38 Books like Pet Sematary

Mean Spirited

by Nick Roberts

A teacher adopts a stray Labrador. The dog carries vengeful spirits, and his son is next.

4.23

9k+

🧟 Possession Horror 🏔️ Appalachian Horror 👻 Vengeful Spirits 🍺 Addiction Horror 🦴 Body Horror

Mean Spirited 91%

A teacher adopts a stray Labrador. The dog carries vengeful spirits, and his son is next.

by Nick Roberts 2024

4.23

9k+ ratings

🧟 Possession Horror 🏔️ Appalachian Horror 👻 Vengeful Spirits 🍺 Addiction Horror 🦴 Body Horror

Thinner

by Richard Bachman • 1984

After an unpunished fatal accident, a Romani's touch triggers a wasting that no doctor can halt.

3.78

229k+

🦴 Body Horror 🧿 Supernatural Curse ⚖️ Guilty Protagonist 🧙 Folk Horror 📼 1980s Horror

Thinner 92%

After an unpunished fatal accident, a Romani's touch triggers a wasting that no doctor can halt.

by Richard Bachman 1984

3.78

229k+ ratings

🦴 Body Horror 🧿 Supernatural Curse ⚖️ Guilty Protagonist 🧙 Folk Horror 📼 1980s Horror

The Three-Candle Prayer

by Abe Moss • 2024

A grieving daughter lights three candles to contact her dead parents, but something else answers.

4.02

723

🖤 Grief Horror 🕯️ Occult Ritual 👁️ Predatory Entity 💔 Estranged Siblings ⚰️ False Resurrection

The Three-Candle Prayer 91%

A grieving daughter lights three candles to contact her dead parents, but something else answers.

by Abe Moss 2024

4.02

723 ratings

🖤 Grief Horror 🕯️ Occult Ritual 👁️ Predatory Entity 💔 Estranged Siblings ⚰️ False Resurrection

Boy in the Box

by Marc E. Fitch • 2020

Four friends buried a boy in the Adirondacks. A decade later, the wilderness demands they return.

3.65

179

🏚️ Folk Horror 💀 Guilt And Atonement 🔪 Cover-Up Goes Wrong 👨‍👦 Sins Of The Father 🌲 Remote Wilderness

Boy in the Box 90%

Four friends buried a boy in the Adirondacks. A decade later, the wilderness demands they return.

by Marc E. Fitch 2020

3.65

179 ratings

🏚️ Folk Horror 💀 Guilt And Atonement 🔪 Cover-Up Goes Wrong 👨‍👦 Sins Of The Father 🌲 Remote Wilderness

You Invited It In

by Sarah Jules • 2024

A widower fakes a haunting to expose a fraud. A demon answers. His son is prey.

3.79

3k+

🖤 Demonic Possession 💔 Grief Horror ⚠️ Hoax Gone Wrong 👦 Child In Peril 🔥 Slow-Burn Dread

You Invited It In 90%

A widower fakes a haunting to expose a fraud. A demon answers. His son is prey.

by Sarah Jules 2024

3.79

3k+ ratings

🖤 Demonic Possession 💔 Grief Horror ⚠️ Hoax Gone Wrong 👦 Child In Peril 🔥 Slow-Burn Dread

Imaginary Friend

by Stephen Chbosky • 2019

Lost in the woods six days, a boy returns with a voice only he can hear.

3.55

62k+

✝️ Religious Horror 🏘️ Small-Town Horror 💕 Mother-Son Bond 🐍 Misunderstood Monster 👦 Child In Peril

Imaginary Friend 90%

Lost in the woods six days, a boy returns with a voice only he can hear.

by Stephen Chbosky 2019

3.55

62k+ ratings

✝️ Religious Horror 🏘️ Small-Town Horror 💕 Mother-Son Bond 🐍 Misunderstood Monster 👦 Child In Peril

Old Country

by Matt Query • 2022

A veteran and his wife must follow cruel seasonal rituals to survive their new Idaho ranch.

3.67

9k+

🍂 Seasonal Horror 💔 Unresolved Guilt 🏚️ Haunted Land ⚡ Strained Marriage 🧠 Psychological Horror

Old Country 90%

A veteran and his wife must follow cruel seasonal rituals to survive their new Idaho ranch.

by Matt Query 2022

3.67

9k+ ratings

🍂 Seasonal Horror 💔 Unresolved Guilt 🏚️ Haunted Land ⚡ Strained Marriage 🧠 Psychological Horror

When Darkness Loves Us

by Elizabeth Engstrom • 1985

Trapped in caverns beneath her farm, a teenage bride raises a son born to the dark.

4.01

2k+

🕳️ Gothic Underground 🦴 Body Horror 🌑 Feral Child 🎭 Disfigured Protagonist 👻 Ambiguous Ghost

When Darkness Loves Us 90%

Trapped in caverns beneath her farm, a teenage bride raises a son born to the dark.

by Elizabeth Engstrom 1985

4.01

2k+ ratings

🕳️ Gothic Underground 🦴 Body Horror 🌑 Feral Child 🎭 Disfigured Protagonist 👻 Ambiguous Ghost

You Like It Darker

by Stephen King • 2024

In small towns and on dark roads, secrets fester, fate whispers, and the past is never really dead.

4.17

94k+

🏚️ Small-Town Horror 👻 Supernatural Thriller 🧬 Father-Son Legacy ⚖️ Fate Vs Free Will 🚔 Wrongful Accusation

You Like It Darker 90%

In small towns and on dark roads, secrets fester, fate whispers, and the past is never really dead.

by Stephen King 2024

4.17

94k+ ratings

🏚️ Small-Town Horror 👻 Supernatural Thriller 🧬 Father-Son Legacy ⚖️ Fate Vs Free Will 🚔 Wrongful Accusation

Violet

by Scott Thomas • 2019

A widow takes her mute daughter to a decaying lake house where a childhood friend never left.

3.54

3k+

🧠 Psychological Horror 🪦 Grief Horror 🎭 Imaginary Friend 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🔥 Slow Burn Horror

Violet 90%

A widow takes her mute daughter to a decaying lake house where a childhood friend never left.

by Scott Thomas 2019

3.54

3k+ ratings

🧠 Psychological Horror 🪦 Grief Horror 🎭 Imaginary Friend 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🔥 Slow Burn Horror

Ghost Story

by Peter Straub • 1979

Four old friends tell ghost stories to bury their past. Now the past tells its own.

3.92

84k+

📚 Literary Horror 🏘️ Small Town Horror 🤫 Shared Dark Secret 👻 Vengeful Spirit 🕯️ Slow Burn Horror

Ghost Story 90%

Four old friends tell ghost stories to bury their past. Now the past tells its own.

by Peter Straub 1979

3.92

84k+ ratings

📚 Literary Horror 🏘️ Small Town Horror 🤫 Shared Dark Secret 👻 Vengeful Spirit 🕯️ Slow Burn Horror

All Hallows

by Christopher Golden • 2023

When lost children beg for help on Halloween, a neighborhood learns what hides in the dark.

3.52

13k+

🌲 Suburban Folk Horror 🎃 Halloween Horror 🏘️ Haunted Neighborhood 😱 Children In Peril 🔒 Family Secrets

All Hallows 90%

When lost children beg for help on Halloween, a neighborhood learns what hides in the dark.

by Christopher Golden 2023

3.52

13k+ ratings

🌲 Suburban Folk Horror 🎃 Halloween Horror 🏘️ Haunted Neighborhood 😱 Children In Peril 🔒 Family Secrets

Silverskin

by Caitee Cooper • 2023

A ghostly attack in Alaska tears open a gate, releasing demons that feast on human despair.

4.26

🌲 Folk Horror 🏔️ Wilderness Horror 🖤 Grief Horror 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 💔 Trauma Bonding

Silverskin 89%

A ghostly attack in Alaska tears open a gate, releasing demons that feast on human despair.

by Caitee Cooper 2023

4.26

97 ratings

🌲 Folk Horror 🏔️ Wilderness Horror 🖤 Grief Horror 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 💔 Trauma Bonding

Floating Dragon

by Peter Straub • 2003

Toxic gas and ancient evil poison a Connecticut town. Four psychic survivors share a desperate song.

3.82

13k+

🖤 Literary Horror 🏘️ Small Town Horror 🌊 New England Horror 🔄 Cyclical Evil 🔮 Psychic Bond

Floating Dragon 90%

Toxic gas and ancient evil poison a Connecticut town. Four psychic survivors share a desperate song.

by Peter Straub 2003

3.82

13k+ ratings

🖤 Literary Horror 🏘️ Small Town Horror 🌊 New England Horror 🔄 Cyclical Evil 🔮 Psychic Bond

Whistle

by Linwood Barclay • 2025

Her son's toy trains kill, and the creature behind them demands she take its place.

3.91

10k+

🖤 Supernatural Horror 🚂 Cursed Toys 🏚️ Small Town Horror 👩‍👦 Mother Son Bond 🌀 Psychological Unraveling

Whistle 90%

Her son's toy trains kill, and the creature behind them demands she take its place.

by Linwood Barclay 2025

3.91

10k+ ratings

🖤 Supernatural Horror 🚂 Cursed Toys 🏚️ Small Town Horror 👩‍👦 Mother Son Bond 🌀 Psychological Unraveling

Suffer the Children

by Craig DiLouie

All children die, then rise hungry for blood. An hour awake costs what parents cannot give.

3.98

12k+

🩸 Parental Horror 🧟 Undead Children 🔪 Feral Children 🧬 Biological Horror 🧛 Vampire Reimagining

Suffer the Children 89%

All children die, then rise hungry for blood. An hour awake costs what parents cannot give.

by Craig DiLouie 2014

3.98

12k+ ratings

🩸 Parental Horror 🧟 Undead Children 🔪 Feral Children 🧬 Biological Horror 🧛 Vampire Reimagining

Murder Road

by Simone St. James • 2024

Newlyweds pick up a dying hitchhiker on a dark road with a history of murdered girls.

3.68

60k+

👻 Paranormal Mystery 🖤 Ghost Story 🌑 Supernatural Thriller 💀 Vengeful Ghost 🏚️ Small Town Secrets

Murder Road 89%

Newlyweds pick up a dying hitchhiker on a dark road with a history of murdered girls.

by Simone St. James 2024

3.68

60k+ ratings

👻 Paranormal Mystery 🖤 Ghost Story 🌑 Supernatural Thriller 💀 Vengeful Ghost 🏚️ Small Town Secrets

The Amulet

by Michael McDowell • 1979

A cursed amulet circulates through a dying Alabama factory town, leaving violent death in its wake.

3.92

3k+

🏚️ Southern Gothic 🏘️ Small Town Horror 💎 Cursed Object 🩸 Family Curse 🏠 Domestic Horror

The Amulet 89%

A cursed amulet circulates through a dying Alabama factory town, leaving violent death in its wake.

by Michael McDowell 1979

3.92

3k+ ratings

🏚️ Southern Gothic 🏘️ Small Town Horror 💎 Cursed Object 🩸 Family Curse 🏠 Domestic Horror

Sweet Heart

by Peter James • 1991

A London wife's new home in Sussex remembers her from a past life. And her murder.

3.72

2k+

🌀 Past Life Regression 🏚️ Gothic Haunted House 👻 Vengeful Spirit 💔 Marital Infidelity 🌫️ Slow Burn Dread

Sweet Heart 89%

A London wife's new home in Sussex remembers her from a past life. And her murder.

by Peter James 1991

3.72

2k+ ratings

🌀 Past Life Regression 🏚️ Gothic Haunted House 👻 Vengeful Spirit 💔 Marital Infidelity 🌫️ Slow Burn Dread

Schrader's Chord

by Scott Leeds • 2023

His inheritance: a record store and four cursed records. Playing them together wakes the dead.

4.02

3k+

🔮 Cursed Object 🔗 Generational Curse 👻 Grief And Haunting 🎸 Record Store ❤️ Found Family

Schrader's Chord 89%

His inheritance: a record store and four cursed records. Playing them together wakes the dead.

by Scott Leeds 2023

4.02

3k+ ratings

🔮 Cursed Object 🔗 Generational Curse 👻 Grief And Haunting 🎸 Record Store ❤️ Found Family

Amid the Sinking Dark

by Abe Moss • 2021

Fleeing a custody battle, a mother shelters in a rain-cursed town where the sea devours children.

4.36

565

🐙 Cosmic Horror 🏘️ Small Town Horror 👶 Ritual Horror 🫂 Found Family 🌧️ Atmospheric Dread

Amid the Sinking Dark 89%

Fleeing a custody battle, a mother shelters in a rain-cursed town where the sea devours children.

by Abe Moss 2021

4.36

565 ratings

🐙 Cosmic Horror 🏘️ Small Town Horror 👶 Ritual Horror 🫂 Found Family 🌧️ Atmospheric Dread

Black Ambrosia

by Elizabeth Engstrom • 1988

An orphaned drifter chooses to become a vampire: the hunger is real, and so are the bodies.

3.74

877

🧠 Psychological Horror 🎭 Unreliable Narrator 💔 Trauma As Monster ✍️ Lyrical Horror 🏚️ Small Town Horror

Black Ambrosia 89%

An orphaned drifter chooses to become a vampire: the hunger is real, and so are the bodies.

by Elizabeth Engstrom 1988

3.74

877 ratings

🧠 Psychological Horror 🎭 Unreliable Narrator 💔 Trauma As Monster ✍️ Lyrical Horror 🏚️ Small Town Horror

Little Ghosts

by Gregg Dunnett • 2023

A murdered girl's ghost asks her brother to find a killer the police missed.

4.18

7k+

🖤 Supernatural Thriller 👻 Child Ghost 🔍 Unlikely Detectives 💔 Grief Horror 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Little Ghosts 89%

A murdered girl's ghost asks her brother to find a killer the police missed.

by Gregg Dunnett 2023

4.18

7k+ ratings

🖤 Supernatural Thriller 👻 Child Ghost 🔍 Unlikely Detectives 💔 Grief Horror 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Haunted

by James Herbert • 1988

A paranormal investigator takes a case at a crumbling manor. The dead have been expecting him.

3.78

9k+

🏚️ Haunted Manor 🧠 Psychological Horror 🔍 Paranormal Investigator 🖤 Unresolved Grief 🕯️ Slow Burn Horror

Haunted 89%

A paranormal investigator takes a case at a crumbling manor. The dead have been expecting him.

by James Herbert 1988

3.78

9k+ ratings

🏚️ Haunted Manor 🧠 Psychological Horror 🔍 Paranormal Investigator 🖤 Unresolved Grief 🕯️ Slow Burn Horror

Pine

by Francine Toon • 2020

A woman in white haunts the pines, and a grieving girl hopes the dead return.

3.37

17k+

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Gothic 🌲 Folk Horror 👻 Grief And Ghosts 🤫 Small Town Secrets 🔮 Protective Rituals

Pine 89%

A woman in white haunts the pines, and a grieving girl hopes the dead return.

by Francine Toon 2020

3.37

17k+ ratings

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Gothic 🌲 Folk Horror 👻 Grief And Ghosts 🤫 Small Town Secrets 🔮 Protective Rituals

’Salem’s Lot

by Stephen King • 1975

A writer returns to confront his childhood haunted house, only to find the town dying room by room.

4.10

667k+

🏘️ Small Town Horror 🦇 Vampire Infestation ✍️ Writer Protagonist ✝️ Crisis Of Faith ⚰️ Ancient Evil Awakened

’Salem’s Lot 89%

A writer returns to confront his childhood haunted house, only to find the town dying room by room.

by Stephen King 1975

4.10

667k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Horror 🦇 Vampire Infestation ✍️ Writer Protagonist ✝️ Crisis Of Faith ⚰️ Ancient Evil Awakened

Seed

by Ania Ahlborn

He survived possession as a boy. Decades later, the same demon is inside his six-year-old.

3.80

41k+

🖤 Demonic Possession 🔗 Generational Curse 👧 Possessed Child 🌿 Southern Gothic 💔 Tragic Horror

Seed 89%

He survived possession as a boy. Decades later, the same demon is inside his six-year-old.

by Ania Ahlborn 2011

3.80

41k+ ratings

🖤 Demonic Possession 🔗 Generational Curse 👧 Possessed Child 🌿 Southern Gothic 💔 Tragic Horror

The Exorcist's House

by Nick Roberts • 2022

Under their new farmhouse, a sealed well holds something the previous owner died trying to contain.

3.99

23k+

🔥 Demonic Possession 🏚️ Haunted Farmhouse 🔒 Family Secrets 💔 Guilt And Grief 🔬 Rational Skeptic

The Exorcist's House 90%

Under their new farmhouse, a sealed well holds something the previous owner died trying to contain.

by Nick Roberts 2022

3.99

23k+ ratings

🔥 Demonic Possession 🏚️ Haunted Farmhouse 🔒 Family Secrets 💔 Guilt And Grief 🔬 Rational Skeptic

Gloria

by Bentley Little • 2021

Her mother returns from the dead, unchanged since the 80s, but only Gloria recognizes her.

3.59

523

🖤 Supernatural Grief 🌐 Alternate Realities 👤 Malevolent Mother ⚰️ Unholy Resurrection 🛐 Cult Worship

Gloria 90%

Her mother returns from the dead, unchanged since the 80s, but only Gloria recognizes her.

by Bentley Little 2021

3.59

523 ratings

🖤 Supernatural Grief 🌐 Alternate Realities 👤 Malevolent Mother ⚰️ Unholy Resurrection 🛐 Cult Worship

80s Ghosts

by V.S. Lawrence • 2024

A ghost-hunting crew investigates a school where a 1987 fire trapped dozens of restless souls.

3.73

2k+

🔍 Paranormal Investigation 🏚️ Haunted School 👥 Ghost Hunting Crew 🔮 Psychic Medium 😈 Vengeful Spirit

80s Ghosts 89%

A ghost-hunting crew investigates a school where a 1987 fire trapped dozens of restless souls.

by V.S. Lawrence 2024

3.73

2k+ ratings

🔍 Paranormal Investigation 🏚️ Haunted School 👥 Ghost Hunting Crew 🔮 Psychic Medium 😈 Vengeful Spirit

Anathema

by Nick Roberts • 2020

A family's suburban fresh start is hijacked by a demon neighbor who weaponizes their guilt.

3.97

5k+

👿 Demonic Possession 🏘️ Suburban Horror 🧠 Psychological Horror 🏚️ Family Under Siege 👤 Evil Imaginary Friend

Anathema 89%

A family's suburban fresh start is hijacked by a demon neighbor who weaponizes their guilt.

by Nick Roberts 2020

3.97

5k+ ratings

👿 Demonic Possession 🏘️ Suburban Horror 🧠 Psychological Horror 🏚️ Family Under Siege 👤 Evil Imaginary Friend

To Those Willing to Drown

by Mark Matthews • 2025

A missing camper sends a counselor to an ancient well that grants miracles for blood.

4.08

108

🏕️ Folk Horror 📜 Faustian Bargain 🩸 Generational Curse 💔 Grieving Parent 🌫️ Atmospheric Dread

To Those Willing to Drown 89%

A missing camper sends a counselor to an ancient well that grants miracles for blood.

by Mark Matthews 2025

4.08

108 ratings

🏕️ Folk Horror 📜 Faustian Bargain 🩸 Generational Curse 💔 Grieving Parent 🌫️ Atmospheric Dread

The House of Last Resort

by Christopher Golden • 2024

A couple's bargain Sicilian home comes with a chapel where the Vatican buried its failed exorcisms.

3.16

7k+

✝️ Religious Horror 👹 Demonic Possession 🔗 Generational Curse ⚰️ Ancient Buried Evil 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

The House of Last Resort 89%

A couple's bargain Sicilian home comes with a chapel where the Vatican buried its failed exorcisms.

by Christopher Golden 2024

3.16

7k+ ratings

✝️ Religious Horror 👹 Demonic Possession 🔗 Generational Curse ⚰️ Ancient Buried Evil 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Bellevue

by Robin Cook • 2024

Bellevue's ghosts kill a young surgeon's patients, demanding he answer for his ancestors' crimes.

3.36

5k+

🏥 Medical Horror 👻 Haunted Hospital 🔗 Ancestral Guilt 🧠 Psychological Horror 🌫️ Atmospheric Dread

Bellevue 89%

Bellevue's ghosts kill a young surgeon's patients, demanding he answer for his ancestors' crimes.

by Robin Cook 2024

3.36

5k+ ratings

🏥 Medical Horror 👻 Haunted Hospital 🔗 Ancestral Guilt 🧠 Psychological Horror 🌫️ Atmospheric Dread

Heart-Shaped Box

by Joe Hill • 2007

A rock star buys a haunted suit online; the ghost blames him for a woman's death.

3.84

155k+

📦 Haunted Object 🧠 Psychological Haunting 🏚️ Southern Gothic 👻 Vengeful Ghost 🔗 Generational Trauma

Heart-Shaped Box 89%

A rock star buys a haunted suit online; the ghost blames him for a woman's death.

by Joe Hill 2007

3.84

155k+ ratings

📦 Haunted Object 🧠 Psychological Haunting 🏚️ Southern Gothic 👻 Vengeful Ghost 🔗 Generational Trauma

The Black Phone

by Joe Hill • 2005

Ghosts, killers, and an inflatable boy: fifteen literary horror stories about what will not let go.

3.89

50k+

🖤 Literary Horror 📚 Short Story Collection 👻 Haunted By The Past 🌧️ Melancholy Horror 🧸 Childhood Innocence Lost

The Black Phone 89%

Ghosts, killers, and an inflatable boy: fifteen literary horror stories about what will not let go.

by Joe Hill 2005

3.89

50k+ ratings

🖤 Literary Horror 📚 Short Story Collection 👻 Haunted By The Past 🌧️ Melancholy Horror 🧸 Childhood Innocence Lost

Sweetheart, Sweetheart

by Bernard Taylor • 1977

His dead twin left him a beautiful cottage. The ghost inside has killed for love before.

3.74

965

👻 Gothic Ghost Story 🌿 Pastoral Horror 🖤 Possessive Ghost 🌹 Deadly Obsession 🌀 Unreliable Narrator

Sweetheart, Sweetheart 89%

His dead twin left him a beautiful cottage. The ghost inside has killed for love before.

by Bernard Taylor 1977

3.74

965 ratings

👻 Gothic Ghost Story 🌿 Pastoral Horror 🖤 Possessive Ghost 🌹 Deadly Obsession 🌀 Unreliable Narrator

When the Wolf Comes Home

by Nat Cassidy • 2025

A waitress takes in a boy whose terror becomes real. A wolf is already at the door.

4.06

37k+

📚 Literary Horror 👹 Fear Made Flesh 🛡️ Reluctant Guardian 🔪 Monstrous Parent 🖤 Bleak Horror

When the Wolf Comes Home 89%

A waitress takes in a boy whose terror becomes real. A wolf is already at the door.

by Nat Cassidy 2025

4.06

37k+ ratings

📚 Literary Horror 👹 Fear Made Flesh 🛡️ Reluctant Guardian 🔪 Monstrous Parent 🖤 Bleak Horror

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