This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Night They Missed The Horror Show

   

   In the story, two teenagers with a penchant for mischief and a lack of sensitivity towards racial issues set out on a night that takes a dark turn when their quest for entertainment leads them to witness a gruesome scene of violence and torture. The night's events escalate as they become unwilling participants in a horror that surpasses anything they could have imagined, confronting the consequences of their own prejudices and the monstrous nature of true human depravity. The narrative serves as a chilling reminder of the horrors that can arise from ignorance and the depths of evil that can exist in the most unexpected places.

   The 8288th Greatest Book of All Time

2. 2. The Bottoms

   

   This novel is a gripping Southern Gothic mystery set in the 1930s East Texas. It follows the story of a young boy, Harry Crane, who stumbles upon the mutilated body of a black woman in the Bottoms, an area near the Sabine River. As more victims emerge, the community is gripped by fear and suspicion, with racial tensions running high. Harry and his father, Jacob, a moral and just man, find themselves at the heart of the investigation, confronting not only the brutality of a serial killer but also the harsh realities of racism and injustice in their small town. The narrative weaves a tale of suspense, family bonds, and the loss of innocence, against a backdrop of a deeply segregated society.

   The 8314th Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. By Bizarre Hands

   Stories

   

   This collection of short stories delves into the macabre and the grotesque, exploring the darker sides of human nature and the supernatural. With a blend of horror, suspense, and dark humor, the tales traverse a range of unsettling themes, from the bizarre and the surreal to the deeply disturbing. Each story is crafted with vivid detail and a unique voice, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary collides with the extraordinary, often leading to unexpected and chilling conclusions. The narratives are rich with Southern Gothic elements, reflecting the author's distinctive style and mastery of the horror genre.

   The 11323rd Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. The Drive In

   A B-Movie with Blood and Popcorn, Made in Texas

   

   In this horror novella, a group of friends visits a drive-in theater for an all-night movie marathon, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmarish reality when a mysterious comet passes overhead. The once-familiar setting transforms into a surreal and terrifying landscape where time and space seem to warp, and the patrons are forced to confront their darkest fears and primal instincts. As chaos ensues and societal norms collapse, the friends must navigate the bizarre and violent new world to survive, facing both external threats and the unraveling of their own humanity.

   The 17130th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. Savage Season

   

   In this gritty crime novel, two lifelong friends, Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, find themselves embroiled in a dangerous scheme when Hap's ex-wife, Trudy, reappears with a tantalizing proposition. She convinces them to help recover a sunken treasure of stolen money, supposedly hidden in a river by a group of radicals during the 1960s. As they delve deeper into the plan, Hap and Leonard encounter a series of violent and unexpected twists, forcing them to confront their own moral boundaries and the true cost of loyalty and greed. The story unfolds with a blend of dark humor and intense action, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of human nature.

   The 17130th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. Mucho Mojo

   A Hap and Leonard Novel

   

   In this gripping crime novel, two friends, Hap and Leonard, find themselves embroiled in a dark mystery when Leonard inherits his uncle's house and discovers a hidden skeleton and a stash of cash. As they delve deeper into the secrets of the past, they uncover a web of corruption, racism, and long-buried crimes in their East Texas town. The duo must navigate dangerous confrontations and moral dilemmas, relying on their unbreakable friendship and wit to unravel the truth and bring justice to light.

7. 7. In The Mad Mountains

   

   The story unfolds in a remote, mountainous region where a group of adventurers embarks on a perilous journey filled with unexpected dangers and mysterious occurrences. As they navigate the treacherous terrain, they encounter bizarre creatures and confront their own fears and limitations. The narrative blends elements of horror and adventure, creating a tense atmosphere that challenges the characters' resilience and camaraderie. Throughout their expedition, they must unravel the secrets of the mountains while battling both external threats and internal conflicts, ultimately leading to a gripping and suspenseful climax.

8. 8. Sunset And Sawdust

   

   Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in East Texas, this gripping tale follows a resilient woman who, after a devastating tornado, finds herself thrust into the role of sheriff. As she navigates the challenges of her new position, she uncovers a web of corruption, betrayal, and murder that threatens to unravel the very fabric of her community. With a blend of grit, determination, and a touch of humor, she must confront both external adversaries and her own inner demons to restore justice and find her place in a world dominated by men.

9. 9. The Thicket

   

   Set in the early 20th century, this gripping tale follows a young boy named Jack Parker, who is thrust into a perilous journey after his family is brutally attacked by outlaws. With his sister kidnapped, Jack teams up with an unlikely band of misfits, including a grizzled bounty hunter, a grave-digging dwarf, and a cunning prostitute, to traverse the treacherous Texas landscape in pursuit of justice and redemption. As they encounter danger and deception at every turn, Jack's quest becomes a profound exploration of courage, morality, and the bonds that form in the face of adversity.

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10. 10. Jonah Hex

    Two-Gun Mojo

    

    Set in the gritty and unforgiving landscape of the American West, this tale follows a disfigured bounty hunter with a notorious reputation for his ruthless efficiency and unyielding sense of justice. As he navigates a world teeming with outlaws, corrupt officials, and supernatural elements, he is driven by a personal code that often puts him at odds with both his enemies and allies. The narrative weaves together themes of redemption, revenge, and survival, painting a vivid picture of a man haunted by his past yet determined to carve out his own path in a lawless land.

11. 11. Paradise Sky

    

    Set against the backdrop of the post-Civil War American West, this gripping tale follows the journey of Nat Love, a young African American man who escapes the oppressive South to carve out a new life. As he navigates the harsh realities of frontier life, Nat transforms into "Deadwood Dick," a legendary cowboy and sharpshooter. His adventures are filled with danger, humor, and unexpected friendships, as he confronts racial prejudice and seeks justice in a world that often seems stacked against him. Through resilience and wit, Nat's story unfolds as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who dared to dream beyond the confines of their circumstances.

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12. 12. Cold In July

    

    In a gripping tale of suspense and unexpected alliances, a seemingly ordinary man, Richard Dane, finds his life upended after he kills a burglar in self-defense. As he grapples with the moral and legal consequences of his actions, Richard becomes entangled in a web of deceit and danger when the burglar's vengeful father emerges, seeking retribution. What follows is a thrilling journey through the dark underbelly of crime, where Richard must navigate shifting loyalties and uncover hidden truths to protect his family and survive the chilling events that unfold.

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13. 13. Rumble Tumble

    

    In this gritty and fast-paced tale, Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, two unlikely yet inseparable friends, embark on a perilous journey across the American Southwest to rescue a young woman from a dangerous life of exploitation. Their quest leads them into the heart of a seedy underworld filled with ruthless bikers, corrupt lawmen, and a host of unsavory characters. As they navigate this treacherous landscape, the duo relies on their wit, loyalty, and unyielding determination to confront the odds stacked against them, all while exploring themes of friendship, justice, and redemption.

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14. 14. Bumper Crop

    

    A collection of dark and twisted short stories, this book delves into the macabre and bizarre aspects of human nature, exploring themes of horror, suspense, and the supernatural. Each tale is a unique journey into the unexpected, filled with Lansdale's signature blend of humor and horror, where ordinary situations take a sinister turn, and characters are pushed to their limits in the face of the unknown. The stories are a testament to the author's ability to craft compelling narratives that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.
15. 15. Bad Chili

    

    In this gripping and darkly humorous tale, the story follows Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, two unlikely friends navigating the gritty underbelly of East Texas. When Leonard becomes the prime suspect in a murder case involving his ex-boyfriend, the duo embarks on a wild and dangerous journey to clear his name. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including a biker gang and a mysterious cult, all while unraveling a web of deceit and betrayal. With their trademark wit and resilience, Hap and Leonard must rely on each other to survive the chaos and uncover the truth.

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16. 16. Edge Of Dark Water

    

    During the Depression-era in rural East Texas, a young woman and her tight circle of friends launch a perilous river journey to honor a murdered lover by carrying his body to the Gulf for burial. Their trip down dark bayous and past shabby towns becomes a violent coming-of-age odyssey as they are chased by the killers and confronted with betrayals, raw grief, and hard-won courage. Woven with grit, black humor, and the mournful beauty of the Southern landscape, the story explores loyalty, loss, and the price of keeping promises.

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17. 17. H. P. Lovecraft's The Dunwich Horror

    

    In a lonely New England valley, an isolated farming family steeped in strange rites and old gossip produces a grotesquely precocious son whose rapid growth and secret experiments hint at otherworldly parentage; when the son’s bid to seize a forbidden grimoire from a university library ends in violence, an unseen, gigantic entity born of those dark unions begins wreaking havoc on the countryside, forcing a librarian and a handful of scholars to use ancient lore to expose the creature and drive it back from whence it came.