Horror can be such a thrilling treat, especially in audio. But narrowing down this year's best horror listens wasn't easy—since the year was packed with so many great stories that spooked us to the core! We honor those haunted houses that make us question the creaks and unexplainable noises in our own homes as well the creatures and evil presences that make nightmares seem like sweet dreams. Here's the best nightmare fuel of 2023.
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Some of the best and most unsettling horror stories are the ones that are steeped in reality. Calling upon the extreme violence of the Jim Crow South, Tananarive Due utilizes actual historical events and practices to amplify the terror taking place in her novel. It’s hard to listen without acknowledging that, without the supernatural elements, the story is just as horrifying, since it reflects the tragedies of 1950s Florida. Not for the faint of heart, The Reformatory captivated me immediately thanks to narrator Joneice Abbott-Pratt, who delivers the dual perspectives of the young sibling protagonists with such conviction that it helps unpack their point of views even more by giving voice to their trauma. —Nicole R.
With so many juicy haunted house stories to choose from, The Only One Left by Riley Sager stood out to me because of its distinctive take on the unreliable narrator trope. Enhanced by the dual performances of Christine Lakin and Dawn Harvey, the story shifts between Kit and Lenora’s POVs. As the story unfolds, listeners are taken on a wild and suspenseful adventure, amplified in terror by the creepy home that may hold more secrets than the people living in it. Combining so many great plot points and twists with the elements of horror, this gothic whodunit is sure to cause chills. —N.R.
I’m not a fan of dolls. Their unchanging expressions and beady eyes seem at best an exercise in the uncanny valley and, at worst, a vacant shell ripe for possession. It seems targeted, then, that Grady Hendrix, a master of nostalgia-driven horror, would spin a haunted house yarn laden with dolls' even creepier counterpart—puppets. Wielding the flair of infamous ghost stories and retro staples, the atmospheric dread of gothic horror, and a heartfelt humanity all its own, this gem's primary narrator, Mikhaila Aaseng, offers both a dose of nightmare fuel and a meditation on how trauma and family secrets haunt those left behind. —Alanna M.
The September House had me sold—just like Margaret, the story's protagonist, whose dream home may be a tad haunted. Debut author Carlissa Orlando introduces a convoluted question into the horror world: How terrifying is it to live with ghosts when your life is already filled with abuse and terror? For Margaret, everything is perfect on the outside, but the true horrors live on the inside, in all aspects of her life. Narrator Kimberly Farr’s impactful performance evokes a lot of empathy for Margaret’s perspective, trickling in some humor while also highlighting her pain. —N.R.
Told from various perspectives and performed by a full cast of notable narrators—including Xe Sands, Sean Patrick Hopkins, and Brittany Pressley—Chuck Wendig’s small-town horror tale is a must-binge listen due to his delicious use of language. "Your soul died, I can smell it on your breath. You're like that Halloween Jack-O-Lantern sitting too long on the step, still got the smile, but inside your all bugs and sludge." Listeners are transported into Harrow, a town being enticed by strange, magic apples. It proved to be a perfect autumn listen—although I may be too scared to ever want to step foot in an orchard again. —N.R.
An enthralling journey, Vampires of El Norte combines the menace of the 1840s colonization of Mexico and a supernatural threat behind a rich tapestry of romance and cultural resonance. As one of my favorite audiobooks of the year, this gripping listen immerses you in a world where darkness intertwines with the intricacies of human experience. Isabel Cañas's skillful storytelling and vivid prose—alternating between the POVs of our two main protagonists, former childhood sweethearts Nena and Nestor (narrated by Krysta Gonzales and Jose Nateras)—provides an elegant cadence that stays with you long after the story ends. —Edwin C.
Move over, witch lit. Our cultural obsession with wellness and beauty is peak horror fodder these days (see also Rouge, Aesthetica). Ling Ling Huang’s satirical debut follows a former piano prodigy saddled with the medical bills of her Chinese immigrant parents after a devastating accident. Her desperation leads her to Holistik, a fancy New York spa run by a narcissistic tech bro and his mysterious niece. Batty plot twists (in the best way!) ensue, along with squirm-inducing body horror and provocative musings on identity, class, and desire—all impeccably read by Asian American performer and native New Yorker Carolyn Kang. —Kat J.
From her first timid introduction in Mr. Mercedes, Holly Gibney has long been one of my favorite Stephen King characters. Now that she's returned—and thanks to actress Justine Lupe's on-point performance—this badass detective's status is further cemented for me. As Holly investigates the mysterious disappearance of Bonnie Rae Dahl, a young woman who's vanished, and grapples with the Covid pandemic—which killed her mother, who refused to get vaccinated—we are confronted with some of the hideous and shocking realities of our current times. —N.R.
When I heard that Chuck Tingle—yes, that Chuck Tingle, of anthropomorphic erotica fame—had written his first full-length horror novel, I was on board immediately. I’m not sure what I expected, but I love horror, and I’ve long suspected Tingle to be sneakily brilliant. I didn’t expect, however, to be as moved as I was unsettled. Real monsters exist in this story, yes, in the form of personified demons that mimic the characters’ inner ones, but the real monster at the heart of this story is hate—and, as in real life, it proves more enduring and harder to eradicate. Mara Wilson’s measured performance is a perfect match for Tingle’s pragmatic and determined hero. —Sam D.
When I first started listening to Cree author Jessica John’s debut, I didn’t know if I was truly going to get the terror thrill I generally seek. However, the author tastefully uses horror elements to weave together Indigenous folklore and other supernatural details to drive home a deeper message about how death can impact a family and take a terrible toll. Thanks to the talents of narrator Tanis Parenteau (also Cree), I was transported into Native American culture in rural Canada, intense family dynamics, and, of course, frightening dreams. —N.R.
Ghost Stories was an instant "add to Library" as soon as I read the description: "As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, Halloween approaches. Come, brave listener, pull up a chair, and spend some time with master storyteller Stephen Fry..." Not only does the one-and-only Stephen Fry perform some of the best ghost stories of all time in truly terrifying spatial audio, but he puts it all in context and tells us why these classics are his favorites. Ghost Stories really is a nice treat for spooky season that will also add to the chill of any winter night. —Tricia F.
Like the unhinged child of Snow White and Death Becomes Her, Mona Awad's Rouge follows sad, skincare-obsessed Mirabelle to California after the mysterious death of her mother, whose otherworldly beauty had something to do with a secret spa, a creepy treatment involving jellyfish, and the Top Gun himself, Tom Cruise (just go with it). Sophie Amoss expertly delivers this dark and decadent tale, dripping with wordplay, dazzling imagery, and truth bombs for the bereaved—apply liberally in the evenings for optimum results. —K.J.
A good, messy plot is one of my guilty pleasures, so once I read the description for Black Sheep, I was immediately hooked. Author Rachel Harrison pens a pleasantly gore-filled tale of how blood isn’t always thicker than water—especially when cultish activities are involved. Vesper is the "black sheep" of the family she’s abandoned, and narrator Jeremy Carlisle Parker nails the delivery of Vesper’s POV with such wit and sarcasm in the beginning—and switches perfectly as the story becomes bleaker—keeping it dark, with the just-right amount of humor. —N.R.
