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Haunted House novels

32 replies

PetitPorpoise · 26/07/2023 08:40

Please could anyone help with some recommendations, as I love this genre but struggle to find things. It seemed like there were loads of these sorts of stories when I was a child!

The sort of stories I like have an old haunted building. As well as experiencing phenomena, the character(s) try to solve the mystery about what happened there all those years ago.

The sorts of things I've enjoyed that meet this criteria are:

The Woman in Biack - Susan Hill
Secret of Crickley Hall - David Herbert
David Herbert's Ash series
The Little Stranger - Sarah Waters
The Turn of The Screw - Henry James
BBC series 'Ghosts'

I recently read The Haunting of Hill House with high expectations, and while it was impressive for other reasons, it didn't hit the spot I was hoping for! Surely there must be more out there?

Can anyone help?

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OneFrenchEgg · 09/10/2023 19:20

I love haunted house stuff.

Tried to read we have always lived in the castle and gave up
Loved the girl on the landing which scared me stupid. Not really a haunted house but scary.
I don't like horror.

Hoolahoophop · 02/08/2023 10:33

I recently read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and thought it was brilliant. The back story to why the weird stuff is happening is the focus of that one.

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53152636-mexican-gothic

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PetitPorpoise · 01/08/2023 18:48

Ah, fair enough! It's a long time since I read it. I guess I just like it when uncovering the mystery of the building is central to the plot, whereas in The Shining and Hill House it was more focussed on the effects on the protagonist's mental state and behaviour.

I've picked up Bone China by Purcell today in the library!

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Bookist · 01/08/2023 14:44

PetitPorpoise · 26/07/2023 16:47

These all look great thanks!

I do like Amityville and would be interested to see if the books have more back story. I find it a bit unsatisfying when the house itself seems evil or sends the occupants mad, especially when there isn't really a reason why (The Shining etc). I think the origin of the spookiness is the bit that interests me most.

In The Shining it's explained that the Overlook hotel had been built on an ancient Indian burial ground. And as we know from Pet Semetary, you don't mess with ancient Indian burial grounds.

notawittyname1954 · 31/07/2023 17:19

I love Phil Rickman books, all the Merrily Watkins ones and also his others. Not quite haunted house but worth a read.

Pennina · 30/07/2023 23:38

Also

The Small Hand by Susan Hill

Pennina · 30/07/2023 23:38

Hi,

Michelle Paver - Dark Matter, and Thin Air. Both fab.

merrymelodies · 30/07/2023 23:29

Darcy Coates! The Haunting of Blackwood House and many others.

Blanketsburg · 30/07/2023 23:27

Hell House by Richard Matheson

Hedgepiggy · 30/07/2023 23:25

The Secret Of Cold Hill and The House On Cold Hill both by Peter James. Fantastic story line I have them on audible and listen at least twice a year, first time I listened there was a scene that scared me so much I threw my earphones out of my ears as I was in a different room from my phone 😆

Slade House by David Mitchell is also very good and atmospheric.

VittysCardigan · 30/07/2023 16:29

Not haunted houses but ghost stories that i really enjoyed:
Thin Air & Dark Matter both by Michelle Paver
Heart Shaped Box - Joe Hill (Stephen Kings son)

Nitgel · 30/07/2023 16:17

The Uninvited by Clive Harold, meant to be true

hohumpigsbum · 30/07/2023 16:11

Salem's Lot by Stephen King is fantastic, not set solely in a haunted house but one is prominently featured and very creepy!

ButtOutBobsMum · 30/07/2023 16:00

Creepybookworm · 30/07/2023 15:53

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix puts a modern spin on the genre.

Literally just finished it! Fab!

Creepybookworm · 30/07/2023 15:53

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix puts a modern spin on the genre.

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PetitPorpoise · 27/07/2023 08:28

You've reminded me that I have read This House is Haunted; I like John Boyne.

I quite like the governess trope as well. Jane Eyre and the Netflix 'Haunting of Bly Manor' were good for that.

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ABookWyrm · 26/07/2023 18:06

This House is Haunted by John Boyne is very good and reminiscent of The Turn of the Screw.

DoraChance · 26/07/2023 17:04

Amanda Mason's The Hiding Place is really creepy. I'm also enjoying Ghosts by Edith Wharton at the moment, short stories rather than a novel but very good.

Starburstscent · 26/07/2023 17:02

There’s a really good true haunting book actually titled ‘True Haunting’ by Edwin Becker.

The fact that it was a true story really kept me gripped, it was fascinating.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Haunting-Edwin-F-Becker/dp/1463408617/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=6b3d1c25-bc75-4a0b-9ab8-1833e26835a5

Munga · 26/07/2023 16:50

The Magic Cottage by James Herbert is well worth a look

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PetitPorpoise · 26/07/2023 16:47

These all look great thanks!

I do like Amityville and would be interested to see if the books have more back story. I find it a bit unsatisfying when the house itself seems evil or sends the occupants mad, especially when there isn't really a reason why (The Shining etc). I think the origin of the spookiness is the bit that interests me most.

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PeskyRooks · 26/07/2023 14:07

GalileoHumpkins · 26/07/2023 13:58

Come Back Lucy by Pamela Sykes

Was this also a tv series? It sounds familiar.

Yes it was! Here is the cover of the book!

Haunted House novels
rainbowstardrops · 26/07/2023 14:06

Watching with interest as I struggle to find a good ghost/haunting book too!

Redannie118 · 26/07/2023 14:04

For something a bit different, how about the Amityville horror by Jay Anson? I know its all been debunked now, but if you take it at face value, its a fantastic haunted house story.
If you want to go down the real haunted house route, you could try This house is haunted by Guy lyon Playfair about the famous Enfield haunting, or the South Shields poltergiest by Darren Ritson.

GalileoHumpkins · 26/07/2023 13:58

Come Back Lucy by Pamela Sykes

Was this also a tv series? It sounds familiar.