swap_horiz Haunted Alternatives

1

Swan Song

Robert McCammon’s *Swan Song* presents a sprawling post-apocalyptic horror narrative set in 1987. The novel explores the...

Post Apocalyptic Epic Supernatural 1980S

8.9 Great

2

House of Leaves

Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves presents a layered horror narrative centered around an increasingly bizarre family...

Experimental 2000S Haunted House Metafictional

8.9 Great

3

Blackwater

Blackwater is a novel by Michael McDowell set in 1980s Alabama. The story follows the Blackwood family as they confront...

Supernatural Family Saga 1980S Southern Gothic

8.9 Great

4

Different Seasons

Different Seasons is a 1982 collection by American writer Stephen King containing four novellas, each associated with a...

1980S Literary Anthology Stephen King

8.8 Great

5

Carrion Comfort

Carrion Comfort is a sprawling horror novel by Dan Simmons exploring themes of mind control and vampirism. The story fol...

Epic 1980S Mind Control Dan Simmons

8.7 Great

6

The Hellbound Heart

The Hellbound Heart is a horror novella by the English writer and filmmaker Clive Barker, first published in 1986. Its p...

1980S Body Horror Demons Clive Barker

8.6 Great

7

The Vampire Lestat

The Vampire Lestat is the second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, published in 1985 by Knopf. Narrated by Lestat...

Vampire 1980S Gothic Anne Rice

8.3 Great

8

Hell House

'Hell House' is a supernatural horror novel by Richard Matheson published in 1971. The narrative centers on an aging mil...

Classic 1970S Haunted House Richard Matheson

8.3 Great

9

Heart-Shaped Box

'Heart-Shaped Box' is a supernatural horror novel written by American author Joe Hill, published in 2007 as his debut fu...

Ghost 2000S Haunting Rock Star

8.3 Great

10

Weaveworld

Weaveworld is a 1987 dark fantasy and horror novel by British author Clive Barker. The narrative follows a magical realm...

Epic Dark Fantasy 1980S Clive Barker

8.2 Great

11

Watchers

Watchers is a 1987 science fiction horror novel by Dean Koontz. The plot centers on two genetically engineered animals t...

Government Thriller 1980S Creature

8.2 Great

12

The Elementals

"The Elementals" is a Southern Gothic horror novel written by Michael McDowell, first published in 1981. The plot revolv...

Supernatural 1980S Southern Gothic Michael Mcdowell

8.2 Great

13

The Little Stranger

The Little Stranger is a 2009 gothic novel by Sarah Waters, set in rural Warwickshire during the social and economic cha...

Ghost Novel Gothic Post War

8.2 Great

14

Cold Moon Over Babylon

"Cold Moon Over Babylon" is a Southern Gothic horror novel by Michael McDowell, published in 1980. Set in a small Florid...

Ghost Revenge 1980S Southern Gothic

8.0 Great

15

Floating Staircase

Floating Staircase is a 2011 horror novel by Ronald Malfi that centers on themes of grief and guilt. The story follows a...

Ghost Grief 2010S Haunted House

7.5 Good

16

The Dark

The Dark is a 1980 horror novel by British writer James Herbert. It begins with an investigation into an empty London ho...

Supernatural British 1980S James Herbert

7.3 Good

17

Lost Boy, Lost Girl

Lost Boy, Lost Girl is a 2003 horror novel by Peter Straub. It follows Tim Underhill, a horror writer who becomes involv...

Ghost Family 2000S Haunted House

7.0 Good

18

Sepulchre

Sepulchre is a 1987 horror novel by British writer James Herbert. Its protagonist, Liam Halloran, is a mercenary and exp...

Supernatural British 1980S Occult

7.0 Good

19

The Secret of Crickley Hall

The Secret of Crickley Hall is a 2006 horror novel by James Herbert. It follows a grief-stricken family who move into a...

Ghost British 2000S Haunted House

6.8 Fair

20

Others

Others is a horror novel by the English writer James Herbert, published in 1999. The protagonist is a physically deforme...

Supernatural Mystery British 1990S

6.5 Fair