If you enjoy reading books by Josh Malerman then you might also like the following authors:
Paul Tremblay writes stories that play with fear and uncertainty. His book, “A Head Full of Ghosts,” looks at a family falling apart as their teenage daughter shows signs of either mental illness or demonic possession.
The story blends reality and what might be supernatural, keeping readers unsure of what to believe until the very end. Fans of Josh Malerman’s tense and unsettling tales might enjoy Tremblay’s ability to unsettle in subtle ways.
Joe Hill writes stories that mix horror with emotional depth, creating tales that stick with you. One of his standout books is “NOS4A2.” It follows Vic McQueen, a woman with a gift for finding lost things, as she comes face-to-face with a man named Charlie Manx.
Manx is a sinister figure who kidnaps children and takes them to a twisted place called Christmasland, where everything seems cheerful but hides something dark. The book explores fear, family, and resilience in a way that pulls you into its world.
If you enjoy eerie stories with unusual characters, Joe Hill might be someone to check out.
Caitlin Starling writes stories that pull readers into strange and eerie worlds. In her book “The Luminous Dead,” a caver named Gyre takes on a dangerous solo mission on a distant planet, guided only by her handler, Em.
The story builds its unease through the tense and uneasy connection between the two women, as Gyre faces unexpected hazards below the surface.
The book keeps you wondering what’s real and who can be trusted, creating a nerve-wracking atmosphere fans of Josh Malerman might appreciate.
Shirley Jackson is known for writing stories that mix the everyday with an eerie sense of unease. One of her standout books, “The Haunting of Hill House,” follows a group of people brought together in a crumbling mansion notorious for being haunted.
The story focuses on Eleanor, a woman pulled into the house’s strange, unsettling atmosphere. As events unfold, it becomes harder to tell whether the house is alive or if Eleanor’s mind is playing tricks on her.
There’s a tension that builds, always keeping you uncertain of what’s real and what isn’t.
Ania Ahlborn writes stories that pull you into dark, unsettling worlds. Her book, “Seed,” tells the story of Jack, a man who narrowly escapes a car accident with his family.
But after the crash, his youngest daughter starts acting strangely, and Jack is forced to confront a terrifying part of his past he thought was buried. Ahlborn’s writing focuses on the creeping dread within families and the secrets no one wants to face.
If you’re into Josh Malerman’s knack for building unease, you might enjoy her work too.
Laird Barron writes horror with a touch of darkness that feels raw and unsettling. One of his standout works is “The Croning,” which blends cosmic horror with a story about long-buried secrets.
It follows Donald Miller, an aging academic, as he starts uncovering disturbing truths about his wife and their life together. The book weaves moments of quiet dread with flashes of terror, drawing readers into a world where ancient cults and shadowy forces lurk.
Fans of Josh Malerman might enjoy how Barron builds a sense of unease that lingers long after finishing the book.
Grady Hendrix is an author who’s known for blending horror with sharp humor. In his book “Horrorstör,” he takes readers to a haunted furniture store where employees find themselves trapped overnight.
The store, modeled after a big-box Swedish furniture chain, starts to reveal sinister secrets as the characters face horrifying events. It’s creepy, imaginative, and brings terror into a surprisingly ordinary setting.
Fans of Josh Malerman’s tense and unsettling tales may enjoy Hendrix’s knack for storytelling that feels fresh and fun while still delivering scares.
Stephen King is famous for creating stories that stick in your mind long after you’ve finished them. One of his novels, “Pet Sematary,” tells the story of Dr. Louis Creed and his family, who move to a rural town in Maine.
Nearby, they discover a small cemetery where local children bury their pets. Beyond it, there’s another burial ground with darker secrets. When tragedy strikes the Creed family, Louis makes a choice that leads to horrifying consequences.
The book explores loss and how far someone might go to undo it, all with an eerie tone that keeps you hooked.
Adam Nevill writes horror that gets under your skin, much like Josh Malerman’s work. In his book “The Ritual,” a group of friends on a hiking trip through a Scandinavian forest finds themselves being stalked by a dark and ancient presence.
As they push further into the wilderness, they discover unsettling remains of rituals that hint at something far older and more sinister lurking in the woods. Nevill’s ability to create tension and an overpowering sense of dread is something fans of Malerman’s books might enjoy.
Peter Straub was a master of dark fiction, known for crafting unsettling and atmospheric stories. One of his standout novels, “Ghost Story,” explores the haunting pasts of four elderly friends in a small town.
They gather to share eerie tales, but their stories awaken something sinister tied to a tragedy from their youth. The book moves between their present fears and old secrets, creating a web of terror that builds as the truth begins to surface.
Fans of Josh Malerman, who appreciate eerie settings and escalating dread, might find “Ghost Story” an unforgettable read.
Jonathan Aycliffe writes ghost stories with an unsettling and atmospheric touch, where the chill creeps in slowly. One of his books, “The Matrix”, tells the tale of Andrew Macleod, a scholar who inherits a mysterious diary.
As he researches ancient rituals and secret societies, he uncovers a sinister force tied to the diary. The story builds a sense of unease as Andrew gets drawn deeper into something dark and dangerous.
If you enjoy eerie tales with sinister discoveries, Aycliffe might be worth checking out.
Sarah Langan is an author known for crafting stories that pull readers into dark, eerie worlds. One of her novels, “The Missing,” focuses on a small town in Maine where a mysterious illness begins to spread after a young boy ventures into the ruins of the neighboring mill town.
The sickness isn’t ordinary—it changes people in terrifying ways. The story captures the unsettling decay of both the town and its people, making it stand out as a horror tale that explores survival against grim odds.
Victor LaValle writes stories that mix horror with real-life struggles. In his book, “The Ballad of Black Tom,” he reimagines a classic H.P. Lovecraft tale from the perspective of a Black man in 1920s New York.
The story follows Charles Thomas Tester, a young hustler who gets pulled into dangerous occult dealings. The book explores racism, magic, and the cost of ambition in a way that feels fresh and haunting.
If you enjoy unsettling stories with deeper meaning, LaValle might be a great author to check out.
Michael Wehunt writes haunting and atmospheric horror stories, filled with a quiet sense of dread. One of his acclaimed works, “Greener Pastures,” is a collection of short stories that explores unsettling themes and eerie twists.
In one story, truck drivers encounter something otherworldly on a desolate stretch of highway. Another follows a grieving man who begins to question the nature of reality after his wife’s death.
Wehunt’s ability to create a sense of unease makes his work a strong recommendation for fans of Josh Malerman’s dark and eerie tales.
Tananarive Due is a writer who brings horror and suspense into everyday life. Her book, “The Good House,” follows Angela, a woman who returns to her late grandmother’s home, only to uncover a dark force tied to her family.
The story blends haunting family secrets with a supernatural menace that feels close to reality. It’s an atmospheric tale with a sense of unease that builds with each chapter. If you’re a fan of stories with a chilling edge, Due’s work might be a great discovery.