Ho! Ho! Ho!

Tis the season to be jolly but its also cold and dark and who occasionally doesn’t need an alterative to festive cheer? That is why Santa Womble is here to help you as always. Lets look at some tales of horror for you to help find those last minute gifts or to hunt out with those well earned vouchers?

Novellas

Ok not easter and I’m sure the butterflies here are cute…or were its time for a weird scary mystery in the form of What Feasts At Night by T Kingfisher which I really enjoyed!

For a hot desert nightmare then I really recommend What Hides in The Cupboards by Cassondra Windwalker — where a house is full of unpleasant surprises and yes even the cupboards!

Off to the Caribbean for a cautionary horror tale of evil deeds and punishment with a nightmarish tale based around Beauty and the Beast Tanglewood by Knicky L Abbott — is an impressive debut for an author to watch out for.

More seasonal lets go to Iceland and a truly haunting ghost story awaits you in The Last To Drown by Lorraine Wilson — which as is customary for Wilson is beautiful and true and will linger especially in its exploration of pain and grief.

A truly chilling novella that for me speaks to the darker side of living in the UK is Charlie Says by Neil Williamson that plays with the idea of 1970/80s public safety ads and creates something troubling and menacing. Brilliantly delivered.

Horror can be creepy and yet redemptive and the unusual Sorrowmouth by Simon Avery — explores being haunted by your demons but getting past them and really works as a story. I strongly recommend this one.

A horror author in a horror story is a classic and well played with in The Horror by Seb Doubinsky — where we fear our narrator is in a lot of trouble (and indeed he is!).

I love stories wrapped in stories and this take on the Wild Hunt has a mix of the old and new and The Rider, The Ride, The Rich Man's Wife by Premee Mohamed — reminds us Mohamed is one of the best authors out at the moment.

For even more metaphysics Grey by Ian Rogers delivers a tale of heaven, hell and the apocalypse but our in between lead has their own solution which lingers in the mind.

One of the best horror stories this year that has stayed with me feels like a cross between T Kingfisher and Shirley Jackson and I so so urge you to read Grackle by AC Wise for a brilliant tale of being haunted.

Iceland appears again in Remnant by Conrad Williams which this time is archaeologists and witches crossing paths - works very well.

Horror tackles dangerous subjects and while this tackles suicide and depression I think Coup de Grace by Sofia Arjam delivers a tale that also scares as much as it induces empathy and is rather beautiful in the process.

A nightmarish story that also lingers is The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill — where domestic abuse and family guilt creates a powerful disturbing tale.

Novels

One of the creepiest books I’ve read in 2024 was The Reformatory by Tananarive Due — which explores the time of Jim Crow laws in America’s past and the haunted prison is by far not the scariest part of the book. Immersive, powerful and has stayed with me all year.

In perfect timing for winter again those of you who enjoy arctic horror should run and get hold of Where The Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes — for a tale of doomed expeditions, ghosts and a touch of cannibalism too.

Another author going from strength to strength is to be found in The Briar Book of the Dead by AG Slatter where we have a tale of witches, ghosts and a witch without any power. A fine family mystery of betrayals and dark deeds. Christmas is all about the family so meet this one!

Another family reunion that goes wrong awaits in the historical horror Those Who Dwell in Mordenhyrst Hall by Catherine Cavendish where a newlywed finds she is really in a lot of trouble and nothing goes to plan. Less rom-com and more- rom-argghhhh!

For more action and adventure in horror then Among The Living by Tim Lebbon — takes us to the world ending and things get worse from there on. Environmental horror and many monsters to face!

We don’t think of horror in the summer very often but this eerie modern folk horror delivers a very strange near future UK countryside where bad things are happening and its a brilliant tale to get hold of Lost In The Garden by Adam S Leslie.

Answering the door will seem a really bad idea when you read We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer and this unique tale then plays with the reader’s heads in ways you will not be expecting. A dark little piece of genius storytelling.

Meet new girlfriend, go visit her home and meet ancient evil a classic tale we have all been on and this awaits in That Which Stands Outside by Mark Morris —

Something wicked awaits in the woods and many horrible things get worse in The Ravening by Daniel Church which is very nightmarish indeed!

The world ending is a theme explored in this sequel to the excellent The Watchers and now Stay In the Light by AM Shine explores what happens when they leave their woods. A neat mix of myth and modern horror awaits.

I’ve seen some question it but for me Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay lives up to tales like Headful of Ghsost as it explores exactly who is the monster and victim in this story.

In some ways this next tale appears quite fun but Where the Dead Brides Gather by Nuzo Onoh — packs a punch as the story unfolds and we realise the living can be as dangerous as the dead.