best books on ghost stories

One of the best is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a classic that creates a really spooky atmosphere with its haunted house setting and the psychological unease of the characters. Another great one is 'Ghost Story' by Peter Straub. It weaves a complex and chilling tale full of mystery and horror. And 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is also highly recommended. It has a really creepy ghostly presence that haunts the pages.

One of the best ghost story books is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It creates a very spooky atmosphere with its description of the haunted house and the psychological state of the characters.

One of the best is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a classic that creates a truly spooky atmosphere with its haunted house setting and the psychological turmoil of the characters.

For sure, 'American Ghost: A Family's Haunted Past in the Desert Southwest' by Hannah Nordhaus. It's a non - fictional account of a family's encounter with the supernatural that reads like a spooky tale. 'Bag of Bones' by Stephen King is another good one. King is a master of horror, and this book has some truly creepy ghost - like elements. And don't forget 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. The presence of the dead Rebecca haunts the entire story, creating an atmosphere of mystery and unease.

One of the best - selling books about ghost stories is 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty. It was very popular when it came out and has remained so over the years. It's based on a true - ish story of possession, which adds to the horror. 'It' by Stephen King is also a huge seller. Although it has more than just ghosts, the supernatural elements including the ghost - like Pennywise are really spooky. And 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, while not strictly just about ghosts, has a lot of elements of the undead and the supernatural that contribute to its best - selling status.

'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.

A good beginner - friendly ghost story book is 'Wait Till Helen Comes' by Mary Downing Hahn. It's a story about a stepfamily who moves into an old church. The youngest girl starts to be influenced by a ghost named Helen. It's not overly complex, but it has enough mystery and scares to get someone new to the genre interested.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Collected Ghost Stories of M. R. James'. His stories are filled with eerie atmospheres and creepy encounters. Another could be 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' which has a great selection of classic ghost tales that have terrified readers for generations.

There might be a story of a haunted ship. Sailors on a ship start to notice strange occurrences, like objects moving by themselves and cold spots. It could be related to a past disaster on the ship where many lives were lost, and the souls are trapped on the vessel.

There's also 'The Bell Witch'. This story is based on a real - life haunting in Tennessee. The Bell Witch tormented the Bell family, making strange noises, moving objects, and even attacking family members. It's a long - standing and well - known ghost story that has been passed down through generations, and the details of the hauntings are very creepy.