Legendary author H.P. Lovecraft, the father of weird fiction, revolutionized the horror genre. His stories focused on the terror of the unknown and unknowable. He is credited for creating the subgenre of cosmic horror, which centers on the insignificance of humanity against the vast forces of the universe.
H.P. Lovecraft never got the recognition he deserved in his lifetime. It was only after his death that his immense contribution to horror and speculative fiction was recognized and celebrated.
Many authors have been inspired by Lovecraft to create stories with similar themes and topics that he wrote about, resulting in the creation of the Lovecraftian horror genre. Many of these authors have even written directly within Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, a system of mythology he invented.
The ten Lovecraftian horror books on this list celebrate Lovecraft's work, take inspiration from his themes, or directly apply his Cthulhu Mythos to new scary stories.
Children of Lovecraft
In this collection, compiled by Hugo and Bram Stoker Award–winning editor Ellen Datlow, contains 14 stories by new voices in the genre of cosmic horror.
Each tale is inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft as the authors explore new themes and modern life through the lens of the terrifying cosmic unknown. Authors include Laird Barron, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Gemma Files, and Brian Evenson.
Carter & Lovecraft
Just when Daniel Carter, a former homicide detective turned P.I., thinks his life can't get any stranger, he inherits an old bookstore from someone he never knew. The store's bookseller, Emily Lovecraft, the last known descendant of H.P. Lovecraft, doesn't want a new boss.
When seemingly impossible murders start occurring, Carter doesn't want to get involved, but it seems someone else wants him to. When he gives in and starts investigating, he finds that Lovecraft's stories and mythology were never fiction and a whole lot more strange horror awaits him.
The Book of Iod
Sci-fi luminary Henry Kuttner was in original Lovecraft Circle. He submitted story ideas and manuscripts to Lovecraft himself and played a part in developing the Cthulhu Mythos alongside him.
This book contains ten of Kuttner's best works within the Cthulhu Mythos. The stories included are “The Secret of Kralitz,” “The Eater of Souls,” “The Salem Horror,” “The Just of Droom-Avista,” “Spawn of Dagon,” “The Invaders,” “The Frog,” “Hydra,” “Bells of Horror,” and “The Hunt.”
Beneath the Moors and Darker Places
Bestselling horror author Brian Lumley, most well known for his Necroscope series, here presents nine Lovecraftian horror stories in one volume. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos has provided much inspiration to Lumley, and that direct influence is seen in these stories.
Many of these pieces are available in this book for the first time in many years, for readers to finally be horrified by them (in the best way) once again.
Cults of Death and Madness
The year is 1878 and Doctor Archibald Shaw has arrived in India with the hopes of helping the local people and distinguishing himself in Her Majesty’s British army. Quickly, Shaw becomes disillusioned as everything he thought he knew is overturned.
An age old evil is trying to return to earth and a cult is attempting to awake the elder god from slumber and will kill to do so. The fate of humanity and the fight against evil lays in Shaw's hands.
The Cthulhu Stories of Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard was another good friend of H.P. Lovecraft with whom Lovecraft shared the Cthulhu Mythos at the time of its creation in the early 20th century.
These 12 stories all exist within that mythology and feature compelling characters and warriors as they face the Elder gods, cosmic horrors older than even the gods, and ancient forms of life and worship.
Necronomicon
Any Lovecraft lover knows of the Necronomicon, the black magic grimoire he invented for use in his classic horror stories. Until now, no attempt to write this text has lived up to Lovecraft's own descriptions of it.
Donald Tyson does just that in this edition of the Necronomicon, based solely on Lovecraft's stories and the Cthulhu Mythos.
Agents of Dreamland
The signalman, a government special agent, meets with a woman in a diner to discuss an inexplainable event that occurred earlier in the week. Elsewhere, a cult leader rounds up the weakest and most susceptible people and offers them hope for the future.
The next day, a physics laboratory loses connection to an interplanetary probe after something in space makes contact. The horrors and the unknowable are just beginning for the characters in this stunning Lovecraftian novella.
Charnel House
Seymour Willis complains to John Hyatt of the Department of Sanitation that he believes his house has a rat infestation. The truth is much more horrifying. An ancient demon out of the darkest Native American folklore has taken residence in Willis' home—and it wants out.
The fate of humanity rests in the hands of those who believe the impossible, Willis, Hyatt, and a Native American shaman, as they try to satisfy the insatiable monster before it breaks free and feeds its hunger for blood on the whole city.
Featured photo: British Library / Unsplash
