What Makes a Novel a Great Haunted House Novel in the Top 10?

A great haunted house story often has a spooky setting. An old, dilapidated building with creaky floors and dark corners is perfect. Also, strange noises like howls or whispers add to the horror.

The mystery. In a haunted house novel, there are always things that are unexplained at first. You wonder what's making those strange noises or causing the cold spots. It draws you in.

Some well - known haunted house novels include 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a classic that creates a very eerie atmosphere in the old, supposedly haunted house. Another one could be 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski, which has a very unique and complex narrative structure related to a haunted house. And 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson, known for its intense horror elements set within the haunted property.

Stephen King's 'Rose Red' is also considered among the top haunted house novels. King is a master of horror, and in this one, he weaves a tale of a huge, old, and spooky mansion filled with all sorts of terrors. The characters who explore the house are constantly in danger, and the house seems to have a life of its own, with rooms that change and secrets that are deadly.

One of the great haunted house novels is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a classic that creates a very spooky atmosphere. The characters are well - drawn and the sense of unease throughout the story is palpable.

Well, 'The Shining' by Stephen King is a classic among haunted house novels. The Overlook Hotel is a character in itself, full of malevolent spirits. It's really scary how the isolation and the hotel's history play on the main character's sanity. Then there's 'Amityville Horror' which is based on a supposedly true story. The idea of a house being haunted by such dark forces is truly frightening.

A great haunted house novel is 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson. It's filled with terrifying scenes and a sense of dread. The characters' experiences in the haunted house are vividly described, and Matheson does an excellent job of building suspense throughout the story.

Well, it might be the unique atmosphere it creates. The descriptions of the haunted house could be extremely vivid, making readers feel as if they are actually there. Maybe it has some really spooky characters or events that are different from other novels.

Well - developed characters are also crucial. They need to react realistically to the strange happenings in the haunted house. If the characters are bland or their reactions are not believable, it can ruin the story. Additionally, a good plot with mystery and suspense is necessary. It could be about uncovering the secrets of the haunted house or trying to escape from it.

The combination of spooky sounds, strange sights, and a sense of unknown danger makes a haunted house story compelling. And if there's a touch of the supernatural that can't be easily explained, that amps up the excitement too.