I’m kicking off the first Friday of Summer of Horror with a list! Last summer I explored color in horror book covers, and this year I’m tackling some horror tropes, both familiar and a little off the beaten path. Haunted or possessed dolls is one of the creepier themes in horror, and while it’s not as popular as other tropes, I managed to find eight books that fit the theme. I started with my Goodreads “read” list and was able to find quite a few. The last two books haven’t been released yet, but I’m dying to read both! I’m staying away from older books (I did an internet search for possessed doll books and found a bunch from the 1970s!) so these are all fairly new.
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix. This is the book that started my search for other possessed doll books. If you haven’t read it, the story revolves around a brother and sister who are wrapping up their parents affairs after they are killed in a freak accident. And their mother’s hobby was making dolls and puppets, which are EVERYWHERE in the house. This is a fun, spooky and emotional story that I highly recommend.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell. This book as well as the sequel (House of Splinters) are two of the scariest books I’ve read! They involve a family house that appears to be cursed with possessed “silent companions” (wooden figures that depict people and animals). Both are so much fun!
Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher. The possessed doll isn’t the main story element in this book, but I wanted to include it because there is indeed a doll that keeps moving around the house. The story itself is one of Kingfisher’s best, I loved it!
Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones. This awesome slasher is about a possessed mannequin, and it’s a quick read with a great twist.
Teddy Bears Never Die by Cho Yeeun. This is a recent read that I really enjoyed. The story revolves around a stuffed teddy bear possessed by the soul of a young boy. This is another slasher that’s perfect for summer, and if you’d like to give a translated Korean horror story a try, I recommend it.
The Cellar Below the Cellar by Ivy Grimes. This bite-sized folk horror novella involves a magical doll, a nod to a Russian fairy tale. I enjoyed this off-kilter story that was very different from anything I’ve read.
The Porcelain Sisters by Daryl Gregory. This is an upcoming October release that I’m very excited to read! The story is about a woman and her sister, who just happens to be a haunted doll!
She’s a Doll by Barbara Truelove. I love how obvious the title is—this is the story of a murdered girl who possesses a porcelain doll. I just requested this on NetGalley, I hope I’m approved!
I was wondering if How to Sell a Haunted House would be on your list!
Yes, it’s one of the creepiest and best!
I always find the idea of haunted dolls especially creepy. Its surprising that I was so drawn to reading The Silent Companions really lol but then again one of my favourite stories within the Susan Hill collection that I read last year also contained a highly disturbing doll. I’ll definitely be reading the Kingfisher title soon too. I hope you get accepted for your Netgalley request for the last one and will be watching out for your review if so.
I will have to check out that collection, thanks for the heads up:-)
Creepy dolls are so scary! What a great round-up. I know I’ve read books with this trope before… and other than Snake-Eater, I’m drawing a complete blank! That Daryl Gregory cover is enough to haunt me even without reading the book 🙂
I love that cover, I’m so excited to read a new Daryl Gregory book:-)
I don’t think I’ve ever read a possessed doll story, but I like the sound of these, thank you for the recommendations! I have gone straight to BorrowBox and borrowed The Silent Companions! I love the beginning! 😀
Ooh I hope you enjoy it!
I think haunted dolls are the creepiest … well, maybe haunted sentient houses might be a tad creepier. I loved How to Sell a Haunted House but haven’t read any of the others on the list.
Haunted sentient houses would be a fun list!
I’ve read three of the six that have been released. How to Sell a Haunted House definitely has some dolls that aren’t easily forgotten. Great list topic!
It’s hard to forget anything about How to Sell a Haunted House!
I really liked both How to Sell a Haunted House and The Silent Companions!! I really need to read House of Splinters – I wasn’t sure I was going to, but I keep seeing people talk about it. I also have She’s a Doll on my tbr.
I would definitely put up a vote for a classic – Slappy from Goosebumps. 😛
Slappy, love it!
No and no but I don’t think you will be surprised Tammy!
LOL not surprised at all!
Every time I think I might have safety gotten past it I turn around and there it is again, that blasted pink teddy bear! 🙂
LOL sorry Todd!
I am surprised there are not a lot of haunted doll books. It’s one of those tropes that is far more popular in film. Very creepy though. I would never own a questionably haunted doll. Though as a kid, I did own a doll that I used to say looked like Chucky’s sister. It was the freckles.
Chucky’s sister, omg. I do wish there were more haunted doll books, I would read them!
I’m liking the focus on tropes. The haunted doll is one of the scariest horror tropes, imo, which is one of the reasons why I’ve been procrastinating on reading Silent Companions.
The Silent Companions definitely has some scary moments:-)
This is a great idea for a list! I just added Silent Companions to my TBR. I can’t think of any haunted doll book I’ve read. I did buy a porcelain doll at a church thrift shop in town a few years ago and while I think she’s adorable, my kids think she’s creepy 🙂
Oooh I hope the doll isn’t haunted…
Possessed dolls are always super creepy imo. Loved this list! 😀
Thanks Lark! I agree, they are sooo creepy.
It’s such a scary theme! I love dolls in books – even though they terrify me (which is the point after all!) And OMG the Grady Hendrix book!
Lynn 😀
The Grady Hendrix book is still stuck in my mind, lol.
One of the Charlie Donlea books I like has dolls in it like this. It’s not mentioned in the synopsis but I think it was Some Choose Darkness.
I’ll have to check that one out:-)
I’ll be a lot more cautious about going into the loft where my Barbie dolls live, now:).
LOL I think I’d be terrified if I had a loft with old barbies!
Haha, I HATE dolls, I think they are super creepy and won’t allow any in my house. I don’t think the books here will make me feel any better about them 😀