Some of the Best Paranormal Mystery Thriller Books in 2020

2020 has been a year to forget for many reasons. However, one bright spot of the year for me has been the fact that I have had time to reconnect with books that I love. I have had more time to read than any other year and I am grateful for it.

One genre that I love is paranormal mystery. Thankfully there have been some pretty good launches so far this year in this category with more to come in the next few months.

I am giving below some of the best paranormal mystery thriller book launches so far in the year. The list is mainly made up of books that are stand-alone novels or at least the start of a new series. I have avoided those books that were launched in 2020 but are part of a series where you need to start from book one launched in previous years.

1) The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Published in February 2020, The Sun Down Motel by author Simone St. James is described as a chilling and creepy paranormal thriller.

The Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York has some secrets up its sleeve. Viv Delaney, who took up a job at the motel as a night clerk mysteriously disappeared in 1982. Now, many years later, her niece Carly Kirk decides to investigate what happened to her aunt when she moves to Fell.

The bone-chilling mysteries of the Sun Down Motel is perfect for paranormal fiction fans who want serious thrillers, creepy paranormal activity and haunting locations.

2) Ghost River by Jon Coon

Ghost River by author Jon Coon was published in May 2020.

Paranormal fiction stories set in the seas are quite intriguing and author Jon Coon specializes in this genre.

The book revolves around underwater criminal investigator Gabe Jones. Gabe has the ability to talk and communicate with the dead. Now he has to investigate the loss of his partner Charlie in the waters of Florida.

Ghost River is an entertaining read with water spirits, mysterious killers, paranormal action etc.

3) Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

Home Before Dark by author Riley Sager was published in June 2020.

This book has got some huge accolades from some of the biggest publishing houses in the world including becoming a New York Times bestseller.

This is a genuinely haunted tale of a woman who returns to the house made famous by her father’s horror memoir. The memoir talks about evil spirits and demonic forces that terrified her family twenty-five years ago. However, Maggie Holt, now grown-up does not remember the events of her childhood. She does not even believe in them as an adult.

Home Before Dark is an excellent paranormal psychological thriller written in a way that gives both perspectives – the current one from the eyes of Maggie Holt and from the horror memoirs written by her father.

4) If It Bleeds by Stephen King

Published in April 2020, If It Bleeds is a collection of four novellas “longer short fiction” stories by legendary paranormal fiction and horror author Stephen King.

The four novellas are as follows:

• Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
• The Life of Chuck
• Rat
• If It Bleeds

Obviously being a Stephen King book, you can expect all the thrills and paranormal mysteries he is famous for over the years.

If you are looking for tried and testing, good paranormal thrillers, then this book is for you.

5) Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

If you are searching for a good Latin-American paranormal thriller, then look no further than Mexican Gothic by author Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Published in June 2020, the book was an instant New York Times bestseller.

Noemí Taboada, is called to a mysterious mansion by her cousin in the Mexican countryside. The letter received by Noemi begged for her help to save her cousin.

Noemi does not know much about the region and has to explore the place and the mansion to unravel the mystery of her cousin. However, what she does not realize is that she herself may get seduced by the lure of the mysterious house and may never be able to leave.

6) The Legacy by Mark Snyder Jr

The Legacy by author Mark Snyder Jr was published in July 2020. It is a dark young adult paranormal fantasy, not for the faint-hearted.

This book has some great character development with five different characters that have independent lives and backstories but come together to fulfill a shared destiny.

The Legacy will keep you guessing till the end as each character’s story develops and the shared story between all the protagonists come together.

7) The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

The Ghost Tree by author Christina Henry was published in September 2020. This is a dark historical paranormal fantasy.

People have started disappearing in a small town called Smith’s Hollow. While it is a mystery what is happening to the residents of the town, things start unraveling when a teenager starts to have dreams or visions that initially cannot be explained but is connected to the town.

This is another brilliant paranormal murder mystery with bone-chilling moments that is perfect for all paranormal thriller fans.