No Chainsaws, Just Crazy People: A Different Kind of Scary


When it comes to horror, not every character is a knife-wielding maniac. Some are just a little… flawed. Let’s explore the world of horror where the scariest thing is corporate greed and bad grammar. Trust me, it’s a scream!

The best example that comes to mind is Bug Spray by Felix ID Dimaro. This book is as much about horror as your annual performance review. Sure, there’s a spooky paranormal twist, but it’s really about a sociopath navigating the corporate jungle. With virtually no violence, it’s perfect for those who like their horror with a side of capitalism and a dash of “I can’t believe it’s not a slasher!”

The City by SC Mendes is an all-time favorite of mine. The main character is a detective who dabbles in violence, but only because it’s in his job description. I wouldn’t call him a sociopath, just someone who’s deeply flawed – think drug addiction and regular visits to, well, let’s call them ‘ladies of the night.’ The real horror here? The Mara, who profit from humanity’s need for torture and violence without getting their hands dirty.

I’m currently reading Survivor by JF Gonzalez. One character is involved in the snuff film industry, but he’s just the guy who lures women into these films. A sociopath? Definitely. Violent? Not so much. The book is fast-paced and fun, despite having more grammar errors than a first-year English essay. But hey, nobody’s perfect.

Body Art by Kristopher Triana features a character who works at a funeral home and… let’s just say he gets a little too artistic with his ex-girlfriends’ corpses. He’s not violent per se, but definitely qualifies as a sociopath and all-around sicko.

And then there’s Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison. The protagonists are a hot mess. Neither is violent, but both are deeply disturbed. The male is a bit more of a sociopath than the female, but hey, nobody’s keeping score.

Lastly, there’s 400 Days of Oppression by Wrath James White. This book has BDSM elements, so it’s more Fifty Shades of Scary than traditional horror. The main character, Kenyatta, is just a very flawed person. With all the racism he endured, you kind of get why he’s the way he is. This one’s a personal favorite, so I recommend it anyway – despite the title sounding like a really bad summer camp.

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