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Cannibalistic women, man-eating plants, and demonic forces—oh my! 2025 has arrived, bringing with it a fresh wave of chilling new horror books that are bound to keep you up at night.
Whether you’re a fan of supernatural thrillers, Appalachian folklore, or gothic tales that send shivers down your spine, this year’s lineup promises to be a terrifying treat for every horror enthusiast.
Featuring debut authors like Neena Viel with Listen to Your Sister and Allison Gunn with Nowhere, as well as established names like Silvia Moreno-Garcia with The Bewitching and Stephen King with Never Flinch, these books will redefine what it means to truly be afraid.
Here’s a sneak peek at the spine-tingling horror releases of 2025 that will have you turning the pages long after the lights go out. Are you ready to be scared?
Also, if your book addiction is straining your finances, consider getting a Kindle Unlimited Membership Plan or an Audible Membership. It will save you money over time and support your reading habit. It’s a win-win situation.
More New Releases in 2025
January Horror Releases 2025
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix – January 14
Welcome to Wellwood House, a secluded sanctuary where unwed mothers and young women are sent to hide their pregnancies and forget their pasts. It’s the summer of 1970 and fifteen-year-old Fern is the newest arrival. Along with a dozen others in the same predicament, they’re under strict surveillance by adults who claim to know what’s best for them. But when Fern discovers an occult book on witchcraft, the girls finally have a chance to tap into their own power. However, as they soon find out, power always comes at a price.
The Lamb by Lucy Rose – Jan 30
Looking for a new horror novel to sink your teeth into? Well, look no further than The Lamb. This darkly haunting tale follows a mother and daughter with an insatiable desire for wandering strays. But when a striking young woman shows up at their door, the daughter’s attention is piqued in a whole new way.
February Horror Releases 2025
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito – February 4
Looking for a new horror read? Get ready to sink your teeth into Victorian Psycho! This chilling tale follows a governess whose attempt to suppress her darker desires crumbles when she meets the eccentric Pounds children and their twisted parents. With a film adaptation starring Margaret Qualley and Thomasin McKenzie coming soon from A24, this is one book you won’t want to miss adding to your collection. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel – February 4
Struggling to keep herself and her sixteen-year-old brother Jamie afloat, Calla assumes the role of guardian after their parents’ untimely death. But when Jamie’s reckless behavior leads to dire consequences, the two siblings are forced to flee to a deserted AirBnB that seems straight out of a slasher film. Written by debut author Neena Viel, Listen to Your Sister will send shivers down your spine.
Hungerstone by Kate Dunn – Feb 18
Have you been dying to sink your teeth into a sapphic, feminist retelling of Carmilla? If so, you’ll want to get your hands on Hungerstone. This seductive gothic vampire romance is steeped in blood, darkness, and female rage.
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce – February 25
Daisy Pearce’s captivating supernatural thriller follows Mina, a newly minted psychologist eager to gain experience. When a journalist from her bereavement group offers her a chance to help a thirteen-year-old girl claiming to be haunted by a witch, Mina eagerly accepts the opportunity. However, as the days pass without any improvement, Mina finds herself in a race against time to uncover the truth behind Alice’s condition.
March Horror Releases 2025
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica – March 4
From the author of the bestselling novel Tender Is the Flesh comes a haunting post-apocalyptic story about a woman hidden in a violent, secretive religious order while the outside world descends into chaos.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones – March 18
Are you a fan of spine-tingling historical horror? Look no further than The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, the latest masterpiece from the acclaimed author of The Only Good Indians, a New York Times bestseller. This haunting tale takes readers on a chilling journey through the Blackfeet reservation, where a vengeful vampire seeks retribution.
The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth – March 18
Olivia’s life is turned upside down when her sister Naiche dies unexpectedly. As she grapples with the loss, Olivia discovers she has inherited her sister’s gift of being able to communicate with the spirit world. Now a renowned paranormal investigator, Olivia is drawn into a chilling case at a historic hotel, where a series of mysterious deaths have occurred in room 904. As she delves into the dark history of the room, Olivia finds the lines between past and present blurred, leading her on a haunting journey to uncover the truth.
Nowhere by Allison Gunn – March 25
Nowhere is a haunting debut novel from author Allison Gunn. In a quaint small town, a string of unsettling disappearances sends shockwaves through the community. In the midst of this chaos, a fractured family struggles to cling to each other as sinister forces lurk in the shadows. Fans of Appalachian folklore will be drawn in by the eerie atmosphere and riveting plot of this upcoming horror novel.
Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen – March 25
It’s 1887 and Lucy’s twin sister is unwell. As Sarah’s behavior grows more erratic, Lucy must unravel the secrets behind her sickness to prevent her from being locked away in a mental asylum. However, when Sarah’s symptoms take a sinister turn, Lucy begins to suspect that a dark force is trying to possess her twin—a malevolent presence with an insatiable hunger. If you crave spine-chilling gore and gothic horror, then Blood on Her Tongue is a must-read for you.
Ashes of August Manor by Blaine Daigle – March 31
If you’re still not over The Haunting of Hill House, Blaine Daigle’s upcoming gothic horror will be the perfect treat. In this chilling tale, a hospice worker is hired to care for the dying patriarch of the secretive August family. But as she settles into her new job, she soon discovers that there are more secrets hiding in the ominous manor than just the eccentric family members. And to make matters worse, it seems like there may be something sinister lurking in the surrounding forest.
April Horror Releases 2025
Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou – April 1
Looking for a new horror read? Look no further than Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou. This gripping debut takes the classic French folktale of Bluebeard and turns it into a haunting tale of toxic masculinity and the hold that monsters can have on us.
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy – April 22
It’s time for werewolves to make their comeback! When the Wolf Comes Home follows a struggling actress who stumbles upon a young runaway outside her apartment. But the danger doesn’t stop there. After a violent encounter with the boy’s father, she finds herself on the run with the child, and the father is hot on their trail. As they try to escape his wrath, a string of gruesome murders begins to unravel, leaving them in the middle of a terrifying nightmare.
Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin – April 22
Meet Shell Pine, who’s lost everything and now finds herself back at home with her parents. Desperate for a fresh start, she jumps at a job opportunity at a local florist. But little does she know, this flower shop has a sinister secret. Nestled in the back room is a sentient orchid with a dark and dangerous plan for everyone. And to make matters worse, it’s hungry.
Polybius by Collin Armstrong – April 29
A small town is thrown into chaos by a government-designed arcade game that unleashes a shocking act of violence. Collin Armstrong’s debut novel blends the ’80s nostalgia of Stranger Things with the adrenaline-pumping horror of The Walking Dead.
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker – April 29
Witnessing a man uttering the words “bat eater” before pushing her sister in front of a train leaves crime scene cleaner Cora Zeng shaken and struggling to make sense of the horrific incident. As she grapples with the aftermath, Cora’s days are filled with cleaning up the gruesome remnants of East Asian women and mutilated bats in Chinatown. But in the midst of this chaos and a killer on the loose, dark forces from the past begin to haunt Cora’s every move, demanding their own form of justice.
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig – April 29
A group of friends discovers a mysterious staircase in the woods. When one of them climbs the staircase, he never comes back down. Shortly after, the staircase vanishes. Two decades later, the staircase reappears, and with it, the missing boy. The lingering question is: what happened?
May Horror Releases 2025
The Butcher’s Daughter by David Demchuk and Corinne Leigh Clark – May 6
It’s time to visit the grimy streets of Victorian London in The Butcher’s Daughter and explore the chilling tale of Sweeney Todd’s lesser-known accomplice and the woman behind the most infamous pie shop in history. If you’re a fan of horror and looking for your next spine-tingling read, The Butcher’s Daughter is a must-add to your book collection.
The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li – May 6
Are you a fan of spine-tingling horror novels? Look no further than The Manor of Dreams, a chilling tale that perfectly blends the creepy allure of Mexican Gothic with the drama of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. A former Hollywood starlet’s decaying mansion serves as the setting for her final will reading. But when her relatives descend upon the estate to claim their share of the fortune, a sinister battle for the inheritance ensues.
Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang – May 13
Immaculate Conception is a twisty, thought-provoking horror novel that follows best friends, Enka and Mathilde, as their friendship turns toxic and obsessive. As Mathilde’s fame begins to overshadow their bond, Enka becomes desperate to hold onto her, no matter the consequences.
We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough – May 20
From the bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes comes We Live Here Now, a haunting Gothic novel about a couple, Emily and Freddie, who decide to make a change after a nearly fatal accident. However, the beautiful country house they move into may not provide the fresh start they need. There is something unsettling about the house—and only Emily seems to notice the sinister signs.
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling – May 20
Are you in search of a spine-chilling horror novel that explores themes of death, darkness, and depravity, with a dash of cannibalism? Look no further than The Starving Saints. This medieval tale follows three women trapped in a besieged castle, where they are driven to the brink of insanity by the presence of mysterious, god-like visitors.
Never Flinch by Stephen King – May 27
From a master of horror comes a gripping new novel about a killer on a quest for vengeance and a vigilante targeting a feminist celebrity speaker.
June Horror Releases 2025
Freakslaw by Jane Flett – June 20
Get ready to kick off your summer with a heart-pumping thrill! Freakslaw is an irresistible horror novel that takes place in the small Scottish town of Pitlaw, where a traveling funfair brings along chaos and revenge. With its eerie atmosphere and hints of American Horror Story, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a spine-tingling adventure.
July Horror Releases 2025
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – July 15
From the author of the bestselling Mexican Gothic comes a multigenerational novel following the terrifying journeys of three women, each from a different era, as they find themselves tangled in the web of witchcraft and deadly perils.
The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw – July 22
Are you in search of a new horror book? Get ready for an exhilarating journey with this dark academia novel, where redemption and acceptance are possible for the most feared beings: the anti-Christs and Ragnaroks. But graduation day is no ordinary event—it’s a fight for survival against a ravenous faculty. Think A Deadly Education meets The Atlas Six. Are you prepared to enter this prestigious academy of horrors?
August Horror Releases 2025
The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis – August 5
Described as a blend of The Crucible and The Virgin Suicides, The Hounding is a highly anticipated debut novel by Xenobe Purvis. Set in a small village in eighteenth-century England, the story begins when troubling and seemingly impossible rumors surface about the five Mansfield sisters, sparked by a villager’s claim that he saw them transform into dogs. The central question remains: Are the rumors true?
13 Months Haunted by Jimmy Juliano – August 12
Looking for new horror books to add to your reading list? Don’t miss out on the spine-chilling thrills of 13 Months Haunted, a thrilling supernatural tale set during the Y2K internet craze.
Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle – August 12
Discover what occurs when one woman must face the abstract concept of nothingness in the latest release from Chuck Tingle, the bestselling author of Bury Your Gays.
The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas – August 19
In a world ravaged by disease, one woman’s fight for survival takes a sinister turn when she becomes possessed by a demonic force. In this gripping horror novel, the occult and possession intertwine with romance, stunning prose, and intriguing historical elements.
September Horror Releases 2025
Play Nice by Rachel Harrison – September 9
From the bestselling author of Black Sheep and So Thirsty comes Play Nice, a haunting novel centered around an influencer who was raised in a— you guessed it— haunted house. After her mother’s passing, she inherits the home and decides to renovate it for a much-needed makeover. However, as the renovations begin, she soon discovers that her mother’s claims about the house may have been true all along, revealing that there is something far more sinister lurking within its walls than she initially thought.
October Horror Releases 2025
Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward – October 7
Escape to the Rocky Mountains with Riley and Oliver, two siblings on the run from home. Their destination? The abandoned ruins of a famous movie star’s ranch, where a group of rebellious teens squat in secrecy. But what seemed like a teenage paradise quickly turns into a nightmare as they uncover the dark secrets of the ranch. Nowhere Burning is the spine-chilling horror novel of 2025 that will leave you on the edge of your seat, afraid to turn off the lights.
The Graceview Patient by Caitlin Starling – October 14
Described as a blend of Misery and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Graceview Patient is definitely on my TBR (to-be-read) list for horror in 2025. The story follows a woman with a rare autoimmune disorder who is offered a chance to participate in an experimental medical trial at Graceview Memorial. She accepts, aware that the process will be challenging. However, as the treatment progresses and her health begins to deteriorate, she starts to uncover the sinister secrets hidden within the halls of Graceview.
King Sorrow by Joe Hill – October 21
A group of friends exploring the occult find themselves in a terrifying debt with a malevolent entity that demands a sacrifice every year in this chilling tale by #1 New York Times bestselling author, Joe Hill.