Haunted Houses aren’t the only scary things when it comes to reading horror. Sometimes the scariest stories take place at home! Domestic horror books are great about taking everyday fears of secrets and toxic relationships and twisting them into something really scary. If you enjoy psychological books that make you question the truth, then these domestic horror books would be perfect as your next read.
Why Domestic Horror is So Terrifying
Compared to supernatural horror, domestic horror brings a disturbing reality to life. These types of stories are great about tapping into a person’s fear of trusting the wrong person or realizing the place that was supposed to be safe isn’t. The tension and the drama are what make domestic horror books really great.
Must-Read Domestic Horror Books
I would love to hear if you have read any of these must-read domestic horror books! Make sure to leave me a comment on what I should add to the list.
The Shining by Stephen King
Is it bad that I haven’t read any of Stephen King’s books? He’s so popular in the horror world that it almost makes me feel guilty that I haven’t read anything by him.
It’s not really for lack of trying either. There have been multiple books by him that I have tried and I mean really tried. His stories are just too detailed for me and nothing is left for the imagination.
However, I know many people really like his stories, and this is one of the popular books. I do feel like this is one of the most chilling domestic horror books that’s on here.
Here is what The Shining is about.
The shining follows Jack as he starts his new job at the Overlook Hotel. This is a chance for a fresh new start. He took the job as an off-season caretaker at the old hotel, and now he has time to spend trying to reconnect with his family and trying to work on his writing. When the bitterness of the winter sets in, the location starts to feel even more secluded and even more sinister. The only one who notices the strange things coming together at the hotel is Danny, a gifted five-year-old.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
I know this is one of the domestic horror books that has been turned into a TV show. I believe it’s for good reason too.
This story kind of took off not long after it was released but I’m not sure if I ever had any interest in reading it.
Maybe it’s time that I look more into it.
Here is what Sharp Objects is about.
Camille is a reporter who just got out of a psych hospital for a short stay. Now she’s facing a troubling assignment and that’s to return home to cover the murder of a young girl and the disappearance of another one. It has been years since she has spoken to her mother or half-sister. Especially since her mother is nuts and her beautiful thirteen-year-old sister has a weird grip on the town. Now that she’s back in her old bedroom she finds herself strongly connecting to the victims.
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
I have been meaning to read this one for a very long time! We Need to Talk About Kevin is one of the domestic horror books that popped up on TikTik feed a lot!
The story sounds really interesting and in a way I feel like it has to be a little bit heartbreaking too. Just by reading the synopsis of it, I can’t tell who I would feel more bad for. It doesn’t excuse Kevin’s behavior but a part of me still feels bad for what he went through.
On a small note, I did not know that this story was turned into a movie. That must be my sign to read it so I can go ahead and watch the movie.
Here is what We Need to Talk About Kevin is about.
We Need to Talk About Kevin follows mother Eva. She never wanted to be a mother and she didn’t want to be a mother to someone unlovable who murdered seven people at his high school. It doesn’t help that he did this just two days before his sixteenth birthday. Two years later she must come to terms with all that has happened. As a result, she’s worried that her unnerving dislike for her son may be the reason why he’s going off the rails.
The Push by Ashley Audrain
I remember when this book first came out it was getting a lot of praise. Putting it on this list only reminds me that I either need to buy it or try finding it at the library just so I can read it too.
Because of that, I know The Push has every right to be on the best domestic horror books list. Granted I don’t find this one much of horror. But there are times when I really wonder where we draw the line between horror and thriller.
Here is what The Push is about.
Blythe has it set in her mind that she will be the type of mother who is warm and comforting her baby Violet. She’s so determined because it’s something that she never had.
In the middle of motherhood, she is surrounded by early exhausting days. She has ultimately convinced herself that something is wrong with her daughter. She doesn’t exactly behave like the other children do.
Is it all in her head? Her husband, Fox, doesn’t believe her and thinks she’s just imagining things. The more that he dismisses her the more Blythe starts to question her sanity.
When her son Sam is born there is an immediate connection that she has always imagined having with her child. Even her daughter seems to love him. But life changes in an instant when Blythe has to face the truth.
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
I read Baby Teeth a little while back mostly because this one popped up on my TikTok feed a lot too. If I’m going to be honest I’m not really sure why this one is so popular.
I kind of liked the way that the story ended but that seems to be the main thing that I really enjoyed. Other than that I found the story a bit on the boring side. But as I’ve said before just because I don’t like doesn’t mean that you won’t either.
I would recommend at least getting it from the library first.
Here is what baby teeth is about.
In the eyes of her dad, she’s sweet and an angel. He seems to be the only person who understands her. All Hannah wants is to live happily just with him. But her mom stands in her way. She’s trying every trick in the book to get rid of her mom for good.
Suzette loves her daughter but after years of her antics and having to homeschool her her metal health is on the decline. When Hannah’s tricks become smarter her husband remains oblivious. Suzette starts to worry that there’s something really wrong and that being home isn’t the best place for Hannah.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
Riley Sager is one of those authors who seems to be on the rise ever since his debut novel came out. That’s for a great reason too. His stories have a creepy side to it and they keep you on your toes.
I do remember reading this one a while back but I can’t exactly remember what I fully thought of it. The story definitely does belong on one of the best domestic horror books list because I do remember thinking her neighbor’s relationship was really weird.
Here is what The House Across the Lake is about.
Casey is an actress who was just recently widowed. Now she’s trying to escape the bad press and has escaped to the peace of her family’s lake house in Vermont. There with her is a pair of binoculars and bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching the couple who live across the lake.
One day Casey finds her neighbor Katherine drowning and she rushes out there to save her. Afterwards, they work up a friendship. The closer that they get to each other the more Casey realizes that Katherine’s marriage isn’t all that perfect as it appears. When Katherine disappears, Casey is consumed with trying to find out what happened to her.
Final Thoughts: When Home Becomes a Nightmare
Domestic horror books just go to show you that not every horror book needs ghosts or monsters in order to create truly scary stories. There are times when the scariest thing out there are the people that are closest to us and the people we really trust. If you want a horror book that kind of hits close to home then these are the perfect books that will keep up past your bedtime.
Do you have a favorite domestic horror book? Let me know in the comments because I’m always looking for my next read.
If you like this post then maybe you’ll like my list of domestic thrillers. You can find that here.
