Well, they often have unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James, the narrator's perception might be distorted, making the readers constantly question what is real and what is in the character's mind. This adds to the sense of psychological unease.
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.
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.
One of the best is 'Doki Doki Literature Club'. It starts off seeming like a normal dating sim but takes a very dark and psychological turn. The characters' deteriorating mental states and the disturbing events that unfold make it a prime example in this genre.
The 'Silent Hill' visual novels can be considered among the best in horror psychological genre. They often explore deep psychological traumas and fears, with a very eerie atmosphere. Then there's 'Ib'. It's a short but impactful visual novel where you explore a strange art gallery filled with psychological horror elements like distorted paintings and unpredictable characters. 'Yume Nikki' is also great, as it delves into the psychological state of the main character through a series of dream - like and often nightmarish scenarios.
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, often they have a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, in 'Dracula', the misty and foreboding Transylvanian setting really sets the mood. Another characteristic is the creation of memorable and terrifying characters like Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. They also play with psychological fears, such as in 'The Shining' where the main character's slow mental breakdown is a big part of the horror. And many of them use elements of the unknown, like the strange and unholy in 'The Exorcist'.
One of the best is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It shows a woman's descent into madness as she is confined to a room with the hideous wallpaper. Another great one is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. The narrator's paranoia over the old man's vulture - like eye drives him to commit a terrible act and then be haunted by the sound of the still - beating heart. And 'The Cask of Amontillado' also by Poe, where the narrator lures his so - called friend into the catacombs for a sinister revenge, creating a sense of dread through the claustrophobic setting.
The recommendations for extreme horror and psychological horror novels are as follows:
1 The Evil Dead: This is a horror movie Edward's series of novels, including Ghost Blows Out the Light, fatherly 451 degrees and dragon soul, told a series of stories about horror, death and conspiracy.
2. The Evil Dead II: This is the sequel to Ghost Blows Out the Light, which tells the story of the protagonist's struggle against evil ghosts.
3 The Shining: This is a novel by the famous horror P Lovecraft. It tells the story of a passenger trapped on a mysterious ship who gradually falls into despair and madness.
The White Tower: This is a Japanese story about a doctor who discovers a series of murders while solving a patient's psychological problems.
5 " The Dark Forest ": This is a science fiction novel created by Liu Cixin. It tells the story of humans looking for a new home in the universe, which contains some horror and horror elements.
These novels all have a certain amount of psychological horror and extreme horror elements. I hope you will like some of them.
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.