The Bookstr team loves a good horror novel, but we know not everybody can commit to an entire novel. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite novellas and short stories that you can devour in one sitting. There’s something here for all kinds of horror lovers, and we know anybody can find a new favorite in this list!
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
A retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, What Moves the Dead follows a retired soldier trying to get to the bottom of the illness plaguing their friends, the house they inhabit, and the moors that surround them. You can easily devour this chilling book and its sequel, What Feasts at Night, on the same day.
In the Tall Grass by Stephen King and Joe Hill
After hearing a young boy crying for help in the tall grass on the side of the road, a brother and sister stop the car to look for him. As they go deeper and deeper into the grass, they become more disoriented, the boy more frantic, and the tension thicker. This is the perfect fast-paced read that you can finish in a single afternoon!
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
After Frank Cotton’s horrific death, his affair partner and sister-in-law Julia finds a way to bring him back, but it comes at a cost. The novella also introduces one of the great horror icons: Pinhead and his lackeys. This blood-soaked novella will capture you immediately, and you won’t be able to put it down until you’ve finished it.
Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell by Nathan Ballingrud
An incredible collection of short stories, Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell features everything from a young girl discovering a secret in her father’s basement to homeless children traveling into a demon city to scrounge for lost items. The stories truly have everything you could want from a horror story collection, and you can easily read all of them in one sitting.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this roundup of short and scary stories for one afternoon! These are perfect for the busy reader, and we know anybody can find a new favorite with them.
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