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Christian horror novels
Are you looking for a Christian twist on horror novels? Then you will want to keep reading to check out this list of Christian horror books! It might seem like a weird combination, but this genre of novels has slowly gained traction in recent years. They can offer a thrilling experience without sacrificing your faith.
In this post, I will be sharing what Christian horror novels are and some of the best titles out there. Whether you are a huge horror fan or want to try out a new genre, this post is for you. So keep reading to get the best book recommendations (plus get my FREE downloadable book journal).
What are Christian horror books?
Christian horror books are a combination of faith messages set in a dark, spooky background. These books usually are centered around the themes of good vs. evil, spiritual warfare, light in the surrounding darkness, and redemption.
They can even include more supernatural elements like demonic possession, ghosts, dark supernatural forces, and angels while staying true to the beliefs of Christianity. While this can be scary to read, these books usually will provide a message of faith and hope to the reader.
The characters in Christian horror books can be faced with bone-chilling situations, but they will ultimately rely on God and their faith to overcome them.
This genre is truly a unique blend of jump scares and thought-provoking insights, that could turn you into a huge fan of this genre.
Can Christians read horror books?
As Christians, we are bombarded with what we should and shouldn’t be doing by many different people. This may have led you to question what you are reading and possibly wonder “Is reading horror novels a sin?”.
Some people believe that reading horror novels goes against Christian beliefs and some argue that it is just entertainment. So what do I think?
I believe that as Christain we should be mindful of the type of content we consume and make sure it aligns with our faith.
Personally, I would never read a horror novel not written by a Christian author. When reading books written by Christian authors you can be secure that they will ultimately bring it back to God with different faith themes.
If you feel uncomfortable or convicted about reading horror books, then you should avoid them. But if you can separate fiction from reality, then there’s no harm in indulging in a good scare. Ultimately, it’s up to you to pray with God and seek wisdom on this in your own walk of faith with Him.
Christian Horror Writers
There are so many good Christian horror writers that offer a unique perspective in the horror genre. They combine their faith and values along with a bone-chilling plot!
Some top Christian horror authors include:
- Ted Dekker
- Frank Peretti
- Stephen R. Lawhead
- C.S. Lewis
- Mike Duran
- Laura Gallier
- Charles Williams
- Jess Hanna
- Colleen Coble
- Steven James
- Eleanor Bourg Nicholson
- Mike Dellosso
- Travis Thrasher
- John B. Olson
- James Byron Huggins
- Scott L. Smith
- Bruce Hennigan
- Debbie Viguie
These writers and others like them offer a unique and intriguing take on horror writing and are definitely worth checking out for readers looking to explore this genre.
Best Christian horror books
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
1 | The Dark Tower by C.S. Lewis
Classic Christian Horror, Science Fiction
This story meets back up with Professor Ransom and his colleagues discussing time travel with Orfieu, who introduces his time telescope. Looking through it, they see a man with a horn commanding slaves to create new slaves in a tower resembling their university building. The strange landscape poses exciting questions about scientists encountering supernatural phenomena.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? The blend of science fiction and horror in this short stories collection is disturbing and scary to read. Like other C.S. Lewis books, it is rich in allegories and steeped with Christian truth.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
2 | This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti
Christian Horror, Supernatural Thriller
Ashton is a small town. A reporter and a pastor investigate mysterious events and discover a new age plot to enslave the townspeople and eventually the entire human race. The forces of good and evil battle in the physical and spiritual realms.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This Christian horror book has a gripping storyline that will make you question the seen and unseen. It is a reminder that spiritual warfare is real and the power of prayer in our lives. Peretti is the Christian Stephen King!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
3 | The Telling by Mike Duran
Christian Horror, Paranormal
Zeph Walker has a gift – he can see the future and know people’s secrets. But he’s disfigured and lives in isolation. When he finds his own body in the morgue, he discovers something insidious in Endurance, a city on the northern fringes of Death Valley.
Early miners found a sacred site where spiritual and physical forces converge and where an ancient subterranean presence broods. Zeph is the only one who can stop it. But his own silence spawned the evil, and he must overcome his despair to seal the ninth gate of hell. His words unlocked something deadly, and now the silence is killing them.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? If you love edgy Christian fiction, then this book is for you! Between the desolate setting and the secret mysteries, you will be on the edge of your seat until the end. The characters have so much depth and the plot was very fast-paced.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
4 | The Delusion by Laura Gallier
Young Adult Christian Horror, Mystery
Eleven students from Masonville High School committed suicide by March of Owen Edmonds’ final year. Amidst the chaos, Owen experiences a near-death incident that leads him to a new reality. People around him seem to be enslaved and Owen frantically searches for a cure for what he believes are hallucinations.
An army of monstrous beings, visible only to Owen, attacks his girlfriend and classmates, driving them to self-destruction. Owen realizes he’s not imagining the evil – no one else can see it. He must warn and rescue those he loves, but it won’t be easy. Owen’s journey will force him to reconsider everything he believes.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This mystery book is just WOW! It is a young adult novel that has a paranormal feel but with horrific realities shown of spiritual warfare. The characters were well-developed and the imagery of demons/angels was spooky to read.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
5 | War in Heaven by Charles Williams
Classic Christian Horror, Fantasy
The story starts with a dead body found in a publishing house. Gregory Persimmons, the publisher, seems unbothered, but he’s actually obsessed with the holy grail.
Archdeacon Julian Davenant is also fixated on the grail, believing his church possesses it after reading a history book. Davenant finds the grail but gets robbed of it. Meanwhile, Persimmons conduct evil rituals to use the grail for their own purposes.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This is a classic fantasy novel, and as such, it can sometimes be dry and difficult to read. However, by the end, you will be fully immersed in the treasure hunt for the Holy Grail that is set in the modern world of the author’s time. The story features the classic battle between good and evil.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
6 | Bright Lights, Dark Skies by Jess Hanna
Christian Horror, Aliens
Alex Mayfield is terrified by strange lights in the sky and the otherworldly events that follow. The Avondale Paranormal Society, a group of new friends, provides him with a safe place to share his experiences and gain insight. But as he delves deeper into the truth, he finds himself returning to the past where it all began.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This is like a Christian take on alien abduction! The book is very much a mix of Christian thriller and horror that will have you scared to look over your shoulder. The slow spiral of the main character was very well written.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
7 | Adam by Ted Dekker
Christian Horror, Thriller
Daniel Clark is a behavioral psychologist working for the FBI. He is known for his aversion to religion. When a serial killer attempts to take his life, he narrowly escapes and decides to fake his own death to uncover the killer’s identity. This experience leads Clark to question his beliefs.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This novel is a classic take on the good vs evil trope with lots of dark twists and turns! Ted writes in such a way that is both dark but still brings more clarity to the light in our life. It may be one of the scariest books I’ve ever read.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
8 | Abomination by Colleen Coble
Christian Thriller Horror, Romance
A bleeding woman with a child stands barefoot by the road after someone tried to kill her. She doesn’t know who the attacker is or her own name. A suburban police officer investigates a messy kitchen with a note and a missing woman and child. It’s a unique crime scene for him.
A man named Gideon plans to destroy evil, killing those who should not exist. He’s already killed five people and plans to kill again. Somewhere in the wilderness, there’s a geocache near where wild swans gather. It holds an unspeakable clue that connects all these events.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This story is a little more light on the horror (but still honestly terrifying) and full of psychological thriller twists. You will not be able to guess who the murderer is and will probably never go geocaching again after reading this book. It has the perfect balance of romantic suspense, danger, and action!
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
9 | Opening Moves by Steven James
Christian Horror Thriller, Crime
In 1997, there were a series of kidnappings and mutilations in Milwaukee reminiscent of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes. The police thought it was a copycat, but homicide detective Patrick Bowers believed it was more. As they discovered references to infamous and gruesome killers in American history, the investigation turned into a nightmare of manipulation, brutality, and terror.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This book is next-level scary for me. Some of the imagery used will forever be ingrained in my mind. The characters are very well-rounded and the hope that the author manages to reveal is astounding for such a dark book. It has a deeper message of redemption that is available for everyone even if many refuse it.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
10 | A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson
Christian Historical Fiction, Horror Paranormal
In 1900, Victorian Britain is experiencing progress in technology, science, and intellect, while the old Queen’s health declines. John Kemp, a London lawyer, becomes bored with his life until he reads Dracula and meets a Dominican friar. Soon, he finds himself in the middle of a bizarre and violent series of events.
London is terrorized by a trail of murder and destruction, and his friendships are tested as those close to him fall victim. He’s also attracted to an unconventional American heiress, but can he trust his judgment amidst all the chaos?
As a lawyer, he’s supposed to be respectable, but how can people trust him when he starts seeing inexplicable things? Will he survive his encounter with vampires and the white-robed Papists who claim to be vampire slayers?
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This historical book is a genius intertwining of the original Dracula by Bram Stoker and catholic Christianity, creating a unique catholic horror story. The author has an intricate writing style that will slowly build you up to the climax point. It is a great book for Christians looking for books about vampires.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
11 | The Hunted by Mike Dellosso
Christian Horror
Joe Saunders returns to his childhood home in Dark Hills to investigate his nephew’s disappearance. While looking into rumors of a wild lion in the woods, he uncovers a dangerous secret that has been hidden for three generations. Joe is determined to confront this threat with his faith, even if it means battling evil forces.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This book is in the same style as Frank Peretti using the power of prayer to battle monsters and demons. It is full of twists and turns and will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
12 | Solitary by Travis Thrasher
Young Adult Christian Horror, Thriller
Chris Buckley moves to Solitary, NC, and faces his parents’ divorce, a new school, and a mysterious girl named Jocelyn Evans. The more he pursues her, the more he learns about the secrets that she and the town are hiding.
As Chris works to uncover the truth, he must also confront bullies and his mother’s nightmares. In the end, he must save Jocelyn before it’s too late. This story takes you from high school to an abandoned cabin and reminds you to believe in the unseen.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This is a young adult horror/thriller novel that you will love no matter your age! It has the familiar teenager angst but with well-rounded characters and a spooky town as the backdrop.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
13 | Shade by John B. Olson
Christian Horror Fantasy
Grad student Hailey Maniates has a nightmare in San Francisco and runs to Golden Gate Park, where she’s rescued by a tall homeless man. She believes she can read his mind, but doctors diagnose her with paranoid schizophrenia.
Hailey and the man who saved her both have the same mental illness and believe they’re being pursued by a Gypsy vampire. Hailey is drawn to the man, but what if he’s not real? What if he’s the monster?
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? This is a retelling of Dracula and a psychological thriller all bundled up together. It is very much a creepy plotline but with such unique characters.
The question is asked, “Who can you trust when you don’t know reality from fantasy?”. Absolutely loved this book, it has a strong faith message and could be great for older teens who like Christian horror books.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
14 | Nightbringer by James Byron Huggins
Christian Horror, Fantasy
An ancient evil has come to Saint Gregory’s Abbey in the Italian Alps, trapping monks and tourists alike within its walls due to a snowstorm. They must now fight for their lives and souls against an unstoppable force.
Fortunately, a holy warrior is among them, capable of combating evil. However, in addition to fighting a formidable enemy, the holy warrior must also rediscover his faith and love.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? Built around rich biblical history, this spiritual warfare delves into the world of the Nephilim, depicting an epic battle of good versus evil. It is a great balance between horror and an adventure novel.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆
15 | The Seventh Word by Scott L. Smith
Christian Horror
Cain was the first murderer, killing the first child of man. Pharaoh commanded midwives to kill newborns. Herod ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. The Aztecs had one of the Lost Words and the demon among them preyed on their children.
Evil lurks behind white masks and targets unborn children in sterile corporate medical facilities. The Aztec demon has found a new home in a quiet Louisiana town where it hires a young attorney named Jim David. Meanwhile, a mysterious priest named Monsignor works to save the town’s soul, deep in Louisiana’s plantation country and almost forgotten in a bend of the Mississippi River.
🫣 Why should you read this horror novel? The Louisiana setting was the perfect backdrop to this thrilling horror book. The characters were really well developed and it had a great spiritual warfare plot line. The author still managed to imbue the message of hope in this dark setting, which can make it a great spooky spring read.
What is the scariest book you ever read?
The best and scariest horror book I’ve ever read was Adam by Ted Dekker. I was so disturbed and scared by this book that I had trouble sleeping! Highly recommend you read this book ONLY during the daytime.
The book had intense detail and you could tell it was highly researched before Ted wrote it. The characters will spin you in their web and the ending was fantastic! By the end, you will be reminding yourself that it was just fiction and wondering if it is actually possible to happen if we aren’t careful.
I also love how the author never shies away from adding faith themes and messages to his story, even when it could be the darkest book you’ve ever read.
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve read this book or if you’ve read a book that is even scarier.
What books can Christians read?
Christians can read so many great books out there! Obviously, the Bible should always be your first pick before any fiction but if you are ready for some entertainment there are lots of Christian novels to pick from.
I love to stick with the Christian genre which includes great sub-genres like:
1. Romance
2. Fantasy
3. Horror
4. Mystery/Thriller
5. Suspense
6. Adventure
7. Westerns
8. Amish
9. Contemporary
10. Non-Fiction
11. Historical
And so many more!
I personally love reading all genres and find that it keeps everything fun and fresh to read. It’s really easy to get into a reading slump if you read the same genre over and over again, so don’t be scared to try something new.
The bottom line is that as a Christian, you can read any book that aligns with your faith and values.
Did you discover the best Christian horror books?
I hope you were able to add some more Christian horror books to your TBR shelf and get some fiction-based scares in. All of these books offer a unique perspective of the horror genre through a Christian lens.
For people who are still unsure about the idea of reading this genre, it’s important to remember that you can take everything to God and ask for wisdom. He will answer and let you know whether this genre is open to you or not.
But if you are ready to dive into the world of Christian horror books, then this post has given you the starting point on what books are the best to read. From classic books like C.S. Lewis to modern horror legends like Frank E. Peretti, you are ready to build that TBR list and start reading. For even more recommendations make sure to check out this list of novels from the Mid-Continent Library, here.
If you need help keeping track of all these books, make sure to download my FREE book journal which will help you keep track of everything from your favorite authors to your monthly favorites.
Great List! I was unaware of some of the titles listed here, so I look forward to checking them out in the near future.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them.
The only one I have read many books by is Colleen Coble. I have heard of most of these, but several are still need to me.
Awesome! Colleen Coble is a favorite of mine! If you haven’t read anything by Ted Dekker yet I would start there.
Thank you for this. I just discovered your site and I’m excited to check out these books! I’m still a new-ish Christian (about 7 years) after spending a lot of time in the horror genre when I was an atheist. I’m also a writer, who tends to write darker fiction and poetry while still pointing to the light of Christ, so this is really interesting to me and I love your thoughtfulness in approaching a somewhat controversial subject. All that to say, thank you for such a cool site 🙂 God bless!
Thanks a bunch for your kind words! I’m excited you’ve found this website and are diving into some new books. Isn’t it amazing how writing can explore the darkest corners and still point to the light? Keep shining that light with your words and creativity, it’s authors like you that can reach so many different people. Happy reading!