The Best Horror Books You Can Read in One Sitting

Sometimes, you just want a quick, intense burst of horror. Not every horror fan is in the mood for a sprawling epic like It or The Stand. Sometimes, the craving is for a story that grips you by the throat, drags you into the darkness, and spits you out—shaken, thrilled, and possibly a little paranoid—all within a single sitting. The following books are the perfect horror reads when you want something chilling, disturbing, and satisfying, but without the time commitment of a full-length novel.

1. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

At just under 150 pages, this novella is a brilliant reimagining of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Horror at Red Hook, told from the perspective of Charles Thomas Tester, a street musician in 1920s Harlem. LaValle takes Lovecraft’s original story and infuses it with social commentary, cosmic horror, and deep emotional resonance. It’s eerie, thought-provoking, and utterly unputdownable. I love this novella and Victor's writing.

2. The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

Known for Gone Girl, Flynn proves she can do horror just as well as psychological thrillers. The Grownup is a sharp, twisted ghost story that packs a punch in just over 60 pages. A con artist posing as a psychic gets more than she bargained for when she visits a supposedly haunted house. With Flynn’s signature dark wit and jaw-dropping twists, this one will keep you glued to the pages.

3. I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

While technically a novel at just over 200 pages, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is so fast-paced and unsettling that most horror fans will tear through it in a single sitting. It’s a deeply psychological horror story that plays with perception and reality, leading to a shocking and disturbing finale that will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

4. The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker

The novella that inspired Hellraiser, The Hellbound Heart is Barker at his best—grotesque, poetic, and mind-bendingly horrific. A tale of pain, pleasure, and the horrors that lie just beyond the fabric of our reality, it’s a must-read for fans of visceral horror. Plus, at around 160 pages, it’s easy to devour in one sitting (if you can stomach it). This is a classic and a must-read for any horror fan.

5. Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca

One of the most disturbing horror novellas in recent memory, this book is a gut-punch of psychological and body horror wrapped up in an unsettling online correspondence. Clocking in at just 100 pages, it explores themes of obsession, loneliness, and the grotesque ways human relationships can evolve. It’s a harrowing experience that horror fans won’t soon forget.

6. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson is a master of the slow-burn, psychological horror novel, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a perfect example of her eerie brilliance. While it’s slightly longer than some of the other entries on this list (around 200 pages), the claustrophobic atmosphere and unsettling narration make it an incredibly fast and immersive read. If you love gothic horror with unreliable narrators and a creeping sense of dread, this one’s for you.

7. Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Blending Japanese folklore with gothic horror, this novella is a chilling, beautifully written ghost story that reads like a nightmare. A group of friends staying in a haunted Heian-era mansion find themselves at the mercy of a vengeful spirit. With lyrical prose and unsettling imagery, it’s a haunting experience that lingers long after you finish reading.

8. The Fisherman’s Children by Philip Fracassi

Fracassi has a gift for blending cosmic horror with deeply personal storytelling. The Fisherman’s Children is a novella that delivers creeping dread and monstrous terror within its compact length. For fans of Lovecraftian horror and unsettling storytelling, this is a must-read.

9. Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu

One of the earliest vampire stories, Carmilla predates Dracula by nearly 30 years and is still one of the most atmospheric and haunting gothic horror novellas ever written. At just over 100 pages, it’s a mesmerizing tale of seduction, mystery, and vampirism, making it a perfect one-sitting read for horror fans who love classic literature.

10. The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson

This novella has one of the most fascinating premises in modern horror: every time Molly Southbourne bleeds, a copy of herself is born—and those copies inevitably try to kill her. Fast-paced, intelligent, and deeply unsettling, this is a horror story that will grip you from the first page and refuse to let go.

11. Come Closer by Sara Gran

A short and terrifying novel about demonic possession, Come Closer is an incredibly fast read that will have you checking over your shoulder. Sara Gran’s prose is hypnotic, and the way she slowly unravels the protagonist’s descent into madness (or possession?) makes for an incredibly disturbing experience. It’s the kind of book that will haunt you long after you finish it.

12. Gwendy’s Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

For those who want a quick King fix, Gwendy’s Button Box is a fantastic novella that delivers his signature small-town horror mixed with a fascinating supernatural premise. When young Gwendy is given a mysterious button box by a strange man, she quickly realizes its powers are both wondrous and terrifying. A compulsive read with a sinister edge. King and Chizmar create a truly compelling character and story.

Final Thoughts

These books prove that horror doesn’t need to be long to be effective. Whether you’re looking for cosmic horror, psychological dread, or blood-soaked terror, each of these short but powerful reads delivers maximum chills in minimal time. Perfect for a dark and stormy night—or just a quiet evening when you need a quick but unforgettable scare.

Which of these horror books have you read? Do you have a favorite short horror read that belongs on this list? Let us know in the comments!

My terrifying sci-fi horror novella, Obsidian, will be out on March 25. Get it today at Amazon!

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