Books Like...
"The Store" by Bentley Little is a horror novel that explores the sinister takeover of a small Arizona town by a malevolent retail chain store, reminiscent of Walmart. The story delves into the impact of corporate greed on local businesses and the manipulation of the community by The Store, leading to mysterious disappearances and a sense of impending doom. Little weaves a tale of suspense and horror, drawing parallels to real-world issues of consumerism and the erosion of small-town values, while maintaining a sense of eerie plausibility in the face of supernatural elements.
Little's writing style in "The Store" is praised for its inventive juxtaposition of horror elements with political concerns like retail incentives and the consequences of corporate dominance. Readers appreciate the way Little creates a chilling atmosphere through his storytelling, even though some parts of the narrative may feel rushed. Overall, the book is commended for its fresh take on the theme of evil corporations threatening personal liberties, with a narrative that keeps readers engaged and unsettled.
If you liked The Store, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
"The Association" by Bentley Little revolves around a couple who moves into a gated neighborhood controlled by a homeowner's association with extreme rules and consequences. The story delves into the sinister nature of the association, where breaking rules could lead to death or worse, creating a chilling atmosphere that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. Bentley Little's writing style in this book takes a simple concept like a homeowner's association and turns it into a thrilling and bizarre tale that challenges the readers' perception of security and control.
Barry agreed, but he was glad the real estate agent wasn’t there to hear it. She already had them pegged as a couple of suckers, and if she heard Maureen’s unequivocal enthusiasm, she’d know that all ... - #2
'The Resort' by Bentley Little is a chilling horror novel that takes readers on a twisted journey to an exclusive spa located in the isolated Arizona desert called The Reata. As a family vacations at this seemingly luxurious resort, they encounter strange employees, unspeakable occurrences in the pool, and mysterious disappearances of guests. The plot escalates as the family is drawn into a web of malevolent forces, ancient evils, and a fight for survival against the dark secrets of the resort. Bentley Little's writing style is described as fast-paced, suspenseful, and filled with macabre characterizations that keep readers on edge.
The narrative of 'The Resort' is a blend of 'The Shining' meets 'Desperation', offering a mix of psychological terror and disturbing events that unfold within the confines of the eerie desert resort. The author, Bentley Little, expertly weaves a tale of escalating horror, unexpected twists, and a sense of unease that grips readers from the beginning, making it a page-turner that leaves a lasting impression.
"Where is this place?" Lowell wondered aloud, but Rachel, tiredly fanning herself with the AAA map as she sat next to him, did not respond, and the kids in the back were too busy fighting to even lis... - #3
'The Ignored' by Bentley Little follows the story of Bob Jones, an average man who transitions from a mundane life to discovering that he is part of a group of Ignored individuals. Bob's realization of being overlooked by society leads him to explore the advantages and consequences of his newfound invisibility. As Bob delves deeper into this hidden world of the Ignored, he encounters unsettling experiences and faces moral dilemmas that challenge his perception of self and society. Bentley Little's writing style weaves a tale of horror and social commentary, gradually building suspense and delivering a chilling narrative that explores the repercussions of being unnoticed in a world consumed by mediocrity.
I’d been out of school for nearly four months, and I’d almost given up hope of ever finding employment. I’d graduated from UC Brea in December with a BA in American Studies—not the world’s most practi... - #4
The small town of Willis, Arizona is rocked by the suicide of its beloved long-serving mail carrier, leading to chaos when a new mailman named John Smith arrives. The story follows high school English teacher Doug Albin, who becomes the focus as he confronts the mysterious mailman's sinister actions that include important letters disappearing and hate mail arriving. The plot unfolds with disturbing events escalating as the mailman manipulates the town through their mail communications, leading to a gripping and tension-filled narrative that keeps readers engaged.
Bentley Little's writing style in "The Mailman" is described as turning the mundane into something sinister and evil, with a fast-paced plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Little's ability to create a genuinely creepy atmosphere, superb characterization of evil, and utilization of extreme gore elements add depth to the story, making it a recommended read for horror fans looking for a chilling and absorbing experience.
It was the first day of summer, his first day of freedom, and Doug Albin stood on the porch staring out at the pine-covered ridge above town. It wasn’t technically the first day of summer—that was sti... - #5
The Town by Bentley Little revolves around the Tomasov family who moves back to McGuane, Arizona after winning the lottery. As they settle into their new home, strange and violent occurrences begin to happen in the town, leading to the community blaming Gregory's family for the chaos. The book explores themes of superstition, family dynamics, and the consequences of ignoring warnings, all set in a small Arizona town filled with bizarre deaths and eerie happenings.
The narrative delves into the transformation of the main character, Gregory, from a good guy to someone unrecognizable, as the family faces the haunting presence in their new house. Bentley Little weaves a chilling tale that keeps readers guessing with its great characters, engaging plot, and elements of horror that escalate as the story progresses.
- #6
The House by Bentley Little is a horror novel that follows the story of five strangers who share a haunting past connected to a mysterious, creepy little girl and a sinister supernatural presence. The plot revolves around these characters being drawn back to their childhood homes to confront the ancient evil that has pursued them their whole lives, leading to terrifying events and a battle between good and evil. Little's writing style is described as gory, graphic, and twisted, with a focus on demonic elements and twisted realities that keep readers engaged until the last line of the book.
Daniel heard his wife’s voice, felt her hands gently shaking him awake, but it had been a long time since he’d gotten up this early and his body resisted. He moaned, turned over, dug deeper into the b... - #7
The Academy by Bentley Little is a horror novel that delves into the nightmarish transformation of a high school into a charter school. The story explores how the school's conversion leads to strange and horrific events, with supernatural occurrences influencing both students and teachers. The plot unfolds with a blend of surreal and supernatural elements, keeping readers on edge and eagerly anticipating the next twist. Little's writing style is described as unapologetically graphic and fantastically horrible, creating an atmosphere where the mundane becomes terrifying and unsettling.
The letter came in mid-July and that was weird. Notification from the district didn’t usually arrive until late August, and even before Linda Webster opened the envelope, she was mentally calculating ... - #8
The Consultant by Bentley Little is a fast-paced horror novel that delves into chaos, mystery, and gore. The narrative is described as brisk, with a solid third-person writing style that keeps the reader engaged. The story uses helplessness as a tool to create fear, leaving readers with unanswered questions about the mysterious consultant character.
The book is set in the consulting environment and is said to draw on the author's own background to provide insights into the politics and scheming within that world. At 476 pages, some readers felt the book could have been more concise, but overall, the story is praised for being full of creepy elements that draw parallels to real-life situations.
- #9
'The Corporation' by J.F. Gonzalez follows the story of Michelle Dowling who lands a dream job at Corporate Financial Consultants, only to discover the company's invasive control over its employees' personal lives. As Michelle tries to navigate the web of deceit and manipulation, she finds herself entangled in a situation beyond her wildest imagination. The plot unfolds with businesses across the nation exploiting their employees and treating them like possessions, leading to a sense of paranoia and hopelessness reminiscent of Bentley Little's novels.
Gonzalez's writing style in 'The Corporation' is praised for bringing the characters to life and creating a sense of dread that mirrors the current economic climate. While the plot elements may push the boundaries of believability at times, the book remains a solid read that keeps readers engaged with its suspenseful and timely narrative.
- #10
The Overnight by Ramsey Campbell is a horror novel set in an English bookstore where strange and chilling events begin to unfold. The story revolves around an ancient evil that preys on the intelligence and sanity of the staff working at the bookstore, leading to disappearances and madness during an overnight inventory. The plot combines elements of haunted locations, mysterious happenings, and character transformations, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers engaged.
What time is this supposed to be? He seems hardly to have slept but already there's the travel alarm. No, it's the cordless phone that comes with the house and is forever wandering off. The muffled sh...