Top 10 Shocking & Horrifying Books (76 books)

I love books that shock and surprise. What makes a book shocking? Does horrifying subject matter classify a book as horror? If you love shocking books, check out this list.

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1	Splatterpunk: An Extreme Horror Novel (A Glimpse into Hell, #3) by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 279 ratings score: 974, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Angel of Death: An Extreme Horror Novel (A Glimpse into Hell, #2) by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 292 ratings score: 884, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Angel of Vengeance - The Most Gruesome Series on the Market (A Glimpse into Hell, #1) by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 524 ratings score: 883, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Angel of Vengeance (Glimpse into Hell, #1) by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 524 ratings score: 882, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Human Cruelty by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 257 ratings score: 881, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	I found a dead girl's diary by straydog1980 really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 100 ratings score: 685, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Lucienne Twins by Leo Petracci (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 118 ratings score: 678, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The Beast in Me by Billierosie (Goodreads Author) 3.10 avg rating — 101 ratings score: 600, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis 3.80 avg rating — 358,437 ratings score: 584, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Mia's Magic Wand by Peter Volkofsky (Goodreads Author) 4.84 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 500, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Eye Spy by Tahir Shah (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 127 ratings score: 400, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Hand That Feeds by Michael W. Garza (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 178 ratings score: 391, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Stand by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 828,988 ratings score: 386, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Misadventures of a Cryptid Hunter by Michael Kelso (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 352 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Fake An Injury Day (Spirit Week, #1) by Alshia Moyez (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 31 ratings score: 295, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Bad Place by Dean Koontz (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 38,565 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	QB VII by Leon Uris 4.20 avg rating — 30,437 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2) by Thomas Harris 4.26 avg rating — 585,628 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Descent Into Darkness (Written Pictures, #1) by H.A. Kotys (Goodreads Author) 3.38 avg rating — 56 ratings score: 292, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell 4.03 avg rating — 14,960 ratings score: 291, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Prosecutorial Discretion by Nobody really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Provocateur by Michael Stephenson (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Dead by Morning (Rituals of the Night #1) by Kayla Krantz (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 389 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Out by Natsuo Kirino 3.94 avg rating — 47,652 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Oiorpata by Richard Ferguson (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 29 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Cabello: Mineau (Cabello #1) by Grea Alexander (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 56 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Miael: Family by Grea Alexander (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Bear of a Storm by Sahara Foley (Goodreads Author) 4.86 avg rating — 77 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Beneath the Willow by Gemma Farrow 4.45 avg rating — 146 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Road by Cormac McCarthy really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,025,896 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Unreasoning Mask by Philip José Farmer 3.49 avg rating — 527 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami 3.62 avg rating — 44,012 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Enlightened Nights (Written Pictures, #3) by H.A. Kotys (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft 3.79 avg rating — 63,331 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Filthy Movie – The Most Sadistic Short Story on the Market by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 3.56 avg rating — 236 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The complete “A Glimpse into Hell” series - 5 books, 195 chapters, 1700 pages, 600K words of pure gore by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.61 avg rating — 84 ratings score: 188, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Reckoning: An Extreme Horror Novel (A Glimpse into Hell, # 5) by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 184 ratings score: 188, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Ein Blick in die Hölle - Buch 2: Festa Extrem by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 292 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Starblood by Carmilla Voiez (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 121 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Bloodline (The Cull, #1) by Eric J. Gates (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 168 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Ministry by Patrick McCloud (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Ann Marie's Asylum (Master and Apprentice, #1) by Christopher Rankin (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 136 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Meat by Joseph D'Lacey (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 2,601 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Last Motel by Brett McBean (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 147 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Mojado (Navajo Nation Mystery #4) by R. Allen Chappell 4.37 avg rating — 2,223 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 58,522 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Game of VORs by Andrew Orange (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 111 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	A Murder of Saints: A Novel by Chris Miller (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 72 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Gilded Harvest by Richard Myerscough (Goodreads Author) 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Art of LongPig by Olivia Wytens (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Devil's Seven: Volume One by Donny Johnson (Goodreads Author) 4.83 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Bloodstone (The Cull, #2) by Eric J. Gates (Goodreads Author) 4.59 avg rating — 59 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 25,446 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Tagged: The Apocalypse by Joseph M. Chiron 3.32 avg rating — 374 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Dark Days (Written Pictures, #2) by H.A. Kotys (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 16 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Mother by Brett McBean (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 129 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Shadow over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft 4.10 avg rating — 27,434 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Bat Blood: The Devil's Claw by Richard Myerscough (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 54 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Devil's Seven: Volume Two by Donny Johnson (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin 3.83 avg rating — 5,765 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 5,263 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Unshackled Demons (Bat Blood, #2) by Richard Myerscough (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Devil's Seven: Volume Three by Donny Johnson (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Frisk by Dennis Cooper 3.65 avg rating — 4,065 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist 4.04 avg rating — 120,279 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Devil's Seven: Envy by Donny Johnson (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Good Girl by Mary Kubica (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 277,131 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Devil's Seven: Envy by Donny Johnson (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 687,733 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Keep Your Friends Close by Paula Daly (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 5,108 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	You (You, #1) by Caroline Kepnes (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 289,955 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	The complete “A Glimpse into Hell” series - 6 books, 215 chapters, 1800 pages, 650K words of pure gore by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.61 avg rating — 84 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Super Genes: Unlock the Astonishing Power of Your DNA for Optimum Health and Well-Being by Deepak Chopra (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 1,294 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain for Life by David Perlmutter really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 9,067 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	Ein Blick in die Hölle - Buch 1 by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 524 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	The Angel of Vengeance - The Most Gruesome Series on the Market (A Glimpse into Hell, #1) by Wade H. Garrett (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 524 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars