Splatterpunk, a subgenre of horror, is notable for pushing the boundaries of what the horror genre has the offer. Splatterpunk is known for being on the more extreme side of horror, showcasing more depraved, visceral and chilling stories.
We are going to place a little warning here if you want to try some of these novels. If you decide to read these, please beware these are extreme horror novels, and aren’t for the faint of heart. That being said, here are some of the best splatterpunk books of all time:
Survivor by J.F Gonzales
In this twisted tale, Survivor, what was meant to be a romantic weekend away turns into a horrifying nightmare for Lisa. Her plans to reveal her pregnancy to her husband are shattered when he is taken into custody and she is kidnapped.
To her horror, the kidnappers have no interest in a ransom – they intend to turn Lisa into the star of a snuff film. Trapped and with her life hanging in the balance, Lisa must summon every ounce of strength and determination to survive this sadistic ordeal.
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite (William Martin)
Set during the HIV/AIDs epidemic, Exquisite Corpse follows the twisted exploits of Andrew Compton, a serial killer who views murder as an intimate form of art. Escaping from prison by faking his death, he arrives in the United States with a singular ambition: to elevate his gruesome art to new levels.
Unknowingly, he forms an unholy alliance with Jay Byrne, a debauched playboy who has already pushed the boundaries of his own depravity. Together, they target Tran, a young Vietnamese-American runaway whom they deem as the perfect victim, leading to a horrifying journey into the darkest depths of human evil.
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
The Hellbound Heart, by the legend Clive Barker, tells the story of Frank. Frank’s insatiable desires leads to him buying a mysterious lacquered puzzle box which summons a nightmarish realm of pleasure and horror. Now reduced to a mere fragment of his former self, Frank waits in an empty room, longing to return to his previous existence.
When his brother Rory and his wife Julia move into the house a few months later. Julia, who had previously had an affair with Frank, stumbles onto the remains of her previous lover. Obsessed with him and driven by unfulfilled passions, Julia is compelled to assist him, even if it means sacrificing flesh and blood.
The Slob by Aron Beauregard
Aron Beauregard could easily take up this list, but if you want extreme horror, then this is book for you. The Slob immerses you in the unsettling world of Vera, who, raised in a disgustingly unclean environment, becomes obsessed with cleanliness.
Struggling to support her disabled husband and prepare for the arrival of their first child, Vera sees an opportunity in the booming door-to-door sales business. However, when she encounters a house that triggers horrifying memories she has tried to erase, she realises she has stumbled upon a malevolence she never wanted to face again.
The Dead Travel Fast by Scott Cook
In Scott Cook’s The Dead Travel Fast, Veronica Belle, an aspiring horror writer, seeks inspiration in the tranquil seaside town of Potter’s Neck but finds her expectations shattered when she encounters Vince Drake, a successful vampire author.
Their meeting sets off a terrifying chain of events as gruesome murders, mysterious sicknesses, and a quest for ultimate power reveal the existence of real monsters. The fate of Potter’s Neck hangs in the balance, challenging everything Veronica believed about vampires and introducing an unlikely ally to the battle against darkness.
Off Season by Jack Ketchum
In this classic splatterpunk Off Season, Jack Ketchum tells you the story of a group of friends heading to a secluded cabin in the woods for a relaxing getaway, they are blissfully unaware of the horrors that await them.
Suddenly, they find themselves being hunted by a savage family of cannibals who are driven by their insatiable appetite for flesh. As the friends fight for their lives, they are pushed to the limits of human endurance and must confront their worst fears in order to survive.
Gone to See the Riverman by Kristopher Triana
Kristopher Triana is another splatterpunk author who easily make up his own list, but we’ll stick with a story about a woman obsessed with a killer. In Gone to See the Riverman, Lori is an obsessive fan who has a twisted fascination with Edmund Cox, a sadistic serial killer. To get closer to him, she agrees to a task he assigns to her: retrieve a key from his cabin in the dark woods of Killen and deliver it to a mysterious figure called The River Man.
Accompanied by her handicapped sister, Lori embarks on a journey upriver, only to find herself trapped in a surreal nightmare. As they face unimaginable horrors and confront their deepest demons, they discover that The River Man is something beyond human. Lori quickly realizes that the key is just the beginning of the gruesome trials she must endure to prove her devotion to a madman’s love.
The Bighead by Edward Lee
In The Bighead by Edward Lee, follows two girls who go to visit their aunt in the countryside. But their trip is unfortunately cut short by an encounter with a mutant named Bighead. He is a mysterious grotesque figure, possibly an inbred homicidal pervert or a supernatural psychopath, who wreaks havoc through the Virginia backwoods.
With an insatiable appetite for bloodshed and a penchant for vile acts, this twisted being leaves behind a trail of gore, revulsion and shattered moral boundaries.
Dear Laura by Gemma Amor
A chilling psychological thriller, Dear Laura follows Laura’s unsettling connection with a mysterious stranger. Each year on her birthday, Laura receives a letter from an unknown person who claims to have information about her missing friend, Bobby.
However, the stranger insists on a deeply personal exchange for revealing the truth. As Laura’s desperate search for closure intensifies, she finds herself entangled in a disturbing cycle of degradation and harm. Despite her efforts to break free, the letters continue to arrive, exerting a profound and eerie influence on her life.
Succulent Prey by Wrath James White
In Succulent Prey asks a chilling question: can becoming a serial killer be a contagious disease? Joseph Miles, the lone survivor of a devastating attack by a serial child murderer, finds himself undergoing a terrifying transformation.
As he succumbs to his dark impulses, Joseph becomes a potential threat to those around him, including the woman he loves. Racing against time, he seeks a cure that can save him from becoming a monster.
There we have it! We hope you enjoyed our step into the splatterpunk horror genre. Have you ready any of these best splatterpunk books? Did we miss any you think should be on this list? Comment below and let us know!