The Girl Next Door – Jack Ketchum

A deeply disturbing horror novel inspired by true events that explores cruelty, abuse, and the darkness hidden within ordinary people.

The Girl Next Door took off on BookTok for its unflinching psychological horror, telling a story that is inspired by a true crime. The story follows a teenage girl who is imprisoned and tortured by the local neighbourhood children.

Ketchum, who is often praised as being comparable to Clive Barker (Hellraiser) and Thomas Harris (Silence of the Lambs), wrote The Girl Next Door based off of the shocking murder of Sylvia Likens in 1965.

All Nightmare Nook Books are selected by our chief Book Ghoul, Cat. Here’s why adding The Girl Next Door was a must:

“There’s no horror more terrifying than one grounded in reality. Although this story is inspired by rather than drawing directly from the real-life case, it still makes for a truly disturbing read. True crime readers and Netflix doc fans, add this to your list.”

Condition:

Brand new and ready to disturb.