I did not get to a lot of new horror this year. Mostly back list. I do have Coup de Grace though.

The premise of Scales is the craziest I've ever heard lol.

I still plan to read The Mercy of Gods x James S. A. Corey. The other books you mentioned I barely heard about any of them and boring books are not to be borne. In terms of worst books of the year, I tend to only watch reviewers that I trust. I find that new releases, hyped ones end up on these lists. Makes you wonder if publishing is disconnected from what readers want or editing needs to improve and weed out these duds. I don’t mind a worst list, just not all new releases.

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I am adding so many of these to my TBR. Excellent video!

This is a great list. There are so many books on this list that I definitely need to put on my TBR. Thank you for all of the recommendations, Rachel!

‘The Turn Of The Screw’ is the book that the movie ‘The Others’ starring Nicole Kidman was based on. It’s a great movie, way better than the Henry James short story. It’s among the best spooky movies that have a great twist ending. Others in that category would include ‘Skeleton Key’ with Kate Hudson, ‘The Ninth Gate’ with Johnny Depp and ‘Angel Heart’ with Mickey Rourke.

Read "Service Model" based on your rec earlier this year and loved it. Definitely reading everything from him and happy to see them on your favorites list

I want to read Compound Fracture and Coup de Grace. I loved The Devil and Mrs Davenport and Incidents Around the House. However my favorite horror read this year that was published this year was We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer. It was SO good IMO

I have The Night Guest out from my library right now, so very excited to see that on this list! Coup d'Grace is also on my list as is Youthjuice :) Compound Fracture is genuinely not something I normally would not gravitate towards but after hearing your rave review I am definitely interested in giving it a shot! Excellent top 10 list, you've given me so many great books for me to check out in 2025 between all of your top 10 lists this year! :)

Hitchhikers Guide is great. Watch the film or audio play instead.

This why I listen to heavy metal 😅

I don't read a ton of horror books, but I did read a good one this year. I really enjoyed Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. ,

Thanks. Added some more to my tbr :)

You are my secret weapon weathervane for gauging my next year's narrative direction. A great resource not only for the readers but an invaluable external perspective for authors. Thank you. Maybe you could do a top nine and a half of the genres, tropes and aesthetics you would like to see us explore as authors over the coming year? I call my style Colonial Gothic and I have an alternate timeline novelette coming out set in an America controlled by a Christian Nationalist Militia. It follows a couple and their niece and in-laws as they are smuggling an autistic child and his twin sister across the southern states to Canada. I know you appreciate a good autistic character, I will look for you on bluesky or threads when I release it.

Coup de Grace is a freaking masterpiece. Great list; thank you!

The God of the Woods was hands down, no contest winner of best thriller of the year for me. Absolutely hooked me from the first chapter and didn’t let up. I wish I could read it again for the first time!

Currently reading The Devil and Mrs Davenport and loving it!! I think my fav horror book I read this year was The Reformatory by Tananarive Due. So engrossing, emotional but scary at the same time and I just love her writing style. Highly recommend!!

this top 10 feels so stacked!! thank you for all the excellent recommendations, i'm really looking forward to picking up some of these during my winter break ❄📚

I absoultely LOVED The Devil and Mrs. Davenport! So glad you did too! :) Also, I have Coup de Grace on my physical TBR, since I received it in a book-box and wasn't exactly rushing to get to it - until now. Sonow I know what my next book will be, thank you! ;-)

I love Remina so much

Love your style of recommendations , it helps me immensely, Thank You !

Thank You Shades of Orange from your recommendations. Big sc fi buff here, Saturation Point looks very interesting i think i will give it a go👍📚

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Really enjoyed The Night Guest. First time I re-read a book before picking up the next one. 😊

Coup de Grâce: That switch killed the story for me. Night Guest: downloaded . I Who Have Never Known Men (Jacqueline Harpman): Best book (overall) I read this year. Julia (Sandra Newman) is more dystopian thriller than horror and Grey Dog (Elliott Gish) and top tier too. 🌨❄🏂🏔🍁

I have snacks, Rache. Highlight of my year. Rank them stabby books.

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Hi Rachel, I read The Devil and Mrs Davenport! You recommended it awhile back!!!! 🎄Happy Holidays 🎄

Night Guest just didn't work for me. 😕Still looking forward to catching up with some of these others.

Thank you for warning about animal abuse. I will not read.

Love your no. 1 pick. Stoked for the follow-up set a few hundred years after the events of it.

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I'll have to add some of these ro my reading list! I'm an indie author who has written a vampire romance called A CAGE FOR HUNGRY HEARTS. In it, vampires are secret prisoners of Area 51!

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Good video, again. Your quick and to-the-point style really informs me. I’m curious about the book on your shelf, ‘The Rig’. I just read a lot of interesting reviews about it. Have you read the book ‘Stake’ by Kevin J Anderson? It’s a really fun vampire tale that keeps you wondering if vampires are real or is the main antagonist just a crazy serial killer.

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😊😊🏆🏆 Hope they make a Fatal Frame Maiden of Black Water book (video game)

I read Coup de Grace on your recommendation. My favorite horror this year was Terror at Miskatonic Falls. The poems by the residents are what moves the story.

I buy everything you recommend, you’ve never steered me wrong 😊

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Hello there hey there hey there hey

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Oh!!! I am hyped to read these next year!

Invaluable, Rachel, as always. Yours taste and standards are mine. 🫡

Great list Rachel, I'm always keen to try new horror, I'm picking up Night's Edge to check out from your list, then the followup too, always up to sink my teeth into some vampire horror.

Have you read any of the Killer VHS series? I read Teleportasm in one sitting and loved it so I bought them all ⭐️

Yay! I was waiting for this list! I want to read all of these!