Horror is not usually part of the cozy party, but cozy horror does exist, and there are many great books in the subgenre. There’s usually a horror aspect that is creepy and sometimes triggering so check those warnings. What makes them cozy is usually a mix of atmosphere, setting and interpersonal relationship.
The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C.M. Waggoner
Librarian Sherry keeps finding bodies and solving murders, but none of her neighbors seem alarmed by the rising body count in town. But Sherry is convinced otherworldly.
When a close friend dies, and her cat becomes possessed, she must team up with the local priest and friends around town to solve the murder and exorcise the unholy being.
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Sam is going home, and her brother has expressed concerns. But Sam isn’t prepared for what she finds when she arrives. Her cluttered, artistic hippie of a mom has changed. Her house has now been painted every conceivable shade of eggshell. Her mother jumps at every sound. And there’s a jar of teeth hidden in the rosebushes.
The main character’s Southern charm and humor make this book a reasonably low-stakes, cozy horror. As the tagline says, it’s “Southern hospitality to die for.”
Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer
A group of suburban moms builds a shed in one of the lady’s backyards. Then things start to feel…off. They didn’t know that doing something so mundane would release a malevolent force into their lives and upset their little cul-de-sac.
Hopefully, the homeowners association won’t get wind of it.
The Invited by Jennifer McMahon
A couple, attempting to find a slower-paced life, decide to build their dream house on forty-four acres of beautiful property. Then, they discover that the property has a violent past. Three generations of women have died suspiciously. A haunted house, newly built.
This one is listed as cozy for the atmosphere and vibes. It is set on a bog and has many natural, cozy scenes amidst the horror.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
A blood-soaked tale of neighborly kindness gone wrong.
Patricia is a mom of teenagers. Her husband is a workaholic. The light of her life is a monthly book club. But when she meets James Harris and the kids in the town go missing, she begins to suspect he’s more of a monster than just the Ted Bundy kind. She and her book club are in the line of fire.
Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff
Generations ago, the founders of the idyllic town of Lake Argen made a deal with a dark force. In exchange for their service, the town will stay prosperous and successful and keep outsiders out. And for generations, it’s worked out great. Everything abruptly goes sideways until a visitor goes missing, and his wealthy family sends a private investigator to find him.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Opal lives in a small town, trying to get by and raise her brother. She dreams of the local gothic manor in the city. On a chance encounter, she gets a job cleaning the house. But things are not as they seem. From the dark and brooding owner of the house to the houses near sentient behavior to the weird monsters that lurk on the property. Opal must solve the mysterious history of the house and try to make it out alive.
This story’s gothic atmosphere firmly places it in the cozy category, but it also contains a few trigger warnings and high-stakes plot points.
Good Mourning, Darling by Azalea Crowley
Ella is estranged from her family and wants nothing to do with their funeral home business. When her life is threatened, it’s up to her failing enemy to keep her safe.
It is a limited third-person dual POV cozy horror romance featuring darker themes.
Readers Also Enjoyed:
