If you enjoy reading books by Richard Matheson then you might also like the following authors:
Ray Bradbury wrote stories that often explored strange and unsettling ideas, mixing ordinary life with the extraordinary. If you’ve enjoyed Richard Matheson, you might like Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes.”
The book tells the story of two boys, Jim and Will, whose small town is visited by a creepy carnival. The carnival preys on people’s deepest desires, but at a terrible cost.
It’s atmospheric, filled with mysterious characters, and has a sense of dread that builds as the boys uncover the carnival’s dark secrets. Bradbury’s writing creates a world that feels both magical and dangerous.
Stephen King is a writer who knows how to pull readers into unsettling and imaginative stories. If you like Richard Matheson’s work, you might enjoy King’s “Pet Sematary.” The book follows Louis Creed, a doctor who moves his family to a quiet town in Maine.
Not far from their home is a mysterious burial ground that seems to bring dead pets back to life. But when tragedy strikes, Louis makes a dangerous choice that tests the limits of what should stay buried.
The story explores grief and the dark consequences of tampering with nature in a way that sticks with you long after you close the book.
Harlan Ellison was a versatile writer known for his bold storytelling and imaginative ideas. If you enjoy Richard Matheson, you might like Ellison’s work, especially “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.”
In this novella, a supercomputer named AM wipes out humanity but spares five people to torture endlessly. It explores the twisted psyche of the machine and the desperate struggle of the survivors.
Ellison creates a dark and surreal world, leaving you curious about what’s coming next.
Rod Serling, best known as the voice and creator behind *The Twilight Zone*, also wrote haunting stories that explore human fears and unexpected twists. In his book “Stories From the Twilight Zone,” Serling presents a collection of tales adapted from the show.
One story follows a man who boards a train and finds himself in a strange town stuck in the past. Another centers on a woman who checks into a lonely diner late at night, where the small group of travelers slowly realizes something is very wrong.
Serling’s writing often captures that unsettling feeling when reality starts to break apart, leaving readers on edge. Fans of Richard Matheson will find a similar sense of eerie tension here.
Peter Straub was a great storyteller known for exploring dark and imaginative tales. In his novel “Ghost Story,” four old friends meet every year to share eerie tales, but a secret from their past soon comes back to haunt them.
The story weaves together strange happenings, mysterious deaths, and the weight of guilt, creating a haunting atmosphere. Fans of Richard Matheson might enjoy the way Straub balances the supernatural with deep human emotions.
Dean Koontz is known for blending suspense, emotion, and a touch of the supernatural in his stories. One of his books, “Odd Thomas,” follows a young man named Odd, who has the unique ability to see the dead.
Odd tries to live a quiet life as a short-order cook, but trouble finds him when he uncovers a dark force looming over his small town. Using his gift, he works to stop a terrible disaster before it’s too late.
The book mixes mystery and heart, with Odd being a character you can’t help but root for.
Shirley Jackson wrote stories that often mix ordinary settings with unsettling twists. If you like Richard Matheson, her work might grab your attention. Her book, “The Haunting of Hill House,” follows a group of people staying in an old mansion to study the supernatural.
The house seems to have a life of its own, and what happens to the characters can feel eerie and strange. Jackson has a way of making the ordinary feel almost dangerous.
Clive Barker is known for his vivid imagination and dark storytelling, often blending horror with fantasy in a way that feels unique.
In his novel “The Hellbound Heart,” he tells the story of a man named Frank who unlocks a mysterious puzzle box that opens a gateway to a realm of pain and pleasure ruled by the Cenobites.
What follows is a creepy tale involving forbidden desires, betrayal, and horrifying consequences. The visceral scenes and haunting imagery make it impossible to forget. If you enjoy stories that push boundaries, Barker might be an author to explore.
Charles Beaumont was a writer known for his imaginative and unsettling stories. He often explored strange twists of reality and the darker sides of human nature. In his book “The Hunger and Other Stories,” Beaumont offers a collection of tales that creep under your skin.
One story, “Miss Gentilbelle,” stands out. It follows a young boy raised by his domineering mother, who forces him to live in a bizarre and unnerving version of the world.
For fans of Richard Matheson, Beaumont delivers the same tension and disquiet that keeps you turning the pages.
Joe Hill is a modern author who tells stories with a dark and unexpected edge, often blending the ordinary with the unsettling. In his book “Heart-Shaped Box,” an aging rock star named Judas Coyne buys a ghost online as a joke.
The joke turns serious when the haunting becomes real, and the vengeful spirit threatens to destroy him. The story explores guilt, trauma, and the lengths someone will go to for redemption.
Hill’s ability to create an atmosphere of dread makes his work a great pick for fans of Richard Matheson.
John Wyndham wrote stories that mix everyday life with strange, unsettling events. One of his most famous books, “The Day of the Triffids,” begins with a blinding comet storm that leaves most of the world unable to see.
As society falls apart, dangerous plants called Triffids, which can move and kill, start to take over. It’s a story about survival, human nature, and how quickly the world can change.
Fans of Richard Matheson might enjoy how Wyndham creates tension through ordinary people facing extraordinary threats.
Michael Crichton was a writer known for blending science, technology, and adventure in ways that feel grounded and thrilling.
One of his most famous books, “Jurassic Park,” tells the story of a billionaire who creates a theme park featuring real, living dinosaurs through advanced genetic engineering.
Things spiral out of control when safeguards fail, and the dinosaurs begin to threaten the people trapped on the island. Crichton’s ability to balance cutting-edge science with action makes him a great pick for those who enjoy Richard Matheson’s imaginative storytelling.
Philip K. Dick was an author who often explored strange and unsettling ideas about reality and human existence.
In his book “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”, he tells the story of Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with tracking down rogue androids in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world.
The story raises questions about what it means to be human, as Rick confronts androids that seem more alive than the people around him. Fans of Richard Matheson’s ability to challenge perceptions of the world might find Dick’s work fascinating.
Dan Simmons is a writer who blends genres and creates stories that linger in your mind long after you’ve finished them. Fans of Richard Matheson might enjoy his novel “Summer of Night.”
It’s about a group of boys in a small Illinois town during the 1960s who come face-to-face with something horrifying and supernatural. The story captures the camaraderie of childhood friends while weaving in fear and danger, as the kids uncover dark secrets tied to their town.
The mix of nostalgia and creeping terror makes it hard to put down.
Brian Lumley is known for his imaginative take on horror and dark fantasy. His book “Necroscope” introduces Harry Keogh, a man who can communicate with the dead.
Instead of haunting him, the dead share their secrets and knowledge, helping Harry uncover mysteries and confront terrifying threats. The story blends supernatural elements with espionage and has moments that are eerie and surprising.
Fans of Richard Matheson, particularly those drawn to his atmospheric and thought-provoking stories, might find Lumley’s works an exciting discovery.