Watching scary movies is a respected Halloween tradition in many households. While jump scares and CGI monsters can definitely keep you up at night, sometimes the most terrifying stories are found within the pages of a book.
The horror/thriller genre is definitely a favorite, no matter the time of year. Recent book sales have it ranking as the fifth most popular genre among fiction works. And while the characters and circumstances may change, it turns out we've been telling the same scary stories for centuries.
The ancient Greeks and Romans spun tales of creepy haunted mansions and vindictive ghosts that still set the stage for thrillers today. Debbie Felton, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who studies the folklore of the supernatural, speculated in a 2007 interview that the lure of these stories lies in the satisfaction of fictional survival.
"Ghost stories have been popular for thousands of years, and there are many reasons why people enjoy them and enjoy being scared by them," Felton said. "There's certainly a cathartic effect to hearing a ghost story and being scared out of your wits without ever being in any real danger."
If you're looking for a spine-tingling read this Halloween, look no further than these 20 thrilling tales.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Amazon
Four people arrive at an eerie house with a mysterious past in search of supernatural phenomena — but they find a much more sinister entity than they bargained for.
Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Amazon
While swapping their own spooky tales of horror, a group of men realizes that the creatures from their stories — and the demons from their past — are more real than they could ever imagine.
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver
Amazon
In this atmospheric ghost story set during World War II, Jack Miller and his friends are sent to a remote Arctic island. What starts out as an adventure soon turns into a fight for survival against the forces of both nature and the supernatural.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Amazon
When Judas Coyne buys a haunted suit to add to his collection of macabre, he unknowingly invites an evil spirit into his life — an evil spirit that will stop at nothing to get what it wants.
The Shining by Stephen King
Amazon
In this classic horror tale, a family heads to a remote hotel during the off-season to care for the property. But all is not as it seems in the isolated Overlook Hotel. Soon enough, they find themselves spiraling into a terrifying nightmare as supernatural forces try to tear them apart.
The Widow's House by Carol Goodman
Amazon
A struggling couple moves to a small upstate New York town and discovers that the seemingly quiet home they've inhabited from an old writing professor is haunted by an evil spirit. As the frightening mystery of the house's past unravels, it becomes clear that something darker lurks in the shadows.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Amazon
A young woman visits the imposing estate of her mysterious husband's first wife, only to find that her ghost still haunts the grounds. As she attempts to uncover the secrets of Manderley, she finds herself in a twisted game of identity and psychological terror.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Amazon
In this Victorian novella, a governess is tasked with taking care of two children in a remote countryside estate. As she starts her new job, mysterious events unfold, and the governess must protect the children from an evil force lurking in the shadows.
Fellside by M.R. Carey
Amazon
Jess Moulson is sent to a maximum-security prison after being convicted of arson. In her attempt to atone for her crimes and connect with the spirit of a dead child, she finds herself in a fight against forces more powerful than she could have ever imagined.
The Ritual by Adam Nevill
Amazon
Four college friends embark on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness to fulfill a childhood promise. But their journey turns out to be more than just an outdoor adventure as they encounter dark forces that have been watching them since the beginning.
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Amazon
In this gripping survival thriller, something is causing people to go mad and commit violent acts when exposed to it. Malorie and her two children must make their way through a treacherous landscape filled with unseen horrors in order to survive.
The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb
Amazon
Staying at a boardinghouse in Wharton may not be ideal, but it serves its purpose as a refuge for Brynn Wilder after she suffers from a devastating loss. While the other residents are friendly, she quickly starts to feel as if they know more about her — more than anyone should know — than they originally let on.
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Amazon
Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is tasked with settling the estate of Alice Drablow's isolated mansion. However, upon his arrival, he finds himself in an increasingly eerie situation as he begins to unravel the secrets of the mysterious woman in black.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp
Amazon
Jack Sparks, a journalist, is researching the supernatural and the occult for his new book. But as he dives deeper into this dark world, he starts to realize there are some things that man was not meant to know.
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Amazon
In a small Swedish town, Oskar and Eli form a powerful bond in spite of their dark secrets. As Oskar discovers that his new friend is not what she seems, he must decide if his friendship with her is worth the danger it brings.
Abigale Hall by Lauren A. Forry
Amazon
When two orphaned sisters are sent to work in the isolated and supposedly haunted Abigale Hall, they find themselves tangled in a web of lies and secrets. As the truth about their employer's dark past is slowly revealed, each sister must decide where her allegiances lie.
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Amazon
Hundreds Hall has been inhabited by the Ayres family for generations — and to be honest, it has seen better days. When Dr. Faraday, the local doctor, is tasked with helping the family, he finds himself increasingly drawn to their mystery and secrets — and to a force that may be beyond his control.
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Amazon
Jules Larsen takes a job as an apartment sitter in the luxurious Bartholomew building, ready to leave her old life behind. But when a fellow apartment sitter mysteriously disappears right after warning Jules of the building's dark past, Jules must try to unravel the secrets of her new home before it's too late.
The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates
Amazon
As the tour guide to an infamously haunted house, Remy is understandably a little skeptical about the site's reputation — especially considering that she's never seen anything out of the ordinary. But her invitation to accompany some paranormal-seeking guests for a weeklong stay may be just the thing to change her mind.
The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig
Amazon
When Maddie and Nathan return to their hometown in rural Pennsylvania, they find that the sinister force that haunted their childhoods is still very much present. Only now, it's turned its sights on their son, Oliver. As Maddie and Nathan try to protect their son from this evil presence, they must confront the secrets of their past and their present in order to save him — and the world.
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No matter what kind of thrill you're looking for this Halloween season, these spine-chilling novels will leave you on the edge of your seat. So pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, turn off the lights, and get ready to dive into a world of dark secrets and supernatural forces.
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