can you come and recommend some books for me please?

[Idrankthechristmasspirits]

I am currently re-reading Bram Stokers Dracula and loving it.
I really enjoy gothic horror type settings.
However, love any type of book set historically really.
Needs to be gritty rather than romantic/slushy.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

Michael Cox, the Meaning of Night.

Contemporary author. Victorian Gothic melodrama, just brilliant.

Andrew Taylor, the American Boy.

Another contemporary Victorian mystery

I'm reading The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, based on a Victorian true crime.
The Secret Scripture is a harrowing yet good read, but has a disappointing ending.

Frankenstein - Mary Shelly

The Historian - a modern day Dracula by Elizabeth Costiva

Fingersmith - Sarah Walters, another contemporary, v.good fun semi-pastiche of Victoriana

Anne Rice books?

Edgar Allen Poe - v.g for gothic turn

The Alienist - Caleb Carr

Oooh, am looking on amazon now. Am liking the sound of the victorian melodrama.

Many thanks ladies, keep em coming!

You might like the Gormenghast books by Mervyn Peake?

Mr Whicher is a really brilliant book, don't usually like non-fiction but this was great.

I read American Gothic Tales when I was stuck in bed ill a while ago. Started off a few new crazes for me!

For more modern stuff, Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke.

Yes Tiger - I wasn't sure at first, a bit nasty (DS1 is 3!) but I'm really enjoying it now.
The Gargoyle is not at all Victorian melodrama, but a history jumping contempory novel.

"Northanger Abbey" - a must!

Yes to "Mr Whicher" and double "yes" to "The American Boy". A HUGE "yes" to "The Historian" which is superb.

Perhaps look out for Susan Hill. Conan Doyle? You could try some of the "classic" gothic tales, such as "The Monk" or "The Mysteries Of Udolpho".

maybe some short stories like "The Red Room" or "The Telltale Heart".

CJ Sansom's Matthew Shardlake books are medieaval who-dunnits but quite dark and very gripping.

I didn't like "Fingersmith" much.

i am currently spending money on Amazon!

Have read and loved The Historian.

Have just ordered;

Works of Edgar Allen Poe (33p a bargain)
Mr Whicher
Northanger Abbey

I will look out for Gormenghast books and will try anna rice next month.
I am very very excited now!

Thankyou ladies, i love you all. Platonically. In cyber space only.

I am sooooooooooooo jealous that you will be reading "Northanger Abbey" for the first time: if I could go back in time I'd want to read all JA's works for the first time again!

Im reading the French Gardener by Santa Montefore- it is really good

I also love Northanger Abbey - not sure it's gritty but it's a lovely take on a main character who likes reading the Gothic novels of the time and has an overactive imagination. It's also very very funny.