One of the most popular is 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley. It's a classic that combines horror and fantasy as the scientist creates a monster. 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien also has elements of horror in some of the darker parts and is of course a major fantasy work. 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R.R. Martin has its share of horror elements like the White Walkers, and is a very popular fantasy series.
Well, I'd recommend 'Pet Sematary' also by Stephen King. It's a horror fantasy that plays on our fears of death and the unknown. Then there's 'The Dark Tower' series by King as well. It has elements of horror, fantasy and even a bit of western. And 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story that introduced a whole new world of horror and fantasy.
They might have had a strong sense of atmosphere. In 1988, horror books often created a really spooky and oppressive mood, like dark, foggy settings or creaky old houses. This helped to draw the reader in and make them feel the horror.
The horror fiction books from 1986 probably had vivid descriptions to create a spooky atmosphere. They would use details like the creaking of old floorboards in a deserted house, or the howling of the wind on a desolate night. These descriptions were used to draw the reader into the terrifying world of the story.
Well, 'Horns' by Joe Hill was also quite popular. It's about a man who wakes up one day with horns growing out of his head and discovers some very dark secrets about himself and those around him. The book is filled with strange and disturbing situations that appeal to horror fans.
Probably 'The Amityville Horror'. It got a lot of attention back then and was even made into a movie. People were really intrigued by the idea of a haunted house with such a dark history.
I think 'The Girl with All the Gifts' was quite popular. It got a lot of attention for its fresh take on the horror genre. Another popular one was probably 'The Fireman' as Joe Hill is a well - known name in horror. And 'My Best Friend's Exorcism' also had a good following due to its unique blend of horror and '80s nostalgia.
Probably 'The Green Mile'. It was widely read and later adapted into a successful movie. People were drawn to its unique blend of horror and human drama.