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The Most Disturbing Novels You’ll Want to Read (If You Dare)
If you’re someone who loves to push boundaries and isn’t afraid to explore some of the most disturbing books, this booklist is for you. These 10 books are dark, intense, and thought-provoking—they’ll stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. If you’re up for the challenge, these books will leave an impact. Just make sure you have something light and comforting to read afterward—you’ll definitely need it.
Disturbing Novels To Read In 2024
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life isn’t just a book—it’s an emotional bulldozer that will flatten you. I went into this thinking, I can handle it, I’ve read some heavy stuff before, but wow, I was not prepared. This book is heartbreak in paperback form, and it’s one of those novels that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
The story follows four friends—Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Jude—who meet in college and then move to New York to chase their dreams. At first, it feels like a typical coming-of-age tale: they’re struggling, figuring out their lives, and leaning on each other through the ups and downs. But soon, you realize this book is really about Jude. Jude is the center of their group.
Jude’s life is marked by a level of trauma that is hard to wrap your head around. I found myself needing to take breaks from the book because it was just that heavy. It’s not just that the things that happened to Jude are awful—it’s the way Yanagihara writes them. She doesn’t pull punches. The writing is so vivid and raw. At times, I wanted to reach into the book and give him a hug. Honestly, I’ve never felt this strongly about a character before.
A Little Life is also incredibly compelling. I found myself needing to know what happened next, even when I wasn’t sure if I could handle it. It’s like watching a tragedy unfold in slow motion—you know it’s going to break your heart, but you can’t look away.
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The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry is one of those books that sneaks up on you and then grabs you by the throat. What starts as a seemingly sweet story about a couple finally getting the child they’ve always wanted quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare that had me questioning everything and everyone.
Christopher and Hannah seem like the perfect couple: he’s a surgeon, she’s a nurse, and they’ve got this great life going on—except for one thing. They can’t have kids. Enter Janie, a six-year-old girl who’s been through some serious trauma and is in desperate need of a loving home. Christopher is immediately smitten, convinced this is the answer to their prayers.
As Janie becomes more attached to Christopher, she starts acting out in ways that made me physically uncomfortable.The tension between Christopher and Hannah increases as Janie gradually creates a divide between them. You can actually feel the growing sense of unease. I absolutely loved the short chapters. I read this book in almost one sitting because I had to know what would happen next.
The Perfect Child is a psychological horror story, but it’s also about the complexities of family, love, and how far you’ll go for the people you care about.
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The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
Set in a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood, the story revolves around two sisters, Meg and Susan, who are left in the care of their aunt after their parents die. But this isn’t the kind of “aunt” you’d want to spend summer vacations with. She’s rapidly descending into madness, and she drags her sons—and eventually the whole neighborhood—down with her. The cruelty and torture that Meg and Susan endure at the hands of these people are beyond disturbing.
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American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
I haven’t read American Psycho yet, but it’s known for showing a successful 1980s Wall Street guy, Patrick Bateman, who seems perfect on the outside but is actually a violent psychopath. The book mixes dark humor with shocking violence and points out the emptiness of a life focused on money and appearances. It’s a satire that highlights the dark side of the American Dream and the problems with a materialistic lifestyle. The story is intense, so be prepared for some disturbing scenes.
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Tampa by Alissa Nutting
This book follows Celeste Price, a middle school teacher who is also a sexual predator targeting her male students. Nutting doesn’t sugarcoat anything here, and the story is both disturbing and fascinating.
Celeste is beautiful, manipulative, and knows exactly how to get what she wants. The writing is sharp, witty, and uncomfortably honest. I caught myself cringing, yet I couldn’t put it down.
The Groomer by Jon Athan
Andrew McCarthy’s life spirals into tension after he catches Zachary Denton taking photos of his daughter, Grace, and other kids at a park. Despite being confronted by the police, Zachary talks his way out of trouble, leaving Andrew uneasy. What follows is a chilling and disturbing thriller.
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My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
This story focuses on Vanessa, who looks back on her past relationship with her high school teacher, Jacob Strane. Back then, she believed it was love, but now she’s struggling with the realization that it was actually abuse. The book alternates between Vanessa’s teenage years and her adult life, showing how this relationship has haunted her.
This book is messy, confusing, and heartbreaking. I found myself feeling so much empathy for Vanessa, even when she made questionable choices. The book is heavy, but it’s also powerful in its exploration of victimhood, consent, and the lasting impact of trauma.
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read that will stick with you, My Dark Vanessa is a must. However, it does deal with sensitive topics like sexual abuse and grooming, so keep that in mind.
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Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Pretty Girls is a dark thriller that hits you like a punch to the gut—over and over again. The story follows two sisters, Claire and Lydia, who are estranged after the disappearance of their sister Julia years ago. When Claire’s husband is murdered, the sisters reconnect and uncover some seriously twisted secrets.
This book is full of twists, turns, and moments that made me gasp out loud (seriously, don’t read this in public unless you want people giving you weird looks). The pacing is relentless, and just when you think things can’t get any worse for the characters, Slaughter cranks up the intensity even more.
I loved how gritty and raw this book felt, but be aware that it includes violence and some very graphic scenes. If you’re a fan of thrillers that go dark, this one’s for you.
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In the Cut by Susanna Moore
In the Cut is a seductive and chilling novel that you soundly be able to put down. The story centers on Frannie, an English professor in New York who becomes involved with a police detective investigating a series of brutal murders. This book is all about atmosphere—dark, moody, and tinged with an underlying sense of dread.
Moore’s writing is sleek and subtle. The book is a psychologically complex and unsettling, read.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers that mess with your mind, keep you guessing, and disturb you at the same time, In the Cut is definitely worth checking out.
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The End of Alice by A.M. Homes
Finally, we have The End of Alice, a book that is as disturbing as it is well-written. The story is told from the perspective of a convicted pedophile corresponding with a young woman who has similar desires. It’s dark, twisted, and deeply unsettling.
What really struck me about The End of Alice is Homes’ ability to make you feel trapped inside the mind of the protagonist. The writing is haunting, and the characters are horrifyingly real. It’s not an easy read, but it’s definitely compelling in a morbid way. If you like to explore the darkest corners of human nature, this book might be a choice.
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More Books To Read
11 Books That Will Disturb You on a Whole New level
10 Scary Books About Haunted Houses That Will Give You Goosebumps
Stephy George
