Books Like...

The Good House by Tananarive Due is a haunting tale filled with elements of horror, voodoo, family secrets, and supernatural entities. The story follows Angela Toussaint Hill, who returns to her ancestral home, the Good House, with her son Corey, only to uncover a dark family curse tied to voodoo practices and demonic possession. As the narrative alternates between past and present, readers are immersed in a chilling atmosphere of dread and mystery, with intricate character dynamics and a richly developed world. Due's writing skillfully weaves together elements of suspense, tragedy, and the occult, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant story that keeps readers on edge.

'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons is a haunting tale of a malevolent house that brings out the worst in its inhabitants. Set in a suburban Atlanta neighborhood, the story follows the Kennedy family and their neighbors as they witness mysterious and horrifying events unfold in the modern house next door. As families come and go, tragedy strikes each one, leading Colquitt and Walter Kennedy to uncover the evil force dwelling within the walls of the house. Written in a suspenseful and eerie style, the book explores themes of fear, unease, and the consequences of living near a house that seems to feed on the people around it.

The narrative is filled with tension and a sense of escalating eerieness, drawing readers in with its atmospheric horror elements. Through the eyes of the characters, readers experience the chilling effects of the haunted house, where deepest desires manifest and nightmares come true. Siddons' skillful writing captures the psychological terror of the situation, keeping readers on edge and anxious as they navigate the malevolent forces at play in 'The House Next Door.'

The Family Plot by Cherie Priest follows the story of Dahlia, who leads a salvage crew tasked with dismantling an old estate haunted by angry spirits. As they work to salvage valuable items from the house, they uncover secrets and face escalating supernatural occurrences. The novel is praised for its strong characters, particularly Dahlia, a pragmatic and no-nonsense heroine, and for its vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the eerie atmosphere of the haunted house. The plot combines elements of mystery, suspense, and ghostly encounters, keeping readers on edge with unpredictable twists and a satisfyingly creepy ending.

'Episode Thirteen' by Craig DiLouie is a ghost story that follows the Fade to Black team as they investigate the Paranormal Research Foundation's abandoned mansion, known for strange experiments in the 70s. The story unfolds through blog entries, raw footage transcripts, journals, emails, news articles, and more, creating a Blair Witch Project-style narrative. As the team explores the mansion, eerie encounters and bizarre discoveries lead to escalating tension and suspense, blurring the lines between reality and the paranormal. delves into themes of trust, character dynamics, and the evolving nature of the ghost story genre.

Married couple, Margaret and Hal, finally find the house of their dreams. No matter if there was a murder in the house. They don't even care that multiple people died in there. Why bother? It is the house that is important. Yet it doesn't take long for things to happen in the house. Especially in September. Walls bleed, there is constant moaning and screaming, the ghosts are in their prime. Get through September and then it's not so bad. You either have to adjust or move out and Margaret is all about adjusting. Yet, when Hal disappears and their daughter, Katherine, comes looking for answers, Margaret's life and her little haunted house start to unravel.

I absolutely loved that I only knew one element of this book... and in all fairness it was a pretty obvious one. This whole book took me by surprise to be honest. I adored Margaret even when I was questioning her sanity, because I was like well yeah no wonder. I was rooting for her the whole time. She is probably one of the strongest character's that I have seen written in a long time. And I loved the little ways the author juxtaposed her strength compared to Hal. I went through about 95 theories in the last three chapters of this book. It was insane. The only issue I had was that I wished a few other things had been cleared up or explained more at the end. But overall, this is a killer horror.

Vera returns home at the request of her dying mother, Daphne, to prepare the house for sale after years of estrangement. The book delves into the complex dynamics of Vera's family, particularly her relationships with her abusive parents. As Vera uncovers the dark secrets of the house and her past, she is confronted with eerie occurrences and animosity from her neighbors. The narrative weaves between past and present, exploring themes of intergenerational trauma and the impact of domestic violence on a child's psyche. The book combines elements of horror and psychological thriller, with surprising twists and a haunting atmosphere that keeps readers engaged.

'How to Sell a Haunted House' by Grady Hendrix is a modern day Gothic ghost story that follows a protagonist contending with colorful family members and creepy dolls in a Southern setting. The book combines horror elements with outrageous humor and touches of sadness, creating a well-designed tale filled with shocking events and creepy puppets central to the plot. The author's writing style is praised for its unique blend of horror, dark humor, and exceptional storytelling that keeps readers hooked until the insane and brilliant climax.

'A Haunting on the Hill' by Elizabeth Hand is a modern interpretation of how a group of millennial artist types navigate through the famous house, driven by egos and fears. The premise of the book revolves around a playwright who rents a big, creepy mansion for readings and rewrites, only to discover that the house has other plans for the talented artists, each struggling with weaknesses, mistakes, and tragedies. The plot delves into the visceral paranormal terror without delving into boring exposition, making it a compelling haunted house story.

The book brings Hill House back to life, introducing a group of modern-day theater people who find themselves entangled in the horrors of the mansion. The characters, their strengths, and flaws are expertly portrayed, providing a justification for their actions within the haunted setting. The narrative explores the psychological aspects of the characters as they face the supernatural events unfolding in the mansion.

'Hell House' by Richard Matheson is a classic haunted house story that follows four individuals entering the infamous Hell House to uncover the mysteries of the afterlife. Dr. Lionel Barrett, his wife, a medium, and a lone survivor embark on a journey to explore the supernatural phenomena within the house, each with their own beliefs and theories. As they delve deeper into the house's dark history and encounter terrifying experiences, they are faced with a struggle for answers and a battle against the haunting entities. The novel combines elements of horror and mystery, keeping readers engaged with its suspenseful plot and well-developed characters.

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas is a haunted house story that follows four horror writers invited for an interview at the infamous Finch House on Halloween night. The novel delves into themes of writing, grief, and buried trauma while exploring the maintenance and circulation of horror. The characters, especially the four main authors, are well-developed and represent various facets of the horror genre. The house itself becomes a malevolent entity, adding an extra layer of suspense to the plot.