Book cover of The Books of Blood Volume 3

Book description

Five stories in the third volume of Clive Barker's "Books of Blood". The stories are titled "Sun of Celluloid", "Rawhead Rex", "Confessions of a Pornographer's Shroud", "Scapegoats" and "Human Remains".

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Books of Blood Volume 3 as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

There are a lot of great stories filled with graphic sex, gore, and violence, as Clive Barker does so well, in this anthology but for me the standout story is the one of revenge titled, "Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud". It was written as a black comedy and Barker does it well.

Ronnie is a fervent Catholic who is falsely accused by the Mafia of being the ringleader of a pornography cartel. After killing two mobsters in retribution, he is brutally tortured and murdered by the mob. Except, Ronnie manifests as a vengeful spirit and animates the shroud covering his…

This one helped propel me into the world of writing horror. Besides King, I had been a consumer of the “quiet horror” anthologies of Charles L Grant. While I loved them and everything Grant did with the series, Barker came along and blew my young teen mind. The covers alone looked like something that should come in a paper wrapper. The stories have withstood the test of time and remain relevant today. For pure terror and scares at the time I would choose "Rawhead Rex" as the standout. This one scared the heck out of me, and I loved every…

From Paul's list on horror anthology story standouts.

If you love The Books of Blood Volume 3...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Books of Blood Volume 3?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Books of Blood Volume 3.

Browse books like The Books of Blood Volume 3

Book cover of Prodigal Son
Book cover of Carrie
Book cover of Dark Delicacies II: Fear

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,299

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Books of Blood Volume 3, you might also like...

Book cover of Karl's War

Karl's War by Neil Spark,

Karl's War is a coming-of-age-meets-thriller set in Germany on the eve of Hitler coming to power. Karl – a reluctant poster boy for the Nazis – meets Jewish Ben and his world is up-turned.

Ben and his family flee to France. Karl joins the German army but deserts and finds…

Book cover of Girl in the Ashes

Girl in the Ashes by Douglas Weissman,

Odette Lefebvre is a serial killer stalking the shadows of Nazi-occupied Paris and must confront both the evils of those she murders and the darkness of her own past.

This young woman's childhood trauma shapes her complex journey through World War II France, where she walks a razor's edge…

5 book lists we think you will like!