Book List: Must-Read Gothic Novels, Part 3 (2000–Present Publications)

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This week I’m concluding my three-part “Must-Read Gothic Novels” series with works published from 2000–present. Scroll back for my earlier posts featuring Parts 1 and 2, which covered works published prior to 1900 and between 1900–1999.

Today’s post includes three bonus titles, because I couldn’t bear to remove any of these amazing books from the list! And rest assured, this blog will include many more gothic-dedicated posts in the future, including another must-read series. And now, on to Part 3!

Must-Read Gothic Novels Published From 2000–Present

• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005), a fascinating exploration of Dracula’s origin story that blends fact with fantasy as it catapults readers on a worldwide quest winding through ancient libraries, monasteries, and archives.

• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2006), a macabre, troubling, and page-turning suspense tale full of shocking, twisted, and dangerous family secrets that keeps the reader guessing until the end.

• The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (2009), a claustrophobic, terrifying, rage-fueled slow-burn that leaves the reader with anxiety verging on panic attack levels (but in a “good” readerly way that will sear this story into your mind forever!).

• Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller (2018), a strange, menacing, twisty, and binge-readable gothic psychological story of isolation, dysfunction, and trauma surrounding a trio of unreliable characters and a decaying house.

• The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (2023), a twisty, mesmerizing female friendship fairy tale filled with dark, flawless, gorgeous prose.

• Bonus: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (2019), an exciting, mysterious, funny, terrifying, and bizarre space story where lesbian necromancers explore (and attempt to survive) a haunted gothic palace. Unlike anything I’ve ever read, and I loved every second!

• Bonus: It Will Just Be Us by Jo Kaplan (2020), an atmospheric haunted house tale with an eerie, intense, unnerving, and sinister storyline, unique premise, and chilling conclusion.

• Bonus: When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen (2021), a haunting, powerful, gruesome, and richly written Southern gothic that confronts trauma and the horrifying historical injustices surrounding slavery and oppressive racism that reverberate through to the present.

• TBR Pile Peek: Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler (2005), The Only One Left by Riley Sager (2023), A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand (2023)

What are your favorite gothic novels published from 2000–present?

❤Amanda

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