Discover our collection of the best thriller authors like Grady Hendrix to keep you on the edge of your seat.
American author and screenwriter Grady Hendrix is known for his novels Horrorstor, My Best Friend’s Exorcism, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, and How to Sell a Haunted House. In addition to his literary achievements, Hendrix is also known as one of the founders of the New York Asian Film Festival.
Hendrix has written for several media outlets, including The New York Post and The New York Sun. Readers love the author’s gritty writing style and often find themselves wanting more of the same after they reach the end of his collection. His unique blend of 1980s nostalgia, supernatural horror, and dark humor has influenced a new generation of horror writers who aren’t afraid to inject levity into their scares.
Must-Read Authors Like Grady Hendrix
For more fantasy recommendations, you might also enjoy exploring best fantasy authors, authors like Brandon Sanderson, authors like George R.R. Martin, or discover our comprehensive guide to best fantasy authors.
1. Stephen King, 1947 - Present
Stephen King’s name is synonymous with thriller novels in modern literature. To date, the author has sold more than 350 million copies around the world. He’s also written several books under his pen name, Richard Bachman. King has stated that he typically begins developing his stories by creating a “what if” scenario. The author often pulls inspiration from his own life when writing, creating characters who are also writers.
Like Hendrix, King excels at grounding supernatural horror in relatable, everyday settings. His recent works, including Billy Summers (2021) and Fairy Tale (2022), continue to showcase his mastery of character-driven horror. His upcoming 2025 releases promise to maintain his position as horror’s reigning king while exploring new technological fears that resonate with modern audiences.
“The thing under my bed waiting to grab my ankle isn’t real. I know that, and I also know that if I’m careful to keep my foot under the covers, it will never be able to grab my ankle.”
Stephen King, Night Shift
2. Stephen Graham Jones, 1972 - Present
Stephen Graham Jones is a crime, horror, and science fiction author. Jones is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana. The author’s first book, The Fast Red Road, was written as his dissertation while studying at Florida State University. His 2020 horror novel, The Only Good Indians, won the Ray Bradbury Prize for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction.
Jones works to incorporate themes of morality and sincerity into his books, allowing readers to connect with the characters. His Indian Lake Trilogy, completed in 2023, has been praised as a modern masterpiece of slasher horror. Like Hendrix, Jones balances genuine scares with moments of dark humor and cultural commentary, making horror both terrifying and meaningful.
“And, if I’m to be honest here, yes, I did indeed stop trying, finally. But the body breathes whether you want it to or not. The heart keeps beating. Perhaps because it knows more than you do—knows that, past this experience, a whole new life will open up, and whatever infirmities persist, they can be dealt with one by one.”
Stephen Graham Jones, The Ones That Got Away
3. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, 1981 - Present
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a Mexican-Canadian author best known for writing “weird fiction.” Her notable works include 2014’s This Strange Way of Dying, 2016’s Signal to Noise, 2020’s Gods of Jade and Shadow, and 2021’s Mexican Gothic.
Currently, Moreno-Garcia writes a book column for The Washington Post. She has received many awards for her novels and short stories, including the World Fantasy Award for an Anthology, the Copper Cylinder Adult Award, the Sunburst Award, and the Aurora Award. Her 2024 release Silver Nitrate and upcoming 2025 works continue to blend Mexican folklore with contemporary horror, much like Hendrix incorporates pop culture nostalgia into his supernatural tales.
“The future, she thought, could not be predicted, and the shape of things could not be divined. To think otherwise was absurd. But they were young that morning, and they could cling to hope. Hope that the world could be remade, kinder and sweeter.”
Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic
4. Joe Hill, 1972 - Present
Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King, but he kept his famous connection secret until he saw success as a writer without his famous father’s help. He sold his first work professionally in 1997 but did not reveal his identity until a decade later. Hill’s works include 2007’s Heart-Shaped Box, 2013’s NOS4A2, and 2017’s Strange Weather.
In addition to full-length novels, Hill has written several short stories in magazines, including Subterranean Magazine, Postscripts, and The High Plains Literary Review. His recent graphic novel work and upcoming 2025 projects show his versatility across media. Like Hendrix, Hill masterfully balances horror with emotional depth, creating stories that scare and move readers simultaneously.
“God saves - but not now, and not here. His salvation is on layaway. Like all grifters, He asks you to pay now and take it on faith that you will receive later. Whereas women offer a different sort of salvation, more immediate and fulfilling. They don’t put off their love for a distant, ill-defined eternity but make a gift of it in the here and now, frequently to those who deserve it least. So it was in my case. So it is for many. The devil and woman have been allies against God from the beginning…”
Joe Hill, Horns
5. Victor LaValle, 1972 - Present
Victor LaValle is known for several novels, including 2002’s Slapboxing with Jesus, 2010’s Big Machine, 2017’s The Ballad of Black Tom, and 2018’s The Changeling. The author uses dark humor to tackle terrifying subjects while injecting gallows humor. While LaValle is best known for writing novels, he’s also written essays for several publications, including Essence Magazine, GQ, and The Washington Post.
Currently, LaValle works as an associate professor at Columbia. His 2024 work and upcoming 2025 releases continue to explore horror through the lens of social commentary, much like Hendrix uses genre fiction to examine contemporary issues. Both authors excel at making readers laugh before delivering genuine chills.
“To believe in only the practical, the rational, the realistic was a kind of glamour as well. But he couldn’t enjoy the illusion of order anymore. Monsters aren’t real until you meet one.”
Victor LaValle, The Changeling
6. Rachel Harrison, 1990 - Present
Rachel Harrison is a novelist and short story writer known for 2021’s Cackle, 2022’s Such Sharp Teeth, and 2020’s The Return. Many of the author’s books are based on her personal experiences while studying writing for film and television at Emerson College. During her studies, she learned to read Tarot and befriended a ghost, inspiring her to write horror screenplays.
Harrison’s 2023 release Black Sheep and her upcoming 2025 works showcase her talent for combining millennial humor with genuine supernatural scares. Like Hendrix, she understands how to use familiar settings and relationships to amplify horror, making the supernatural feel disturbingly plausible.
“My problems aren’t invalid. Not to me. Just because they aren’t life altering, life-threatening, doesn’t mean they don’t make me feel bad. I wake up with them every morning, carry them around all day like a lead backpack, and I fall asleep with them at night. They’re real, and they’re mine. I know I’m lucky. I know that. But it doesn’t change how I feel.”
Rachel Harrison, The Return
7. Dean Koontz, 1945 - Present
Dean Koontz is a prolific suspense writer. His novels include elements of horror, satire, and mystery. Thirty of the author’s books have reached number one on The New York Times bestseller list. While he typically writes under his name, the author wrote under several pen names throughout his career, including Deanna Dwyer, K.R. Dwyer, and David Axton.
To date, Koontz has published over 105 novels and sold more than 450 million copies worldwide. His recent 2024 releases and upcoming 2025 works continue to blend supernatural elements with technological fears, much like Hendrix incorporates contemporary anxieties into his horror narratives. Both authors excel at finding the terrifying in the mundane.
“Never leave a friend behind. Friends are all we have to get us through this life—and they are the only things from this world that we could hope to see in the next.”
Dean Koontz, Fear Nothing
8. Jonathan Maberry, 1958 - Present
Jonathan Maberry is a suspense writer and playwright. Much of the author’s early work centered on martial arts, including the 1990’s Judo and You, 2002’s Ultimate Jujutsu, and 2003’s Ultimate Sparring. Over time, Maberry leaped into the horror genre, often focusing on the paranormal.
His horror works include 2000’s The Vampire Slayers Field Guide to the Undead, 2006’s Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us, and 2007’s The Cryptopedia. The author’s first novel, Ghost Road Blues (2007), won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His 2024-2025 releases continue to explore zombie apocalypse themes with fresh perspectives, similar to how Hendrix revitalizes classic horror tropes with modern sensibilities.
