Few genres pull us deeper into the cold dark than horror, especially when told through Indigenous voices. Winter invites us to slow down, settle in, and grab a good book. Indigenous voices have brought us chilling, mesmerizing work that challenge genre expectations and offer new ways of understanding fear, survival, and connection. Let’s talk about it.
This list brings together five Indigenous books that deliver the perfect wintery mix of suspense, dread, and beautifully crafted terror. Some lean toward the psychological, others embrace sharp, character-driven stories but all are horrific in their own unique way. These books share a deep sense of place and storytelling tradition that amplifies tension in ways that are special and explored with a deep sense of the humanity that links us all.
Whether you crave a slow-burn, a twisty tale that keeps you up far past bedtime, or something that blends cultural lore with modern dread, these Indigenous voices offer winter reads that will grip you imagination and chill your bones, no matter how warm your blanket is.
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliot; from Dutton Books
“On the surface, Alice is exactly where she thinks she should be: She’s just given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Dawn; her charming husband, Steve—a white academic whose area of study is conveniently her own Mohawk culture—is nothing but supportive; and they’ve moved into a new home in a posh Toronto neighborhood. But Alice could not feel like more of an impostor. She isn’t connecting with her daughter, a struggle made even more difficult by the recent loss of her own mother, and every waking moment is spent hiding her despair from Steve and their ever-watchful neighbors, among whom she’s the sole Indigenous resident. Even when she does have a minute to herself, her perpetual self-doubt hinders the one vestige of her old life she has left: her goal of writing a modern retelling of the Haudenosaunee creation story. Then strange things start to happen. She finds herself losing bits of time and hearing voices she can’t explain, all while her neighbors’ passive-aggressive behavior begins to morph into something far more threatening. Though Steve assures her this is all in her head, Alice cannot fight the feeling that something is very, very wrong and that in her creation story lies the key to her and Dawn’s survival. She just has to finish it before it’s too late.” This novel is not winter-focused, but it is very chilling so I felt it fitting to add to this list. It reminded me tonally of “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Moon Of The Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice; from ECW Press
“With winter looming, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. Cut off, people become passive and confused. Panic builds as the food supply dwindles. While the band council and a pocket of community members struggle to maintain order, an unexpected visitor arrives, escaping the crumbling society to the south. Soon after, others follow. The community leadership loses its grip on power as the visitors manipulate the tired and hungry to take control of the reserve. Tensions rise and, as the months pass, so does the death toll due to sickness and despair. Frustrated by the building chaos, a group of young friends and their families turn to the land and Anishinaabe tradition in hopes of helping their community thrive again. Guided through the chaos by an unlikely leader named Evan Whitesky, they endeavor to restore order while grappling with a grave decision. Blending action and allegory, Moon of the Crusted Snow upends our expectations. Out of catastrophe comes resilience. And as one society collapses, another is reborn.” This novel was so horrific in its plausibility? I honestly think the “it could happen” stories hit so hard.
Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories by various authors; from Inhabit Media
“‘Taaqtumi’ is an Inuktitut word that means ‘in the dark’ and these spine-tingling horror stories by Northern writers show just how dangerous darkness can be. A family clinging to survival out on the tundra after a vicious zombie virus. A door that beckons, waiting to unleash the terror behind it. A post-apocalyptic community in the far North where things aren’t quite what they seem. With chilling tales from award-winning authors Richard Van Camp, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, Aviaq Johnston, and others, this collection will thrill and entertain even the most seasoned horror fan.” I absolutely ate this collection up. It is also short, if anyone is still after their TBR (to-be-read) goals for 2025!
We Like It Cherry by Jacy Morris; from Tenebrous Press
“Ezra Montbanc is burned out. The reality series he hosts about immersing himself into the cultures and celebrations of Indigenous tribes, borders on pure exploitation and has been relegated to tax write-off status by the network; this was not the prestigious journalism career he had long envisioned. Everything changes when Ezra receives an invitation to document the rites of a mysterious, hitherto unknown tribe: the Winoquin, who reside in the harrowing, inhospitable Arctic. Ezra and his crew depart immediately for the home of the Winoquin, only to find themselves in a bloody battle for survival against a mythical horror with a serious grudge against modern man. We Like It Cherry is a story about identity and the quest for success, splashed with supernatural slasher vibes and the nailbiting relentlessness of survival horror.” You can read my review for this one here: We Like It Cherry Full Review.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones; from Saga Press Books
“This chilling historical novel is set in the nascent days of the state of Montana, following a Blackfeet Indian named Good Stab as he haunts the fields of the Blackfeet Nation looking for justice. It begins when a diary written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall in 2012. What is unveiled is a slow massacre, a nearly forgotten chain of events that goes back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow, told in the transcribed interviews with Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar and unnaturally long life over a series of confessional visits. This is an American Indian revenge story, captured in the vivid voices of the time, by one of the new masters of literary horror, Stephen Graham Jones.” This book is a true masterpiece and I could not recommend it more.
Winter reading thrives on atmosphere, and these five Indigenous horror books deliver in unforgettable ways. Each title offers its own distinct blend of fear, beauty, and cultural depth, proving how vital Indigenous storytelling is to today’s reading landscape. These works transform cold nights into an immersive experience. Add them to your winter reading list, share them with fellow book lovers, and let their powerful voices accompany you through the darkest months of the year.
All book synopses and photos courtesy of the respective publishers
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