5 New and Upcoming Horror Books to Celebrate Women in Horror Month

Azzurra Nox is a major rising star in the horror world. Her writing style is so undeniably her own, and her themes center of queer female experiences in a way that resonates so deeply with readers.

Her latest release, I Want Candy, exemplifies why she should be an author on the top of your TBR pile. Teenage Lolli spends her time toiling away with her weird and witchy family while secretly harboring a crush on popular girl Stella from school.

Stella, however, has some secrets of her own, and together, the two girls soon find their lives intertwined in ways they never expected.

A unique take on the witchcraft trope, this queer coming-of-age is utterly refreshing, so put this one on your reading list this month.

Margot Douaihy is fast becoming one of the biggest names in genre writing. Her work belongs more to the mystery, crime, and thriller genres, but since there’s plenty of overlap between those categories and horror, her latest novel most definitely belongs on a list of women to read this month.

Blessed Water is the follow-up to Douaihy’s acclaimed debut novel, Scorched Grace. The book series follows Sister Holiday, a queer punk rock nun who finds herself in the middle of unusual mysteries that only she can solve. The writing is incisive and lyrical, and the mysteries at the heart of these books are always filled with incredibly surprising twists and turns. It’s no wonder that Gillian Flynn herself is the publisher.

These books are seriously that good.

A Bram Stoker Award winner, Cynthia Pelayo is a name that horror fans everywhere most certainly recognize, and with her latest release, Forgotten Sisters, she’s sure to garner even more fans with her devastating novel that will tear your heart out.

A retelling of The Little Mermaid, this gorgeous tale out this month goes in plenty of directions you won’t expect. Two sisters live a secluded existence in Chicago, until one of them meets a fan through her podcast that will change the trajectory of her life. Meanwhile, an ever-mounting body count threatens everything the women hold dear.

Not for the faint of heart, this novel is sure to be a favorite of the horror scene this year, so run, don’t walk, to preorder your copy today.

Jenny Kiefer is another incredible rising star in the horror genre, and This Wretched Valley is proof positive why she’s an author we’ll be talking about for years to come. This incredible debut from Quirk Books has been receiving rave reviews all over social media and elsewhere.

Set in the wilds of Kentucky, the tale follows four hikers who get more than they bargained for when they head out to explore a new cliff face. Months later, three of the hikers turn up dead in various states of decay. One of the friends, however, is still missing with the circumstances becoming more mysterious by the day.

An eerie story that’s made even scarier when you realize it’s inspired by the very real Dyatlov Pass incident. Needless to say, this novel—which is out now—is one you won’t want to miss.

Eden Royce has long been one of my favorite authors in all of speculative fiction. Her debut novel, Root Magic, is one that you should put on your reading list immediately if you haven’t already picked it up. And while you’re at it, be sure to preorder Royce’s forthcoming novel, The Creepening of Dogwood House.

Out in July, this Southern Gothic tale follows the young Roddie who’s taken in by his aunt after the death of his mother. He soon finds himself learning about his family’s hoodoo roots as well as the strange secrets of his new home, Dogwood House.

Without a doubt, this is a book that’s on the top of my to-read list, and it should been on yours as well. After all, nobody does Southern Gothic like Eden Royce; rest assured, she’s going to wow you with whatever she writes.