Well-known franchises like “Scream,” “Halloween” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” are heavily consumed – and critiqued – for their storylines, character development and fright factor.
Now, if you’re not a fan of the visible blood and gore that accompanies horror movies and don’t mind sitting down to read, you might want to pick up a book instead. Just as complex, suspenseful and shocking, novels in the thriller genre bring aspects of horror and slashers from the big screen to the page.
Here are a few thriller novels of recent years to dive into this Halloween that just might have you looking over your shoulder.
“Five Survive” by Holly Jackson (2022)
This one is first on the list for a reason – and not just because I felt compelled to read all 400 pages in a single day. Holly Jackson, known for her YA crime novel “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” has taken over the thriller genre with captivating plot lines and out-of-the-box twists that will have you stunned.
In “Five Survive,” Red Kenny and five others embark on a spring break road trip. All is well until their RV breaks down in a remote area with no cell service. They soon realize their misfortune is no accident, as they are targeted by a talented sniper who won’t let them leave until one of them reveals a scandalous – and deadly – secret. With the sniper’s stone-cold heart and impatient temperament, the friends have eight hours until dawn to escape and figure out why they’re being targeted before bullets start flying.
“How to Survive Your Murder” by Danielle Valentine (2022)
Danielle Valentine takes inspiration from classic slashers while keeping readers guessing every step of the way in “How to Survive Your Murder.”
After Alice Lawrence witnesses her sister Claire’s murder on Halloween, her life falls apart. The alleged murderer proclaims his innocence, but Alice insists she knows what she saw. A year after the crime occurs, Alice is at the courthouse for the trial when she is suddenly transported back to that grim evening, given until midnight to save Claire and find the real killer. This do-over turns into a gruesome night where even Alice might not make it out alive.
“You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight” by Kalynn Bayron (2023)
It would be criminal to not include a Black author on this list. Kalynn Bayron is a New York Times bestselling writer of YA fantasy novels, but this title shows that she can take on any genre.
Set in the fictional Camp Mirror Lake, “You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight” follows Charity Curtis as she plays the “final girl” in a full-contact terror game where she and her friends recreate moments from a slasher film. However, the pretend blurs into reality when one of her co-workers winds up dead. Does the camp harbor a sinister past? Charity will put her knowledge of final girls to the test in an unexpected battle of life and death.
“I Was a Teenage Slasher” by Stephen Graham Jones (2024)
Stephen Graham Jones is true to this, not new to this. He is a Blackfeet Native American author who has spent years writing experimental, science, crime and horror fiction novels.
If you’ve ever found yourself sympathizing with a villain, “I Was a Teenage Slasher” is definitely for you. The newest and most interesting inclusion on this list takes readers on a journey through the eyes of main character Tolly Driver in Lamesa, Texas in 1989. In a genre where almost all killers have unexpected motives, Tolly’s story is uniquely complex. Like any good thriller, the action happens at a party on Halloween night. Fun turns to fright, no one is safe and Tolly might wish he stayed home after all.
If you find yourself with free time or would rather stay inside this Halloween season, away from grisly movies or video games, consider going out and picking up one of these novels.
