Well, they frequently involve a journey or exploration into the unknown. In 'The Call of Cthulhu', the characters are drawn into a world of ancient and malevolent beings. The pacing is often slow - burning at first, building up tension, and then there are sudden bursts of horror. They also tend to have a moral or ethical aspect, like in 'Frankenstein', where the creation of life leads to unforeseen and horrifying consequences.
One characteristic is the blend of the supernatural and the real world. For example, in 'Dracula', vampires exist in an otherwise normal - looking Victorian society. Another is the use of dark, atmospheric settings like haunted houses or desolate landscapes to create a sense of unease. Also, there's often a sense of the unknown and the unknowable, which scares the readers.
Complex characters are also common. The characters in horror fantasy mystery novels usually have secrets or hidden motives. Take 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Dorian's pact with the portrait is a mystery and his descent into a sort of horror - filled existence while living in a somewhat fantastical world of high society and moral decay is a great example of how these elements work together.
Dark fantasy horror novels often have a gloomy atmosphere. They usually involve supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, or demons. For example, in 'Dracula', the presence of the vampire creates a sense of dread.
Many 2020 horror novels seemed to focus on modern fears. For example, in 'The Only Good Indians', there was a sense of dread related to the past coming back to haunt the present, which could be seen as a reflection of our fear of past mistakes catching up with us.
These horror novels also had a strong sense of mystery. In 'The Fireman', the origin and nature of the spore that was causing people to combust was a mystery that drove the plot forward. The readers were constantly trying to figure out what was going on, which added to the overall sense of unease and horror. There was also a trend towards more complex characters who had to deal with the horror in different ways, adding depth to the stories.
The 2019 horror novels had several characteristics. A lot of them had a strong sense of atmosphere. Whether it was the oppressive heat in a southern setting or the cold isolation of an old mansion, the settings added to the horror. The use of unreliable narrators was also common. This added an extra layer of mystery and unease as the reader couldn't always trust what they were being told. Moreover, these novels often had a moral or ethical underpinning, making the horror not just about scares but also about deeper human concerns.
One characteristic of horror novels is the creation of a menacing atmosphere. Authors use things like dark settings, strange noises, and gloomy weather to make readers feel uneasy. Another is the presence of terrifying characters, such as vampires, ghosts or deranged killers. Also, horror novels often play on the fears of the unknown, leaving readers in suspense and making them constantly wonder what's going to happen next.
Many of them play with the sense of the unknown. For example, they might have settings like abandoned asylums or old, haunted houses where there are things lurking in the shadows that the characters (and readers) don't understand at first.
Many of them would likely play on the psychological fears of the readers. This could include things like the fear of losing one's mind, or the fear of being alone in a menacing situation. They might also use elements of the supernatural in a way that was believable within the context of the story, blurring the lines between the real and the otherworldly. This was a time when horror was exploring different ways to terrify its audience, and these novels from 1976 were part of that exploration.
Many of them had a focus on psychological horror. For example, in some novels, the real horror came from the minds of the characters rather than just external monsters. It made the readers feel more involved as they could relate to the psychological states.
The settings are often very atmospheric. In novels like 'The Scarf', the places described seem to have a life of their own. They add to the sense of dread and unease, making the reader feel as if they are in that spooky environment.