The 8 Most Hilarious Comedy Horror Novels You Must Read
Book RaiderWhen it comes to indulging in laugh-out-loud humor with a side of hair-raising horror, coupling those two genres might seem a bit odd. But trust me, comedy horror novels serve up just the right balance of humor + spooky, kind like a PB&J sandwich on All Hallow's Eve. Strange as it sounds, those eerie situations filled with ghoulish characters often provide the perfect backdrop for some rib-tickling comedy.
So, whether you're an avid horror fan looking for a lighter touch, or a comedy aficionado ready to embrace your darker side, we've got you covered. Get ready to defy logic, challenge myths, giggle at absurdities, and stare wide-eyed at your book pages while exploring the hilariously harrowing world of comedy horror. Just remember, when your sides start to ache from laughter, don't forget to glance over your shoulder now and then. Because when you're in this world, you never know who - or what - might be chuckling along with you.
John Dies at the End
by David Wong
Why John Dies at the End is on this list: This book mixes horror, comedy, and a whole boatload of absurdity together in a blender and the result is a smoothie of bizarre enjoyment. It's a perfect match for those who love laughter to echo through the halls of their haunted mansion.
Welcome to the bizarre world of David Wong's 'John Dies at the End'. It's an epic tale of two best friends who start seeing some pretty weird stuff after experimenting with a drug nicknamed 'soy sauce'. They soon realize the ability to see otherworldly things comes with a price - like dealing with monsters, parallel universes, and the impending doom of mankind. Sounds heavy, right? Not to worry. The whole monstrous adventure is slashed with humor so witty, it's impossible not to laugh.
What readers like: Readers love the addictive writing style, sardonic humor, and the fact that despite all the insane happenings, the characters feel strangely relatable. So if you’re into books that make you say, 'What the heck did I just read?' followed by, 'I need the next book, pronto', this one's for you!
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Practical Demonkeeping
by Christopher Moore
Why Practical Demonkeeping is on this list: This novel perfectly melds the terrifying aspects of a horror narrative with the absurd humor that Christopher Moore is known for, creating a unique genre all of its own - comedy horror.
Practical Demonkeeping introduces us to Catch, a demon with a taste for human flesh, and Travis, his human keeper. When these two reach the peaceful town of Pine Cove, things start to spiral quickly out of control, and not in a scary way, but more in a 'is this really happening?' kind of way. If you've ever wondered what it would be like if a B-rated horror flick was crossed with a sitcom, this novel delivers that, and then some.
What readers like: Readers enjoy the outlandish characters and unexpected plot twists. They also appreciate the moments of comic relief that lighten the dark plot lines. They love the way Moore takes the supernatural and turns it into something not quite so supernatural, but still spooky enough to keep those pages turning.
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Horrorstör
by Grady Hendrix
Why Horrorstör is on this list: Grady Hendrix serves up this hilarious mash-up of horror and humour in a flat packed box of laughs and screams. Essentially, this comedy horror will happily spook you with moments of pure terror while offering generous servings of hilarity - it's the marshmallow in your cocoa on a cold, creepy night.
Picture IKEA, but make it haunted. Yep, you read that right - Horrorstör is set in Orsk, an IKEA-type store, where every morning the workers are confronted with weirdly damaged merchandise. Like any good squad would, the crew decides to hold an overnight vigil in the store to solve the mystery. Instead of simple staffroom shenanigans, they are met with an otherworldly horror: the store is, indeed, haunted. What follows is a chilling and comic adventure as they traverse the horrors of flat-pack furniture, because nothing is scarier than not having the right-sized Allen wrench.
What readers like: Readers love Horrorstör for its unique concept - a blend of comedy and horror in a setting most wouldn't consider worthy of a spine-tingling tale. They enjoy Hendrix's witty writing style, compelling characters, and relatable setting. It's a book that catches you off guard, slipping in moments of laughter in between scenes of gripping terror. It's not every day that you find a book that can make you bust a gut laughing and promptly, jump out of your skin in fear, all in the same paragraph.
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The Eyre Affair
by Jasper Fforde
Why The Eyre Affair is on this list: When it comes to comedy horror novels, this one fits the bill to a veritable tee. It's got the dark and slightly scary vibes of the horror genre, but it's dearly peppered with a good helping of comedy that makes it as fun as it is creepy.
Imagine a world where the boundaries between reality and books are as blurry as the lines between comedy and horror. That's 'The Eyre Affair' for you. It transports you into an alternate 1985 where your favourite characters from literature can be kidnapped from the pages, and literature police (yes, literature police) like Thursday Next are there to recover them. Things turn thrillingly ridiculous when Jane Eyre is kidnapped right from 'Jane Eyre'. Yes, the literature police, time-travel, a villain who's partial to vampirism, and then some; it's almost like a roller-coaster ride you wish won't stop.
What readers like: Readers dive headfirst into this mix of hilarity and horror, and enjoy the quirky concept - a combo of alternate history, fantasy, and comedy horror. It’s the kind of book that works in a 'laugh and a shudder' pattern, with its catchy sense of humour and imaginative plot taking turns to captivate. They also appreciate Fforde's ability to maintain suspense while whipping up some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. What's more, literature lovers get a nerdy kick out of the constant references to classic book titles and authors.
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Beauty Queens
by Libba Bray
Why Beauty Queens is on this list: Beauty Queens perfectly pans out in the rarely explored genre of comedy horror, whisking you away on a laughter-filled, jaw-dropping, and nail-biting journey that teaches you to not judge a book by its cover.
This oddball of a story is about a plane carrying fifty teenage beauty queens that crashes on a supposedly deserted island. With no rescue in sight, they must survive the harsh conditions, the bickering among themselves, their slipping beauty routines and oh, the dystopian wacko villains. What starts as a beauty contest ends up as a hysterical and terrifying plot, teetering between life and death, laced with sarcastic humor and ironically scary events.
What readers like: Readers love this book for its ability to perfectly balance comedy and horror, transforming a seemingly innocent situation into a laugh-out-loud, edge-of-your-seat adventure. Bray's knack for satire is brilliantly seen in this uncanny survival journey, pushing readers to roll with laughter one minute, then shiver the next. Her unique characters, relatable teenage struggles, and unexpected plot twists are hugely applauded.
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Expecting Someone Taller
by Tom Holt
Why Expecting Someone Taller is on this list: With its whacky, yet charming blend of supernatural absurdities and real life struggles, this novel brings horror and comedy together in a symbiotic relationship that will have you trying to hide a chuckle or two behind your terrified gasps.
Ever imagined possessing a magical ring that belonged to the doomed, love-struck Tristan of the Tristan and Isolde saga? Malcolm Fisher didn't. Yet, the ordinary Englishman finds himself in this fix when he accidentally runs over the last member of a lineage of mythical Germanic giants. As you'd guess, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Suddenly, he's the not-so-proud owner of an ancient ring that everyone in the supernatural world covets. The tale unravels as Malcolm navigates a hilarious set of mishaps and endures the wrath of gods, with a lot of British wit and deadpan humor thrown into the mix.
What readers like: Readers love the book's ability to make ridiculously supernatural situations feel almost 'ordinary'. Fans highlight the author's use of clever satirical wit that lightens up even the darkest of the mythical quest. The underlying tinge of fast-paced, unexpected plot twists, coupled with Malcolm’s bumbling character that can't help but stumble deep into uncharted territories, make this book a must-read for those in for a bit of laughter mixed with horror.
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Gil's All Fright Diner
by A. Lee Martinez
Why Gil's All Fright Diner is on this list: Horror and comedy go hand-in-hand in this book. It's more likely to make you laugh out loud than scream in terror. Imagine if a campy B-movie horror plot was written with witty dialogues and ridiculous situations - that's this book in a nutshell.
Located in the middle of nowhere, a truck-stop diner becomes the unlikely battleground for the survival of the human race. Enter two unlikely heroes, Duke and Earl, who are more interested in a hot meal than saving the world. The monsters are relentless, the stakes are high, and the humor is off the charts.
What readers like: Readers can't get enough of the unlikely pairing of an over-the-top werewolf and a really weary vampire. The humor is smart and the characters are lovable in their own gruff and grumpy way. Many readers have noted that they've re-read this book simply because it is a joy ride of laugh-out-loud moments peppered with horror.
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Reaper Man
by Terry Pratchett
Why Reaper Man is on this list: Because let’s face it, nothing says comedy-horror like a protagonist dressed in black, armed with a scythe. With not a shed of blood, Pratchett somehow manages to keep you in stitches while subtly sending chills down your spine.
Fired from his lifelong position as the Grim Reaper for being a little too compassionate, Bill Door, a.k.a. Death, tries to fully integrate into the human world - clumsily making jam, and potentially getting involved in a turf war with some peculiar zombies. Meanwhile, a new, fierce and business-like death has taken up his old role, causing conflicts with the natural order of things.
What readers like: An absolute delight for readers who love the supernatural but who are also equipped with a wacky sense of humor. As usual, Pratchett's talent for wit, satire and allegory is strong in 'Reaper Man'. Readers love the quirky blend of comedy and horror, the complex characters and the book's unique take on the meaning of life and death.
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