Explore Thrilling Reads Without the Painful Tropes
Dive into a selection of thriller and horror books that steer clear of the tired narrative of female suffering. These gripping tales promise suspense and chills without resorting to shock value. Perfect for those seeking a fresh perspective in the genre!
The Mothman Prophecies
310 pages
This book offers a fascinating exploration of paranormal events in West Virginia, as the author gathers eerie accounts and attempts to weave them into a cohesive theory, making it a compelling read for those intrigued by the unknown.
Into the Drowning Deep
527 pages
Dive into the world of mermaid horror with Into the Drowning Deep—it's one of my favorites and definitely worth a read!
The Rising
1356 pages
If you're into zombie horror mixed with the future of social media, the Newsflesh series is a must-read.
Parasite
439 pages
For those who enjoy medical horror centered around genetic engineering, the Parasitology series is a fascinating choice.
The Drowning Girl
372 pages
A complex, haunting novel that explores a schizophrenic young artist’s struggles with her perception of reality… including an intriguing ghostly woman who appears to her in the most mysterious ways. India Morgan Phelps—Imp to her friends—is trying to write her memoir, but she struggles with the unreliability of her own mind. Suffering from schizophrenia, as well as comorbid anxiety and OCD, Imp has a difficult time separating fantasy from reality. But for her, it’s most important to tell her “truth.” And for Imp, that truth comes through a stream-of-consciousness tale of her love story with her transgender girlfriend, as well as Imp’s obsession with a mysterious woman whom she finds naked and mute at the side of the road. Imp must push past her mental illness—or work with it—to piece together her memories and tell her story. A rich exploration of mental illness, gender identity, and creative process, The Drowning Girl delivers an eerie and powerful story of a woman’s efforts to discover the truth that’s locked away in her own head. “Caitlín R. Kiernan moves firmly into the new vanguard […] of our best and most artful authors of the gothic and fantastic—those capable of writing fiction of deep moral and artistic seriousness.”—Peter Straub
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
162 pages
Shirley Jackson's beloved gothic tale of a peculiar girl named Merricat and her family's dark secret Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate. This edition features a new introduction by Jonathan Lethem. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
The Red Tree
401 pages
Sarah Crowe left Atlanta—and the remnants of a tumultuous relationship—to live in an old house in rural Rhode Island. Within its walls she discovers an unfinished manuscript written by the house’s former tenant—an anthropologist obsessed with the ancient oak growing on a desolate corner of the property. Tied to local legends of supernatural magic, as well as documented accidents and murders, the gnarled tree takes root in Sarah’s imagination, prompting her to write her own account of its unsavory history. And as the oak continues to possess her dreams and nearly almost all her waking thoughts, Sarah risks her health and her sanity to unearth a revelation planted centuries ago…
The Talented Mr. Ripley
275 pages
This is the first of five thrillers about Ripley, and it's intriguing to note that none of them involve murdered women.
Misery
This book is a thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, making you feel anxious yet captivated throughout!
Dark Matter
This book is a genuinely scary arctic ghost story that keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Dark Matter (Movie Tie-In)
369 pages
This book is a thrilling sci-fi read that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its intriguing twists.
The Twisted Ones
400 pages
This book is very creepy, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy spine-chilling stories.
The Terror
798 pages
This historical fiction novel offers a gripping tale of a ship trapped in the ice during the early 1900s, making it a fascinating read for those interested in survival stories and historical events.
The Hitman's Guide to Housecleaning
This comedic crime thriller follows a hitman on the run who goes undercover as one of his victims in Iceland, leading to unexpected romantic entanglements.
20th Victim
328 pages
'Smart characters, shocking twists' Lisa Gardner 'I couldn't turn the pages quick enough' Heidi Perks 'Terrific, high-octane, really pacy' Jo Spain 'A compelling read with great set pieces and, most of all, that charismatic cast of characters' Sun ______________ The Sunday Times bestseller THREE CITIES. THREE BULLETS. THREE VICTIMS. Simultaneous murders hit LA, Chicago and San Francisco. SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer is tasked with uncovering what links these precise and calculated killings. Lindsay discovers that the victims all excel in lucrative, criminal activity. As the casualty list expands, fear and fascination with this shocking spree provoke debate across the country. Are the killers villains or heroes? And who will be next? ______________ More praise for the Women's Murder Club 'Fast-moving, intricately plotted . . . Boxer steals the show as the tough cop with a good heart' Mirror 'I have never begun a Patterson book and been able to put it down' Larry King 'Patterson and Paetro at their best.... A series that shows no signs of fatigue or flagging' BookReporter.com
Headhunters
386 pages
A gripping cat and mouse crime thriller that delves into the lives of Norwegian corporate types, showcasing a protagonist who evolves throughout the story.
The Undesired
286 pages
This psychological suspense thriller uncovers dark secrets tied to a long-ago boys' detention facility, offering intriguing twists and a thoughtful exploration of institutional abuses.
Gideon the Ninth
381 pages
This book features lesbian necromancers exploring a haunted house in space, making it a unique blend of fantasy and mystery without the presence of misogynistic violence.
The Bewdley Mayhem
552 pages
Explore the intriguing consequences of having 'zombies' in space, which adds a unique twist to the horror genre.
The Troop
368 pages
This book takes you on a thrilling boy scout trip that spirals into chaos, making it a gripping read for those who enjoy survival horror.
Childhood's End
262 pages
This book offers a unique take on humanity's primordial fears, blending science fiction with a contemplative and bittersweet ending that leaves a lasting impression.
Metro - Die Trilogie
1931 pages
Dmitry Glukhovsky's 'Metro: 2033' is an atmospheric journey through a post-apocalyptic world, where emotional depth is achieved without relying on long-term character attachments.
EARTHCORE
741 pages
In 'EarthCore', Scott Sigler delivers an intense narrative filled with action and suspense, ensuring that survival is never guaranteed.
Infected
444 pages
Scott Sigler's 'Infected' is a gripping horror novel where characters face dire situations, leading to unexpected and thrilling outcomes.
Aliens: Phalanx
491 pages
Scott Sigler's 'Aliens: Phalanx' offers a high-stakes adventure where characters are pushed to their limits, making for an exhilarating read.
The Night Watch
The 'Night Watch' series by Sergei Lukyanenko presents a unique blend of paranormal horror, where gender roles are intriguingly sidelined in the face of supernatural challenges.
The Boy on the Bridge (Extended Free Preview)
73 pages
From the author of USA Today bestseller The Girl With All the Gifts, a terrifying new novel set in the same post-apocalyptic world. Once upon a time, in a land blighted by terror, there was a very clever boy. The people thought the boy could save them, so they opened their gates and sent him out into the world. To where the monsters lived.
