New books written like Victorian ghost stories often feature elements of the supernatural. Ghosts, apparitions, and otherworldly creatures are common. They also rely on a sense of the unknown and the unknowable. There is often a feeling that there are forces at work that are beyond human understanding. The atmosphere is thick with suspense and dread. The stories may be slow - burning, gradually building up the horror rather than relying on sudden scares. This is similar to how Victorian ghost stories were crafted, with an emphasis on creating an overall mood of unease rather than just quick shocks.
They often have a spooky setting. Just like in Victorian times, new books of this kind usually take place in old, large houses, abandoned asylums or cemeteries. For example, many of these new books describe the dark corridors of an old mansion where strange things happen.