What are the characteristics of the novels in the list of horror romance novels?

Many of them play with the sense of the unknown. For example, they might have settings like abandoned asylums or old, haunted houses where there are things lurking in the shadows that the characters (and readers) don't understand at first.

Many of them would likely play on the psychological fears of the readers. This could include things like the fear of losing one's mind, or the fear of being alone in a menacing situation. They might also use elements of the supernatural in a way that was believable within the context of the story, blurring the lines between the real and the otherworldly. This was a time when horror was exploring different ways to terrify its audience, and these novels from 1976 were part of that exploration.

Many of them had a focus on psychological horror. For example, in some novels, the real horror came from the minds of the characters rather than just external monsters. It made the readers feel more involved as they could relate to the psychological states.

Some, like 'The Girl with All the Gifts', combine horror with a sense of humanity. The main character, a child zombie, makes you feel empathy while still being in a horror - filled world.

Many of the novels in the list of romance novels often have strong character development. For example, in 'Sense and Sensibility', the two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, grow and change as they experience love. Also, they usually have a central love story that drives the plot.

A lot of the novels in this list play with the concept of good and evil within a person. 'The Exorcist' shows the battle between the forces of good (the exorcists) and the evil demon inside the girl. They also use vivid descriptions to create a spooky atmosphere. 'Carmilla' uses detailed descriptions of the vampire's actions and the setting to make the reader feel the horror.

The horror fiction novels in 1989 might have also incorporated elements of the supernatural. This could include ghosts, demons, or otherworldly forces. These elements added an extra layer of fear, as they often defied the laws of nature and reason. They made the readers question what was possible and what was not. Moreover, the settings of these novels were often dark and foreboding, like old mansions or desolate cemeteries, which enhanced the overall spooky atmosphere.

Some might have had a focus on gore. With vivid descriptions of blood and violence to shock the readers. For example, detailed accounts of monster attacks or brutal murders.

The horror fiction novels in the 1973 list tended to build suspense gradually. They didn't rely on cheap scares but rather on creating an atmosphere of dread. This was done through detailed descriptions of the settings, the characters' emotions, and the slow revelation of the horror elements. For example, in many of these novels, the first part of the book would introduce the normal lives of the characters, and then slowly, things would start to go wrong, and the horror would unfold in a very methodical way. This made the horror more effective as it drew the reader in and made them invested in the story.

Some of them had a strong focus on the supernatural. This could include ghosts, demons, or otherworldly forces. In 'The Tommyknockers', the presence of an alien - like force that changes the townspeople is a great example. These elements added an element of the unknown and the unknowable, which is a key aspect of horror.