Kennedy Cole is the author of There Used to Be People Here, out today from Berkley. Below, she recommends three of her favorite paranormal thrillers.

I’d agree with readers who’ve said that my debut is as much of a thriller novel as it is horror. Taking place in a single week, this story follows an unlikely pair of detectives as they investigate a strange murder starting in a gay bar in 1978 Mississippi. It’s gruesome, uncanny, and may have a toe or ten dipped in sci-fi. So, with that being said, here are three paranormal thrillers I suggest for readers hoping to dive into the subgenre.

As a reader who’s been recommended books by Tananarive Due for years, I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass the torch and endorse her latest novel, Mazywood. A historical horror novel set in a mountain cabin and following a famous Black actress’ generations-long legacy, this book is perfect for readers seeking thrillers rich with place and a lurking monster with a story of its own. Plus, really, really good writing.

I read We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer in a single sitting, trapped in a coffee shop booth with no choice but to turn the page. It was utterly captivating, so well written, and God, one of the scariest books I’ve ever read. Following a queer couple who’ve recently purchased a new home and are in the process of moving in, things shift quicker than expected in this terrifying, lightning-paced novel. I highly recommend it for thriller fans looking to dig their way out of a slump.

And, if you’re intrigued, give There Used to Be People Here a read, too.

photo credit: Aria Canady, 2025

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