Classic Horror Books to Read This Halloween

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of the most famous horror novels ever written and is often regarded as an early example of science fiction as well as gothic literature.

First published in 1818, the novel follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who becomes obsessed with discovering the secret of life. His experiments eventually lead him to create a living being, but Victor is horrified by his creation and abandons it.

The creature is often mistakenly called Frankenstein, but Frankenstein is actually the name of its creator. The creature itself is never given a personal name in the novel.

While Frankenstein contains plenty of dark and unsettling moments, it is about much more than creating a terrifying monster. The novel explores ambition, isolation, responsibility and the consequences of scientific discovery.

More than 200 years after its publication, Frankenstein remains one of the most influential gothic horror novels ever written and is an excellent choice if you want to explore the roots of the horror genre.

2. Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)

Few fictional characters are as closely associated with horror as Count Dracula. Bram Stoker's Dracula, published in 1897, helped establish many of the vampire conventions that remain familiar today.

The novel begins with Jonathan Harker, a young English solicitor, travelling to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Dracula at his remote castle. What begins as a business trip soon becomes a terrifying experience as Harker discovers that his host is far from an ordinary aristocrat.

Written through a collection of diary entries, letters, newspaper articles and other documents, Dracula tells its story from several different perspectives. As the novel progresses, Dracula's plans become increasingly clear and the characters must find a way to stop him.

With its eerie setting, supernatural elements and unforgettable villain, Dracula remains one of the most influential gothic horror novels ever written.

If you're looking for a classic Halloween read filled with vampires, suspense and dark atmosphere, it's hard to go wrong with Dracula.

3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1890)

Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is often described as a gothic novel rather than a traditional horror story, but its supernatural premise and dark themes make it an excellent choice for Halloween.

The story follows Dorian Gray, a beautiful young man whose portrait is painted by the artist Basil Hallward. Dorian becomes obsessed with his own youth and beauty and wishes that the portrait would grow old instead of him.

His wish appears to come true. While Dorian remains young, the portrait begins to reflect the effects of his actions and moral decline.

What follows is a dark exploration of beauty, temptation, morality and the consequences of living without considering the impact of your actions.

If you prefer atmospheric gothic fiction with supernatural elements rather than traditional scares, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a fascinating Halloween read.

4. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)

Not every frightening story needs ghosts, monsters or blood. Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca shows just how unsettling psychological and gothic fiction can be.

First published in 1938, the novel follows an unnamed young woman who marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter. After moving to his imposing country estate, Manderley, she finds herself increasingly haunted by the memory of Maxim's first wife, Rebecca.

Although Rebecca is no longer alive, her presence seems to dominate the house and the people living in it. The new Mrs de Winter begins to question what really happened to her husband's first wife and whether she will ever be able to escape her shadow.

The novel became a classic of gothic fiction and was adapted into Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 film.

For readers who prefer mystery, suspense and an unsettling atmosphere over traditional horror, Rebecca makes an excellent Halloween choice.

5. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (1959)

If haunted houses are your favourite kind of horror, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House deserves a place on your reading list.

Published in 1959, the novel centres on Hill House, an old mansion with a disturbing history. Dr John Montague, who is investigating supernatural phenomena, invites several people to stay at the house with him.

Among them is Eleanor Vance, a shy young woman who becomes increasingly affected by the strange events taking place around her.

Rather than relying on graphic violence, Jackson creates fear through atmosphere, uncertainty and the feeling that something is deeply wrong. As the story develops, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate what is actually happening from what the characters believe is happening.

The novel has become one of the best-known haunted-house stories in literature and is a great choice if you enjoy psychological and supernatural horror.

6. The Shining by Stephen King (1977)

For a more modern horror classic, Stephen King's The Shining is an obvious choice.

Published in 1977, the novel follows Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. Jack travels there with his wife Wendy and their young son Danny, who has a mysterious psychic ability known as "the shining".

As winter closes in and the family becomes increasingly isolated, the hotel begins to reveal its dark history. Strange events and supernatural forces threaten to overwhelm the family, while Jack's own struggles make their situation even more dangerous.

The combination of isolation, psychological tension and supernatural horror makes The Shining one of Stephen King's best-known novels.

If you want a Halloween read that combines a creepy setting with psychological and supernatural horror, this is one to consider.

7. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)

Henry James's The Turn of the Screw is a classic gothic ghost story with a fascinating sense of uncertainty.

The novella follows a young governess who is hired to care for two children at a remote country estate. Before long, she begins to believe that she has seen mysterious figures around the property.

As the story progresses, the governess becomes convinced that the children are connected to the strange appearances. But the novel deliberately leaves readers questioning exactly what is happening and whether the supernatural events are real.

That uncertainty is a major part of what makes The Turn of the Screw so unsettling. Rather than explaining everything, James allows readers to form their own interpretation of the events.

If you enjoy ghost stories that leave you wondering what you have just read long after reaching the final page, this is a great choice.

8. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (1983)

If you're looking for a genuinely spooky ghost story, Susan Hill's The Woman in Black should be high on your list.

Published in 1983, the novel follows Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor who travels to the remote Eel Marsh House to deal with the affairs of a recently deceased woman. While there, Arthur begins to notice a mysterious woman dressed entirely in black.

What follows is a chilling supernatural story in which the appearance of the mysterious woman is connected to tragedy and death.

The novel is relatively short, but Susan Hill creates a tense and atmospheric story that relies on suspense and the reader's imagination rather than graphic horror.

The story was later adapted for the stage and into a 2012 film starring Daniel Radcliffe.

If haunted houses and traditional ghost stories are your idea of the perfect Halloween read, The Woman in Black is well worth picking up.

9. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)

Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is another classic gothic story that has had a huge influence on popular culture.

The novella follows Dr Henry Jekyll, a respected scientist who develops a potion that allows him to separate his darker impulses from his respectable personality. The result is Edward Hyde, a disturbing and increasingly dangerous figure.

As Jekyll struggles to control his transformation into Hyde, the story explores the conflict between good and evil and the darker side of human nature.

Although the story is relatively short, its influence has been enormous. The idea of a person having a hidden or darker side has become a familiar part of horror and popular culture.

If you're looking for a short gothic read this Halloween, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a classic worth revisiting.

10. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (2003)

For something more modern, Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane offers a psychological mystery that will keep you guessing.

Published in 2003, the novel is set in 1954 and follows US Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, as they travel to Ashecliffe Hospital, a facility for the criminally insane on a remote island.

They have been sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient, Rachel Solando. But as their investigation continues, Teddy begins to suspect that there is much more happening at the hospital than first appears.

With its isolated setting, unreliable perceptions and increasingly unsettling atmosphere, Shutter Island is a gripping psychological thriller that encourages you to reconsider what you think you know about the story.

The novel was adapted into a 2010 film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

If you prefer psychological suspense and mystery to traditional supernatural horror, Shutter Island could be the Halloween read for you.