If you’re a reader who is on the search for intense, high-velocity scares, then the following horror novels may just be perfect for you. Regardless of genre, it is always a delight to find a book that has a fast-pace. This is the kind of story that grips you from the very first page and won’t let go until you’ve finished in just one or two sittings. In terms of horror novels, this breakneck pace can be even more satisfying because it makes the scary atmosphere even more unpredictable.
Of course, there are endless horror books on the market right now, but the ones that jump right into the action are definitely some of the best. Although the following ten books all share a quick pace, they also come in varying forms, ranging in terms of length, tropes, and story. Without a doubt, horror fans are sure to find a book on this list that piques their interest, and hopefully, it can pull them into an exciting new world of spookiness.
10
The Troop: Nick Cutter
A Boy Scout Troop Becomes Infected
One horror novel that keeps the scares coming is The Troop by Nick Cutter. This 2014 novel follows a boy scout troop who travels into the wilderness for an annual camping trip. Soon enough, the boys and their troop leader are accosted by a terribly thin and pale man, who not only frightens them, but exposes them to a disturbing illness. As the infection spreads, the boys find themselves pitted against one another, all in the hopes of surviving this nightmare of a trip.
Without a doubt, The Troop is the kind of horror novel that can easily carry readers away. From the very first page, it doesn’t take long for the action to pick up, leading to a domino effect of horrifying scenarios that only get worse and worse. Those who read this book may find themselves feeling like they are in the wilderness too, in danger of becoming another victim. All in all, The Troop is a gory rollercoaster.
9
Maggie’s Grave: David Sodergren
A Witch’s Grave Overlooks A Small Town
For those readers who enjoy some comedy with their horror, Maggie’s Grave may be the perfect book for you. Set in a tiny Scottish village known as Auchenmullan, the story revolves around the grave of a dead woman named Maggie who was supposedly killed for being a witch and now looks over the town. Of course, Maggie may be long-deceased, but that doesn’t mean she won’t come back for revenge.
While Sodergren’s over-the-top style may not be for everyone, it is undoubtedly entertaining and fast-paced.
In general, David Sodergren provides readers with a hearty mix of gnarly gore and campy horror. Maggie’s Grave is no different. With the most simple of premises, Sodergren transports readers to Scotland and forces them to watch as ridiculous and disturbing events happen one after another. While Sodergren’s over-the-top style may not be for everyone, it is undoubtedly entertaining and fast-paced.
8
John Dies At The End: David Wong
An Apocalyptic Horror That Won’t Let Go
Another book that merges horror with comedy, and is actually part of a series, is John Dies At The End. First published in 2007, this book immediately pulls the reader into the story, explaining that an invasion is coming, and they are now part of it, alongside the author, David, and his best friend, John. Thus, the reader is sucked into a web of conspiracies and strange lore, centering on a drug called Soy Sauce among other things.
John Dies At The End was turned into a movie in 2012.
John Dies At The End has the type of writing that is addictive in its pace. Rather than taking on a traditional narrative structure, the novel speaks right to the audience, breaking the fourth wall and bringing them into the story. Although this style may take some getting used to, it is incredibly easy to read and creates a mystery that is hard to resist. Plus, John Dies At The End is followed by three more similar books.
7
The Ruins: Scott Smith
A Mexican Vacation Goes Horribly Wrong
A horror novel that is seamless in its writing and worldbuilding is The Ruins by Scott Smith. It follows two young couples who travel to Mexico for a relaxing vacation. At first, everything goes to plan, but when one of the characters’ brothers goes missing, the group is compelled to wander into the wilderness in search of him. When they stumble upon some crumbling ancient ruins, things begin to get far worse.
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While many books on this list are fast-paced because of the amount of scares packed into them, The Ruins is different. Without a doubt, the novel is spine-tingling, but Smith does more than just spook audiences. He builds up meaningful relationships between the characters which keep readers invested, and thus, make the scary moments so much worse. After falling in love with the characters in The Ruins, readers are forced to watch them come apart at the seams.
6
The Last Days of Jack Sparks: Jason Arnopp
A Writer’s Final Days Are Explored
Sometimes, realistic modern horror can be just as terrifying as the supernatural, and The Last Days of Jack Sparks is proof of this. The novel centers on the titular Jack Sparks, a writer who begins researching the occult for his next book. However, when he stumbles upon a disturbing video that was supposedly posted from his own Youtube account, he falls down a rabbit hole of conspiracies, secrets, and social media threats.
What makes The Last Days of Jack Sparks so compelling is its central mystery. Readers know that Jack doesn’t make it out of this book alive, as the title implies, yet they have no idea how he got from point A to point B. On top of that, Jack isn’t always the most reliable narrator. In this way, readers will be wondering what happened to Jack and why – and that will keep them flipping the pages until the very end of the book.
5
Off Season: Jack Ketchum
A Young Woman Is Hunted By Cannibals
If you enjoyed Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a good follow-up book might just be Off Season by Jack Ketchum. One of the oldest books on this list, Off Season follows a young woman who travels to a beachside town in Maine to enjoy an isolated vacation with her friends. In the woods, there lingers a family of cannibals, hoping to gorge on fresh meat. As the two groups begin to intertwine, the protagonist learns just how far a human will go to survive.
There’s a reason why Off Season continues to be recommended since its publication in 1980. Ketchum’s writing is spellbinding, and sinks audiences right into a nightmare with little preamble. Considering its age, some may find Off Season slightly predictable, but that does not diminish the effect of actually reading these scenes. To read Off Season is to consume a classic in horror literature, and to be entertained with a grueling, fast-paced tale.
4
Come Closer: Sara Gran
A Woman Is Haunted By Mysterious Urges
For those seeking a short (and not-so-sweet) novella, Come Closer is a fantastic choice. It follows Amanda, a successful and happy woman who begins to notice strange urges that aren’t usually like her. She sends a violent message to her boss, burns her husband with a cigarette, and dreams of a woman with pointy teeth by the sea. As Amanda’s condition worsens, she tries to figure out if there is something supernatural within her, or if the evil is really herself.
It is true that Come Closer’s length helps make it go faster, but that does not deter from the fact that it is also incredibly gripping.
It is true that Come Closer’s length helps make it go faster, but that does not deter from the fact that it is also incredibly gripping. Reading Come Closer is not just about getting answers to what is going on with Amanda, but about trying to piece the mystery together yourself. In just under 200 pages, the novella takes readers on a whirlwind journey that thrills, entices, and terrifies.
3
Bird Box: Josh Malerman
A Mother Tries To Protect Her Children In A Dangerous World
A title on this list that may be the most familiar is Bird Box. Before becoming a famous Netflix movie in 2018, Bird Box was published as a novel and followed Malorie, a single mother who attempts to find safety for herself and her children in a world terrorized by a monster that, if seen, will send humans into a state of violent madness.
Even those who have seen the Bird Box movie, and perhaps didn’t even like it, should still check out the novel. There is a reason why it was adapted to the big screen. Bird Box is completely captivating from the very beginning, building up an apocalyptic world that is scarier for what readers cannot see. There is tension galore in this book, from general eeriness to full-blown horror. Ultimately, it is unique, quick, and compelling.
2
Phantoms: Dean Koontz
A Town Faces A Murderous Threat
Although Stephen King is often thought to be the king of the horror genre, there is another writer that deserves to have a similar spot at the top, especially when it comes to fast-paced thrills, and that is Dean Koontz. His 1983 novel, Phantoms, is set in Snowfield, California, where a number of corpses have begun showing up, mangled and without a clue as to who left them. Soon enough, the sleepy town gets a glimpse at the monster terrorizing them – and it’s beyond what they ever could have expected.
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Koontz is a pro at writing books that are impossible to put down. Picking up Phantoms, readers may wonder what all the fuss is about, but once they take their eyes off the book, a hundred pages have already gone by. Koontz is not only a skilled and thorough storyteller, but his stories are also fresh and original. Plus, Phantoms is a great Koontz pick because it jumps right into the action and only escalates from there.
1
Intensity: Dean Koontz
A Victim Tracks Down Her Would-Be Killer
One final book to check out, another Koontz novel, is Intensity. This book revolves around a woman named Chyna, who is traumatized when she sleeps over at a friend’s house and comes face to face with a serial killer who wants to kill everyone in the house, including her. At first, Chyna is simply happy to be alive, but when she gets a tip about the killer’s whereabouts, she decides to finally act against those who have harmed her.
Strangely, Intensity’s fast pace comes as a result of its slow build of tension and detail. Bit by bit, Koontz shows the nail-biting moments that allow Chyna to escape her killer. It is painstaking, but also addicting. Readers may want to get through the book as fast as possible just to see Chyna escape with her life. All in all, Intensity is a solid horror recommendation, and is sure to keep audiences hooked.
