Horror
Warm bodies : and, The new hunger
Marion, Isaac, 1981- author.
FICTION Marion Isaac
Dystopian, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction
"Warm Bodies," by Isaac Marion, tells the story of R, a zombie who experiences an unusual connection with a human girl named Julie, leading him to question his existence and ultimately, the nature of humanity and the world around them.
None shall sleep
Marney, Ellie, author.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Marney Ellie
Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult
Eighteen-year-olds Emma Lewis and Travis Bell, recruited by the FBI to interview juvenile serial killers, must turn to a notorious teenage sociopath to help track down a new murderer.
(For those who miss "Hannibal") You probably thought I was going to suggest "Red Dragon" (the inspiration for the show), but instead I'm going to step outside the box. Ellie Marney's novel is basically the young adult version of "The Silence of the Lambs," but with a fresh take that still delivers on murder with a side of sophistication. If you loved "Hannibal's" blend of criminal profiling, characters with depth, and a sense of foreboding, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR! -Madison C
The gone world
Sweterlitsch, Tom, author.
SCIENCE FICTION Sweterlitsch, Tom
Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
Time-travel secret agent Shannon Moss visits future time periods for clues about a Navy SEAL astronaut's murdered family and the disappearance of his teenage daughter, a case that is complicated by the SEAL's and Shannon's own impact on the timeline.
(For those who miss "The OA") If "The OA" left you craving stories that bend time, blur reality, and explore the soul without offering easy answers, Tom Sweterlitsch's novel is your next must-read. With time travel and alternative realities, philosophical and psychological depth, and cosmic stakes, "The Gone World" delivers a mind-expanding thriller that captures all the elements that made "The OA" so unforgettable. -Madison C
The vegetarian : a novel
Kang Han
FICTION Han Kang
Horror, Literary Fiction
"Before the nightmares began, Yeong-hye and her husband lived an ordinary, controlled life. But the dreams—invasive images of blood and brutality—torture her, driving Yeong-hye to purge her mind and renounce eating meat altogether. It’s a small act of independence, but it interrupts her marriage and sets into motion an increasingly grotesque chain of events at home. As her husband, her brother-in-law and sister each fight to reassert their control, Yeong-hye obsessively defends the choice that’s become sacred to her. Soon their attempts turn desperate, subjecting first her mind, and then her body, to ever more intrusive and perverse violations, sending Yeong-hye spiraling into a dangerous, bizarre estrangement, not only from those closest to her, but also from herself." Source: Goodreads
Added by Jessica
Hungerstone : a novel
Dunn, Kat, author.
FICTION Dunn Kat
Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ+
It's the height of the industrial revolution and ten years into Lenore's marriage to steel magnate Henry, their relationship has soured. When Henry's ambitions take them from London to the remote British moorlands to host a hunting party, a shocking carriage accident brings the mysterious Carmilla into their lives. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night. Carmilla, who stirs up something deep within Lenore. And before long, girls from the local villages fall sick, consumed by a terrible hunger. As the day of the hunt draws closer, Lenore begins to unravel, questioning the role she has been playing all these years. Torn between regaining her husband's affection and the cravings Carmilla has awakened, soon Lenore will uncover a darkness in her household that will place her at terrible risk.
This atmospheric, sapphic gothic tale is rife with feminine rage, insatiable desire, and a quest for meaning beyond life's mundane. Kat Dunn's latest novel is perfect for those looking to take a bite out of a modern, "Carmilla" retelling. -Madison C
OVERGROWTH.
GRANT, MIRA.
ON ORDER BOOK
Horror, Science Fiction
"This is just a story. It can't hurt you anymore. Since she was three years old, Anastasia Miller has been telling anyone who would listen that she's an alien disguised as a human being, and that the armada that left her on Earth is coming for her. No one has been willing to listen. Now, with an alien signal from the stars being broadcast around the world, humanity is finally starting to realize that it's already been warned, and it may be too late. The invasion is coming, Stasia's biological family is on the way to bring her home, and very few family reunions are willing to cross the gulf of space for just one misplaced child. What happens when you know what’s coming, and just refuse to listen?"
Mira Grant's latest novel is all about the what ifs of an alien invasion. Expertly combining science fiction, suspense, and a sense of creeping dread, "Overgrowth" is great for readers who want a novel that explores what it means to find one's place in a world that faces an (un?)avoidable extraterrestrial threat. -Madison C
The Starving Saints
Starling, Caitlin.
ON ORDER BOOK
Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ+
"Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months. Food is running low and there has been no sign of rescue. But just as the survivors consider deliberately thinning their number, the castle stores are replenished. The sick are healed. And the divine figures of the Constant Lady and her Saints have arrived, despite the barricaded gates, offering succor in return for adoration. Soon, the entire castle is under the sway of their saviors, partaking in intoxicating feasts of terrible origin. The war hero Ser Voyne gives her allegiance to the Constant Lady. Phosyne, a disorganized, paranoid nun-turned-sorceress, races to unravel the mystery of these new visitors. And a serving girl, Treila, is torn between her thirst for a secret vengeance against Voyne and the desperate need to escape from the horrors that are unfolding. To save the castle, and themselves, will take a reimagining of who they are, and a reorganization of the very world itself."
If unsettling horror with a medieval gothic flair sounds like your kind of read, then Caitlin Starling's most recent novel is perfect for you. Blending faith, gluttony, and the power of manipulation, "The Starving Saints" explores what happens when devotion takes a deadly turn, leaving any reader hungry for more. -Madison C
Strange pictures
Uketsu, author.
FICTION Uketsu
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
An exploration of the macabre, where the seemingly mundane takes on a terrifying significance. A pregnant woman's sketches on a seemingly innocuous blog conceal a chilling warning. A child's picture of his home contains a dark secret message. A sketch made by a murder victim in his final moments leads an amateur sleuth down a rabbithole that will reveal a horrifying reality. Structured around these nine childlike drawings, each holding a disturbing clue, Uketsu invites readers to piece together the mystery behind each and the over-arching backstory that connects them all.
As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." In this horror read, a series of seemingly innocent pictures may lead to each character's undoing. This immersive read expertly draws in readers to piece together one chilling puzzle after another. -Madison C
Senseless
Malfi, Ronald Damien, author.
FICTION Malfi Ronald
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Detective Renney sees similarities between a dead woman in the LA desert and a prior murder; Maureen is unsettled by fiancé Greg's son Landon, who may be tied to the murder; and Toby, self-proclaimed Human Fly, obsesses over a woman with rattlesnake teeth in this thriller.
This Ronald Malfi read is perfect for those seeking a psychological horror that leaves them chilled to the bone. This character-driven novel intricately weaves multiple story lines, while exploring the terrifying cost of trying to forget past deeds - and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. -Madison C
Blood on Her Tongue (Standard Edition)
Veen, Johanna van.
ON ORDER BOOK
Historical Fiction, Horror
"I'm in your blood, and you are in mine…" The Netherlands, 1887. Lucy's twin sister Sarah is unwell. She refuses to eat, mumbles nonsensically, and is increasingly obsessed with a centuries-old corpse recently discovered on her husband's estate. The doctor has diagnosed her with temporary insanity caused by a fever of the brain. To protect her twin from a terrible fate in a lunatic asylum, Lucy must unravel the mystery surrounding her sister's condition, but it's clear her twin is hiding something. Then, the worst happens. Sarah's behavior takes a turn for the strange. She becomes angry… and hungry. Lucy soon comes to suspect that something is trying to possess her beloved sister. Or is it madness? As Sarah changes before her very eyes, Lucy must reckon with the dark, monstrous truth, or risk losing her forever.
Johanna van Veen's novel is one any vampire fan will want to sink their teeth into. A dark, gothic tale of horror, this book will capture any reader who enjoys chilling reads, historical mysteries, and exploring the lengths two sisters will go to keep monstrous forces at bay. -Madison C
(For those who miss "Santa Clarita Diet") Who would have thought that the gory charm, dark humor, and suburban chaos would make "Santa Clarita Diet" such a fan favorite? While the show may be gone, Isaac Marion's novel captures that same quirky, offbeat spirit. This oddly endearing novel delivers the brain-eating thrills -- while also offering a surprisingly heartfelt look at the undead's struggle with morality, identity, and everyday life. -Madison C