Stephen King's 'Rose Madder' also features a haunted house - like setting. King is a master of horror, and in this book, the house holds many secrets and terrors. The main character's journey in and around this menacing place is filled with suspense and horror, with the house almost becoming a character in itself.
Another good one is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. This novel is very unique in its structure and narrative. It plays with the concept of a house that seems to be constantly changing and has a lot of mind - bending horror elements. It's not for the faint - hearted as it can be quite complex and disturbing.
Well, 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is definitely in the top 5. It's a terrifying story of demonic possession that was so impactful it became a famous movie too. And then there's 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. The idea of a burial ground that brings things back wrong is truly spooky. Oh, and 'Interview with the Vampire' by Anne Rice, which gives a different take on the vampire genre.
Another top pick would be 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. This novel introduced the world to the iconic vampire, Count Dracula. It's filled with Gothic horror elements, from the spooky Transylvanian setting to the slow - building sense of dread as Dracula makes his way to England.
Another great one is 'Locke & Key'. It combines horror with mystery. The story is set in a large, old house with keys that have strange powers. There are all kinds of spooky creatures and secrets to uncover.
One of the top Japanese horror novels is 'Ring' by Suzuki Koji. It's a classic that introduced the world to the terrifying Sadako. The story is centered around a cursed videotape. Once you watch it, you'll receive a call saying you'll die in seven days. It's really creepy and has been made into a very successful movie series.
One of the best existential horror novels is 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft. It creates a sense of cosmic horror where the protagonist discovers the existence of a terrifying, ancient being. Another great one is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. Its unique formatting and the story of a house that defies the laws of physics add to the existential dread. 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson also fits. The isolation and the strange family dynamics create an atmosphere of unease and existential horror.
One underrated horror novel is 'The Ruins' by Scott Smith. It has a really creepy premise. A group of tourists visit an ancient Mayan ruin, and things start to go horribly wrong. The sense of isolation and the unknown is what makes it so terrifying. Another is 'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons. It's about a haunted house that affects the lives of those around it in very disturbing ways. And 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It combines elements of Lovecraftian horror with a unique and haunting story about fishing and the supernatural.
One of the top African novels is 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe. It gives a profound look into the Igbo society before and during the colonial era. Another great one is 'Half of a Yellow Sun' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which is set during the Biafran War and explores themes of love, war, and identity. And 'The Famished Road' by Ben Okri is also a must - read with its unique blend of magical realism and African folklore.
Well, 'The Exorcist' is a great scary novel. It tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demon, and the exorcism process is filled with horror. 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King is also in the top. It plays on the fear of death and the unknown beyond it. These novels are really good if you like to be scared while reading.
For me, 'Hell House' is a must - read. It has all the elements of a great haunted house novel. There are strange noises, unexplained phenomena, and a sense of evil that pervades the house. 'The Shining' is also super scary. Jack Torrance's descent into madness as he is influenced by the Overlook Hotel is really well - written and terrifying.
A really good coming of age horror novel is 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs. It's about a boy who discovers a strange home full of children with special abilities. He has to grow up fast as he uncovers the secrets and the horror within. 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks is also worth reading. It's a disturbing and thought - provoking story about a young man's life and the strange and often horrifying things he experiences. And 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman is a unique take on the genre. A boy is raised in a graveyard among the ghosts, and as he grows, he learns about the world of the living and the dead.