Bloody, Bloody Backlist: Terrors of 2015

Told though a series of surviving records, reports, transcripts, and journal entries, The Dead House is the story of two girls and the tragic burning of Elmbridge High School. Twenty-five years after the fire that killed three people, and the disappearance of Carly Johnson, a diary is found in the wreckage of the school that belongs to Kaitlyn Johnson, Carly’s twin. A girl who supposedly never existed. This book takes “unreliable” narrator to a whole other level as Carly and Kaitlyn’s opposing stories emerge, leaving readers to try and figure out what happened all those years ago at Elmbridge, and which of the two narrators is really who she says she is.

Serpentine is technically more dark fantasy than horror, but I really wanted to include it on this list because ”beautiful young women slowly undergoes a monstrous transformation while discovering her true self” is an A+ trope that we see a lot of in the horror genre, and one that I personally adore. Pon’s novel is inspired by Chinese mythology, and tells the story of Skybright who is struggling to fit into the world around her as she contends with a dark secret that drives a wedge between who she wants to be and who she is becoming.

When the Barretts’ 14-year-old daughter Marjorie develops what appears to be acute schizophrenia, and all medical attempts to help her fail, the family turns to the church for aid. But a local priest’s suggestion that he perform an exorcism on Marjorie is tainted with suspicion when he also invites a camera crew to accompany him. Then tragedy strikes. Fifteen years later, Marjorie’s little sister Merry agrees to an interview about the events of that night, and as buried memories surface, it soon becomes clear that what she remembers, and what she’s been told, are two completely different stories.

Ghost Summer‘s selection of 15 short stories and a novella really showcases Tananarive Due’s impressive range. It’s an excellent introduction for new readers, and a must-read for already existing fans. From hauntings, to monsters, to buried secrets and dark family histories, Ghost Summer is full of rich, gothic settings and creeping horrors. Also, zombies! And, fair warning, a section of viral/contagion/zombie horror stories in this collection that will for real leave your skin crawling.