Best Ghost Thrillers Books of 2025

Layla by Colleen Hoover is a gripping novel that delves into life after tragedy and the unwavering strength of love. After a brutal attack leaves Layla fighting for her life, Leeds is desperate to bring their relationship back on track. However, strange and inexplicable events begin to occur, and Leeds finds himself caught between Layla's well-being and his growing connection with another guest at the bed-and-breakfast where they stay. Hoover's first venture into the paranormal romance genre is a fast-paced and engaging read, blending elements of mystery, psychological thriller, and contemporary romance into a unique story of transcendent love.

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak is a thrilling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Mallory Quinn, a nanny who begins to suspect that her young charge's disturbing drawings may be connected to an unsolved murder. Rekulak's writing is engaging, and the plot is filled with twists and turns that will leave readers guessing until the very end. The book's supernatural elements add an extra layer of intrigue, making it a perfect read for fans of Stranger Things and Riley Sager. Overall, Hidden Pictures is a well-crafted and unique addition to the suspense thriller genre.

The Family Upstairs: A Novel is a bone-chilling suspenseful whodunit that mixes family saga with domestic noir. The story follows Libby Jones, who discovers her identity and inherits her birth parents' abandoned mansion worth millions in London. Little does she know that her newfound wealth has attracted others who have been waiting for this day as well. The book explores the dark secrets of three entangled families living in the same house. Lisa Jewell has once again delivered a rich, dark, and intricately twisted novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This is a haunting and atmospheric read that should not be missed.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is a gripping new read that explores the way your past and family can haunt you like nothing else. The novel follows Louise as she deals with the death of her parents and the daunting task of selling their haunted family home. With equal parts heartfelt and terrifying, Hendrix weaves violence, family trauma, and humor to create a texture that engages the reader emotionally and viscerally. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and horror fiction.

The Shining by Stephen King is a classic of modern American horror. Jack Torrance takes on a new job as the off-season caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, hoping for a fresh start. However, as the winter sets in, the remote location becomes increasingly sinister. The only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the hotel is his uniquely gifted five-year-old son, Danny Torrance. This ghost fiction book, published by Anchor, is a must-read for fans of horror and Stephen King. The Shining is a gripping and eerie tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

The Night She Disappeared is a thrilling novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell. Set in an English suburb, the story follows a young couple's disappearance after a party at a country estate. A year later, a writer moves into a cottage on the edge of the woods and discovers a mysterious note that could be a clue to the missing couple's whereabouts. With richly drawn characters and insane suspense, Lisa Jewell delivers an ending that readers won't see coming. This book is a must-read for fans of domestic life fiction looking for a heart-pumping thriller.

The psychological thriller "Home Before Dark" by Riley Sager tells the story of Maggie Holt, who inherits the Baneberry Hall estate after her father's death. Her father wrote a memoir about their family's terrifying experience living in the haunted house, but Maggie doesn't believe it. As she returns to renovate and sell the house, she begins to experience strange occurrences that challenge everything she thought she knew about the house's dark history. Sager is a master of twists and turns, and this book is no exception. This chilling and suspenseful novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Horrorstor: A Novel by Grady Hendrix is a spine-chilling and humorous haunted house story set in a furniture superstore. Strange events are taking place at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio, causing a decline in sales and panic among the employees. To investigate the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour shift, encountering unimaginable horrors. Hendrix delivers both horror and satire and strikes a perfect balance between the two. The book's packaging with illustrations of sinister furniture adds a charmingly oddball allure to the novel, making it a unique and entertaining read.

Mary by Nat Cassidy is a spine-tingling debut horror novel with a unique blend of elements from Midsommar, American Psycho, and I'll Be Gone in the Dark. The story follows Mary, a middle-aged woman who is discovering her true self amidst a series of terrifying experiences. The book is a late-life coming-of-age horror that blends black humor and scenes of gloriously gross carnage. Nat Cassidy's skilled storytelling voice is capable of intense, graphic imagery and scary scenes as well as laugh-out-loud humor. Overall, Mary is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and horror novels.

Lock Every Door is a thrilling psychological novel written by Riley Sager. The story follows Jules Larsen, a broke and heartbroken girl, who takes a job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, a mysterious and high-profile Manhattan building. As Jules gets to know the residents, she discovers that the Bartholomew holds a dark history and secrets that could put her life in danger. With a well-crafted plot and an unexpected twist, Sager keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery and psychological thriller.