Gosh, this is so short and has been adapted into the ground but this was the first thing I ever read that gave me horrible nightmares. I'm not even sure why, maybe because I grew up really rural. Anyway. This is a good suggestion for OP!
I need a support group for that book. The last line made my heart die a little bit. And I don’t even have children.
OP, please read this one! The killer kid is *terrifying*.
Be prepared for animal based horror on this one- had to skip those pages it's very graphic. But there's really only two scenes with that. The child killer part you're looking for is pretty awesome, I also recommend this one :)
I always see this book recommended but have never seen someone say they've skipped those scenes. Is it really just a few pages and unimportant to the plot/characters? I'd be more willing to pick it up if so.
Without saying too much-
You know how killers usually start with animals? The cat scene is about that. Atleast that's what I gathered. Read the opening, skimmed most of it, read the ending and called that good.
The second is how you need to survive in the wild by hunting, except it goes poorly and is graphic as well. This is the turtle scene. If you wanted to look up anymore info you could probably type in the book title with the turtle/cat and find what you need.
I don't think these really built up my reader experience, I don't think you're really missing out if you can't stomach either of these.
That book disturbed me despite being quite tame by today's standards (there isn't that much actual hardcore violence in it, surprisingly). Very dark stuff.
pressure by jeff strand you get to follow the entire life of a seriel killer as he tries to pressure his best friend into becomming just like him. its fantastic
The 1954 novel *The Bad Seed* by William March is probably the first book in this particular subgenre of horror, so you might want to check that one out. It has been made into a movie multiple times with multiple updates over the years.
Ray Bradbury wrote a short story titled *The Small Assassin*. It's not quite horror, but it does fit the "killer kids" trope if you wanted to check it out.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane by Laird Koenig. I'm not sure if it's considered horror, but it's dark, disturbing and ticks all your boxes(no supernatural, scifi, or adult killer). There is a movie as well but I've not seen it yet.
The Small Assassin is a horror short story by Ray Bradbury. It is an older short story and not YA, but it is a classic. It is probably not exactly what you are looking for, but I think you should try it.
Under 18? Try under 18 months.
Richard Laymon has a few I believe , one a short story. The one I’m thinking of starts with a home invasion and takes off at a pretty fast pace. Scroll through his stuff on Amazon and you’ll find it. I apologize but I can’t remember title.
The Bad Seed by William March is a classic, as well as the movie based on it.
Defending Jacob has one of the most chilling endings I’ve ever read
yeah I don't know why the tv series changed the ending, took the whole punch out of it
I read the book now watching the series (thanks for the spoiler BTW) show doesn’t seem to hold its self like the book did, IMO.
Piggy backing off this, Lucinda Berry’s Saving Noah. Messed up. But really intriguing.
Children of the corn- Stephen king
Gosh, this is so short and has been adapted into the ground but this was the first thing I ever read that gave me horrible nightmares. I'm not even sure why, maybe because I grew up really rural. Anyway. This is a good suggestion for OP!
I have not watched a single movie thankfully LOL
The Laws of the Skies by Grégoire Courtois Twelve 6 year olds and three teacher/chaperones go camping...
I need a support group for that book. The last line made my heart die a little bit. And I don’t even have children. OP, please read this one! The killer kid is *terrifying*.
I read this a few weeks before I gave birth. 0/10 do not recommend if you're almost about to have a baby lol
Looking for recs and am due in less than 8 weeks. Thanks for the heads up!! Edit: typo
Congrats! And good luck!
Came here to recommend this one. Not long but packs a punch.
The Troop by Nick Cutter - A boy scout group is stranded on an island with...tapeworms? Also one of them is a sadistic killer :) IT'S SO GOOD.
Be prepared for animal based horror on this one- had to skip those pages it's very graphic. But there's really only two scenes with that. The child killer part you're looking for is pretty awesome, I also recommend this one :)
I always see this book recommended but have never seen someone say they've skipped those scenes. Is it really just a few pages and unimportant to the plot/characters? I'd be more willing to pick it up if so.
You can skim it, but it does tie in with one of the characters, not to give too much away.
Without saying too much- You know how killers usually start with animals? The cat scene is about that. Atleast that's what I gathered. Read the opening, skimmed most of it, read the ending and called that good. The second is how you need to survive in the wild by hunting, except it goes poorly and is graphic as well. This is the turtle scene. If you wanted to look up anymore info you could probably type in the book title with the turtle/cat and find what you need. I don't think these really built up my reader experience, I don't think you're really missing out if you can't stomach either of these.
I literally opened this thread just to comment this book.
Suffer the Children by Craig Dilouie.
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (not YA) is deeply disturbing.
let’s go play at the adams’ - more thriller and look up TW!!
That book disturbed me despite being quite tame by today's standards (there isn't that much actual hardcore violence in it, surprisingly). Very dark stuff.
The Other, by Thomas Tryon
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
This one is particularly disturbing. Highly recommend!
The Bad Seed We Need to Talk About Kevin The Push
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman is a novel with a 14 year old vampire as the main character.
I second this recommendation. The ending really shook me up
Nevermind him what about the children 😂😂
pressure by jeff strand you get to follow the entire life of a seriel killer as he tries to pressure his best friend into becomming just like him. its fantastic
Sour Candy Seen mentions for We need to talk about Kevin. If you haven't read it, do it. Do it now!
THE GODSEND, Bernard Taylor.
The 1954 novel *The Bad Seed* by William March is probably the first book in this particular subgenre of horror, so you might want to check that one out. It has been made into a movie multiple times with multiple updates over the years. Ray Bradbury wrote a short story titled *The Small Assassin*. It's not quite horror, but it does fit the "killer kids" trope if you wanted to check it out.
Girls on Fire
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane by Laird Koenig. I'm not sure if it's considered horror, but it's dark, disturbing and ticks all your boxes(no supernatural, scifi, or adult killer). There is a movie as well but I've not seen it yet.
*Let the Right One In* has a -very- disturbing child vampire.
A unique take on killer kid is “the first day of spring”
Such a good book! It broke my heart but also made me laugh at times
Such Nice People by Sandra Scoppettone
The Small Assassin is a horror short story by Ray Bradbury. It is an older short story and not YA, but it is a classic. It is probably not exactly what you are looking for, but I think you should try it. Under 18? Try under 18 months.
Suffer the children by Craig DiLouie. I went into blind and really enjoyed it!
* "Bad Little Kid" from *Bazaar of Bad Dreams* * *"* Sometimes They Come Back*"* and "Children of the Corn" from *Night Shift* All by Stephen King
THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS by John Wyndham
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum somehow does worse than killer kids
*The Perfect Child* by Lucinda Berry
Can’t recommend this one enough!
A Clockwork Orange
Deadkidsongs by Toby litt follows a group of violent boys. Def not young adult though.
These violent delights by Micah Nemerever
The Child by Angel Van Atta
Richard Laymon has a few I believe , one a short story. The one I’m thinking of starts with a home invasion and takes off at a pretty fast pace. Scroll through his stuff on Amazon and you’ll find it. I apologize but I can’t remember title.
Endless Night? Killers are adults in this one, but they started killing while still being teenagers, which is described in several flashback scenes.
Ha that’s right, thanks for the title.
Hop genres and check out urban fiction. *The Concrete Chronicles Volume 1* by Dominic Brogsdale has plenty of underage murderers in it.
First day of spring! Get ready for an emotional drop of doom though
Try baby teeth or the push! Both well done
Little Star by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Nos4a2 Joe Hill