I think 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris might be on the list. The character of Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic and terrifying villains in literature. His intelligence and his penchant for cannibalism make for a truly disturbing read.
Well, 'The Shining' by Stephen King is likely to be in there. It has a terrifying hotel setting and a man slowly losing his sanity. 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is also a strong contender. It's about a young girl possessed by a demon, and the attempts to exorcise it are truly spine - chilling.
Sure. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is a good start. It's a short but impactful story about the duality of human nature. Another one is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. His use of psychological horror is brilliant and it's an easy read.
For a beginner, 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill could be a great choice. It has a spooky atmosphere and a really creepy ghost story. Another option is 'The Amityville Horror' which is based on a supposed true story of a haunted house. It has all the classic elements of a horror story like strange noises, apparitions, etc. These books will introduce you to the world of horror literature in an accessible way.
They could also rank them according to how well - written the horror elements are. A novel like 'The Shining' has such great descriptions of the spooky hotel and the psychological breakdown of the characters, which would contribute to a high ranking. In addition, the popularity and longevity of a horror novel in the public consciousness might also be a factor in WatchMojo's ranking. For instance, 'Frankenstein' has been around for ages and is still widely read and studied, so it would likely be ranked well.
One popular horror novel could be 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It's known for its intense atmosphere in the haunted Overlook Hotel. Another might be 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which introduced the iconic vampire character. And 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley is also a classic in the horror genre, exploring the idea of a created monster.
One well - known horror novel is 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It tells the story of a family who becomes isolated in an old, haunted hotel during the winter. The hotel has a dark past and the father's sanity slowly slips away as he is influenced by the malevolent spirits within. Another is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. This classic novel introduced the iconic vampire, Count Dracula, and his attempts to spread his undead curse in England. It's full of gothic horror elements.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has a slow - building sense of dread and the atmosphere of the haunted house is really spooky.
Sure, 'The Fog' by James Herbert. It's a great horror read with elements of the unknown and a sense of impending doom.
'Frankenstein' is highly significant. Mary Shelley wrote it when she was young. It made people think about the ethics of creation. The idea of a man-made creature rebelling against its creator was a new and terrifying concept. It also explored themes of isolation and the outcast, which are common in horror today.
Sure. 'Jaws' by Peter Benchley is a very successful horror novel. The idea of a great white shark hunting humans is simple yet extremely terrifying. 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is also well - known. It has a spooky, gothic atmosphere that draws readers in. 'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman is another successful one, with its unique concept of a world where seeing something can kill you.