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Locus Award for Best Horror Novel

The Locus Award for Best Horror Novel is a literary award by the science fiction and fantasy magazine Locus; awarded 1989-1997, 1999, and since 2017. We have reviewed 17 books connected to it, including 3 winners.

17Books reviewed
3Winners
7Honoured authors with pages
Official site ↗Wikipedia ↗

Locus Award for Best Horror Novel 2026

Nominated

King Sorrow cover
NominatedKing SorrowJoe Hill · ★ 4.0
The Possession of Alba Diaz cover
NominatedThe Possession of Alba DiazIsabel Cañas · ★ 4.0
It Was Her House First cover
NominatedIt Was Her House FirstCherie Priest · ★ 4.0
The Library at Hellebore cover
NominatedThe Library at HelleboreCassandra Khaw · ★ 3.5
The Bewitching cover
NominatedThe BewitchingSilvia Moreno-Garcia · ★ 4.0
The Staircase in the Woods cover
NominatedThe Staircase in the WoodsChuck Wendig · ★ 4.0
Never Flinch cover
NominatedNever FlinchStephen King · ★ 4.5

Locus Award for Best Horror Novel winners we’ve reviewed

Newest first
2026
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter cover
WinnerThe Buffalo Hunter HunterStephen Graham Jones · ★ 4.0
2024
A House with Good Bones cover
WinnerA House with Good BonesT. Kingfisher · ★ 4.0
2023
What Moves the Dead cover
WinnerWhat Moves the DeadT. Kingfisher · ★ 4.0

Shortlisted, longlisted & nominated in earlier years

2025
The Angel of Indian Lake cover
NominatedThe Angel of Indian LakeStephen Graham Jones · ★ 4.0
2025
Model Home cover
NominatedModel HomeRivers Solomon · ★ 4.0
2024
The Reformatory cover
NominatedThe ReformatoryTananarive Due · ★ 4.5
2024
Don’t Fear the Reaper cover
NominatedDon’t Fear the ReaperStephen Graham Jones · ★ 4.0
2022
The Final Girl Support Group cover
NominatedThe Final Girl Support GroupGrady Hendrix · ★ 3.5
2021
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires cover
NominatedThe Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying VampiresGrady Hendrix · ★ 4.0
1991
The Stand cover
NominatedThe StandStephen King · ★ 4.5

Authors honoured

Each links to their author page
T. Kingfisher2023, 2024Stephen Graham Jones2022, 2026Silvia Moreno-Garcia2021Marlon James2020Paul Tremblay2019Joe Hill2017Stephen King1997, 1999

Frequently asked questions

Which Locus Award for Best Horror Novel winners has The Bookish Elf reviewed?

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter (2026), A House with Good Bones (2024), What Moves the Dead (2023).

Which 2026 Locus Award for Best Horror Novel books have you reviewed?

King Sorrow (nominated), The Possession of Alba Diaz (nominated), It Was Her House First (nominated), The Library at Hellebore (nominated), The Bewitching (nominated), The Staircase in the Woods (nominated), Never Flinch (nominated).

How many Locus Award for Best Horror Novel books have you reviewed?

17 so far, 3 of them winners.

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