Subject
Haunted houses -- Fiction Books
Best books
H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft
The Shunned House
"The Shunned House" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror novelette written in October 1924. Based on a real house in Providence, Rhode Island, the story follows a narrator and his uncle as they investigate mysterious deaths and illnesses plaguing residents for over a century. Strange fungi, foul odors, and yellowish vapors in the cellar hint at something monstrous beneath. Armed with flamethrowers and scientific equipment, they spend a night confronting an ancient, supernatural evil lurking in the foundation.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
The House of the Seven Gables
"The House of the Seven Gables" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a Gothic novel written beginning in mid-1850 and published in April 1851. The story follows a New England family haunted by an ancient curse tied to their ancestral home, built on land wrongfully seized during the Salem Witch Trials. Exploring themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement, the novel weaves together past and present as impoverished Hepzibah Pyncheon, her brother Clifford, and their young cousin Phoebe confront family secrets and the mysterious death of Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon.
Richard Marsh
The Joss: A Reversion
"The Joss: A Reversion" by Richard Marsh is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Mary Blyth, who finds herself in a pinch directly after a frustrating day at work, leading her to an unexpected entanglement with a mysterious stranger and a curious series of events. As she grapples with her difficult circumstances, including her less-than-ideal job in a drapery shop and her troubled friendships, an unexpected inheritance from her late uncle Benjamin Batters sets the stage for intrigue and potential danger, opening the door to a life shrouded in mystery. The opening of the novel introduces Mary Blyth as a relatable young woman experiencing a succession of unfortunate events, setting a tone of frustration and vulnerability. After a long day working under the scrutiny of her boss, Mr. Broadley, and missing out on several sales, she heads out into the chilling streets with her friends Emily and Tom, only to be confronted by a strange man named Isaac Rudd, who pays their dinner bill and makes curious offers. Mary’s day devolves further into chaos as she and her friends navigate a series of threatening encounters, foreshadowing the darker elements tied to her uncle’s enigmatic legacy. Ultimately, when Mary learns of her inheritance, which comes with mysterious conditions involving isolation and a new home, she is faced with an unexpected twist that is sure to enchant readers with a blend of romance and suspense.
May Agnes Fleming
The queen of the isle : $b A novel
"The Queen of the Isle" by May Agnes Fleming is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Campbell's Isle, a small yet strikingly beautiful island with a history steeped in legend and a reputation for ghostly sightings, as we are introduced to its current inhabitants, Guy Campbell and his sister Sibyl. Young Guy, who is set against the backdrop of his family's storied past, grapples with his reckless inheritance while becoming entangled with a mysterious passenger named Richard Grove. At the start of the tale, we are drawn into the eerie atmosphere of Campbell's Isle, where the ghostly history and legends linger over its inhabitants. As the narrative unfolds, we meet various characters steeped in their own mysteries, such as the devoted old servant Aunt Moll and the enigmatic young girl Christie, whose origins raise questions. The opening chapters set the stage for unfolding dramas, including Richard Grove’s tragic backstory and the supernatural elements introduced by the cursed narrative of the past, merging suspense and romance. The heart of the plot begins to emerge as Sibyl and Guy Campbell navigate their lives amid the island's haunting charm, accompanied by the intriguing presence of Grove and the apparitions that disrupt their world.
Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
The Haunted and the Haunters; Or, The House and the Brain
"The Haunted and the Haunters; Or, The House and the Brain" by Lytton is a supernatural tale written in the late 19th century, specifically during the Victorian era. This novella delves into the eerie occurrences surrounding a supposedly haunted house in London while exploring broader themes of metaphysical inquiry and the nature of reality. It serves to challenge readers' beliefs about the supernatural through a storyline rich in suspense and philosophical musings. The narrative follows an unnamed protagonist who is intrigued by tales of a haunted house after hearing about a friend’s terrifying experience there. Determined to confront the supernatural, he rents the house to uncover its secrets, accompanied by his faithful servant. Strange phenomena begin to escalate, including ghostly apparitions and unsettling sounds, leading to a series of chilling events that test the boundaries of rationality and superstition. As the protagonist experiences intense fear and encounters apparitions, he grapples with the nature of ghosts and the influence of a powerful, unseen agency. Ultimately, uncovering significant historical secrets about the house and its former residents reveals a dark connection that links the phantoms to past wrongdoings, suggesting that the haunting may have deeper, earthly origins rather than purely supernatural ones.
B. L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon
The Last Tenant
"The Last Tenant" by B. L. Farjeon is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story begins with Edward and his wife, Maria, engaged in the frustrating endeavor of house hunting, a task that hints at deeper mysteries to unfold. Edward, a content man set in his ways, grapples with his wife's growing ambition for a new home, which opens the door to unsettling experiences connected to their potential new residence. The opening of the novel introduces us to Edward's internal conflict and his wife's dissatisfaction with their current home. As they venture into the house at 79 Lamb's Terrace, they are initially met with eerie silence accompanied by a sense of foreboding. Maria is determined to explore the neglected house despite Edward's trepidation. Their exploration takes a turn when Edward inexplicably rings a bell, leading to unearthly sounds and the unexpected appearance of a spectral girl and a skeleton cat, which leaves them both in fear and bewilderment. The mysterious happenings set the stage for a blend of humor and supernatural intrigue that promises to captivate readers.
Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
Kauhujen talo
"Kauhujen talo" by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton is a novel written in the early 20th century, during a time characterized by a fascination with the supernatural and mystery. The story revolves around a haunted house in London, where the protagonist seeks to uncover the ominous secrets that have driven previous tenants away in terror. The narrative follows the experiences of a curious man and his brave servant, Frank, as they venture into the eerie house rumored to be haunted. Despite the chilling atmosphere and strange occurrences, the protagonist is determined to face the unknown. Throughout the tale, they encounter supernatural manifestations, including ghostly apparitions and inexplicable phenomena, which are intertwined with a historical mystery related to the former occupants of the house. As they dig deeper, they uncover letters hinting at dark secrets, tragedy, and unresolved issues that may be responsible for the hauntings. Ultimately, the story blends elements of horror, mystery, and psychological tension, leading to a climax that reveals profound truths about love, loss, and the lingering effects of past actions.
Alvin Heiner
The Revealing Pattern
"The Revealing Pattern" by Alvin Heiner is a short story that delves into the intersections of superstition, history, and human behavior, likely written in the early 1950s. This tale unfolds in a library, where we meet Professor Jonathan Waits, a researcher dedicated to debunking the myths surrounding the notorious Reamer mansion, a house with a violent past that has left it vacant for years due to local superstitions. Waits aims to prove that the misfortunes associated with the mansion are not the house's fault but rather the result of the individuals who have lived there. The narrative centers around Professor Waits as he engages with the librarian, Miss Hopstead, and attempts to uncover the truth behind the mansion's history. Through their conversations, it is revealed that many tragic events have occurred in the Reamer mansion, including murders and mysterious deaths. Waits believes that understanding the past actions of individuals connected to the mansion will dispel the fears that have rendered it abandoned. However, the story takes a turn when Waits dies after an accident at the mansion, leading to his friend Nicholas Worthy continuing his work. This twist raises questions about fate, knowledge, and the consequences of exploring dark histories, ultimately suggesting that the patterns of danger and tragedy are interlinked with both human actions and the settings in which those actions unfold.
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