Books Like...

"The Three" by Sarah Lotz follows the aftermath of four mysterious plane crashes that occurred on the same day, with only three children surviving. The story is told through a unique format, including interviews, transcripts, and electronic messages, creating a suspenseful and intriguing narrative. As conspiracy theories about the survivors start to spread, the book delves into themes of religious fanaticism, end-of-days prophecies, and the unsettling behavior of the surviving children.

'The Girl in a Swing' by Richard Adams is a haunting and mysterious novel that follows the story of Alan Desland, an English ceramics dealer, who meets a beautiful and enigmatic woman named Kathe in Copenhagen. Their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, but as the story unfolds, strange and supernatural events begin to occur, hinting at a darker truth behind Kathe's facade. The plot is described as far-fetched and eerie, with elements of fantasy, love, and horror woven into the narrative. The writing style is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a world where reality blurs with the supernatural, leaving them questioning the boundaries between dreams and nightmares.

In the small Australian town of Nebulah, a mysterious mist descends every night, bringing with it terrifying apparitions of the dead. The remaining residents must lock themselves inside, living in fear of the haunting figures lurking outside. As the population dwindles, a group of individuals are left to confront the horrors of the mist, uncovering dark secrets and facing the ultimate challenge of survival. Through the eyes of protagonist Pete McIntosh, the chilling tale unfolds, blending elements of horror, suspense, and psychological thriller to create a gripping narrative that keeps readers on edge.

Lois Murphy's debut novel, "Soon," is a masterful blend of ghost story and character study, showcasing her exceptional writing skills and ability to captivate readers from the very first page. With a unique setting and a plot filled with tension and mystery, the book explores themes of isolation, fear, and the unknown, immersing readers in a world where the line between the living and the dead blurs, creating a haunting and atmospheric experience that lingers long after the final page.

'Red X' by David Demchuk is a horror novel that intricately weaves together the stories of LGBTQ characters in Toronto's gay community over multiple decades. The book delves into the dark side of Toronto's history while introducing a malevolent creature from ancient British folklore that preys on the community. Through a blend of fiction, autobiography, and true history, Demchuk creates a chilling and disturbing narrative that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, keeping readers on edge as they navigate the unsettling events that unfold in the story.

The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates is a ghost story that follows Adrienne as she inherits a mysterious old house and discovers cryptic notes left by her late great aunt. Strange occurrences start happening, leading to a struggle for survival within the haunted house. The writing style is described as easy to read with a good sense of suspense and spooky atmosphere, although some readers found the pacing slow in parts.

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.

Set in the early 1900s, "Wakenhyrst" by Michelle Paver is a gothic tale centered around Edmund Stearne and his daughter Maud. The story unfolds in an ivy shrouded English manor at the edge of a wild, marshy fen, where family secrets, folklore, and medieval history intertwine. As Maud navigates the repressive environment created by her father's obsessions and deteriorating mental state, she uncovers hidden truths and unravels her father's madness. The narrative seamlessly weaves between Maud's perspective and Edmund's diaries, building towards a climax that reveals the dark forces at play in the house and the fen.

'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 Spite House by Johnny Compton is a gripping tale that follows the Ross family as they seek refuge in a haunted house, desperate for money, a place to stay, and anonymity. The tension in the story builds as the family faces ghosts, secrets, and fear, all while navigating ulterior motives from the creepy old lady who owns the house and the looming presence of the man who built the house out of spite. Through multiple points of view, the author weaves a narrative that delves into generational curses, the depths of a father's love, and the chilling reality of being haunted in a town where ghosts are an everyday occurrence.

Compton's writing style in The Spite House is captivating and thought-provoking, drawing readers in quickly with deep fear and a unique take on the haunted house genre. The book offers a fresh perspective by focusing on the complexities of family dynamics, the concept of generational curses, and the unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten is a modern Gothic novel that explores the mystery of an abandoned village in rural Sweden where the entire population disappeared, leaving behind only a dead woman and a newborn infant. The story unfolds through two interwoven timelines, one set in the present day following a young filmmaker and her crew as they investigate the village for a documentary, and the other set in 1959 detailing the events leading up to the disappearance. The book delves into themes of female isolation, psychological issues, and atmospheric horror, creating a chilling and suspenseful narrative that keeps readers engaged.