Some of the best horror skirts the line between psychological thriller and supernatural terror. In the spirit of Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, here are a selection of terrifying books. Don’t lose your head.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Image Via Goodreads
My personal favorite book of all time. It’s about a House that’s slightly bigger on the inside than on the outside. Actually, wait, it’s about a documentary about the family living in the House. But no, that’s not right either, it’s about a critical review of the documentary about the House. Well, in truth, it’s about a man editing the critical review of the documentary about the House. And that man is going insane. Highly recommended.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
A absolute classic tale of Gothic horror about an English governess who is either seeing ghosts, losing her mind, or both.
Songs of a Dead Dreamer by Thomas Ligotti
Image Via the New Yorker
Ligotti is probably the modern day inheritor of the mantle of Lovecraft. When it comes to horror writing few others come close to his prowess. A short story master and a talented cynical writer, this is his first short story collection and it’s bound to unnerve you.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
Image Via Occult
Published only a few years after The Exorcist, this is the true crime meets horror book that will keep haunted house and demonology enthusiasts turning the page. This book spawned a series of movies.
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Image Via MovieMania
A U.S. Marshal travels to a hospital for the criminally insane on a remote island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Adapted by Martin Scorsese into a Leanardo DiCaprio film.
Feature Image Via GeekTyrant