Some well - known 1980s horror novels include 'It' by Stephen King. This novel features a shape - shifting evil entity that preys on children in a small town. Then there's 'Fright Night' which was later made into a movie. It's about a teenager who discovers his neighbor is a vampire. Also, 'The Fog' by James Herbert, a story about a deadly fog that brings death and horror to a coastal town.
Some of the great 1970's horror novels include 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson. This novel explored the idea of a haunted house filled with malevolent spirits and the attempts to prove or disprove the existence of the supernatural within it. 'Burnt Offerings' by Robert Marasco was another. It centered around a family that rents a summer house with a very dark secret. The story builds tension as the family slowly discovers the true nature of the house they are staying in. And of course, 'The Other' by Thomas Tryon, which delved into the relationship between two twins and the disturbing events that occur in their small town.
One of the well - known 1960s horror novels is 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin. It tells the terrifying story of a young woman who becomes pregnant and suspects that her unborn child has a sinister origin. Another is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. This novel creates a very spooky atmosphere as it follows a group of people who stay in a supposedly haunted house. And 'Night of the Iguana' by Tennessee Williams also has elements of horror, dealing with complex human emotions and some disturbing situations.
Some famous 1930s horror novels include 'The Case of Charles Dexter Ward' by H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft was very influential in horror literature, and this novel is full of his signature elements like the exploration of the unknown and the cosmic horror. 'The Werewolf of Paris' by Guy Endore was also popular in the 1930s. It delved into the idea of the werewolf, a classic horror trope, in a different and engaging way.
One of the well - known 80s horror novels is 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. It tells a terrifying story about a burial ground with a sinister power that brings the dead back in a very wrong way. Another is 'The Shining' also by King. It features a haunted hotel and a man's descent into madness. And 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson is also popular. It's about a group exploring a haunted mansion filled with all kinds of paranormal terrors.
Some great 1970s horror novels include 'The Amityville Horror' by Jay Anson. It's based on the supposed true story of a haunted house. 'The Omen' by David Seltzer is also popular. It features the story of a young boy who may be the Antichrist. And then there's 'Salem's Lot' by Stephen King. It's about a small town that is invaded by vampires.
Some 1920s horror novels are quite interesting. For example, 'The Great God Pan' is a horror story that delves into the idea of forbidden knowledge and the unknown. It has a sense of unease and dread throughout. There were also works by H. P. Lovecraft emerging in the 1920s, like 'The Call of Cthulhu'. His works often involve cosmic horror, with the protagonists facing entities beyond human comprehension, which added a new dimension to horror literature in that decade.
One famous 1974 horror novel is 'Carrie' by Stephen King. It tells the story of a high - school girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied at school and then takes revenge in a terrifying way. Another is 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty, which revolves around the possession of a young girl and the attempts to exorcise the demon from her.
The story 'The Monkey's Paw' is also from this era. It's about a family who comes into possession of a mummified monkey's paw that has the power to grant three wishes. However, each wish is granted in a way that brings unexpected and horrifying consequences. For example, when they wish for money, they get it as compensation for their son's death at work. It's a great example of how horror can come from simple desires being horribly twisted.
One of the most famous classical horror novels is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. Another is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley, which explores the creation of a monster. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson is also well - known, dealing with the duality of human nature.
One of the famous ones is 'Ring' by Suzuki Koji. It introduced the terrifying concept of a cursed videotape. Once you watch the tape, you'll receive a call saying you'll die in seven days. This novel was so successful that it was adapted into a very popular movie.