For 'The Haunting of Hill House', it's the atmosphere of the old house that is full of secrets and malevolence. The way the house seems to have a life of its own and preys on the minds of those inside is what makes it so scary. These features in the top 5 scary novels all contribute to their ability to send shivers down readers' spines.
'Locke & Key' can also be considered among the top. It has a spooky old house filled with magical keys that unlock various mysteries and horrors. The family in the story has to deal with the dark secrets of the house, and the art style really brings out the eerie nature of the setting and the events that unfold.
One story could be about strange noises coming from the attic. A person was home alone at night and kept hearing scratching sounds above. Every time they went to check, there was nothing there. But as soon as they went back downstairs, the noises started again. It turned out that a raccoon had found its way into the attic through a small hole.
One scary story could be about a ghostly figure that haunts the corridors of the mountain top hotel at night. Guests often report seeing a translucent woman in an old - fashioned dress, just gliding along the hallways. It's said that she was a jilted bride who died in the hotel many years ago, and her spirit still lingers, looking for her lost love.
Vesper. It gives a sense of the coming of night and the unknown that lurks in the dark. Another is Nyx, the Greek goddess of the night, which is full of mystery and a touch of fear.
For a novel, some great scary girl names are Salem. It has connections to witchcraft and the Salem witch trials. Eris is also a good one. As the Greek goddess of strife, she can bring chaos and unease. Anabelle is a name that has become synonymous with horror movies, often associated with possessed dolls, making it a very creepy name for a girl in a novel.
Some of the stories in the top 50 scary stories include 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft. This story is set in a world of cosmic horror, with an ancient and powerful being waiting to be awakened. 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is also there. It's about Ichabod Crane and his encounter with the Headless Horseman. And don't forget 'The Haunting of Hill House' which is a story full of psychological horror and strange happenings in a haunted house.
There are various types of stories in the top 100 scary stories. Gothic horror stories are often included. These might feature dark, decaying castles, and characters with dark secrets. Then there are psychological horror stories that play with the mind. One of the top ones could be about a person who slowly loses their sanity while being isolated in a small, confined space. The sense of claustrophobia and the gradual breakdown of the mind create a truly terrifying experience.
The top 10 scary Christmas stories usually have an element of the supernatural. This could be ghosts, demons, or cursed objects. They also tend to play on the expectations of the Christmas season. So, instead of presents bringing happiness, they bring doom. The settings are often familiar Christmas scenes like a family gathering around the fireplace or a church on Christmas Eve. But then something terrifying disrupts the peace. There's also often a sense of mystery, like why is this happening during Christmas? What has been disturbed to cause this horror?
It's hard to say which is the scariest. However, 'The Monkey's Paw' has a very disturbing concept. The idea that wishes can go so horribly wrong and bring about death and misfortune in such unexpected ways is quite scary. The story builds a sense of dread that lingers long after reading. It makes you think twice about what you might wish for if you were in that situation. And the fact that the paw seems to have a mind of its own is really spooky.