Books Like...

Absolute Unit by Nick Kolakowski is a bizarre and bonkers novella that follows the journey of Bill and his nephew Trent, who harbor sentient parasites with a sarcastic sense of humor and a ravenous appetite. As the parasites learn to control their human hosts, the story delves into absurd and violent situations involving furries, drug dealers, prostitutes, and an apocalyptic future for humankind. The narrative is described as gripping, funny, and action-packed, with a unique point of view that keeps readers engaged until the final page.

A Song for Quiet is a dark, surreal tale that intertwines Lovecraftian horror with the blues, following Deacon James, a blues musician, as he navigates the insular white community of Arkham, Massachusetts. The story delves into themes of personal horror, loneliness, and cosmic power, with the protagonist carrying music within him capable of driving men to madness or destruction. The writing is rich, atmospheric, and vivid, painting a vivid picture of a harsh world where characters confront nameless horrors and make sacrifices that resonate with the reader.

The narrative is a seamless blend of hardboiled science fiction and Lovecraftian horror, featuring occult detective John Persons in a supporting role. The story unfolds with precision and evocative imagery, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur, leaving them captivated by the vivid descriptions of madness, violence, and humanity.

'Shiloh' by Philip Fracassi is a novella set during the American Civil War, focusing on twin brothers, Henry and William, as they navigate the horrors of the Battle of Shiloh. The story vividly paints the graphic nature of war, intertwining it with supernatural elements that add a darker and unsettling layer to the narrative. Fracassi's writing style is described as tight, evocative, and almost poetic, capturing the closeness between the brothers amidst the carnage of the battlefield.

The bonus story, 'Soda Jerk', provides a contrasting tale set in the town of Sabbath, offering a different kind of horror that complements the main novella. Fracassi skillfully weaves historic fiction with horror elements, creating a narrative that is both gripping and haunting, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they delve into the characters' struggles and the supernatural forces at play.

Out Behind the Barn is a captivating novella that tells the story of two young boys living on a secluded farm with Miss Maggie, their caregiver. The plot slowly reveals the sinister events occurring on the farm, with a dark and tense atmosphere that keeps the reader guessing until the end. The writing style, described as poetically written, beautifully captures the emotional depth of the characters and the mysterious build-up of events.

The collaboration between authors John Boden and Chad Lutzke weaves a tragically beautiful tale through the eyes of the two young boys, creating a horror story with a fairytale-like feel. The book explores themes of family, love, and dark secrets, leaving the reader with a sense of closure and heartbreak in the final scene that lingers long after finishing the story.

Wormwood is a coming of age tale that follows the lives of three high school friends - Baker, Seb, and Cass. The story revolves around the twisted dynamics between the characters, especially the manipulative behavior of Cass, which leads to a suburban nightmare for the teens. The book delves into themes of friendship, love, manipulation, and the dark side of adolescence, building up to a suspenseful and terrifying climax that leaves the reader on edge.

The Nothing That Is by Kyle Winkler is a cosmic horror novella set in the 1980s, following the main character Cade McCall as he navigates a strange message about an exotic foodies club that leads him down a twisted path full of unexpected twists and turns. The book features a mix of horror elements that are described as Lovecraftian and reminiscent of 80s horror movies, all wrapped in a writing style that is quirky, darkly funny, and filled with delightful similes. The story is full of bizarre and unpredictable events that keep readers on edge, with a narrative that creates a sense of cosmic dread and keeps the audience guessing about what will happen next.

'Black Helicopters' in the series 'Tinfoil Dossier' by author Caitlin R. Kiernan is a horror story that deviates from the Mythos towards the creation of a powerful psychic human being, intertwining with super secretive nameless agencies during the Deer Isle incident. The narrative style pushes its way into the reader's mind, containing Lovecraftian elements along with a mix of various genres, creating a mosaic of interwoven storylines with threads reaching back and forth across the series. consists of chapters and small vignettes that jump backward, forward, and sideways through over a century of time, introducing characters who flourish and subside while the ramifications of events and decisions continually present themselves.

"Hammers on Bone" by Cassandra Khaw is a genre-bending novella that merges hardboiled detective fiction with Lovecraftian horror elements. The story follows PI John Persons, who is hired by a young client to kill the child's abusive stepfather, McKinsey, who is revealed to be a monster possessed by ancient cosmic entities. Persons, who is also an ancient monster, navigates through a gritty, noir-inspired narrative set in a contemporary London infested with Lovecraftian horrors. The book is praised for its atmospheric writing style, rich in blood, tentacles, and a unique blend of cosmic horror and gritty detective noir.

The Sea of Ash by Scott Thomas is a weird tale that follows an unnamed protagonist retracing the steps of Dr. Albert Pond in New England, leading to encounters with supernatural and eldritch horrors. The story is filled with eerie and surreal elements, hinting at connections between bizarre occurrences and strange devices that blur the lines between reality and the unknown. The novella is a dense, layered puzzle box of cosmic horror, capturing the gothic genre and evoking a sense of foreboding and suspense through poetic prose.

'Crossroads' by Laurel Hightower is a gripping novella that delves into the depths of grief and loss. The story follows Chris, a mother grappling with the tragic death of her son, Trey, in a car accident. As Chris struggles to cope with her overwhelming sorrow, she discovers a supernatural element that offers her a chance to bring her son back to life. The narrative unfolds with intense emotional depth, exploring themes of loneliness, sacrifice, and the haunting grip of grief. Hightower's writing style is described as powerful and honest, evoking raw emotions and crafting a tale that is both heartbreaking and horrifying.