My Best Friend's Exorcism

Set in 1988 South Carolina, My Best Friend's Exorcism follows high school sophomores Abby Rivers and Gretchen Lang, best friends since an E.T.-themed birthday party in 1982. Their friendship has been a constant through the challenges of adolescence, complete with Madonna singalongs and summer adventures. After an evening of experimentation with LSD at a lake house, Gretchen vanishes into the woods and returns changed. As her behavior grows increasingly strange, Abby becomes convinced that her best friend is possessed by a demonic force. The novel combines 1980s nostalgia with supernatural horror, building tension as Abby fights to save her friend while navigating high school social dynamics and skeptical adults. The story centers on the bond between the two girls as they face forces beyond their understanding. This horror tale explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the transformative nature of adolescence against a backdrop of demonic possession. The narrative questions how far someone will go to save a friend and what remains of relationships when faced with the impossible.

Readers say this book balances 1980s nostalgia, horror elements, and a strong female friendship story. Many found it unexpectedly emotional, with the friendship between Abby and Gretchen at its core. Readers liked: - The authentic 80s pop culture references - The mix of humor and horror - Character development of the two main friends - The final act's emotional impact Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the first third - Some found the demonic possession aspects predictable - Too many period references for some readers - Content warnings needed for eating disorders, abuse Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (82,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (5,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (2,400+ ratings) "Equal parts heartwarming and terrifying" appears often in reviews. Multiple readers noted they cried at the ending despite expecting pure horror. Several compared it to "Stranger Things meets The Exorcist."

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix A story of female friendship and trauma bonds a group of slasher-film survivors who must face a new threat targeting them decades after their original ordeals.

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero Former teen detectives reunite in their twenties to solve a supernatural mystery from their past while confronting the psychological toll of their childhood adventures.

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix A 1990s true-crime book club of Charleston housewives transforms into a vampire-hunting force when evil moves into their neighborhood.

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix Employees at a knockoff IKEA store face supernatural entities during an overnight shift in this tale of retail horror and corporate monotony.

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix A former heavy metal guitarist discovers her old bandmate sold their souls for fame and must embark on a cross-country journey to confront him and reclaim what was taken.

🔮 Grady Hendrix worked as a bartender, a bookseller, and a parking booth attendant before becoming a successful horror novelist. 📚 The book's physical hardcover edition was designed to look like a high school yearbook, complete with signatures and '80s-style layouts. 🎬 The novel was adapted into a film in 2022 starring Elsie Fisher and Amiah Miller, with Amazon Studios handling the distribution. 👻 The author extensively researched real exorcism cases and Catholic ritual practices while writing the book, though he chose to create his own unique take on possession. 📻 The chapter titles in the book are all names of popular '80s songs, creating a built-in soundtrack that reflects the era and mood of each section.