100 books like Soul Searchers

By Justin Boote,

Here are 100 books that Soul Searchers fans have personally recommended if you like Soul Searchers. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Cursed

Sarah Jules Author Of You Invited It In

From my list on supernatural horror written by indie authors.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an indie horror author from Yorkshire, England. I grew up on a steady diet of Stephen King and horror films and developed a love of all things spooky and/or creepy. Supernatural horror has always been my favorite genre. When it’s done well, it has the capacity to be absolutely terrifying. It took me writing a couple of books before I finally jumped headfirst into writing supernatural horror. To me, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown, and that’s what I want to explore in my writing, and also my reading. I am also a huge advocate of indie authors, and I am thrilled to share these recommendations with you. 

Sarah's book list on supernatural horror written by indie authors

Sarah Jules Why did Sarah love this book?

This is Leigh Kenny’s debut novel. I absolutely devoured it and read it in one sitting. I grew up on horror movies, and this is a new take on J-Horror. As somebody who loves The Grudge, I felt an affinity with this book. It was almost nostalgic in a way, reminiscent of 90s/00s horror movies. 

By Leigh Kenny,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Cursed as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Have you ever agreed to something without understanding the consequences?
What would you do if a cursed object came into your possession?

Burn it?

Seek spiritual help?

Pass it on?

This is the impossible choice Curtis must face as a sinister entity is thrust upon him. As the walls close in and the evil takes hold, he must act before his life is forever altered.

Curtis is haunted.

Curtis is afraid.

Curtis is... Cursed

The ideal read for fans of horror, mystery thrillers, possessions and supernatural beings.
The Grudge meets Drag Me To Hell, Cursed is the story of one…


Book cover of The Suffering

Sarah Jules Author Of You Invited It In

From my list on supernatural horror written by indie authors.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an indie horror author from Yorkshire, England. I grew up on a steady diet of Stephen King and horror films and developed a love of all things spooky and/or creepy. Supernatural horror has always been my favorite genre. When it’s done well, it has the capacity to be absolutely terrifying. It took me writing a couple of books before I finally jumped headfirst into writing supernatural horror. To me, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown, and that’s what I want to explore in my writing, and also my reading. I am also a huge advocate of indie authors, and I am thrilled to share these recommendations with you. 

Sarah's book list on supernatural horror written by indie authors

Sarah Jules Why did Sarah love this book?

I am such a lover of ghost stories, hauntings, and anything paranormal. After a while, haunting/supernatural books can all feel very similar. However, this book is a complete wild card. I love the unique take on multiple ghosts.

It is creative, funny, and has some really creepy scenes too. It’s perfect for somebody wanting to explore more horror because it’s not super dark but will still give you a good scare.

By MJ Mars,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Suffering as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"It was a suffering like no other. And, oh, how they suffered."
Recreating the séance that led to the infamous Victorian Suffering massacre seems like a good idea at the time. But Kyle Birbeck soon discovers that the ghosts his distant ancestor banished into the walls of Brackenby House in 1876 have been lurking, waiting for a chance to come out. One by one the 5 terrifying ghosts latch onto each of the students who reside at Brackenby, preying on their deepest fears: A 3-eyed Incan giant. A member of the Hellfire Club who struck a deal with the devil…


Book cover of The House on Hanging Hill Lane: Darkness Creeps Closer

Sarah Jules Author Of You Invited It In

From my list on supernatural horror written by indie authors.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an indie horror author from Yorkshire, England. I grew up on a steady diet of Stephen King and horror films and developed a love of all things spooky and/or creepy. Supernatural horror has always been my favorite genre. When it’s done well, it has the capacity to be absolutely terrifying. It took me writing a couple of books before I finally jumped headfirst into writing supernatural horror. To me, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown, and that’s what I want to explore in my writing, and also my reading. I am also a huge advocate of indie authors, and I am thrilled to share these recommendations with you. 

Sarah's book list on supernatural horror written by indie authors

Sarah Jules Why did Sarah love this book?

This was one of the first ‘indie horror’ books I read. I had no idea what to expect, but the beautiful cover illustration already had me hooked. I adore Baker’s style of writing. It feels like poetry, in a way, and yet the story he tells is very dark.

I have quickly become a huge fan of Baker, and he is such a huge supporter of other authors (and a genuinely nice chap). Win-win.

By Philip Alexander Baker,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The House on Hanging Hill Lane as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

There is more going on at Hanging Hill Lane than simple mass killings.

Daphne Locke, eighteen and alone, is back in her old childhood house as a sequence of brutal killings moves closer. Powerless policemen break down and cry, tortured by the most horrific crimes they have ever seen.

Murders are not the only darkness on the street. Creepy neighbours act impossibly. Dogged, pushy missionaries prophesy and stalk. Daphne wonders if she’s going mad, or if there truly is something real and insidious at play.

Perhaps the fresh grief of her mother’s death is testing her sanity. Perhaps her childhood…


Book cover of In the Blood

Sarah Jules Author Of You Invited It In

From my list on supernatural horror written by indie authors.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an indie horror author from Yorkshire, England. I grew up on a steady diet of Stephen King and horror films and developed a love of all things spooky and/or creepy. Supernatural horror has always been my favorite genre. When it’s done well, it has the capacity to be absolutely terrifying. It took me writing a couple of books before I finally jumped headfirst into writing supernatural horror. To me, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown, and that’s what I want to explore in my writing, and also my reading. I am also a huge advocate of indie authors, and I am thrilled to share these recommendations with you. 

Sarah's book list on supernatural horror written by indie authors

Sarah Jules Why did Sarah love this book?

This book deserves far more eyes on it. EC Samuels has a beautiful style of writing; it is real, raw, and believable. You can picture yourself right there in the thick of it–which is a Catch-22 situation when it comes to horror books.

This is Samuels’s debut novel, and she knocked it out of the park. If you’re a vampire lover but want something darker and far more ‘British,’ This is a safe bet.

By E. C. Samuels,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked In the Blood as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Don’t open the door. Especially if it’s someone you know.

The sleepy English village of Crosseby is a nice place. A safe place. A place where everyone’s roots are generations’ deep. For Alf Schaeffer, it is a haven from a cruel world.

Then the newcomers arrive.

At first, Alf doesn’t understand why an attractive young couple would buy a long-abandoned plot of land, especially one whose stony soils and waist-high nettles hide the darkest chapter of Crosseby’s history.

But then people start to disappear.

At first, people panic. Disappearances don’t happen in places like Crosseby; that’s why people live there.…


Book cover of Ilahara: The Last Myrassar

Tyffany Hackett Author Of Daylight's Curse

From my list on indie works you might not have heard of.

Why am I passionate about this?

The theme of this list is so important to me as an independently published author. Ever since I was about 14 years old I knew I wanted to tell stories, and my way, so even then I was looking into indie publishing. The idea of offering my books up to the traditional publishing chopping block, to be edited and mulled into what’s most marketable, scared me so much! I didn’t want to tell my stories another person’s way. So here we are, and I’m giving you guys a list of indie recommendations whose authors feel very much the same way. We just want to tell our stories. And have control over how that’s done. ;)

Tyffany's book list on indie works you might not have heard of

Tyffany Hackett Why did Tyffany love this book?

Ilahara is actually written by a sister duo that share a pen name, but you could never tell by the intricate way they’ve woven their styles together. Tolkien is one of my favorite authors, so I love a deep fantasy, and Ilahara gives that with some heavy Game of Thrones flavor. They’ve got dragons, magic, platonic soul bonding, and layers of political intrigue that somehow manage to never feel dense or overbearing. I am utterly dying for the sequel, and you will too!

By C.M. Karys,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ilahara as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Princess Asharaya Myrassar lost everything on the night of the Coup of Fire when the usurper queen, Aerella Argarys, slaughtered the royal family and claimed the throne of the fae kingdom of Ilahara. After seeking refuge on the human continent and leaving her magical past behind, Asharaya takes on a new identity: Shara, an assassin blessed with dark powers.

Prince Derron Argarys owes his royal title to his mother’s coup, and although he has all the status and power one could wish for, he cannot escape the memories of the brutal death of the former prince he once called friend.…


Book cover of Scene & Structure (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Valerie Howard Author Of Deep Blue Sea

From my list on for indie authors working to improve their craft.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a published indie author since 2011, and I enjoy reading and studying the craft to make my work the best it can be. I have a passion for indie authors and indie publishing, and I love the flexibility this type of authorship gives me while I homeschool my two young boys, run a non-profit organization, and volunteer at my church.

Valerie's book list on for indie authors working to improve their craft

Valerie Howard Why did Valerie love this book?

This book gets down to the nitty-gritty of planning your novel and explains the difference between scenes (where the action happens), and sequels (where the reactions happen). Great for meticulous planners and haphazard pantsers alike, this book will help any writer learn some tried and true techniques to organize their story in a professional way.

By Jack M. Bickham,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Scene & Structure (Elements of Fiction Writing) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Craft your fiction with scene-by-scene flow, logic and readability.

An imprisoned man receives an unexpected caller, after which "everything changed..."

And the reader is hooked. But whether or not readers will stay on for the entire wild ride will depend on how well the writer structures the story, scene by scene.

This book is your game plan for success. Using dozens of examples from his own work - including Dropshot,Tiebreaker and other popular novels - Jack M. Bickham will guide you in building a sturdy framework for your novel, whatever its form or length. You'll learn how to:

   • "worry"…


Book cover of Portrait of Our Marriage

Stevie Turner Author Of A Rather Unusual Romance

From my list on indie faction.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am, have always been, and always will be a realist. Therefore I find ‘Faction’ books, biographies, and memoirs more interesting, as I can learn from them and know that some or all of the events are true. They say ‘write what you know’ and so when it came to writing A Rather Unusual Romance I did just that. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 thyroid cancer back in 2005, and decided to weave the 15-year journey back to health I undertook into the pages of a fictional romance, with Alan and Erin similarly affected by thyroid cancer. Every procedure they had to endure was true because I had to go through it as well (without the romance)!

Stevie's book list on indie faction

Stevie Turner Why did Stevie love this book?

Because it is another ‘Faction’ novel. Martha found the inspiration to write this book from dreams, from watching a TV show featuring Oprah Winfrey interviewing various men suffering from an addiction to pornography, and from information given to her by 8 wives whose marriages were affected by their husbands’ addictions. Addiction to porn is a very real problem in these modern times.

By Martha Emms,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Portrait of Our Marriage as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Inspired by an episode on Oprah from years ago that dealt with men addicted to porn, a dream, and 8 women's lives, Portrait of Our Marriage, a fictional memoir, is one woman's story you don't want to miss. Nicky, embarks on a journey to find herself and become her own person despite the legacy of a domineering father and an emotionally—and often physically—distant husband. Reminiscing events from her life, she looks at pictures and remembers the romance, falling in love, marriage, and her family. When her husbands interest in pornography becomes an obsession. She wonders how she will compete? Some…


Book cover of Structuring Your Novel

Valerie Howard Author Of Deep Blue Sea

From my list on for indie authors working to improve their craft.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a published indie author since 2011, and I enjoy reading and studying the craft to make my work the best it can be. I have a passion for indie authors and indie publishing, and I love the flexibility this type of authorship gives me while I homeschool my two young boys, run a non-profit organization, and volunteer at my church.

Valerie's book list on for indie authors working to improve their craft

Valerie Howard Why did Valerie love this book?

I can never read too many books about how to structure the overall plot of a novel because I’m a by-the-book plotter. K.M. Weiland brilliantly explains in a down-to-earth way how to make your story work so you are never confused about which plot points should go where in your story, no matter if you plot to the nth degree or like to see where the story takes you with minimal planning.

By K.M. Weiland,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Structuring Your Novel as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Is Structure the Hidden Foundation of All Successful Stories?

Why do some stories work and others don’t? The answer is structure. In this award-winning guide from the author of the acclaimed Outlining Your Novel, you will learn the universal underpinnings that guarantee powerful plot and character arcs. An understanding of proper story and scene structure will show you how to perfectly time your story’s major events and will provide you with an unerring standard against which to evaluate your novel’s pacing and progression. Structuring Your Novel will show you:

How to determine the best techniques for empowering your unique and…


Book cover of They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher

Stevie Turner Author Of A Rather Unusual Romance

From my list on indie faction.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am, have always been, and always will be a realist. Therefore I find ‘Faction’ books, biographies, and memoirs more interesting, as I can learn from them and know that some or all of the events are true. They say ‘write what you know’ and so when it came to writing A Rather Unusual Romance I did just that. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 thyroid cancer back in 2005, and decided to weave the 15-year journey back to health I undertook into the pages of a fictional romance, with Alan and Erin similarly affected by thyroid cancer. Every procedure they had to endure was true because I had to go through it as well (without the romance)!

Stevie's book list on indie faction

Stevie Turner Why did Stevie love this book?

This book is based on fact and is more of a memoir. Pete Springer takes us, sometimes with humor, through the ups and downs of his 30-year teaching career.  In doing so he gives much advice suitable for new recruits to the teaching profession.  My son Leon, once labelled by teachers as ‘distracted and distracting’, would have benefited from Pete’s superior teaching skills I’m sure.  

By Pete Springer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked They Call Me Mom as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Who Will You Inspire Today? Teachers face this challenge and responsibility each day, but in the process, the author discovers that his students can also have a profound influence on him. Pete Springer takes you on his memorable thirty-one-year journey in education as an elementary school teacher and offers the many valuable life and teaching lessons he learned along the way. Get ready to laugh out loud at some of the humorous and memorable experiences that all teachers face, feel inspired by the inherent goodness of children, and appreciate the importance of developing a sense of teamwork among the staff.…


Book cover of Rust: One

Jefferson Smith Author Of Strange Places

From my list on indie fantasy books.

Why am I passionate about this?

As host of ImmerseOrDie, I've tested over 600 indie novels so far, searching for books that can hold me in their spell for at least 40 minutes. Unfortunately, self-publishing is rife with the quirks and gaffs that burst such glamours: bad spelling, bad formatting, ludicrous dialogue... Even allowing three failures before bailing, only 9% survived. And reading those to completion whittled the herd still further. So here then are the surviving 1%. A glittering few, plucked from the muck so that you don't have to. I don't promise you'll love them, but I do make one guarantee: they do not suck. And in the Swamps of Indie, that is high praise indeed.

Jefferson's book list on indie fantasy books

Jefferson Smith Why did Jefferson love this book?

What would you get if Stephen King fathered a love-child on the corpse of HP Lovecraft? You'd get Rust, a full-throated scream of confusion and despair expressed in the chaotic afterlife of one Kimberley Archer. Is she single and dead? Or is she trapped in a living hell populated by the devoted husband and loving child she cannot remember knowing? This one creeped me out completely.

By Christopher Ruz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rust as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She died in New York. She woke in Rustwood.

After being pushed in front of the subway C-Line, Kimberly Archer finds herself in an impossible town with a husband she's never seen before and a life she can't remember. The rain never stops, the phones don't work and the doctors think she's delusional.

Kimberly only wants to get back to her fiance in New York. But for that, she needs the help of Fitch, a madman who believes something dark lives at the heart of Rustwood. He'll help her, so long as she joins him on his mission to burn…


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