Horror is an interesting genre. There is a lot of thrill, suspense, and excitement. It gives a certain kind of rush. Many people watch it with utmost excitement, however, others can’t stand to watch even one horror movie themselves. In most horror movies, one constant thing is the haunted house. There is always one abandoned property that contains all sorts of spirits and bad vibes.
Some of the remarkable horror movies such as Annabelle, Conjuring, The Exorcist, and many more also possess such houses.
Well, if you are not a fan of movies, don’t worry. Books have got you covered. There are plenty of horror books available to entertain you the most. As the options are abundant, we have narrowed down the search for you.
In this article, we will present you with the 10 best horror books with a detailed description of each.
Let’s dive in!
10 Best Horror Books
1. House Of Leaves
Highlights
Author: Mark Z. Danielewski
Last Published: 2000
Publisher: Pantheon
Description
This novel is one of the most remarkable horror novels ever. There are a lot of gripping and horrifying scenarios in the book. According to The New York Times, this is a novelistic mosaic that feels like a dreamlike excursion.
A lot of years ago, there was a House Of Leaves, that was surrounded by tons of papers that could be found on the internet. There are a lot of things explained in the novel. You can understand the character psyches, philosophical and historical ramifications of the house. The story is well-detailed and nail-biting. Moreover, the explanation of the story about the house breaks imaginative ground with logic.
The multilevel description of madness and intriguing events in the story makes it an entertaining read. Interestingly, it also gives you a new perspective.
Overall, it’s an interesting and scary novel.
You can buy this book here.
2. The Haunting Of The Hill House
Highlights
Author: Shirley Jackson
Last Published: 2006
Published: Penguin Classics
Description
This is one of the most haunting stories ever written! This story is also a Nextflix show now with the same name. It was first published in 1959. This book surely makes you experience unnerving terror. There are a lot of haunting twists in this spooky story.
The plot is extremely interesting and keeps the readers intrigued. A lot of scenarios make you shiver in fear. You just have to keep your imagination tab on. The overall writing of this book is extremely easy to understand and engaging. The writer does not lose connectivity with the plot at any second.
The most important and horrifying character termed as bent neck lady puts you in wonder and anticipation. Readers wait till the end to find out everything about this character. The climax is shocking and horrifying. Overall, it’s a masterpiece and you must read it.
You can buy this book here.
3. The Shining
Highlights
Author: Stephen King
Last Published: 2012
Publisher: Anchor
Description
This novel is the number one New York Times bestseller. It is not just a novel but a classic American horror movie that will leave you trembling. The plot of the story is quite unique and dreadful.
Jack Torrance gets a new job at the Overlook hotel. He is posted at the hotel in the off-season as the caretaker. There will be plenty of time for him to connect with his family and work on his writing as well. But things are not as simple as they seem. Slowly the harsh winter and the location turns everything sinister. Initially, his wife is unable to understand her surroundings.
However, a five-year-old Danny notices all the abnormal happenings. The entire story holds the theme of demonic possession and creates an unsettling atmosphere for the readers.
There are several disturbing accounts that are too frightening. Overall this plot will scare you to bits. To experience the same.
You can buy this book here.
4. A Head Full of Ghosts
Highlights
Author: Paul Tremblay
Last Published: 2016
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Description
This novel has been awarded as the winner of the 2015 BRAM STOKER award. It is a chilling thriller that is a great amalgamation of both psychological and supernatural horror. There are tons of gut-wrenching and horrifying scenarios in the book.
The story talks about a suburban New England family. They’re all deeply stressed as they get to know that their 14-year-old kid is displaying signs of acute schizophrenia. Even the doctors are unable to control the madness surrounding her. Finally, they contact the priest for help. Father suggests an exorcism as he tells that the young teenager is the victim of a demonic position.
The entire story is shot by a production company and it soon becomes popular. However, a lot of shocking incidents take place in between. 15 years later, when her younger sister Mary is being interviewed she recalls the horrific incidents. The entire story is a psychological horror that questions science and religion, memory and reality, and evil.
To explore more of this horrific story.
You can buy this book here.
5. The Only Good Indians
Highlights
Author: Stephen Graham Jones
Last Published: 2020
Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press
Description
This novel is a New York Times bestseller. It is a complete psychological horror and talks about identity politics along with the American Indian experience. The story is about the lives of four American Indian men and their families, regularly haunted by a deadly event that happened in their youth.
There are several nerve-wracking incidents that take place along the journey.
After some years, they realize that they are being tracked by someone who has vengeful beliefs. They find themselves helpless when everything turns violent and possessed. This novel will definitely give you nightmares. It is a heartbreaking unique story about survival that revolves around the themes of cultural identity, traditions, and family.
Overall, it is a spectacular American horror novel. It has terrifying and biting commentary. If you wish to experience it.
You can buy this book here.
6. Ghost Story
Highlights
Author: Peter Straub
Last Published: 2016
Publisher: Berkley
Description
The number one New York Times bestseller is a classic story of dangerous ghosts, horror, and secrets. There are several horrifying incidents in the story.
The story talks about the town of Millburn in New York. For old men tell stories to each other where some are true and some are made up. However, each story is nail-biting and horrific. It is just their way to pass the time by listening to each other’s tales.
Interestingly, one story does not leave them and follow their small town for a long time. This story involves a mistake that they committed a long time ago. It was a horrifying accident. Although a lot of years have passed, the past is here again. There are lies in the hard way that some things cannot be buried in the past. The tale has plenty of twists and turns.
How do they handle the situation? Do they successfully escape? Does someone die? To get all these answers, you must give this brilliant storytelling novel a read.
You can buy this book here.
7. It
Highlights
Author: Stephen King
Last Published: 2011
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Description
This is one of the most terrifying classics by Stephen King. It is a horrific tale that will give you nightmares for some handful days.
The story is about a town, Derry. It’s a decent and good place to live in. However, there are several twists and turns. There is a specific group of children who feel and see different things in a horrible way. At times, there appears an evil clown called Pennywise that instigates some horrific events.
IT reaches masses and results in killings and horrendous events thereafter. There is a series of nightmares and sullen depths of memoirs. It will amaze you. The way the clown elevates the evil characters is chilling. Overall, the style of writing is completely engaging and easy to understand.
There are several incidents that will keep you hooked to the end of the story.
To unravel more of this gripping tale.
You can buy this book here.
8. Mexican Gothic
Highlights
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Last Published: 2020
Publisher: Del Rey
Description
This novel is a New York Times bestseller and revolves around Mexican Gothic stories. It gives the readers a chilling experience all along the journey.
The story starts from an isolated mansion and a charismatic aristocrat. There is a sort of secret going on. A socialite wants to expose this treacherous secret. However, there awaits a terrifying twist. Noemi, a character of the story, receives a frantic letter from her cousin to save her. She becomes the rescuer and heads towards the destination.
That house starts invading Noemi’s dreams with blood and doom.
The lead character is terrified by the incident that takes place in High place. She suddenly realizes that it is getting impossible for her to leave this house. Slowly she understands that she is trapped. The supernatural power compels the readers to engage more and more in this gripping novel.
You can buy this book here.
9. The Exorcist
Highlights
Author: William Peter Blatty
Last Published: 2013
Publisher: Harper
Description
This chilling novel was originally published in 1971. Later it also became a hit television series. It is one of the most horrifying novels ever written in history based on literary phenomena. However, it stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for a time span of 57 weeks. The story is inspired by a real incident of a child’s demonic possession.
Based in the 1940s, William curated an iconic novel with a young girl named Reagan as a lead character. She is 11 years old and lives in Washington DC. Unfortunately, she is possessed by a demon and a lot of drama around her is terrifying.
The same story was turned into a popular motion picture that gathered 10 Academy award nominations. It became extremely popular. The Exorcist is not just a story but a true landmark. It has the power to disturb readers and make it impossible for them to forget the story.
To experience this frightening tale.
You can buy this book here.
10. Hell House
Highlights
Author: Richard Matheson
Last Published: 1999
Description
Hell House is known as the scariest house novel ever written. The story is about the character Rolf Rudolph Deutsch who is about to die. However, he starts thinking about paying money to a physical and a mental physicist to understand facts after death.
Dr. Lionel, a physicist, comes to his rescue and agrees to work with him. He also brings two other physicists with him to study the ongoing episodes. A lot has been said about the house. It was totally haunted and was known to have paranormal activities.
While the team investigates the house, they find some nerve-wracking things. It becomes a horrific experience for them.
To unravel more about this scary novel, you can buy this book here.
Conclusion
Horror is a very engaging genre. There are several movies, and books written on this subject. The audience vastly loves mysterious stories. There is a certain level of thrill, suspense, and excitement.
If you are also interested in exploring more about it, then there are plenty of mediums. In this article, we provided you with the 10 best mystery books available.
We hope that this information helps you in the best way possible.
Keep learning, keep exploring!
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