The Amityville Horror is also a well - known haunted house story. The Lutz family claimed to experience all sorts of terrifying phenomena after moving into the house, like strange noises, slime oozing from the walls, and seeing apparitions. Their story was so disturbing that it became famous worldwide and inspired numerous movies.
Another great one is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. This novel plays with the layout of the text to add to the sense of unease and mystery, and the haunted house in it is filled with all sorts of strange and terrifying things. It's a complex and immersive read.
Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. While it might not seem like a traditional haunted house story at first, the room with the yellow wallpaper in the old house takes on a very haunting quality as the narrator descends into madness, and the house becomes a prison of sorts.
You might also consider 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters. It has a slow - burning sense of horror that builds around a large, dilapidated house. The characters are well - drawn and the mystery of the haunted house unfolds in a way that is not too overwhelming for those new to the genre.
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.
The Tower of London has a haunted house ghost story with deep historical roots. It was a place of imprisonment, torture, and execution. Many famous people were killed there, like Anne Boleyn. Her ghost is often reported to be seen wandering around the Tower, headless. There are also stories of the ghosts of princes who were murdered in the Tower. The long and dark history of the Tower makes its ghost stories very rich in historical context.
It depends on your tolerance for fear. Some people find it extremely scary with its creepy sounds and dark corners. But for others, it might not be that bad.
One of the best is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a classic that creates a truly eerie atmosphere. The characters are well - drawn and the sense of dread builds steadily throughout the story.
Well, 'Hell House' by Richard Matheson is a top pick. It's about a group of investigators exploring a haunted mansion. It's full of spooky happenings and really gets under your skin. The descriptions of the house and the things that occur there are very vivid.