'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill. This novel creates a very eerie and desolate atmosphere. The story of the vengeful woman in black is told in a way that builds tension effectively. It's not too complex in terms of plot for a beginner to follow but still packs a good amount of horror.
'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is also a good choice. It's more of a slow - burn horror, focusing on the paranoia of the main character, Rosemary. The sense of something being not quite right in her new home and her pregnancy is what makes it so scary. It doesn't rely on a lot of jump scares, which can be a plus for a beginner.
For a beginner, I'd recommend 'Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories'. Dahl is known for his children's books, but these ghost stories have a different edge. They are spooky enough to give you a taste of horror without being overly terrifying. They are well - written and often have unexpected twists that will keep you on your toes.
For a beginner, 'Doki Doki Literature Club' could be a start. It doesn't have overly complex gameplay and it eases you into the horror aspect. At first, it seems like a normal dating sim, but then the horror elements start to seep in and it gets really disturbing. However, be warned that it does have some disturbing content. Another option could be 'Ib'. It has a relatively simple concept of being trapped in an art gallery. The scares are more about the atmosphere and the strange things that happen around you.
I'd recommend 'The Golem' by Gustav Meyrink. It's a great starting point as it is quite accessible and it really sets the mood for golem - related horror. It has all the elements like mystery, a bit of the supernatural, and a creepy atmosphere.
For a beginner, 'The Monkey's Paw' is a great choice. It's a short story that shows how a simple wish - granting device can lead to horror. The family's desperation and the unexpected and dark outcomes are quite effective in creating a sense of dread.
Sure. 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is a good one. It seems like an ordinary small - town story at first, but then it takes a very dark turn. It shows how blindly following traditions can be extremely harmful. It's not too overly gory or complex, so it's great for a beginner.
For a beginner, 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a classic that is sometimes underrated among modern readers. It's a great introduction to psychological horror. 'The Siren and the Specter' by Jonathan Janz is also a good choice. It has a traditional haunted house story but with some interesting twists. Also, 'A Head Full of Ghosts' by Paul Tremblay, which is a thought - provoking horror novel that's not too difficult to get into.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' is a good one. It has a spooky old house setting and a sense of creeping dread. Another is 'Coraline'. It's a bit more family - friendly but still has its scary moments, like the other mother with buttons for eyes. And 'Goosebumps' books are also great for beginners as they have a variety of short, not - too - intense horror stories.
For a beginner, I'd recommend 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. The creation of a monster through scientific means and the moral and ethical questions it raises are strange in a thought - provoking way. Also, 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. The vampire lore and the count's powers and his hunt for victims is a strange and captivating concept. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is also good. The house itself seems to have a life of its own and the psychological horror that unfolds as the characters stay there is a great introduction to strange horror novels.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has a very eerie atmosphere. The story revolves around a group of people staying in a supposedly haunted house. It doesn't rely on excessive gore but rather on psychological unease to create horror.
A great beginner - friendly Hulu short horror story is 'The Mirror'. It's about a young woman who moves into a new apartment and there's an old mirror on the wall. She starts to notice that her reflection doesn't always match her movements. It builds suspense slowly and doesn't rely on extreme shock factors to be scary.