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My House of Horror
75
items A complete list of the books, mostly horror and thriller, that I read. Something scary for everyone lives in this list.
Sections
6
My Recent Reads
All-Time Favorites
Shameless Self Promotion
Sets and Series
Haunting Indie Reads
Dark Cookbooks
My Recent Reads
A comprehensive list of the books I have read and reviewed
A brilliant cast of characters, a bonkers tales, and a ton of adventure in an alternate version of Victorian London. Some great Easter Eggs in there, too.
Green Unpleasant Land (Cycle Book 1)
For me, Cutter is the best modern horror author in the business. The Troop is an unflinching horror novel that will make you squirm from start to finish.
The Troop by Nick Cutter
I'm not usually a fan of gothic horror, but as usual, Candace won me over. A beautiful and tragic gothic tale.
Shadow Manor - Kindle Edition by Candace Nola
An absolutely gut-wrenching tale that is a walking trigger warning. Exquisitely written and still somehow beautiful despite being tragic.
MORIBUND eBook : Osborn , Jennifer : Kindle Store
Another fantastic book from Bergling. This one is a revenge tale against a seemingly unbeatable foe. Nasty and violent.
Red Walls - Bergling, Christina: Books
Kaine is at the top of his game in this one, which is the first in the American Horrors series. This book also won the FB Books of Horror Author Brawl, and deservedly so.
The Dead Children's Playground (American Horrors)
Just got finished with this one last night and I absolutely loved it. This is the first book of Cassidy's I have read, but it won't be the last. Don't let the title and cover fool you, as this IS NOT a werewolf tale. It's a good deal deeper than that...
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy, Paperback
Not really my usual fare, as this one falls into the YA category. That said, it was a fun read that slots nicely into the genre, serving as a good starter read for those dipping their toe into horror.
The Heart Taker by A. M. Wiley
Imagine fairy tales if they were reimagined in the style of Black Mirror. That is exactly what you get with Ever After Glitched by Murphy Gray. There is not a weak story in the bunch. Highly recommended.
Ever After Glitched|Paperback
Um, we need to talk about this book. The main character sets off on a chore, with her mentally challenged sister in tow, set by a murderer she is obsessed with. It's a stunning book, with the awful revelations coming thick and fast, but read up on th...
Gone to See the River Man
More of a challenge and a dare as opposed to an enjoyable read. House of Leaves is an experience that you have to try once.
House of Leaves (Remastered Full-Color Edition)|Paperback
All-Time Favorites
These are the horror books that have stuck with me, for one reason or another.
This was the book that got me into horror when I was a kid growing up in Scotland. For me, Herbert is one of the horror greats.
Carry on Screaming: The Fog by James Herbert (1975)
Slow burn Southern gothic horror done to absolute perfection. This book is a classic for a reason
The Elementals by Michael McDowell
I first read this upon release, when it was delivered as a 6-part serial novel. Quite possibly my favorite King book.
The Green Mile (novel)
Absolutely my favorite book of all time. When I finished this one, I immediately re-read it. I have it in all kinds of different formats, including an artist edition that I am almost too scared to touch.
Imajica: Featuring New Illustrations and an Appendix|Paperback
This is actually a pick from Penny, who tore through this series in no time at all. Not sure how many there are in total, but this one is the first.
The Sensitives|Paperback
This book creeped me out in a big way. Possession weirds me out in general but the overall vibe of this one is amazing, as is the twist at the end.
A Head Full of Ghosts|Paperback
There is a chapter in this book that is absolute nightmare fuel, taking what was a very good book into a whole new stratosphere. LOVE this one.
FantasticLand: A Novel|Paperback
You can't go wrong with any book by Candace Nola, but Bishop is a great starting point for new readers.
Bishop|Paperback
Call it nepotism if you must, but I had to have a fellow Scottish author on the list. A great story of urban legends brought to life.
Maggie's Grave: A Horror Novel|Paperback
A non-fiction read that weaves the 1893 World's Fair with serial killer, H.H. Holmes. Riveting stuff.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America|Paperback
You are going to believe you know what is happening in this book, but I can guarantee that you don't. Fantastic read and an amazing ending.
When the Wolf Comes Home|Paperback
I got to know this author via Substack, and she is as great a person as she is a writer. We need to support more female authors.
Diary of a Damsel Dame: A Psychothriller Serial Killer Romance|Paperback
Shameless Self Promotion
This was my first novel, which I published at the grand old age of 51. It is an interconnected set of stories told in transcript style via interviews with the singers. All manner of different horror styles in this one.
Karaoke Night by John Watson | eBook
If you ask my wife, this is the book of mine that cannot be beat. I tend to disagree, but I do enjoy a quiet life. Off the Grid tells the story of a young couple moving out of NYC to live in a tiny home. They get waylaid along the way and encounter a...
Off the Grid: Watson, John
My father-in-law asked me to write a cowboy book, so I decided to oblige by sticking him in the middle of a blood soaked Western town under attack my the Lazarus brothers, a rather nasty trio of vampires. Thanksgiving dinners are still awkward.
Sundown: The West's never been so wild... by John Watson
This is easily my most forgotten book. It was part of a list run to try and get a box set onto the USA Today Besteller List. We came up short, and when it came time to release it as a standalone, I was eesentially done with it. Still, looking back no...
The Hollow-Eyed Girl by John Watson
It was so much fun to do a co-write with MW Brown, who is about as talented as it gets. An old school mummy tale, where we took turns writing a chapter. I will be adding her books to my favorites list, so look out for those.
Through the Eyes of the Mummy: Creature Feature
This one was partially inspired by Cabin in the Woods, in that it has a jail containing all manner of mythical creatures, all owned by a crazy billionaire. A few of them get out, and it all goes to hell in a handbasket, with Salem the only one that c...
Salem by John Watson & Samantha Talarico
The sequel to Salem, we have the titular character out trying to hunt down the escaped creatures, while also trying to bring down Spencer Thorn, the billionaire with evil intent.
Salem Unleashed by John Watson
My publisher has a fantastic sense of humor. She set up a slew of Shop Series books, all of which were mostly romance. She would invite me to write for them, all to upset the apple cart. I took the old Bloody Mary legend and gave it a little bit of a...
Bloody Mary by John Watson
This was part of another series, all of which can be read as standalones. In The Greys, I focused on a man who had been abducted as a kid and was now incredibly paranoid. To get the most out of this one, you should also read Feral by MW Brown, as her...
The Greys: Never Trust Your Neighbors
This is one of my two non-horror books, but I had one of my readers tell me it was the most horrific thing I had written to that point. My wife threw it at me and used rather unsavory language when she finished it, so I guess it's a little bit of a d...
Swimming Upstream - Watson, John: Books
My publisher asked me to take part in this series of standalone stories and I passed. While tell my wife, I said, “how can I make a crueller creepy?” No sooner had the words left my mouth than the story started to form. Of course, I was in at that po...
Crueller: Twisted Donut Shop Novella
This was a fun one to write, as it got a little grosser than my usual stuff. A whole load of flesh eating disease loveliness with a tiny splash of cosmic horror thrown in for good measure. I have a sequel of sorts in mind for this one, but whether or...
Rotten by John Watson
The idea for this one came to me while reading about an old manor house in Scotland that was up for auction for one dollar. Throw in an old Scottish cannibal legend and you have yourself a little horror novella.
Curse of the Bean House: A horror novella by John Watson
I hate this book with the fire of a thousand blazing suns. Am I not the best marketer you have ever seen? I tried to get a bit too clever with this one and I'm not sure it worked. Oddly enough, though, I've had a few of my regular readers tell me it ...
Slave to Blood: Watson, John, Talarico, Samantha
If you had to force me to make a decision, this might be my favorite book that I have written. A creature that feasts on expectant mothers and infants let loose in a hospital clinging to life after an earthquake. It basically writes itself.
Cradle Robber: A Creature Feature Novella
I do have a softer, gentler side, and it is on display in this one. It was initially going to be a much darker story, but when I head my mum's voice in my head when writing the first dialog for the older female character, it changed everything. It st...
Be Kind, Rewind: Dark Paranormal Romance
The first in a monthly series of short stories that I am releasing under the 8-Bit Horrors banner. All short and not so sweet.
8-Bit Horrors - Floaters
Sets and Series
Why buy just one book when you can have the whole set? Epic sets and series from the best authors out there.
Get on board with The Gunslinger and follow his journey from start to finish. My wife has a set very similar to this one and she loves it.
The Dark Tower 8-Book Boxed Set|Paperback
While this set might not shimmer in the moonlight, it is a must have for fans of the Twilight series. Really cool design that will look amazing on your bookshelf.
The Twilight Saga Deluxe Hardcover Collection (Boxed Set)|Hardcover
My daughter loved these books when she was a kid and talked me into reading them. While horror is my jam, I'll admit that I tore through this series.
Hunger Games 4-Book Paperback Boxed Set Deluxe Edition (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)|Paperback
For a while, these books were all over TikTok, and even now, I still see book lovers talking about them on social media and book clubs.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)|Paperback
While this set is aimed at YA readers, it has also become a hit with adults who refuse to grow up. The new covers in this set look amazing.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set (new covers) (B&N Exclusive Edition)|BN Exclusive
We had to read this set in high school, and while I was not a fan, I have developed a new appreciation for the work of Tolkien. This set just looks beautiful, too.
The Lord of the Rings 3-Book Paperback Box Set|Paperback
Haunting Indie Reads
While the likes of King, Koontz, and Barker get all the love, there are some amazing authors delivering regular scares in the indie horror world.
Set in the Pacific Northwest, this psychological thriller is dripping with tension and atmosphere.
You Watched in Silence|Hardcover
Who doesn't love a good tale of vengeance? This one is set in Puerto Rico, where a group of young men look to avenge the murder of one of their mom's.
House of Bone and Rain|Hardcover
A mother and daughter on the run, while the FBI and a monster chase in hot pursuit.
Blood Like Mine|Paperback
If you loved “Ghost,” you are probably going to love this one, too.
I'll Be Waiting: A Novel|Paperback
What could possibly go wrong on a romantic honeymoon? Get on Murder Road and find out.
Murder Road|Paperback
Lucy Westenra is a lesser character in Dracula lore, but she gets her full story told here.
Lucy Undying: A Dracula Novel|Paperback
I am an indie horror author, and I have to tell you that my fellow authors have been buzzing about this one.
Incidents Around the House: A Novel|Paperback
A gripping supernatural tale dripping with Chinese mythology.
Sacrificial Animals: A Novel|Paperback
This one is set to become a Netflix movie, but read the book first. Let's be honest, the book is always better.
We Used to Live Here: A Novel|BN Exclusive
Possession, damnation, and rock ‘n’ roll. Brom books are always a work of art.
Evil in Me|Hardcover
Trapped in a labyrinthian subway station. This one is giving off backroom type vibes.
Coup De Grâce|Paperback
A haunted house tale that is generating a ton of buzz in the indie world.
William|Paperback
I am a big fan of Malfi's work and have this one sitting in my TBR pile.
Small Town Horror|Paperback
Widely regarded as one of the best horror books of 2024. Time to play catch up.
Bury Your Gays|Paperback
Murder and cannibalism combine in a grotesque novel that is a must read.
The Eyes Are the Best Part|Hardcover
Think of this one as a mashup of Substance and The Devil Wears Prada.
youthjuice|Paperback
A time bending tale that is sure to please.
God's Junk Drawer|Hardcover
Take your search for cryptids into any room in the house with this really cool book.
Legends of the National Parks
Dark Cookbooks
While you tend to want to keep horror out of the kitchen, the books in this list are too deliciously dark to omit.
Dinner and a movie just got a little creepier with this amazing recipe collection.
Gifts for Movie & TV Lovers The Horror Movie Night Cookbook: 60 Deliciously Deadly Recipes Inspired by Iconic Slashers, Zombie Films, Psychological , Book 3, (Hardcover)
Ghoulish recipes that you don't need to save until Halloween.
Creepy Kitchen - by Kim Kindelsperger (Hardcover)
Drinks and recipes inspired by your favorite horror films.
Death for Dinner Cookbook: 60 Gorey-Good, Plant-Based Drinks, Meals, and Munchies Inspired by Your Favorite Horror Films, (Hardcover)
Creepy and tasty all at the same time, the recipes in this one are howlingly good.
Howling Good Halloween Recipes: Your Spooky Cookbook of Creepy but Tasty Dish Ideas!
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween holiday classic, but now you can enjoy it every day with this collection of recipes.
The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook: Bewitchingly Delicious Recipes for Fans of the Halloween Classic (Hardcover)
When the original ghost whisperer taloks about recipes, you really need to listen.
Beyond Delicious Cookbook - (America's Haunted Road Trip) 2nd Edition by Mary Ann Winkowski & David Powers (Paperback)
More than 60 recipes inspired by classic horror movies.
The Halloween Movie Cookbook - by Ryan Alvarez & Adam Merrin (Hardcover)
Almost positive that this collection of dark recipes is Jack Skellington approved.
The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Baking Cookbook - by Sandy K Snugly (Hardcover)
All the deepest, darkest recipes can be found in the kitchen under the stairs.
Horror Movie Cookbook: "The Kitchen Under the Stairs" - cult classic horror, scary movies, full color, easy recipes
Something wicked this way comes with this creepy collection of baked goods.
The Little Gothic Bakeshop - by Helena Garcia (Hardcover)
We guarantee your cooking won't be cursed with this amazing recipe collection.
Cursed Cooking: A Horror Community... book