If you’re drawn to the oddities and curiosities that take place within the home, you’re not alone.
Domestic horror, or horror that comes from within the family or takes place within the home, continues to be one of horror’s most popular subgenres.
Although the term domestic horror wasn’t officially created until recently, the subgenre has existed for decades.
When coining the term in Nightmare magazine in 2013, horror writer Nathan Ballingrud referenced William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist (1971) as a prime example. In hindsight, classic horror works, such as Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) and Stephen King’s The Shining (1977), can also be considered domestic horror as they put new spins on the scariness of domestic life.
We are drawn to domestic horror, and its counterpart domestic thriller, for similar reasons. Both subgenres force us to take a closer look at the idealized version of the nuclear family and domestic life that exists in popular culture and ask ourselves a series of questions.
What if what we fear the most lives inside our home? What if the monsters we fear the most wear the faces of our loved ones? What if our home isn’t exactly what it appears to be? Confronting inner demons within one’s community is a daunting task. What do we do when the familiar turns frightening?
In recent years, authors such as Victor LaValle (The Changeling), T. Kingfisher (A House with Good Bones), and Carissa Orlando (The September House), have been writing modern takes on the subgenre, to much acclaim.
If you’re interested in domestic horror, but unsure where to start, these five horror books subvert expectations in a way that will have you feverishly turning pages till the very end.
Horror at Home
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Just Like Home
Although Vera and her mother have long been estranged, Vera feels compelled to return home in an attempt to both reconcile with her mother and reckon with her past. But a mysterious artist has also moved into Crowder House, and Vera and her mother soon realize they are not alone.
The latest book from best-selling author Gailey is creepy yet cozy, as the house is its own character, and there are plenty of secrets buried within its walls. This book allows you to settle in as it builds toward a suspenseful conclusion.
Who should read it? Fans of true-crime podcasts, readers of gothic thrillers, and those who read I'll Be Gone in the Dark in one sitting.
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The Last House on Needless Street
Ward, who The Lineup previously interviewed, won a British Fantasy Award for her buzzworthy book, The Last House on Needless Street. The novel revolves around three characters who are connected to an imposing house on a dead-end street.
In Ward’s writing, readers are given a tour of the house from multiple points of view, including the reclusive Ted, whose own memories are inconsistent, and even his cat, Olivia, who has secrets of her own.
Part horror, part thriller, this book is an imaginative take on family secrets, and what happens when the truth ultimately comes to light.
Who should read it? A must for fans of Ward’s The Girl from Rawblood and Elizabeth Hand’s A Haunting on the Hill.
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Twisted Family Ties
Jackal
This debut by Adams was nominated for an Edgar Award, Bram Stoker Award, and Shirley Jackson Award, and for good reason.
The fear here is both physical and psychological as Liz, a Black woman, reluctantly returns home to her predominantly white hometown to participate in her best friend’s wedding. While Liz is already uncomfortable in her hometown, tensions rise when Caroline, the newlywed’s daughter, goes missing.
What follows is a fast-paced, unsettling chain of events that uncover secrets the town would rather remain hidden. Liz must face danger or be swallowed by it before she has a chance to escape.
Who should read it? Pairs well with Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory and Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.
Motherthing
Hogarth might be best known for her YA novels, but her first take on adult horror resulted in the acclaimed Motherthing, which was a New York Times Best Book of the Year in 2022.
The story centers on Abby after she moves into her mother-in-law’s house and accepts a job at a retirement home. After her mother-in-law dies, Abby is continually haunted by her ghost, who has a streak of vengeance.
This humorous book explores the dark side of human nature, and makes both love and murder a laugh-out-loud, feminist experience.
Who should read it? Will engage readers of domestic suspense, and will especially interest readers looking for more pink horror options.
Hidden Pictures
Blurring the lines between domestic horror and thriller, the newest book from Edgar-nominated author Rekulak is proof that horrors can be thrilling and thrillers can be horrifying.
Set in the author’s hometown of Philadelphia, the story follows Mallory Quinn in the months after she accepts what seems to be a dream job as a babysitter for Teddy, a five-year-old who is never without his sketchbook.
Mallory grows concerned when Teddy’s drawings turn gruesome. What happened? Is Teddy safe? With Rekulak’s trademark humor, readers will be drawn in as Mallory attempts to find answers before it’s too late.
Who should read it? Fans of Riley Sager and Grady Hendrix, and readers of domestic thrillers who are interested in switching it up a bit.
