to be his son. The story unfolds in a Twilight Zone-like alternate reality where the boy's presence leads Phil on a journey of madness and horror, questioning his own reality and sanity. Burke's writing style is praised for its ability to pack a punch from the very first page, creating a sense of unease and suspense that keeps readers hooked until the twisted end. The novella explores themes of fatherhood, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and nightmare, leaving readers with a lingering sense of dread long after finishing the story.
WHEN THE CHILD STARTED screaming, Phil Pendleton had his arms loaded with chocolate bars and his girlfriend cooing in his ear. Later he would think of the moment prior to that klaxon-like intrusion as...November 2015•71 pages
