We here at Bookstr love a good horror novel, and there’s nothing quite like a Gothic classic novel to keep you on the edge of your seat. These books paved the way for future books in the horror and thriller genres and established well-loved tropes. We’ve compiled a list of five classic novels that will wrap you into the mystery and give you chills until the very end. Read on to discover them!
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
When a young, unnamed woman moves into her new, wealthy husband’s home, she discovers that his deceased first wife, Rebecca, still lingers in the minds of everybody who knew her. As the narrator becomes more and more isolated, details about Rebecca’s life and death begin to appear, and the narrator grasps for answers that always seem out of reach. This Gothic novel is perfect for any and all thriller lovers!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
After being abused and neglected, Jane Eyre flees her aunt’s home for a governess position at Thornfield Hall; she falls into a romance with her mysterious boss, Mr. Rochester. As time passes, strange events begin to happen at the house, and Jane must make tough choices for her future. The tension in this novel is fantastic and will capture the attention of all readers!
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Told untraditionally through sources like letters and newspaper articles and a variety of narrators, Dracula is a classic vampire novel that will take you from Transylvania to Hungary and keep you at the edge of your seat the entire time. The origin of the Legendary Count Dracula is the perfect read for any Gothic lovers!
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
Predating Dracula by about 25 years, Carmilla tells the story of a young woman haunted by the titular vampire and the unraveling of a great mystery. This book helped pave the way for lesbian vampire novels and established tropes of the vampire genre. Carmilla is an excellent book for anybody looking for more vampire tales!
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
In Victorian-era London, a prominent lawyer notices a strange connection between a murderer named Edward Hyde and his close friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll. As he delves deeper into the mystery of their relationship, he discovers that not everything is as it seems, and the reader will be left guessing alongside him!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of five of the spookiest classic novels! These books helped establish the horror and thriller genres, and they’re all worth checking out.
Discover more articles about spooky books here!
Learn more about our favorite classic novels here!
