Books Like...
'Last Days' by Brian B.K. Evenson is a dark and twisted tale following Kline, a detective who is forced to investigate a murder within an underground religious cult that glorifies amputation. The story delves into themes of extreme violence, body horror, and the exploration of religion taken to its most gruesome extremes. Evenson's writing style is described as intense, lean, and haunting, with a plot that unfolds in a chillingly realistic manner that keeps readers on edge.
If you liked Last Days, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:"Last Days" by Adam Nevill is a horror novel that follows struggling filmmaker Kyle as he embarks on a documentary project about a cult that ended in tragedy. The storyline delves into the paranormal and occult, with a mix of psychological horror and found footage elements. The author's writing style is described as atmospheric and creepy, building tension and anticipation throughout the narrative. Some readers found the premise intriguing, while others felt that the writing was uneven, with moments of clunky prose that detracted from the overall experience.
And the woman could hear those old friends moving in the distant, and not so distant rooms of her home. Old friends she tried to forget for longer than she had the strength to remember. Until she unde... - #2
Save: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.
The little aphid did, though at a register too high for any human ear to perceive. It toiled in the root system of a cactus plant growing on the edge of the New Mexico desert. An insect so small that ... - #3
Save:The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie is a chilling tale of five survivors of a religious cult who reunite after one of them takes her own life. As the group pieces together their traumatic past at Red Peak, they are drawn back to confront the horrific truth they had long buried. The novel delves into themes of trauma, cult fanaticism, and the blurred lines between good and evil, with a narrative that jumps between past and present, revealing the characters' struggles to cope with their haunting memories.
- #4
Save:'Geek Love' by Katherine Dunn is a dark and twisted tale about a family of circus performers who resort to extreme measures to create new acts for their show. The story follows the lives of the Binewski family, who engineer their own physical deformities through drug use during pregnancy to produce a collection of freakish offspring. The narrative delves into themes of family dynamics, sibling rivalry, identity, creation, and the blurred lines between beauty and monstrosity. The writing style is described as vivid, imaginative, and hypnotic, perfectly matching the baroque and bizarre events that unfold within the story.
“When your mama was the geek, my dreamlets,” Papa would say, “she made the nipping off of noggins such a crystal mystery that the hens themselves yearned toward her, waltzing around her, hypnotized wi... - #5
Save:'The Open Curtain' by Brian B.K. Evenson is a dark and disturbing novel split into three parts. In the first part, a young Mormon boy named Rudd Theurer discovers letters from his deceased father hinting at a half-brother, leading him down a path to uncover unsettling truths. The book then shifts to the perspective of a female Mormon survivor of a ritualistic murder, delving into themes of faith, symbolism, and deteriorating relationships. The writing style is described as brilliantly written, captivating, and disturbing, with a mix of delusions and reality that leaves readers questioning what truly happened.
Rudd found the letters early one Saturday morning among his dead father’s dead things, kept in five collapsing boxes his mother had been meaning to throw out. He had gone down to the basement for some... - #6
Save:Devil's Creek by Todd Keisling is a horror novel that delves into the dark themes of religion, cults, and the consequences of small-town beliefs. The story follows the town of Stauford, Kentucky, where a secluded religious cult once worshipped an evil God underground. As the past of the cult resurfaces, the characters, including the Stauford Six who suffered under the cult leader Jacob Masters, must confront the trauma and evil that threatens to engulf the town once again. The writing style of the book is described as detailed and immersive, drawing readers into the eerie atmosphere of the story with vivid descriptions and impactful scenes.
The sun hung low along the western horizon, painting the forest with fractured orange flames, and Imogene Tremly knew in her heart the minister would be dead before it rose again. She’d prayed for thi... - #7
Save:'Father of Lies' by Brian B.K. Evenson is a harrowing and disturbing novel that delves into the extreme harm caused by objectification within religious patriarchal structures. The story follows a church official who is a sexual predator, preying on children under the guise of trust and authority. The plot unfolds to reveal the manipulation and psychological imbalance of the protagonist, leading to a brutal climax that keeps readers engrossed till the end.
Evenson's writing style in 'Father of Lies' is described as slow-burn horror, gradually setting the scene before plunging readers into dark and twisted territories. The narrative switches between different perspectives, unlocking psychological profiles and ensnaring readers in the uncertainties of reality. The author's concise and hard-hitting approach provides a clear look at the disturbing actions of the characters, making it a gripping and compelling read.
Near evening the girl passes the house again, this time looking distraught. I watch her walk before the front window, slowly, swaying her slight hips. The salad tongs are motionless and caught in my h... - #8
Save:"The Cipher" by Kathe Koja is a horror novel that revolves around the discovery of a mysterious, pulsating hole in a storage room by Nicholas and his girlfriend Nakota. As they become obsessed with the hole, experimenting and exploring its depths, their lives and mental states deteriorate. The book delves into themes of nihilism, obsession, and the unknown, with a writing style that is described as visceral, bleak, and sometimes challenging to follow due to its stream of consciousness narrative.
Nakota, who saw it first: long spider legs drawn up beneath her ugly skirt, wise mouth pursed into nothing like a smile. Sitting in my dreary third-floor flat, on a dreary thrift shop chair, the windo... - #9
Save:Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon is a slow-burning gothic horror story set in the rural village of Cornwall Coombe, where ancient fertility cult rituals and sinister traditions lurk beneath the surface. The novel follows the Constantine family's move to the village, where they encounter eerie superstitions and unsettling mysteries surrounding the corn crop and the secretive Harvest Home ceremony. As the family delves deeper into the village's traditions, they uncover dark secrets that challenge their perceptions of the idyllic small town life they initially sought.
I awakened that morning to birdsong. It was only the little yellow bird who lives in the locust tree outside our bedroom window, but I could have wrung his neck, for it was not yet six and I had a han... - #10
Save:Set in the 1960s, "The Girls" by Emma Cline follows the story of Evie Boyd, a young teenager who becomes fascinated by a group of girls she encounters in a park. This group leads her to a Manson-like cult, where she seeks acceptance and belonging amidst the turmoil of her home life. The novel delves into the dynamics of the cult, the psychology of desire and obsession, and the consequences of being drawn into a dangerous lifestyle. Through a dual timeline narrative, readers witness Evie's experiences during that fateful summer and the impact it has on her in adulthood. The writing style is described as unique, disturbing, and honest, capturing the vulnerability and manipulation faced by young girls in a society where attention from men and unconscious manipulation are prevalent themes.
Cha ching, the slot machine in Connie’s garage went, like a cartoon, Peter’s features soaked in its rosy glow. He was eighteen, Connie’s older brother, and his forearms were the color of toast. His fr...
