Well, one characteristic is the strong sense of mystery. Susan Hill likes to keep the readers guessing. Her ghost stories usually start off with an ordinary situation that gradually turns sinister. Also, her writing style is quite vivid. She can make you feel as if you are right there in the haunted place. Another thing is that her ghost stories often deal with themes like loss and regret, which gives the ghosts more depth and makes the stories more than just horror tales.
Susan Hill's ghost stories are often characterized by a sense of creeping dread. Her use of atmosphere is masterful, with descriptions that draw you into the spooky settings. For example, in 'The Woman in Black', the desolate and fog - covered landscape adds to the overall sense of unease. The ghosts in her stories are not just simple apparitions but often carry a deep sense of melancholy or a tragic backstory, which makes them more than just spooky figures. They can be seen as symbols of unresolved pasts or traumas that haunt not only the physical spaces but also the characters' psyches.
One of the notable features is the ambiguity. Hill doesn't always clearly explain the nature of the ghosts or the reasons behind their hauntings. This leaves a lot to the reader's imagination and makes the stories even more haunting.
I haven't read it yet, so I'm not sure about the exact plot.
Susan Hill's fantastic fiction often has a strong sense of atmosphere. Her works are known for creating a spooky or mysterious mood. For example, in some of her ghost stories, she uses vivid descriptions to make the reader feel as if they are in the haunted settings. The characters in her fantastic fiction are also well - developed, with their own motives and backstories that add depth to the stories.
The most famous one is probably 'The Woman in Black'. It's well - known because of its extremely spooky atmosphere. The story is set in a desolate and eerie landscape, which immediately sets a tone of dread. The titular woman in black is a truly terrifying figure, her appearance always heralding misfortune. It has also been adapted into various forms like plays and movies, which has increased its popularity and made it more well - known to a wider audience.
I think 'The Mist in the Mirror' is also excellent. It tells a story full of mystery and horror. Susan Hill has a way of creating a spooky mood with her descriptions. For example, the way she describes the old, dilapidated houses and the strange noises at night really makes the story come alive.
Susan Hill's detective novels often feature a strong sense of atmosphere. Her settings are usually quite gloomy and mysterious, like old English villages or big, spooky mansions. The characters are complex, with the detectives having their own quirks and personal demons. For example, in some of her works, the detective might be haunted by his past failures.
The past coming back to haunt the present is another theme. In her stories, events from the past, such as old tragedies or secrets, resurface in a ghostly form. This is seen in 'The Small Hand' where the apparition of the small hand might be related to some past event that the main character is unknowingly linked to.
In my opinion, the atmosphere she creates is the most terrifying part. She uses detailed descriptions of the setting, like old, creaky houses and fog - covered landscapes. This setting combined with the feeling of isolation gives a really spooky touch to the story.
I don't know as I haven't read it.
Andrew Klavan's ghost stories could potentially have elements of his other writing styles, such as his penchant for complex characters. This means that the ghosts in his stories might be more than just spooky apparitions but have deeper backstories or motives. Susan Hill is great at making the reader feel as if they are in the same haunted space as the characters. Her descriptions are so vivid that you can almost feel the cold draft of the ghostly presence passing by.