The best disturbing horror books

Why this book?

Vera and Daniel are expecting their first child. To help supplement their income, Vera decides she can sell vacuum cleaners door-to-door. She’s very good at it, too. She plans to stop...after just one more house. Unfortunately, this particular house belongs to The Slob and things are about to get very, very ugly.

Beauregard puts the “gross” in “engrossing!” This may be the most disturbing book that I have ever read. What sets Beauregard apart from many other writers of extreme horror is his immense talent for creating well-developed, relatable characters within an actual horror story. I grew to care for Vera and Daniel. When you sympathize with and connect so well with the characters, the horrors become magnified and the tension grows palpable. This book is absolutely horrid—chock full of the worst atrocities. Yet, you will find yourself loving it nonetheless. It is truly unforgettable.

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Why this book?

Sarah Temple has ended her relationship with an abusive boyfriend and is now stuck in a dingy apartment living next to some very peculiar people. When her ex is unsuccessful in his attempt at reconciliation, he hooks up with her neighbor. Several days later he emerges as a strange new man. Sarah decides to investigate. And so the adventure begins.

Sometimes extreme horror stories fall short because the authors just want to shock and disgust readers. That’s fine for some, I suppose. But when an author can create a truly good, horrific story and make it disturbing, to boot, It’s a truly winning combination. Harvey Click does just that in The Bad Box. This story is creepy, suspenseful, mysterious, full of action, gory, imaginative, and masterfully written with rich, descriptive language and great imagery:

"A stench of damp dirt and worms and fungus and rotting animals belched up from the dark bowels." 

You can almost smell it, can’t you? 

"Where Baby walked, a trail of hallucinations followed in his wake, as if he warped the texture of reality around him."

Baby is not one to be trifled with! My suggestion? Buy this incredible book and immerse yourself in the ultimate horror experience.

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Why this book?

Some might say that this is a really crappy story. I will agree only to the extent that this book does, in fact, center on feces. Sara Todd is pregnant and she’s not craving pickles and ice cream!

This book is brilliantly written. McCluskey presents a most vile and disgusting story—one that is ripe with imagery and depravity. There’s not much that shocks and disturbs me, to be honest, but this book had me muttering, “No, oh no, no, no” in anticipation of the nasty deeds. Each one seemed progressively worse. It will likely turn your stomach and surely disgust you!

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Why this book?

Who wouldn’t want to be granted wishes? Then again, it’s best to heed the old idiom, “Be careful what you wish for.” 

Pam Wilkins lives a miserable life. When she encounters a Djinn who promises her happiness, beauty, wealth, and anything she can hope for, she is desperate enough to give in to temptation. The Djinn does, in fact, grant her wishes, but they come at a hefty cost.

Calling this book sick and twisted would be an understatement. West exceeds the boundaries of human decency. The scenes are downright vile and will surely make you gag. The story is engrossing, wildly imaginative, and has a great twist at the end.

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Why this book?

Suzey suffered physical and psychological abuse at the hands of her deplorable grandmother, who used the Stork fairytale to convince her that she was a worthless, evil creature without a soul. Years later, Suzey is still battling the stork, convinced that it is responsible for her inability to have a baby.

McKenzie is another great author who can weave elements of gore and depravity into an engrossing story full of great, well-developed characters. This one was especially superb and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you witness Suzey’s downward spiral.

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