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