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Home > Best Book Lists > The Door To Terror: 10 Books About Haunted Houses Guaranteed to Give You Nightmares

The Door To Terror: 10 Books About Haunted Houses Guaranteed to Give You Nightmares

Claire Vandal by Claire Vandal
October 14, 2024
in Best Book Lists
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Table of Contents Toggle
  • 10. Hell House by Richard Matheson
  • 9. We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson
  • 8. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
  • 7. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  • 6. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
  • 5. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
  • 4. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
  • 3. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
  • 2. The Shining by Stephen King
  • 1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

If you’re anything like us, Halloween is your favorite time of year to curl up with a great horror novel. And what better way to scratch that itch than with a classic haunted house book?

Creaking floorboards, eerie whispers, and shadows that move on their own – haunted houses have captivated our imaginations for centuries. For those who crave a spine-tingling read, we’ve compiled a list of 10 chilling novels that bring haunted houses to life on the page.

From Gothic classics to modern paranormal thrillers, these books will have you double-checking your locks and sleeping with the lights on. Prepare to be spooked as we explore some of literature’s most unforgettable haunted dwellings.

10. Hell House by Richard Matheson

Hell House By Richard Matheson

Hell House

by Richard Matheson

Hell House

Horror
by Richard Matheson
Published 01/01/1971
Pages 301
Publisher Severn House
ISBN: 9780727860996
Details & Buy Options

This classic haunted house book comes from horror master Richard Matheson. Even if you don’t know his name, you definitely know his work, including the iconic science fiction novel I Am Legend and some of the best Twilight Zone episodes ever written.

Hell House is about a haunted estate called Belasco House, the site of numerous horrors including murder and insanity. As four strangers undertake the latest attempt to understand the mansion’s inner workings, they are confronted with horrors beyond their wildest imagination…

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Why we recommend it: I loved the suspense and philosophy in this haunted house book.

9. We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson

gothic novel

We Have Always Lived in the Castle

by Shirley Jackson

We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Horror
by Shirley Jackson
Published 09/21/1962
Pages 146
Publisher Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780143039976
Details & Buy Options

One of my favorite haunted house books, this one is an absolute must-read for anyone who loved The Haunting of Hill House or its Netflix adaptation, which is arguably one of the best horror shows of the last decade.

This novel tells the story of a wealthy, ostracized family who lives in a dilapidated New England estate. Six years ago, half the family was murdered when their meal was poisoned. As the novel unfolds, we are plunged into a deeper question, not about who did it, but why?

Why we recommend it: I adored the creepy atmosphere and psychological development in this haunted house book.

RelatedDifferences Between Horror and Dark Fantasy: An Exploration

8. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror

by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror

Horror
by Jay Anson
Published 09/13/1977
Pages 315
Publisher Bantam Books
ISBN: 9780553116601
Details & Buy Options

When the Lutz family moves into their dream home, they’re ready to start a new chapter. Little do they know about the brutal murders that took place in their new house just one year prior.

As the family begins to experience scary and disturbing phenomena, they’re pushed to flee or die trying.

Why we recommend it: I love the dark tone of this classic haunted house book.

7. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

mexican-gothic-cover

Mexican Gothic

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican Gothic

Horror
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Published 06/30/2020
Pages 361
Publisher Del Rey
ISBN: 9780525620792
Details & Buy Options

Set in a creepy, moldy mansion in 1950s Mexico, this novel is a delightfully modern take on the haunted house book.

Noemí is sent to check up on her ill cousin after receiving a series of mysterious and alarming letters. Her investigation soon leads to unnerving discoveries about her cousin’s family and a desperate fight to escape a seriously terrifying haunted house.

Why we recommend it: I loved the strong female characters in this book!

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6. Ghost Story by Peter Straub

Ghost Story by Peter Straub

Ghost Story

by Peter Straub

Ghost Story

Horror
by Peter Straub
Published 01/01/1979
Pages 567
Publisher Pocket Books
ISBN: 9780671685638
Details & Buy Options

Peter Straub’s classic haunted house book is one of our favorites.

In it, a group of four elderly men gather to share spooky stories from their past. But as they speak, they realize a dark secret connecting the four of them and uncover the vengeful force seeking retribution.

Why we recommend it: I was terrified by this book and its incredible pacing.

5. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

The Turn of the Screw

by Henry James

The Turn of the Screw

Horror
by Henry James
Published 01/01/1898
Pages 121
Publisher Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780140620610
Details & Buy Options

This classic haunted house book is just a short novella, making it a great choice for readers looking for spooky brevity.

In The Turn of the Screw, a governess begins caring for two strange children in a country estate. As strange events begin to unfold, she begins to suspect that the house, or even the children, may be haunted.

Why we recommend it: I adore this book, which introduced a lot of modern horror tropes.

RelatedWomen in Horror: The Female Impact on the Genre

4. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

the woman in black by susan hill

The Woman in Black

by Susan Hill

The Woman in Black

Horror
by Susan Hill
Published 01/01/1983
Pages 138
Publisher David R. Godine
ISBN: 9781567921892
Details & Buy Options

This chilling ghost story follows a young lawyer who, on a work assignment in the English countryside, discovers a terrifying spirit that haunts the house he’s tasked to work in.

If you enjoy this book, be sure to watch the 2012 film adaptation starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Why we recommend it: I loved the atmosphere in this haunted house book.

3. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski book

House of Leaves

by Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves

Horror
by Mark Z. Danielewski
Published 05/07/2000
Pages 710
Publisher Random House
ISBN: 9780375703768
Details & Buy Options

One of our favorite paranormal horror books, House of Leaves is complex, multi-layered, and unlike anything else we’ve read.

It tells the story of a family who slowly discovers that their house is bigger than it appears. Which isn’t so bad. But the haunting presence in their house? That’s a different story.

Why we recommend it: I loved the narrative structure of this book.

Related10 Haunting Horror Novels You Probably Haven’t Read Of

2. The Shining by Stephen King

the-shining-cover

The Shining

by Stephen King

The Shining

Horror
by Stephen King
Published 01/28/1977
Pages 674
Publisher Vintage
ISBN: 9780307743657
Details & Buy Options

This classic haunted house book also inspired one of the greatest film adaptations of all time, despite the author’s hatred of the well-known movie.

In case you don’t know the story, The Shining follows the Torrance family as they begin a winter of caretaking at the remote Overlook Hotel. When they begin to experience strange events, however, it becomes clear that they aren’t the only ones in the hotel…

Why we recommend it: I love the family dynamics in this terrifying haunted house book.

1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

haunting-of-hill-house

Haunting of Hill House

by Shirley Jackson

Haunting of Hill House

Horror
by Shirley Jackson
Published 10/01/1959
Pages 182
Publisher Viking
ISBN: 1663633908
Details & Buy Options

The novel that set the bar for haunted house books, Shirley Jackson’s Haunting of Hill House is a masterpiece. It tells the story of a group of strangers mysteriously invited to investigate a notorious haunted house.

The house seems increasingly evil, which begs the question: what brought the strangers there, and what does it want from them?

Why we recommend it: I loved the atmosphere and the queer undertones in this novel.

We hope you’ve found some inspiration in our list of the ten best-haunted house books to keep you up at night!

Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

Happy spooky season!

Genre: Horror
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Claire Vandal

Claire Vandal

Expert Contributor

Claire is a reader, a runner, and a nap aficionado. She loves podcasts, The Real Housewives, and going to the cinema. Her current projects include learning French and reading through the ever-growing pile of books in her living room. She one day hopes to keep bees, and her favorite root vegetable is the sweet potato.

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