September brings us one month closer to Halloween, andthere are plenty ofhorrorandthrillerbooks coming out to get readers in the mood for the upcoming holiday. Although some of2024’s most-anticipated horror booksare already on shelves, more exciting releases await readers in September 2024. Authors like M.L. Rio and Rachel Harrison are back with new books to give you the chills, and thriller authors like Liane Moriarty and Laura Dave are also publishing new stories.
The offerings for September 2024 range from unique spins on haunted house narratives to fun murder mysteries. There’s even a vampire novel thrown into the mix, as well as a sequel involving zombie-like creatures. Needless to say,September has something for every type of horror and thriller reader. It’s an ideal setup as we enter the fall.
10Haunt Sweet Home By Sarah Pinsker
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Horror books about hauntings always make for a thrilling time, and Sarah Pinsker is releasing a new one in September 2024.Haunt Sweet Homepromises to put a unique spin on the typical haunted house story, telling it from the perspective of a production assistant on a reality TV show. Mara believes that working on a series about haunted home makeovers will require a lot of deception. However, she soon realizes that the supernatural incidents that occur on set aren’t all fabricated behind the scenes.
Haunt Sweet Homesounds like a lighthearted and fun horror novel, and its synopsis promises ghosts and themes of self-exploration.
Haunt Sweet Homesounds like a lighthearted and fun horror novella, and its synopsis promises ghosts and themes of self-exploration. Add in its stunning cover, andPinsker’s novel is a must-read September 2024 release. EarlyGoodreadsreviews confirm it’s fast-paced and original, so readers will want to pick this one up.
9This Book Kills By Ravena Guron
Speaking of fun covers,Ravena Guron’sThis Book Killscomes out in September 2024— and its bloody cover is exactly the vibe many readers will be looking for approaching October. The young adult thriller novel follows Jess Choudhary, whose primary goal is to get through high school without any major incidents. This is how she intends to keep her scholarship at the elite institution she attends. Unfortunately, the death of one of the rich, popular kids makes it increasingly difficult for Jess to breeze by without notice.
The fact that the victim’s death mirrors a character’s death in one of Jess' stories makes her look suspicious. And a text from the killer confirms that her story inspiredThis Book Kills' central murder. Needless to say, Jess finds herself in the midst of an investigation that could decide her own fate.This Book Kills’mystery starts with high stakes and an intriguing premise right off the bat, which makes it a promising addition to any thriller reader’s TBR.
8So Thirsty By Rachel Harrison
Release Date: July 05, 2025
Rachel Harrison is known for horror hits likeSuch Sharp TeethandBlack Sheep,and the author is publishing another promising novel in September 2024.So Thirstyblends the fantasy and horror genres, taking on the concept of vampires. The novel opens with Sloane’s husband gifting her a weekend away with her best friend. Sloane and Naomi embark on a “wild night out,” which finds them entangled with a group of vampires. Things escalate from there, changing their lives forever.
Judging bySo Thirsty’s 4.06 averageGoodreadsrating, the book will have a strong impact on readers, too — though perhaps not as life-changing as Sloane and Naomi’s weekend away.Harrison’s latest sounds like it won’t hold back when it comes to the horrors of vampires, making it a compelling addition to the genre. The premise, themes of friendship, and success of Harrison’s previous books make this September release one to watch out for.
7The Devil By Name By Keith Rosson
The second book in Ketih Rosson’sFever Houseseries is hitting shelves this September, and it may prove even better than the first installment. 2023’sFever Houseintroduces a wild story that starts with a severed hand — one that kicks off a global catastrophe.The Devil by Namepicks up five years after this incident, throwing readers into a world full of zombie-esque monsters. The survivors are forced to reckon with what’s happened, and the book’s main characters are mourning and trying to save humanity.
It sounds as thoughThe Devil by Namewill tackle the aftermath ofFever House’s worldwide tragedy with an impressive scope.
From the synopsis, it sounds as thoughThe Devil by Namewill tackle the aftermath ofFever House’s worldwide tragedy with an impressive scope.Rosson’s sequel already has a 4.61 averageGoodreadsrating ahead of its release, suggesting that it’s just as good as its predecessor — perhaps even better. Those looking for a horror story that tackles many deeper themes won’t want to miss out onThe Devil by Name.
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6William By Mason Coile
Mason Coile’sWilliamcouldn’t arrive at a more relevant time, as the book tackles the subject of AI using a haunted house narrative. The book follows Henry, an engineer who creates AI consciousness in a half-made robot he calls William. Henry’s obsession with William — and AI in general — keeps him locked up in his home, spending most of his time in the attic. He even keeps his own wife, Lily, at arm’s length. And when she shows up with guests eager to meet him, they find themselves in a bizarre and nightmarish situation thanks to William.
Williamoffers yet another unique twist on a haunted house story in September, and its themes make it ideal for a modern-day audience.Williamis bound to be a hot topic of discussion throughout the fall 2024 season, especially with the recent discussions surrounding AI. EarlyGoodreadsreviews suggest this book is every bit as eerie and gruesome as it promises, setting readers up for a thrilling ride.
5Sleep Tight By J.H. Markert
Pitched for fans ofThe Black PhoneandThe Wicker Man,J.H. Markert’sSleep Tightis getting positive attention ahead of its September 2024 release. Markert’s latest revolves around a serial killer called Father Silence, who posed as a priest to get close to his victims. After Father Silence meets his end on death row, a new serial killer shows up to continue his legacy. Detective Tess Claibourne, whose father is the killer’s first victim, sets out to track him down. And to do so, she’ll need to visit the sole survivor of Father Silence’s “House of Horrors” years ago.
Sleep Tightsounds eerie, and one can tell its central mystery is gripping from its synopsis alone.The book’s 4.17 averageGoodreadsrating bodes well for its success this September, with early reviews confirming that Markert’s latest will keep readers up at night. It sounds like the perfect novel to pick up ahead of Halloween season, especially for fans of Markert’s previous books.
4Here One Moment By Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty’s thrillers aren’t as dark as other books in the genre, but they still tend to feature gripping stories with shocking endings. Hopefully, that will be the case forHere One Moment,the author’s September 2024 release. Its 4.15Goodreadsrating bodes well for its success, though it’s too soon to tell if it will reach the heights ofBig Little Lies.
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Here One Momentboasts an intriguing premise, and its story begins on a seemingly ordinary domestic flight. When someone dubbed “The Death Lady” boards the plane, all its passengers discover when and how they’ll die. As they realize the truth behind The Death Lady’s projections, they’re forced to contend with their own morality. ThroughHere One Moment’s narrative, Moriarty questions whether people who know their fates will still try to avoid them — or if they’ll take advantage of the life they do have. It sounds worth a read, if only for the existential debate it raises.
3The Night We Lost Him By Laura Dave
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Laura Dave is best known for writingThe Last Thing He Told Me,andthe author is back with another mystery/thriller book in September:The Night We Lost Him.The Night We Lost Himsees estranged siblings Nora and Sam calling a truce on the heels of their father’s death, all so they can dig up the man’s mysterious past. Although Liam Noom’s death is deemed an accident, his kids don’t believe this to be the case. And given the secrets Liam keeps, their suspicions may be well-founded.
Those familiar with Dave’s previous books know the author has a knack for tackling family drama, and it sounds likeThe Night We Lost Himwill have no shortage of it. That alone makes this a must-read thriller release, though the synopsis' promise of “a heartbreaking final twist you’ll never see coming” is equally intriguing. Hopefully, Dave’s latest delivers on the thrills it promises.
2Graveyard Shift By M.L. Rio
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Most readers know M.L. Rio thanks toIf We Were Villains,and fans of the author’s work will want to pick up her horror novella in September.Graveyard Shiftentwines the lives of five night-shift workerswho regularly pass one another in an old cemetery. One evening, their usual routine is interrupted by a freshly dug grave — one that raises all kinds of questions about why it’s there and whom it’s for. When the person who dug the grave returns to the site, the group discovers he may be responsible for recent local incidents.
After the success ofIf We Were Villains,Graveyard Shiftshouldn’t be missed.
The five workers realize they may be connected to the gravedigger’s comings and goings as well, withGraveyard Shiftweaving an intriguing web.Rio’s latest promises to deliver a mysterious and compelling storythat will no doubt appeal to those who love gothic horror. After the success ofIf We Were Villains,Graveyard Shiftshouldn’t be missed.
1The Hitchcock Hotel By Stephanie Wrobel
Alfred Hitchcock’s moviesserve as the inspiration for Stephanie Wrobel’s September 2024 release, which follows a diehard Hitchcock fan as he hosts a weekend getaway at his themed hotel. Aptly titled,The Hitchcock Hotelchronicles the gathering, which sees Alfred Smettle reuniting with his college film club after 16 years. The synopsis teases that the group shares a disturbing history together, and Alfred’s plans for them take an equally dark turn. In proper Hitchcock fashion, it seems the getaway will see a body being found.
The Hitchcock Hotelsounds like a fantastic read for movie buffs, though anyone can appreciate the central mystery it sets up. Even without its Hitchcock themes, the book features a premise reminiscent of whodunits likeGlass Onion.The fall is the perfect season for athrillerlike this one — and there are sure to be even more exciting releases in the genre in October.
