Paperbacks from hell: the twisted history of '70s and '80s horror fiction/grady hendrix

Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of the 1970s and 80s .

if you dare.

Page through dozens and dozens of amazing book covers featuring well-dressed skeletons, evil dolls, and knife-wielding killer crabsRead shocking plot summaries that invoke devil worship, satanic children, and haunted real estateHorror author and vintage paperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers killer commentary and witty insight on these trashy thrillers that tried so hard to be the next Exorcist or Rosemarys Baby .

Its an affectionate, nostalgic, and unflinchingly funny celebration of the horror fiction boom of two iconic decades, complete with story summaries and artist and author profiles.

Youll find familiar authors, like V.

Andrews and R.

Stine, and many more whove faded into obscurity.

Plus recommendations for which of these forgotten treasures are well worth your reading time and which should stay buried.