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.
Well, Stephen King's ghost stories can be action - packed at times. There are often a lot of events and encounters with the supernatural entities that keep the readers on the edge of their seats. Susan Hill, however, might take a more subdued approach. Her stories may unfold at a slower pace, but they are equally chilling. The horror in her ghost stories lies in the anticipation and the slow revelation of the nature of the ghosts.
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.
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.
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.
Sure. 'The Woman in Black' is very good. It has been made into a movie too. The story revolves around a haunted house and a vengeful ghost. It's super scary.
Stephen King's unique feature in writing ghost stories is his ability to blend the ordinary with the extraordinary. He often sets his ghostly tales in familiar, everyday settings like small towns, which makes the appearance of ghosts all the more terrifying. For example, in 'Salem's Lot', the vampire - like ghosts invade a normal town. Susan Hill, on the other hand, is good at creating a sense of melancholy in her ghost stories. Her settings are often old, decaying places that add to the overall mood of the story.
One of her well - known ghost stories is 'The Woman in Black'. It is a classic that has been adapted into various forms. It tells the story of a young solicitor who encounters a malevolent ghostly figure in an isolated village while dealing with the affairs of a deceased client.
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.