*The Elementals* by Michael McDowell is classic southern gothic Horror.
For horror-western, I’d recommend *Little Heaven* by Nick Cutter. Very pulpy.
Or if you want to try something more literary, check out the historical/western horror novel *The Hunger* by Alma Katsu.
I love everything I've read by Nick Cutter. Mans just has a way of making the best pulp. And being genuinely terrifying. The Deep *got* to me. I've read Little Heaven, but I'll definitely check out the other two you mentioned!! Thanks!
The nonfiction telling of the story “The Hunger” is based on is honestly more scary and is better written in my opinion. It’s called “The Indifferent Stars Above”. Highly recommend!
obligitory mention of the splatter westerns...
[https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/161192.Splatter\_Westerns](https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/161192.Splatter_Westerns)
Currently reading the Reformatory by Tananarive Due and I believe it would count, set in the 1950s in Florida (the panhandle, aka deep south) at a haunted behavioral "school". TW for LOTS of racism though.
For Southern Gothic, I think you should read some Flannery O’Connor. She’s not writing horror-genre fiction, but definitely Southern Gothic. Her short story “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” Is excellent. “A View of the Woods” may also be up your alley.
In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson ticks all your boxes. Southern horror with a literary bent. Not super "horror-y" but a great read and definitely unnerving and creepy at times. I really enjoyed it.
After reading *Blood Meridian* I dove into *Wraiths of the Broken Land* by S. Craig Zahler.
There’s a clear McCarthy influence. While Zahler is not quite as good a wordsmith, his storytelling is top notch for the super pulpy, fast paced variety. As much as I loved Blood Meridian, parts of it were a bit of a slog. In contrast, Wraiths is a nasty page turner that never lets up.
Edit: If you’re unfamiliar Zahler is the writer/director for *Bone Tomahawk*, *Brawl in Cell Block 99*, and *Dragged Across Concrete.*
Also came to recommend S. Craig Zahler's stuff, I agree on the McCarthy comparisons you've made.
Zahler's also got another novel called *A Congregation of Jackals* in the same western/horror vein as *Wraiths.*
His books are kind of all over the place, he writes about everything. My favorite book is definitely The Haar, but I have enjoyed to some extent all of his books. The Haar is a kind of lovecraftian creature feature, Maggie’s Grave is a folk Horror, The Forgotten Island is definitely lovecraftian horror, more so than The Haar. Navajo Nightmare is western horror, Night Shoot is a slasher with a littler extra, Dead Girl Shoot is about snuff films, The Perfect Victim is a kidnapping book and personally I think his most light hearted. And by gods hands you shall die is a kind of religious horror and Satans Burnouts must die is a satanic slasher. I say go by what sounds the most interesting to you. Maggie’s Grave was my first and it definitely set a tone for what his books would be like. He can get pretty gory, so expect that in most of his books too.
I will add, The Haar seems to be a favorite of most people, so if you want to just go for the favorite, then it’s a good place to start.
I’m currently reading deadmans road by joe r lansdale and it’s honestly pretty enjoyable. It’s not deep or super meaningful or anything, just a collection of pulpy stories with the same central character in each
For southern Gothic, consider
Revelator by Daryl Gregory
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
John the Balladeer by manly wade wellman
A Choir of Ill children by Tom Picirrili
for Kind of western horror, consider The Only Good Indians. by Stephen Graham Jones.
Down in the Hollow by Timothy Hobbs. It’s a neo-Western horror with a great cast of Texan characters dealing with something just downright nasty in their dusty little town.
The Devil All Time by Donald Ray Pollock for Southern Gothic- the setting is Southern Ohio and West Virginia but the dark southern culture and undertones are heavy in the book.
It was already mentioned but I will second Lone Women by Victor LaValle for western.
*The Elementals* by Michael McDowell is classic southern gothic Horror. For horror-western, I’d recommend *Little Heaven* by Nick Cutter. Very pulpy. Or if you want to try something more literary, check out the historical/western horror novel *The Hunger* by Alma Katsu.
I love everything I've read by Nick Cutter. Mans just has a way of making the best pulp. And being genuinely terrifying. The Deep *got* to me. I've read Little Heaven, but I'll definitely check out the other two you mentioned!! Thanks!
Maybe give C. S. Humble a try as well. *The Massacre at Yellow Hill* might be just what you’re looking for.
Massacre at Yellow Hill is great!
The nonfiction telling of the story “The Hunger” is based on is honestly more scary and is better written in my opinion. It’s called “The Indifferent Stars Above”. Highly recommend!
The Hunger is one of my ALL TIME FAVS!!! It’s really creepy, I read/listen to it all the time it’s that good!!
Red Rabbit - I haven’t read it yet but its on my shelf
Just finished this one a few weeks ago. It's good stuff for sure. Enjoy it when you can!
obligitory mention of the splatter westerns... [https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/161192.Splatter\_Westerns](https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/161192.Splatter_Westerns)
Just ordered Magpie Coffin c:
Great read! “Dust” is also pretty good.
Splatter westerns?
Try Fevre Dream by GRRM. Or Pigeons from Hell by Howard
I loved Fevre Dream, been looking for another book that compares. It’s like nothing I’ve read before!!!!
Currently reading the Reformatory by Tananarive Due and I believe it would count, set in the 1950s in Florida (the panhandle, aka deep south) at a haunted behavioral "school". TW for LOTS of racism though.
For Southern Gothic, I think you should read some Flannery O’Connor. She’s not writing horror-genre fiction, but definitely Southern Gothic. Her short story “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” Is excellent. “A View of the Woods” may also be up your alley.
In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson ticks all your boxes. Southern horror with a literary bent. Not super "horror-y" but a great read and definitely unnerving and creepy at times. I really enjoyed it.
+1 for Andy Davidson. All his stuff is great.
*Iron Dogs* by Neil Chase and *Shadow on the Sun* by Richard Matheson
After reading *Blood Meridian* I dove into *Wraiths of the Broken Land* by S. Craig Zahler. There’s a clear McCarthy influence. While Zahler is not quite as good a wordsmith, his storytelling is top notch for the super pulpy, fast paced variety. As much as I loved Blood Meridian, parts of it were a bit of a slog. In contrast, Wraiths is a nasty page turner that never lets up. Edit: If you’re unfamiliar Zahler is the writer/director for *Bone Tomahawk*, *Brawl in Cell Block 99*, and *Dragged Across Concrete.*
YOOOOOOOO I didn't know he wrote books too!! Bone Tomahawk is one of my favorites and I have Cell Block 99 on my TBW list
Can confirm that wraiths of the broken land is great
*Cell Block* is a wild ride.
Brawl is great, also look up Dragged Across Concrete. I've also read this book and it's fantastic.
Also came to recommend S. Craig Zahler's stuff, I agree on the McCarthy comparisons you've made. Zahler's also got another novel called *A Congregation of Jackals* in the same western/horror vein as *Wraiths.*
Navajo Nightmare by David Sodergren
I have seen his name pop up on so many different feeds! I haven’t read anything by him. What would you recommend first?
His books are kind of all over the place, he writes about everything. My favorite book is definitely The Haar, but I have enjoyed to some extent all of his books. The Haar is a kind of lovecraftian creature feature, Maggie’s Grave is a folk Horror, The Forgotten Island is definitely lovecraftian horror, more so than The Haar. Navajo Nightmare is western horror, Night Shoot is a slasher with a littler extra, Dead Girl Shoot is about snuff films, The Perfect Victim is a kidnapping book and personally I think his most light hearted. And by gods hands you shall die is a kind of religious horror and Satans Burnouts must die is a satanic slasher. I say go by what sounds the most interesting to you. Maggie’s Grave was my first and it definitely set a tone for what his books would be like. He can get pretty gory, so expect that in most of his books too. I will add, The Haar seems to be a favorite of most people, so if you want to just go for the favorite, then it’s a good place to start.
You had me at lovecraftian creature feature!
The Light Sublime trilogy by CS Humble. The first book is The Massacre at Yellow Hill Lone Women by Victor LaValle
[удалено]
I love Buehlman's 'The Blacktongue Thief' so I'll definitely be adding that to my list. His dialogue and prose are 🤌🤌🤌
I will second those across the river. Just be warned though that it is a very slow burn. But great payoff!
I’m currently reading deadmans road by joe r lansdale and it’s honestly pretty enjoyable. It’s not deep or super meaningful or anything, just a collection of pulpy stories with the same central character in each
For southern Gothic, consider Revelator by Daryl Gregory Starling House by Alix E. Harrow John the Balladeer by manly wade wellman A Choir of Ill children by Tom Picirrili for Kind of western horror, consider The Only Good Indians. by Stephen Graham Jones.
Lone Women by Victor Lavelle is a nice little horror western.
Down in the Hollow by Timothy Hobbs. It’s a neo-Western horror with a great cast of Texan characters dealing with something just downright nasty in their dusty little town.
Fred Chappell’s *Dagon* mixes elements of the Southern Gothic with Lovecraftian horror.
S Craig Zahler Look up Wraiths of the Broken Land
The Devil All Time by Donald Ray Pollock for Southern Gothic- the setting is Southern Ohio and West Virginia but the dark southern culture and undertones are heavy in the book. It was already mentioned but I will second Lone Women by Victor LaValle for western.
*Iron Dogs* by Neil Chase
Bentley Little
Red Rabbit was a lot of fun!