Most Anticipated Books in 2026

This is one of my favorite times of the year when I can speculate on my most anticipated books of the next year. I have selected 20 books that have sparked my interest for the next year. Horror is my favorite genre and the majority of the books favor that, but I through in other genres, like mystery, science fiction, and literary fiction. I have been given 6 ARC’s from my list so far, most have been through Netgalley. I believe my list is more unique and distinct from others. 

Please let me know your most anticipated books of 2026 in the comments.

The Final Score by Don Winslow – comes out on January 27, 2026, it is the first book since Winslow announced his retirement. I love Don Winslow. He is my favorite writer of crime fiction, hands down. The Final Score is a collection of six short novels from the master of crime fiction. I was so sad when Winslow announced his retirement, hopefully with publishing this, he will keep writing and publishing with our deadlines. He is just too good to stop. I requested an ARC for the Final Score, fingers crossed. The Final Score is published by William Morrow. 

Daytide by Chris Panatier – comes out February 26, 2026. Panatier describes it as a Black Metal Wizard of Oz. The Longing is a psychological disease that most choose suicide as a way out. A priest says he knows of a cure, but what will it take? I feel this is a heaven and hell novel. I was close to winning an ARC copy of Daytide at Jefcon, but did not. Daytide is the first novel published by Rapture Publishing.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser – comes out March 3, 2026. Lady Tremaine is a retelling of Cinderella told through the eyes of the “evil stepmother. I’m a sucker for a retelling, and this sounds good. The publisher did send me an ARC of Lady Tremaine. Lady Tremaine is published by St. Martin’s Press. 

Enemy of My Enemy by Alex Segura – comes out on March 24, 2026, and is the second book in the Marvel Crime series focusing on Daredevil. In the book, Matt Murdock must defend the Punisher for the murder of the Kingpin in the courts. In the streets, Daredevil has to fight the gangs wanting to take over the Kingpin’s territory.  I got to meet Alex at the Chattanooga Comic Con, and we talked about this book and his love for Daredevil. He wrote a book on the illustrated history of Daredevil that came out in November 2025. I enjoyed Lisa Jewell’s Jessica Jones novel, Breaking the Dark, the first book in the Marvel Crime series, which does not connect to Enemy of My Enemy. I did get an ARC for this and will read it in January. Enemy of My Enemy is published by Disney Hyperion Avenue.

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke – comes out April 7, 2026, is a debut creation from V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke. Six struggling authors are invited to a private island and have 72 hours to write an ending to a fellow best selling author who has died. The author is known for his killer twists. I love the premise, and V. E. Schwab wrote a mystery. I need this book in my life. I have requested an ARC for The Ending Writes Itself, fingers crossed. The Ending Writes Itself is published by Harper.

Sarafina by Philip Fracassi – comes out April 7, 2026, is a horror novel where 3 brothers go AWOL during the most brutal battles in the Civil War, but they find something much worse waiting in the woods. Fracassi was an author I found out in 2025, and he instantly became one of my favorite writers. Every novel has some elements of horror, but he switches genres, which really excites me. I will be reading a lot of him in 2026. I have requested an ARC for Sarafina, fingers crossed. Sarafina is published by CLASH Books.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – comes out on April 7, 2026. Yesteryear is about a trad wife who sells a pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and fresh farm eggs. She wakes up in 1855 and has to face the harsh reality of what true tradition is. Is this a twisted reality show? Has she had a mental break? Yesteryear is a debut novel from Caro Claire Burke that I’m hearing a lot of buzz about. Yesteryear is published by Penguin Random House. 

Shy Girl by Mia Ballard – comes out on April 7, 2026. Shy Girl is about Gia, who is broke and desperate, and meets Nathan, a wealthy stranger. Nathan offers her a job. For eight hours a day, Gia has to be his dog. She has to wear a collar, drink out of a bowl, and sleep in a cage. After eight hours, she is allowed to go home, but Nathan isn’t one to keep his promises. The premise of this horror has hooked me; it sounds crazy. I just received this ARC hours before posting this list!  Shy Girl is published by Orbit Books.

Monsters in the Archives by Caroline Becks – comes out April 21, 2026, is a nonfiction book about Stephen King and his works. What makes this book special is that King, himself, has given access to his private archives and drafts of his work for the first time. The book focuses on 5 works from Stephen King: Carrie, Salem’s Lot, Pet Cemetery, The Shining, and Night Shift. I will do a reread of Carrie and read Salem’s Lot and Pet Cemetery, both for the first time, before I read Monsters in the Archives. I have received the ARC for this. Monsters in the Archives is published by Random House.

Platform Decay by Martha Wells – comes out May 5, 2026, is Murderbot book 8. Murderbot is one of the handful of series I have kept up with. The series is cozy science fiction, and I love it. Platform Decay will have Murderbot leading a rescue mission, which requires him to spend time with human children. I love this series, and have only had one disappointing read. I have received an ARC for it and will be reading it in January. Platform Decay is published by Tor Publishing / Tor Books.

Marion by Leah Rowan – comes out June 2, 2026, is a book that asks what if Marion Crane did not die at the hands of Norman Bates in the shower at Bates Motel? What if she turned the knife on Norman? The book follows that alternative timeline. I have received an ARC for this. Marion is published by St. Martin’s Press.

It Came from Neverland by Cynthia Pelayo – comes out June 9, 2026. The blurb for it is: Peter Pan meets Stephen King’s It in this twisted horror retelling of a classic childhood fairytale set during WWI. The story takes place in 1914, when Wendy works as a teacher, and children keep disappearing. Wendy remembers Neverland differently from her brothers. In this story, Peter Pan steals children and murders them. I did enter a contest with Publishers Weekly to win a copy, fingers crossed. It Came from Neverland is published by Crooked Lane Books.

Headlights by CJ Leede – comes out on June 9, 2026. From the description: Seemingly innocent people are waking up on the side of the highway, with no memory of how they got there, wearing the skin of victims they’ve allegedly never met. And they each share one haunting detail: a strand of a stranger’s hair is tied around their tongue. That description is terrifying. When I met Brian McAuley at a con, he was praising CJ Leede and told me I needed to read her books.

Truth to Power by S.A. Cosby – comes out July 28, 2026, is the third book in the Marvel Crime series focusing on Luke Cage. Alex Segura did say Enemy of My Enemy and Truth to Power do connect. The plot is when Luke Cage is headed to Virginia to visit family, he uncovers a conspiracy turning vulnerable Americans into unwitting tools of a madman’s quest for power. Truth to Power is published by Disney Hyperion Avenue.

Devil Inside by Clay McLeod Chapman – comes out August 11, 2026. The blurb for it is:  A man who’s back from the dead meets a woman who’s from somewhere even worse in Clay McLeod Chapman’s new horrormance about love, possession, and just a little murder. The story is a romance with horror elements, and I’m all for it. Devil Inside will be published by MIRA.

Pictures of You by Josh Malerman – comes out September 8, 2026 – no cover is about Emily after a night out with her new boyfriend, Jack. She wakes to find herself trapped in a room that she discovers is in a picture frame. On the other side of the frame is a strange artist who claims Emily is her masterpiece. I’m always up for a Josh Malerman book. He is one of my Instabuy authors. Pictures of You is published by Del Rey.

Victorious by V. E. Schwab – comes out October 6, 2026 –no cover, it is the third book in the Villains series. Vicious is the first book in the Villains series and my favorite V.E. Schwab book out of the 7 that I have read. This is one of my favorite series. I’m so happy she came back to write another book after Vengeful. Originally, she said she envisioned the series as a trilogy, but used her sequel and third book ideas for Vengeful, and was happy with a duology. So very happy to get another one.  Victorious is published by Tor Publishing / Tor Books.  

Red God by Pierce Brown – has no date – no cover as of yet, but is rumored to come out in the Summer. Red Gods is the seventh book in the Red Rising Series. The Red Rising series is an epic science fiction series that has shocked me at every turn. I will be doing a reread of the series leading up to the possible release. Red God is published by Del Rey. 

The Talisman 3 by Stephen King and Peter Straub – No date – no cover has been set, but a first draft has been completed. King has no books scheduled for 2026. I’m hoping we get this book. The Talisman is underrated and one of my favorite Stephen King books. Sadly, co-author Peter Straub has passed away. The third book will be based on some of Straub’s old notes for the third book. The book is rumored to be tied more to the Dark Tower than previous books, The Talisman and Black House. I plan to reread The Talisman and Black House around the summer. The Talisman 3 is likely to be published by Simon and Schuster.

Hunger by Joe Hill – no date – no cover has been set, but rumored for October 2026. Hunger is an 18th-century ghost story. He has said the last third of the book is his scariest yet and dives into the horror. I love Joe Hill. I have read all his novels, short story collections, and novella collections. I have also read most of his graphic novels. Hunger is my most anticipated book after loving King Sorrow so much this year. The Hunger is published by William Morrow.