The mystery. In good fiction ghost books, the unknown nature of the ghosts and their motives keeps readers hooked. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', we don't really know what the house is or what the forces inside it truly are. It makes us keep reading to find out.
Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a classic. It's a chilling tale of a group of people staying in a supposedly haunted house, with a great build - up of suspense and a sense of unease throughout. Another good one is 'Ghost Story' by Peter Straub. It weaves a complex narrative full of mystery and horror involving ghosts and the past.
Yes, there are. For example, 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman has elements that could be related to a ghost - like school in a sense. It's a story set in a graveyard where the main character, Nobody Owens, grows up among the dead. There are some strange and spooky elements that give a feeling of a ghost - school - ish environment.
They tend to play on our fears of the unknown. The ghosts are often not fully explained, leaving a sense of mystery. There could be strange apparitions, unexplained events like objects moving on their own. And the writing style usually uses a lot of descriptive language to create a sense of dread, such as describing the dark corners of a room where the ghost might lurk or the cold touch of an unseen hand.
'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is a classic. It's set in a desolate, fog - covered landscape which adds to the overall sense of dread. The ghost of the woman in black is a truly haunting figure, and the story builds up a great deal of tension as the protagonist uncovers her tragic past.
One of the top ghost fiction books is 'Bag of Bones' by Stephen King. It tells a story full of mystery and ghostly apparitions. 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson also belongs to this list. It has a strange family and a possible ghostly presence. 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters is another. It's set in a crumbling English manor and has a sense of the uncanny, with a possible ghostly figure that haunts the place and the people in it.
You can start by asking for recommendations at your local bookstore. The staff there are often well - read and can point you in the right direction. Another option is to look at online book review platforms like Goodreads. You can search for 'ghost horror fiction' and read reviews from other readers to find books that suit your taste.
Well, they usually have vivid descriptions that are suitable for children. They can create a spooky atmosphere without being overly gory or disturbing. Like in 'The Graveyard Book', Neil Gaiman describes the graveyard in a way that is both mysterious and inviting for young readers. Also, the characters in these books, whether they are ghosts or the children interacting with them, are relatable. Kids can see themselves in the situations of the characters in books like 'Goosebumps' series.