Horror is a genre of fiction that readers turn to when they are looking to be frightened or want to feel unsettled. Horror books are known for their element of suspense and shock along with evil characters and monsters that make readers shift in their seats with discomfort. If you are searching for this feeling of true fear, fictional of course, here are the 10 best horror books of all time.
10. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
When discussing the best horror books of all time, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson easily makes the top 10.
Published in 1959, The Haunting of Hill House tells the story of Dr. Montague who is interested in the paranormal, and invites himself and some guests to a haunted house to stay and investigate.
This novel has reached resounding success and is a definitive novel in the horror genre. The novel was a finalist for the National Book Award and has been made into two different film versions. It has even inspired a television series on Netflix of the same name.
9. Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons
Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons is a 1989 novel with a terrifying premise. The novel follows a man named Saul Laski who fears for his life at the German Chełmno extermination camp during World War II in Poland.
This novel is an important one when discussing the best horror book because it introduces readers to a new kind of horror: The human mind. The novel really dives into the way memories haunt the protagonist’s present and how that affects him.
8. The Terror by Dan Simmons
Also by Dan Simmons, The Terror is a more classic horror novel from 2007. The novel tells the haunting story of two ships stranded in the Arctic with no way to escape.
Based on the 1845 Franklin expedition led by Sir John Franklin, Simmons tells a fictional account of the expedition. The Terror combines historical events with a supernatural twist, making this, at one point reality, all the more scary.
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7. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Ghost Story by Peter Straub is about a group of elderly men called The Chowder Society, who gather to tell ghost stories. Published in 1979, the novel is a classic in the genre of horror.
The novel sets itself apart from other horror novels, especially at the time, as it focuses on the subtleties of the horror genre instead of gore, making Ghost Story one of the best horror books.
6. The Strangler by William Landay
William Landay’s The Strangler is set in 1963 Boston, telling the story of the Daley family during a series of murders, causing the city to be on edge.
Full of legal and crime thriller tropes, the novel is perfect for readers who love mystery, adventure, and suspense, making The Strangler one of the best horror books ever written.
5. The Exorcist William by Peter Blatty
Easily one of the best horror books, The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel about the demonic possession of an 11 year old and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon.
The Exorcist is a definitive novel in the horror genre, along with succeeding in the world of pop culture. The novel ended up earning a screen adaptation in 1973, becoming a hit film as well.
4. IT by Stephen King
IT by Stephen King is probably one of the most talked about horror books, especially after the hit film of the same name was released in 2017.
IT follows the lives of seven adults in Derry, Maine, where they once had to fight an evil creature that targeted the children of the town.
Though King has written 65 novels and novellas, IT earns the title as one of his most frightening books. The novel is absolutely terrifying, dark, and disturbing, especially considering its involvement of children. Though IT is not for the faint of heart, it is one of the best horror books ever written.
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker
Dracula is Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 horror novel that is told through letters, diary entries and newspaper articles. The novel centers around Jonathan Harker who travels to Transylvania on business. When he arrives, the locals recount the frightening tales of Castle Dracula, his destination.
Dracula plays quite an important role in the genre of horror and has a massive legacy, inspiring many vampire stories to come, making it one of the best horror books of all time.
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2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is another one of the classic and definitive novels of the horror genre. The story is about a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a monstrous creature.
The novel has drawn in readers for over 200 years, asking the question of what the consequences are when humans attempt to play the role of God.
As one of the first horror novels, Frankenstein is a leading novel that contributed to making the horror novel genre what it is today.
1. The Shining by Stephen King
The Shining by Stephen King is not only one of the best horror books of all time but it earns itself number one on this list.
The Shining follows writer Jack Torrance who is hired as the winter caretaker of the historic Overlook Hotel, in hopes of curing his creative writer’s block. Once he is cut off from the world, instead of bringing back his creativity, Jack slowly descents into madness.
This is the definitive novel in psychological horror and perfect for readers who are not only interested in suspense, but understanding the breakdown of the human psyche while in isolation.
The book also inspired a 1980 film adaptation, starring Jack Nicholson.
