by Christopher O’Halloran (@BurgleInfernal)
For better or worse, 2020 provided many a surplus of free time. Some took the chance to learn a new language or a new instrument. Some tried their hand at breadmaking or crocheting. Some took the time to become better acquainted with their partner. To reignite the spark in their relationship.
Well, that spark can kindle a fire in the oven…and I’m not talking about bread anymore.
While experts are forecasting a baby-bust in North America, anecdotal evidence has shown that babies are on their way in record amounts. If you aren’t preggo, you likely know someone who is. One only has to reactivate their Facebook account to see the myriad celebratory posts.
Celebration, however, often goes hand-in-hand with anxiety.
When my significant other was pregnant in 2019, like other dads, I devoured the parenting books. How to prepare for the birth, how to support mama, and how to be a loving partner once baby came.
I also found myself reading a ton of horror centered around pregnancy, babies, and raising children. It wasn’t deliberate, but it seemed like every other book I opened either featured demonic children or a world that was determined to take your baby away in some terrible accident.
Was it a mistake to read all those books? Who’s to say?
But we’ll give you the tools—ranked 1-10, from fetus to teen—to make that decision on your own. If nothing else, reading these stories will make the real-life horrors of raising a kid seem like child’s play!
1. ROSEMARY’S BABY BY IRA LEVIN
Rosemary’s Baby is the story of an idyllic couple planning for the future of their family. Despite career struggles, they decide to bring new life to their apartment, and Rosemary becomes pregnant. The trouble is, things don’t go according to plan. Any mother knows that a birth plan requires room for improvisation, but nothing about Rosemary’s pregnancy feels normal to her.
Goodreads | Amazon
2. IN THE TALL GRASS BY STEPHEN KING AND JOE HILL
We’ve seen enough horror movies to know that following a disembodied voice into the unknown is a bad idea, but when those maternal instincts kick in, pregnant Becky charges into the tall grass to rescue a lost boy. Being lost is one thing; being lost while pregnant is a whole ‘nother.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
3. INFERNO BY CATHERINE CHO
The body and mind do some wild things after giving birth. Hormones fluctuate wildly, returning to a pre-pregnancy baseline in a way that is often unpleasant. In Catherine Cho’s case, she finds herself suffering from postpartum psychosis, leading to a new parent’s worst fear: being taken away from their baby.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
4. THE CHANGELING BY VICTOR LAVALLE
Caring for a newborn isn’t easy. There are hardships and challenges you never see coming. Family members who insist on kissing your baby. Differing opinions with your spouse on child-rearing. The inevitable bump and subsequent bumps that learning how to move brings. You do whatever you can to protect your child. Cover hard edges with pool noodles. Affix gates at the top and bottom of every staircase. Spend hours researching what shape cucumbers need to be cut into to avoid choking.
But what if it’s not enough?
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
8. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN BY JOHN AJVIDE LINDQVIST
Latchkey kids will get up to trouble no matter how much you think you can trust them. They’ll try substances they shouldn’t. They’ll almost burn the house down while cooking.
They’ll befriend vampires and entertain desires to maim and murder.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
9. THE EXORCIST BY WILLIAM PETER BLATTY
Every parent knows the pain of a child waking up in the middle of the night, coming to your door, and explaining that they’ve puked in their bed. It’s inevitable. All you can do is clean up the mess and comfort your little one.
When the vomit spews projectile-style and is followed by vile curses and straight blasphemy, you’ll need more than a hot-water bottle and some loving cuddles to solve the problem.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Check out Kealan Patrick Burke’s novellas Blanky and Sour Candy. One deals with the unexpected loss of a child, and the other deals with the unexpected acquisition of a child. Both are creepy as hell!
Blanky: Goodreads | Amazon
Sour Candy: Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
Christopher O‘Halloran—HWA and HOWLS member—is a milk-slinging, Canadian actor-turned-author previously published by Hellbound Books, Tales to Terrify Podcast, The Dread Machine, and others. Despite transitioning to writing, Chris still puts his acting diploma to use; he acts like a fool for chuckles from his wife and son at home in British Columbia. He’s co-editor and contributor for the anthology Howls From Hell featuring a foreword by Grady Hendrix. Fans of stories about vein-removal and Phoenix-women against the patriarchy can visit COauthor.ca for stories, reviews, and updates on his upcoming novel, Pushing Daisy. Contact him there or on Twitter @Burgleinfernal.
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