Well, 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is also among the best. It's not just about the possession and the exorcism, but also about the psychological toll it takes on the characters involved. The fear, the doubt, and the battle between faith and the unknown are all explored in a very psychological way.
A really good psychological horror novel is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. The unreliable narrator creates a sense of unease and mystery. The story is filled with psychological twists as the narrator tries to piece together what she saw on the train and how it relates to a missing woman.
Well, 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson is really good too. It's about a group of investigators exploring a haunted house. The descriptions of the house's horrors and the things that lurk within are really spine - chilling.
Sure. 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King is really good. It's about a place where the dead come back, but not in the way you'd hope. It plays on the fear of losing loved ones and the unnaturalness of what returns.
Sure. 'The Midwich Cuckoos' is a great one. It tells the story of a village where all the women become pregnant at the same time due to alien influence. The children that are born are not quite human and their actions are very disturbing.
For beginners, 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker is a great start. The vampire Dracula is an iconic creature, and Stoker's writing creates a spooky atmosphere. It's a great introduction to the horror genre with a classic creature.
Sure. 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is a classic. The character of Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic in thriller literature. His mind - games with Clarice Starling are both terrifying and fascinating.
A good start would be 'The Girl with All the Gifts' by M. R. Carey. It has a unique take on the zombie - like apocalypse. The main character is a girl who is different from the typical zombies, and the story unfolds in a really interesting way.
One of the great ones is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It takes place in an isolated hotel and the psychological deterioration of the main character is truly terrifying. The sense of claustrophobia and the supernatural elements that play on the mind are masterfully done.
For beginners, 'Ib' is a good start. It has a relatively simple yet engaging story with some spooky elements that are not overly extreme. The art style is also not too grotesque which can be a plus for those new to the genre. Another one could be 'Doki Doki Literature Club', but be aware that it has some disturbing content later on. However, the initial part is quite accessible and it shows how a normal - seeming story can turn into psychological horror.
Sure. 'Mad Father' is a great psychological horror visual novel. It has a dark and disturbing story about a girl named Aya who discovers the secrets of her father's work. The game has a lot of gore and psychological trauma elements that add to the horror.
Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. This novel plays with the minds of the readers. It starts as a mystery about a missing wife, but as the story unfolds, it reveals the complex and often disturbing psychological games between the two main characters, Nick and Amy.