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List of 15 authors like Josh Malerman

If you enjoy reading books by Josh Malerman then you might also like the following authors:

  1. 1
    Paul Tremblay

    If you enjoy Josh Malerman’s eerie atmospheres and unsettling suspense, Paul Tremblay might become your next favorite author.

    His novel “A Head Full of Ghosts” follows the Barrett family as they face a disturbing crisis: their daughter, Marjorie, exhibits behavior that may be possession or a severe psychological breakdown.

    Told through the eyes of Marjorie’s younger sister Merry, the novel blends a family’s internal struggle, reality TV exploitation, and layers of uncertainty.

    Tremblay leaves readers guessing what lies beneath the surface, balancing genuine scares with questions about belief and mental health. This book stays with you, long after turning the final page.

  2. 2
    Joe Hill

    Joe Hill is an author known for creating suspenseful and imaginative horror stories that linger with readers long after the final page. If you enjoyed Josh Malerman’s atmospheric style, Hill’s book “NOS4A2” is worth exploring.

    This novel follows Vic McQueen, a woman with the unique gift of using her bike to transport herself across great distances, finding things that have been lost.

    Her journey crosses paths with Charlie Manx, a chilling villain who drives a 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith to kidnap children and take them to a twisted amusement park called Christmasland.

    The dark fantasy elements, memorable characters, and intense storytelling make it a strong recommendation for fans of gripping, weird tales.

  3. 3
    Caitlin Starling

    Readers who enjoyed Josh Malerman’s “Bird Box” may find Caitlin Starlin’s “The Luminous Dead” equally captivating. Starlin blends psychological tension with claustrophobic horror in a story set deep underground.

    Gyre Price, a skilled but inexperienced cave explorer, accepts a risky mission mapped and directed by a mysterious handler named Em. As Gyre moves deeper into the unknown cavern, she wrestles with isolation, paranoia, and doubts about Em’s true intentions.

    The tension builds steadily as hidden secrets and desperation unfold. For readers drawn to suspenseful narratives about fear, survival, and trust, “The Luminous Dead” offers a chilling descent into darkness.

  4. 4
    Shirley Jackson

    Shirley Jackson is an influential author known for her chilling stories that explore psychological suspense and subtle horror in everyday life. Fans of Josh Malerman’s tense storytelling would likely appreciate Jackson’s classic novel “The Haunting of Hill House.”

    The book follows a group of strangers invited to spend a summer at a notoriously haunted mansion called Hill House, guided by Dr. Montague, who studies paranormal events. Eleanor, the central character, is drawn into the eerie atmosphere of the house.

    Soon, reality and imagination become difficult to distinguish. Jackson creates dread through atmosphere, character depth and unexplainable events, building suspense slowly, all without resorting to explicit scares or violence.

    For readers who enjoy subtle and psychological horror, Shirley Jackson and this novel might become new favorites.

  5. 5
    Ania Ahlborn

    Readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s unsettling storytelling and eerie atmospheres may find a similar connection in the chilling novels of Ania Ahlborn. Her book “Brother” takes readers to a secluded farmhouse in West Virginia, home to the Morrow family.

    Here, family loyalty masks sinister traditions and dark secrets. When young Michael Morrow begins to question his ties to his family’s disturbing way of life, terrifying revelations unravel, each chapter building tension toward a shocking climax.

    Fans of psychological suspense and gripping horror will find plenty to appreciate in Ahlborn’s dark exploration of family and fear.

  6. 6
    Laird Barron

    Readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s eerie and unsettling horror might also appreciate Laird Barron’s dark storytelling. Barron is known for chilling stories that explore unknown terrors set against bleak and isolated backdrops.

    In his book “The Croning,” an elderly geologist named Donald Miller begins to uncover disturbing secrets about his wife’s mysterious family past.

    As Miller digs deeper into these unsettling discoveries, Barron builds a tense atmosphere filled with ancient legends and creeping unease that keeps the reader guessing.

    Barron’s eerie style, layered mysteries, and subtle dread could appeal to readers who found themselves drawn to Malerman’s haunting narratives.

  7. 7
    Grady Hendrix

    Readers who enjoy the eerie atmosphere and unique storytelling style of Josh Malerman may find Grady Hendrix equally captivating. Hendrix blends elements of horror with a sharp wit.

    His book “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” is set in the quiet suburban neighborhoods of Charleston in the 1990s. It revolves around Patricia Campbell, a housewife whose routine-filled life shifts dramatically with the arrival of a mysterious new neighbor.

    When local children begin disappearing, Patricia suspects something sinister lies beneath her seemingly peaceful community. The book cleverly weaves together horror and dark humor within a suburban setting, offering engaging characters readers can easily connect with.

  8. 8
    Stephen King

    Readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s eerie storytelling and suspenseful scenes might find a similar appeal in Stephen King’s work. King is a master of creating unsettling stories that blur the line between ordinary and horrific.

    In his novel “The Shining,” Jack Torrance, a troubled writer, agrees to overlook a remote Colorado hotel during the harsh winter months. As isolation sets in, strange occurrences within the empty halls reveal dark secrets hidden in the Overlook Hotel.

    Slowly, Jack’s sanity slips away, threatening both his wife and young son, Danny, whose own mysterious capabilities hint at powerful and dark forces at play.

    Readers drawn to themes of isolation and psychological horror should find plenty to enjoy with King’s haunting narrative and memorable, complex characters.

  9. 9
    Adam Nevill

    Readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s unsettling and imaginative horror stories may appreciate Adam Nevill’s atmospheric tales of dread and suspense. Nevill’s novel “The Ritual” follows four friends who embark on a hiking trip through the remote forests of Scandinavia.

    But their trip quickly turns sinister when they take a shortcut through an eerie forest filled with ominous symbols, strange noises, and a dark presence that stalks their every step.

    Nevill builds an intense atmosphere of isolation and paranoia, creating a horror story that is both frightening and deeply unsettling. If you liked Malerman’s “Bird Box,” “The Ritual” might be another chilling read for you.

  10. 10
    Peter Straub

    Peter Straub is a great choice for readers who enjoy the eerie suspense of Josh Malerman. His novel “Ghost Story” follows a group of elderly friends, known as the Chowder Society, who gather to exchange chilling tales.

    But as unsettling events begin to plague their small town, they realize their past holds a dark secret that refuses to stay buried. Straub’s writing builds atmospheric dread with a quiet yet powerful menace, pulling readers deep into a haunting mystery.

    Fans of Malerman’s tense plots and creepy settings will appreciate the subtle terror and memorable characters Straub brings to life.

  11. 11
    Jonathan Aycliffe

    Books by Jonathan Aycliffe will appeal to readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s eerie storytelling style and atmosphere. Aycliffe writes supernatural horror fiction with a classic feel and psychological suspense.

    A great place to start is “Naomi’s Room,” one of his most chilling novels. The story revolves around Charles Hillenbrand, whose life spirals into haunting chaos after his young daughter Naomi mysteriously disappears on Christmas Eve.

    As Charles tries to piece together what happened, sinister occurrences fill his house, echoing fears and grief from the past.

    The atmosphere builds carefully, combining vivid supernatural elements with deeply human emotions, and delivering a ghost story that lingers long after it ends.

  12. 12
    Sarah Langan

    Books by Sarah Langan often blend supernatural and psychological horror in a style readers of Josh Malerman might appreciate.

    In “Good Neighbors,” Sarah Langan takes us inside a suburban enclave on Long Island, where families maintain the illusion of normalcy until a sinkhole appears in the neighborhood park.

    As tensions rise between neighbors, old secrets and suspicions surface, revealing the dark reality hiding behind polished doors. People begin to turn against one another, driven by paranoia and fear, all pointing toward a shocking conclusion nobody expects.

    Fans of Malerman’s suspenseful atmosphere and compelling character dynamics could find something captivating in Langan’s unsettling story.

  13. 13
    Victor LaValle

    Readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s blend of suspense and unsettling twists might also appreciate Victor LaValle. LaValle explores the eerie and supernatural through unexpected turns in ordinary lives.

    His novel “The Changeling” follows Apollo Kagwa, a new father with a seemingly normal life, until his wife commits a shocking, inexplicable act.

    Apollo sets out on a journey to uncover the truth behind his family’s tragedy, facing mysterious figures and hidden worlds beneath New York City’s familiar streets.

    LaValle carefully mixes folklore with modern anxieties, and creates a story that feels both haunting and deeply emotional.

  14. 14
    Michael Wehunt

    Michael Wehunt crafts eerie, atmospheric horror that fans of Josh Malerman would appreciate. His collection “Greener Pastures” takes readers through haunting landscapes and dark mysteries hidden beneath ordinary life.

    In one unforgettable story, a man discovers mysterious sounds emanating from beneath the earth, uncovering fears and curiosity in equal measure. Wehunt masterfully blends supernatural dread with human vulnerability, making each tale subtly unsettling and deeply memorable.

    For those who enjoy unsettling narratives with lingering chills, Michael Wehunt provides an engaging and atmospheric reading experience.

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    Tananarive Due

    Readers who enjoy Josh Malerman’s blend of suspense and psychological tension might appreciate Tananarive Due. Due writes stories that explore supernatural themes and complex characters.

    Her novel “The Good House” centers on Angela Toussaint, a woman who returns to her grandmother’s house two years after a family tragedy. The house carries a dark legacy tied to occult forces from Angela’s past.

    In an atmosphere filled with dread and emotional intensity, Angela must confront both her grief and the sinister presence lurking in her childhood home. Fans of unsettling stories and absorbing supernatural mysteries could find Tananarive Due’s work engaging and memorable.