Well, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a great literary horror story. It was one of the early vampire tales and has a very eerie and sensual quality to it. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can also be considered in this category. It shows the psychological breakdown of a woman trapped in a room, and the horror is more internalized. And 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is quite good too. The idea of a satanic cult plotting against an unsuspecting woman and her unborn child is really spine - chilling.
One of the best is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire Count Dracula. The novel builds a sense of creeping dread through its epistolary format, as the characters' letters and journal entries reveal the horror that unfolds. Another great one is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It's not just a horror story but also a profound exploration of human nature, science, and morality. The creation of the monster and the consequences that follow are truly terrifying.
One of the great new literary horror novels is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It combines elements of Gothic horror with Mexican folklore in a really engaging way. The setting of the old, decaying mansion adds to the spooky atmosphere.
Another is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. King is a master of horror, and this book is a prime example. The haunted Overlook Hotel, with its dark secrets and the slow descent of the main character into madness, makes for a truly terrifying read.
I'd recommend 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters for beginners. It's a more modern take on the haunted house story. The characters are well - developed and the sense of unease builds slowly. And 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is also good. It has a classic ghost story feel, with a creepy setting and a menacing apparition that haunts the main character.
One classic is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It introduced the iconic vampire figure, Count Dracula. The story builds a sense of dread through the descriptions of Dracula's powers and the slow realization of his presence in England. Another is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It's not just about a monster but also about the moral and ethical implications of creating life. The creature's isolation and his vengeful actions are quite terrifying. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson is also great. The idea of a man having a split personality, with the evil Mr. Hyde emerging from the respected Dr. Jekyll, is very spooky.
Another great horror story is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. A family stays in an isolated hotel during the winter. The father slowly descends into madness, influenced by the hotel's dark past. There are so many spine - chilling moments, like the twins in the hallway.
One of the best horror stories is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who is driven mad by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye and ultimately commits murder. The narrator's psychological descent into madness and his guilt - ridden conscience make it a truly terrifying read.
Well, 'The Exorcist' is a top - notch horror story. The possession of a young girl and the attempts to exorcise the demon are extremely creepy. 'Rosemary's Baby' is also great. It plays on the fears of pregnancy and the unknown, as Rosemary suspects that there's something sinister about her unborn baby. And 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. The idea of a burial ground that brings the dead back, but not in the same way, is a terrifying concept.
One of the best horror stories is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is driven mad by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye and ultimately murders him. Then he is haunted by the sound of the old man's still - beating heart.
One classic is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a story of a man's descent into madness as he is haunted by the eye of an old man he kills. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs, which shows the dangerous consequences of interfering with fate through a cursed monkey's paw. And Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery' is also a great example. It's set in a small town where an annual lottery has a very dark and unexpected outcome.