Trigger Warning: The mention of homophobia and domestic violence may be triggering for some readers. Please exercise personal care when reading
We are tired of the singular, queer character in horror that is in the background and never makes it to the end. It’s time for LGBTQ+ protagonists to take over our bookshelves with tales that will make our skin crawl. If you’re looking for stories that feel ominous in nature and send goosebumps down your spine through their word play, then I dare you to check out these five queer thriller and mystery novels.
Yes, Daddy by Jonathan Parks-Ramage
Love and revenge go hand-in-hand when they both leave bruises. Speaking on class, power, and complicity, Parks-Ramage brings us a daunting story of what happens behind closed doors for a group of artists in the Hamptons.
Jonah Keller works extra hours at a restaurant to barely afford his rent, but he dreams of becoming a playwright in New York City. When a photo of Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Shriver catches his eye, he takes it upon himself to orchestrate a meeting. From a passionate affair to a getaway trip at Richard’s Hamptons estate, things are turning around for Jonah. But when they get to the iron-fenced compound with Richard and his artist friends, who love to entertain and have lavish dinners, Jonah’s eyes are open to the young gay men who make up the waitstaff, sporting bruises on their bodies. As Richard begins to distance himself from Jonah, his sinister nature emerges, leading to a climax that will change Jonah’s life forever.
So Happy for You by Celia Laskey
A commentary on the wedding industry and the societal dangers towards women, Laskey brings us a camp, yet manic story of how far someone would go to ensure they get their perfect wedding.
Robin and Ellie have always had each other’s backs since they were children. From Robin’s coming out to Ellie’s father’s death, they have never hesitated to be the comfort the other needed. But when Ellie asks Robin to be her maid of honor, she needs a moment to think. In a world where the government is attempting to gain control over the declining birth rates, wedding rituals have taken a turn. Not believing in marriage traditions but letting loyalty win, Robin takes the position. When the wedding weekend approaches, she feels as if everyone is coming for her, even Ellie.
The Spare Room by Andrea Bartz
With a room to spare, Kelly may be in for more than she realizes as Bartz delivers a twisted story on toxic relationships that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Rekindling a childhood friendship becomes the only good thing during the lowest point in Kelly’s life. Being stuck in an apartment with the man who just called off their wedding, with nowhere to go, she takes Sabrina and her husband Nathan’s offer to stay with the couple in their spare room at their remote Virginia mansion. As the days go on, she falls for both of them before an unexpected threesome leads to an invitation into the marriage. But as she uncovers the secrets in their house, she discovers the story of the last woman they invited, who is now missing. Wondering if she’s next, Kelly must figure out the truth as well as find her way out.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric Larocca
Delving into unthinkable horrors, this short story collection will leave readers questioning the horrors that lurk in the darkness when we are at our worst.
One tells the story of two lonely women conversing in a chat room in the early 2000s. If they succumb to their desires, there may be no going back from the darkness that awaits them. Another brings a mysterious man to the door of a remote island where a couple is staying. Processing the death of their teenage son, the couple must be prepared for what waits just outside of their reach. And when a man finds something strange in his backyard, his confrontation will take him into a game more dangerous than he’s prepared for.
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
This post-apocalyptic novel explores a world where a virus targets high testosterone levels, leading to feral men and trans survivors. Facing bigotry, death, and impending horrors, these characters are ready to put their skills to the test as they try to survive.
Beth and Fran hunt feral men to ensure they will never face the same fate. Harvesting their organs, they’ve got each other’s backs as they figure out how to stay alive. When they run into Robbie, a man who doesn’t trust other people around him, this found family becomes one as they attempt to survive TERFS, feral men, and their own demons in the wake of the apocalypse. Being a commentary on the violence towards trans people, Felker-Martin delivers an explosive piece that is riveting and truly one of a kind.
Authors are giving us the queer thrillers and mysteries we need to keep us up at night. If you’re looking for a good book that will make your heart race, you’ve come to the right place. With their imaginative storytelling and complicated characters, these novels hold stories you won’t get anywhere else.
For more queer horror recommendations click here.
Looking for these titles and more on thrillers and mysteries? Check out our Heart Racingly Good Thrillers and Mysteries bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
