The characters in these books are often faced with extreme situations. They might be isolated, either physically like being trapped in a desolate place, or emotionally, having no one to trust. This isolation amplifies the horror because they have to face the terrifying events all alone. And the pacing is usually fast - paced in the parts where the horror is intensifying, to keep the reader's heart racing.
The horror fiction books from 1986 probably had vivid descriptions to create a spooky atmosphere. They would use details like the creaking of old floorboards in a deserted house, or the howling of the wind on a desolate night. These descriptions were used to draw the reader into the terrifying world of the story.
They might have had a strong sense of atmosphere. In 1988, horror books often created a really spooky and oppressive mood, like dark, foggy settings or creaky old houses. This helped to draw the reader in and make them feel the horror.
Some might have a strong sense of psychological horror. For example, like in 'The Silence of the Lambs', it plays on the fears and the mindsets of the characters and the readers. The idea of a serial killer on the loose and the complex relationship between the hunter and the hunted is a characteristic that makes it so engaging.
Some of the books in that list likely had a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, they might have created a really gloomy and oppressive setting, like a haunted house or a desolate forest. This helps to build up the fear factor.
Many of these books often blend futuristic or otherworldly concepts (typical of science fiction) with elements that evoke fear. For example, they might have advanced technology that goes wrong and creates a terrifying situation.
Well, in general, the books from this list are likely to have elements that shock or startle the reader. They might have unexpected plot twists like in 'Bird Box'. Also, they often explore darker aspects of human psychology. The characters may be faced with moral dilemmas in the face of horror, which adds depth to the stories.
Another characteristic could be the use of unique and often disturbing creatures or entities. In 'Bird Box', the unseen monsters are a perfect example. Their mystery adds to the horror as the reader has to use their imagination to picture what could be so terrifying that just looking at it drives people insane.
Probably 'The Amityville Horror'. It got a lot of attention back then and was even made into a movie. People were really intrigued by the idea of a haunted house with such a dark history.
'The Changeling' had its share of popularity too. Its combination of horror and deep - seated human emotions like fatherhood made it a hit. It was different from the typical horror fare, and that uniqueness made it appealing to a wide range of readers who were looking for something new in the horror genre in 2017.
I'm not sure which are the absolute most popular, but 'The Ruins' was quite well - received. It had a great premise and the horror elements were really effective, which attracted a lot of readers.