Books Like...

The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson is a dark and eerie tale set in the bayou along the Prosper river. The story follows Miranda, the boatman's daughter, who inherits her father's job of running drugs in the bayou. As she navigates the treacherous waters, she encounters crooked law enforcement, witches teaching black arts, and a cast of eccentric and flawed characters. The book blends elements of Slavic folklore with Southern Gothic, creating a heady mix of black magic, crazed preachers, and nightmarish visions. The writing style is described as immersive, atmospheric, and vivid, painting a rich tapestry of the bayous and woodlands.

'John the Balladeer' in the 'Silver John' series by Manly Wade Wellman is a collection of short stories and novels that revolve around a fictional Appalachian folk hero named Silver John. Set in the Appalachian mountains, the stories are steeped in Appalachian folklore and music, with the protagonist using his silver-stringed guitar and hymns to battle evil creatures and supernatural forces. The tales are described as atmospheric, simple, and wonderful, evoking a sense of setting, culture, and Americana. is praised for its quick reads, light-hearted folk horror, and the way it establishes a strong sense of place and time.

In the book "Those Across the River" by Christopher Buehlman, a Northern couple moves to a small Southern town in the 1930s and encounters eerie and mysterious occurrences related to the woods across the river. As they uncover the dark secrets of the town and its inhabitants, they become entangled in a terrifying supernatural force, leading to a gripping and suspenseful narrative. The writing style is described as atmospheric, with a slow-burn horror introduction that builds tension and establishes a sense of community before delving into the unsettling events that unfold.

A Lush and Seething Hell by John Hornor Jacobs is a collection of two powerful horror novellas that delve into cosmic horror and dark fantasy themes. The first novella, 'The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky,' takes readers on a journey through South America and Spain, exploring the nature of artistry and radical politics. The second novella, 'My Heart Struck Sorrow,' immerses readers in the American South, unraveling a tale of music, horror, and historical elements. Both narratives are filled with creeping dread, detailed settings, and masterful prose that captivate readers and pull them into worlds of eerie and unsettling experiences.

The Hollow Kind by Andy Davidson is a Southern Gothic horror novel that weaves a tale across multiple timelines and generations, focusing on a family cursed with a monstrous entity to take care of. The narrative skillfully blends supernatural horror with an incisive naturalism, delving into the themes of trauma, suffering, and the impact of evil on generations. The writing style is described as remarkable, with vivid descriptions of the Georgia woods that are both wondrous and ominous, immersing the reader in a world filled with horror and suspense.

A Choir of Ill Children by Tom Piccirilli is a gothic horror novel set in the American Southern town of Kingdom Come, focusing on the life of middle-aged Thomas, who is the most important man in the town. The narrative delves into the dark and twisted secrets of Thomas's family, including his conjoined triplet brothers, as well as a cast of characters ranging from witches to drug addicts. The plot is described as a mix of film noir detective yarn, supernatural revenge tale, and farcical mystery, all set against a backdrop of a looming thunderstorm and a haunting carnival.

The writing style of the book is praised for being lyrical, poetic, and haunting, capturing a Southern Gothic atmosphere that is described as dreamlike, sensual, and oppressive. Despite the use of first-person present tense, which some readers typically dislike, Piccirilli's narrative method is commended for working effectively and drawing readers into the eerie and mysterious world of Kingdom Come.

Set in the small community of Babylon in the Florida panhandle near the Styx River, 'Cold Moon Over Babylon' by Michael McDowell is a chilling Gothic horror novel that unfolds a tale of supernatural revenge after a young girl named Margaret is murdered. The story delves into the lives of the Larkin family, particularly Grandma Evelyn, Jerry, and Margaret, who are trying to make ends meet by selling blueberries at the local market. As the mysterious murders unfold, an evil presence makes itself known, seeking justice and retribution, leading to a thrilling combination of crime and horror genres. McDowell's writing style intricately weaves together the elements of small-town life, sudden deaths, shocking violence, and supernatural occurrences, creating a vivid and textured narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The Toll by Cherie Priest is a Southern Gothic novel set in a small town in Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp. The story follows quarreling newlyweds Titus and Melanie Bell who stumble upon a mysterious one-lane bridge that leads to Melanie going missing. The town of Staywater, with its few residents and eerie atmosphere, becomes the backdrop for a tale involving ghosts, supernatural elements, and a hellish creature that haunts the town every thirteen years. The narrative is described as having a creepy and gothic feel, capturing local characters and their interactions with a desperate stranger who arrives in their midst with suspicion and curiosity.

The writing style of Cherie Priest in The Toll is noted for its originality in plot, endearing characters, and well-crafted storytelling. The book is praised for its depiction of the swamp and small-town life, creating a sense of Mayberry by the Mud. Despite some lapses in logic and rushed resolutions, the novel offers a unique take on Southern Gothic literature, blending elements of horror, mystery, and supernatural occurrences with a touch of suspense and intrigue.

The novel "Little Heaven" by Nick Cutter is a sprawling horror epic that follows the adventures of three mercenaries hired to investigate a religious settlement in the New Mexico wilderness. The story toggles between two timelines, 1965 and 1980, and features elements of religion, supernatural entities, and intense action scenes. The book delves into the characters' pasts, their encounters with evil, and their ultimate confrontation with malevolent forces at Little Heaven.

Following a devastating flood that devastated a small Alabama town, a mysterious woman emerges from the swollen river water with the ability to transform into an amphibian creature. She marries into the wealthy Caskey family, becoming the matriarch of the eccentric family, and sets off a haunting saga that spans fifty years. The book is a southern gothic horror serial that intricately weaves together family dynamics, supernatural elements, and suspenseful storytelling, drawing readers into a captivating tale of intrigue and mystery.

Michael McDowell's writing style in "The Flood" is described as precise, elegant, and evocative, with a touch of southern gothic flair that adds a Lovecraftian flavor to the narrative. The characters are deep, engaging, and multi-dimensional, avoiding typical one-dimensional stereotypes often found in popular fiction, while the setting of Alabama serves as a compelling backdrop that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the story.