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Best American Gothic Books

December 2024

Outer Dark

Cormac McCarthy’s “Outer Dark” is a haunting journey through a bleak Appalachian landscape. The story follows a brother and sister on separate quests, one seeking redemption, the other their abandoned child. McCarthy’s sparse prose paints a world both beautiful and terrifying, where violence lurks in the shadows. As I read, I felt the weight of each character’s choices, their desperation palpable. It’s a challenging read, but one that lingers long after the final page.

Salem’s Lot

Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” is a chilling tale that sinks its teeth into small-town America. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late, heart racing as I turned each page. King’s vivid characters and eerie atmosphere transported me to the doomed town of Jerusalem’s Lot. The slow build of dread, punctuated by moments of sheer terror, left me sleeping with the lights on for weeks. A masterclass in vampire horror that still haunts me years later.