This post is all about the top 10+ haunted house books full of spine-chilling haunted houses that will immerse you in tales of supernatural suspense and ghostly encounters. 🏚️📚
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Hello, my fellow ghost and spooky lovers! Welcome to my little cozy corner of the web, Booked and Bewitched, where we chat about all things horror, haunted, gothic, and mystery-related!
This week we are talking about all things Haunted House books related.
For those of you who don’t normally read this horror and suspense genre, a little information. Haunted house books delve into ancient rituals, arcane knowledge, and forbidden practices that open doors to the spirit world. Occult, ghost literature, or spirits often take center stage as complex characters, Ancient mansions, decrepit asylums, or a desolate cottage, the haunted house becomes a stage where the supernatural drama unfolds.
So without further ado, let’s get into these Haunted House Books! And if you need more horror-themed entertainment choices. Go check out-
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Spooktacular Haunted House Reads
1. Classic haunted house book
So “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson is a classic masterpiece of psychological horror, renowned for its subtle and chilling narrative that lingers long after the final page.
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Four inhabitants begin to experience strange events while in the house, including unseen noises and ghosts roaming the halls at night, strange writing on the walls, and other unexplained events.
2. Top pick haunted house horror
So “The Restless Ones” by Abe Moss is a gripping and atmospheric novel that combines elements of horror, suspense, and dark humor, offering a unique and compelling reading experience.
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It’s been four years since the Hartnett House Massacre – four years since Whitley Adams rescued her sister, Nora, from a nightmare she still struggles to escape.
When a documentary filmmaker expresses interest in telling their story, Whitley’s sister believes it could be the answer to all their troubles. A chance to finally confront their past, and move on with their lives once and for all.
But the past isn’t the only thing waiting at Hartnett House. More than memories roam its forgotten halls. More than shadows lurk behind its dark, unwashed windowpanes. Something sinister has awaited Whitley’s return since that fateful night four years ago, biding its time for one thing, and one thing only…
3. One of the best haunted house books 2023
So “The September House” by Carissa Orlando is a captivating exploration that delivers an eerie, darkly funny, and emotionally grounded book about ghosts, haunted houses, and haunted marriages.
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When Margaret and her husband Hal bought the large Victorian house on Hawthorn Street—for sale at a surprisingly reasonable price—they couldn’t believe they finally had a home of their own. Then they discovered the hauntings. Every September, the walls drip blood. The ghosts of former inhabitants appear, and all of them are terrified of something that lurks in the basement. Most people would flee.
Margaret is not like most people.
4. Favorite haunted house book of 2023
So “Nothing But Blackened Teeth” by Cassandra Khaw is an epic blend of horror and Japanese folklore, presenting a haunting and atmospheric narrative set against the backdrop of a decaying haunted mansion.
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A Heian-era mansion stands abandoned, its foundations resting on the bones of a bride and its walls packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company.
It’s the perfect venue for a group of thrill-seeking friends, brought back together to celebrate a wedding.
A night of food, drinks, and games quickly spirals into a nightmare as secrets get dragged out and relationships are tested.
But the house has secrets too. Lurking in the shadows is the ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart.
5. Living Nightmare Haunted House read
So “Episode Thirteen” by Craig DiLouie is an edge-of-your-seat novel that skillfully combines the horror genre with a thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s darker instincts in the face of a supernatural threat.
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Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost-hunting reality TV show. Led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin, it delivers weekly hauntings investigated by a dedicated team of ghost-hunting experts.
Episode Thirteen takes them to every ghost hunter’s holy grail: the Paranormal Research Foundation. This brooding, derelict mansion holds secrets and clues about bizarre experiments that took place there in the 1970s. It’s also famously haunted, and the team hopes their scientific techniques and high-tech gear will prove it. But as the house begins to reveal itself to them, proof of an afterlife might not be everything Matt dreamed of. A story told in broken pieces, in tapes, journals, and correspondence, this is the story of Episode Thirteen—and how everything went wrong.
6. Comical haunted house book
So “How to Sell a Haunted House” by Grady Hendrix is a delightful and clever blend of horror and humor, offering a fresh and entertaining take on haunted houses. Quirky storytelling and great MCs make this novel a must-read for those who enjoy a lighthearted yet spooky exploration of the supernatural.
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Louise doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.
But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…
7. Topsy turvy haunted house read
So “The Invited” by Jennifer McMahon is a captivating and atmospheric novel that seamlessly weaves together a ghost story with themes of family, identity, and the secrets buried in the past.
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A chilling ghost story with a twist: the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter People returns to the woods of Vermont to tell the story of a husband and wife who don’t simply move into a haunted house–they build one…
8. Epic haunted house novel
So “Hell House” by Richard Matheson is a spine-chilling must-read journey through the darkest corridors of haunted house horror, as the awful secrets of Belasco House unfold in relentless suspense.
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Rolf Deutsch is going die. But when Deutsch, a wealthy magazine and newspaper publisher, starts thinking seriously about his impending death, he offers to pay a physicist and two mediums, one physical and one mental, $100,000 each to establish the facts of life after death.
Dr. Lionel Barrett, the physicist, accompanied by the mediums, traveled to the Belasco House in Maine, which has been abandoned and sealed since 1949 after a decade of drug addiction, alcoholism, and debauchery. For one night, Barrett and his colleagues investigate the Belasco House and learn exactly why the townsfolk refer to it as the Hell House.
9. New release haunted house horror
So “The House That Horror Built” by Christina Henry is an upcoming release that needs to be on everyone’s list. If you love haunted house horror, Henry’s newest work needs to be on your radar.
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A single mother working in the gothic mansion of a reclusive horror director stumbles upon terrifying secrets in the captivating new novel from the national bestselling author of Good Girls Don’t Die and Horseman.
10. Good haunted house books
“So Coffin Cemetery” by Ron Ripley promises a pulse-pounding journey into the paranormal, where ancient evils and restless spirits converge in a chilling battle for the living.
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Dan Tate survived a heart-breaking tragedy and is plagued by nightmares of his terrifying ordeal. Withdrawing into an emotionless shell, he has driven away everyone who cared about him. Dan is lost, and utterly alone. Until he hears the voices…
In Coffin Cemetery, the anguished spirits cry out to him. Lost souls, torn from their places of rest, are seeking a way to move on. Dan wants to help these wandering ghosts find some measure of peace, in the hopes that, he too can finally put his past behind him.
11. Haunted house books for adults
“Ghostland” by Duncan Ralston invites you on a relentless rollercoaster of horror, where an abandoned theme park becomes the stage for a nightmarish exploration of the supernatural. Ralston’s expertly crafted suspense and chilling atmosphere promise a spine-tingling experience that will haunt you long after the final page, making this novel essential for those who crave a gripping and terrifying tale.
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Former best friends and gaming partners Ben Laramie and Lilian Roth reunite at Ghostland on opening day with different motives. Lilian has come with her therapist as “exposure therapy,” to face her fear of death dead on. Ben has come seeking revenge on his former idol, deceased horror author Rex Garrote, whose haunted house is the park’s star attraction.
But when a computer virus sets the ghosts free and the park goes into lockdown, the trio find themselves trapped in an endless nightmare. Ben and Lilian must use their wits and rely on each other to survive.
12. Amazing haunted house read
“The Good House” by Tananarive Due is a gripping blend of supernatural horror and family drama, offering a richly woven narrative that delves into the legacy of generational trauma. Due’s masterful storytelling and compelling characters create a haunting and thought-provoking reading experience, making this novel a must-read for those who seek a powerful exploration of the supernatural within the context of familial bonds.
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Angela has not returned to the Good House since her son, Corey, died there two years ago. But now, Angela is finally ready to return to her hometown and go beyond the grave to unearth the truth about Corey’s death. Could it be related to a terrifying entity Angela’s grandmother battled seven decades ago? And what about the other senseless calamities that Sacajawea has seen in recent years? Has Angela’s grandmother, an African American woman reputed to have “powers,” put a curse on the entire community?
13. Best-selling haunted house horror
“A House with Good Bones” by T. Kingfisher is a delightful and quirky blend of fantasy and mystery, where a charming cottage reveals hidden secrets and magical adventures. Kingfisher’s witty writing and endearing characters make this novel a delightful read, offering a whimsical journey for those who appreciate a touch of magic in their storytelling.
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Stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. When Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.
To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.
14. Haunted house books romance
“Better Homes and Hauntings” by Molly Harper is a delightful and humor-infused paranormal romance that combines witty banter with supernatural mysteries in a charming mansion setting.
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When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”
15. Modern haunted house books
“Burnt Offerings” by Robert Marasco is a must-read horror novel that skillfully builds dread and psychological tension, exploring the dark forces lurking within a seemingly idyllic summer retreat.
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Ben and Marian Rolfe are desperate to escape a stifling summer in their tiny Brooklyn apartment, so when they get the chance to rent a mansion in upstate New York for the entire summer for only $900, it’s an offer that’s too good to refuse.
16. Physiological haunted house horror
“The Spite House” by Johnny Compton is a gripping and atmospheric horror novel that seamlessly blends supernatural elements with a deeply human exploration of guilt and redemption.
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A terrifying Gothic thriller about grief and death and the depths of a father’s love, Johnny Compton’s The Spite House is a stunning debut by a horror master in the making—The Babadook meets A Head Full of Ghosts in the Texas Hill Country.
17. Books about haunted houses fiction
So “The Ghost of Marlow House” by Bobbi Holmes Holmes weaves a charming and lighthearted narrative, making this novel a perfect choice for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a ghostly twist.
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Since she’s never visited the property, Danielle’s not sure what awaits her in Oregon. She certainly doesn’t expect to find one of the house’s previous owners still in residence. After all, the man has been dead for almost ninety years—shouldn’t he have moved on by now?
18. Classic haunted house read
So “Haunted House” by J.A. Konrath is an amazing haunted house book with an amazing twist. If you’ve never read this one, you need to add it to your TBR now.
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It was an experiment in fear. Eight people, each chosen because they lived through a terrifying experience. Survivors. They don’t scare easily. They know how to fight back. Each is paid a million dollars to spend one night in a house. The old Butler House, where those grisly murders occurred so many years ago. A house that is supposedly haunted. They can take whatever they want with them. Religious items. Survival gear. Weapons. All they need to do is last the night.
19. Must-read gothic haunted house
So “This House Is Haunted” by John Boyne is a captivating and atmospheric ghost story that masterfully combines Victorian Gothic elements with a compelling mystery.
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Set in Norfolk in 1867, Eliza Caine responds to an ad for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall. When she arrives at the hall, shaken by an unsettling disturbance that occurred during her travels, she is greeted by the two children now in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There is no adult present to represent her mysterious employer, and the children do not explain. Later that night in her room, another terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong.
20. Chilling haunted house book
So “The Haunted” by Bentley Little is a chilling and suspenseful novel that delves into the unsettling consequences of a seemingly innocent real estate purchase, where the horrors of the past manifest in terrifying ways.
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The neighbors seem reluctant to visit. Claire can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching her. Megan receives increasingly menacing and obscene texts. And James is having terrible dreams. No wonder, considering what he’s seen in the corner of the basement, staring at him and shuffling closer ever so slowly.
Pity no one warned the family about the house. Now it’s too late. Because the darkness at the bottom of the stairs is rising…
21. Eerie Haunted House read
“The Grip of It” by Jac Jemc is a psychologically intense and deeply atmospheric novel that immerses readers in a haunting exploration of a couple’s unraveling sanity as they confront eerie occurrences in their new home.
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Touring their prospective suburban home, Julie and James are stopped by a noise. Deep and vibrating, like throat singing. Ancient, husky, and rasping, but underwater. “That’s just the house settling,” the real estate agent assures them with a smile. He is wrong.
22. Haunted House Books Goodreads
“Horrorstör” by Grady Hendrix is a brilliantly crafted and darkly humorous horror novel set within the unlikely backdrop of a furniture superstore, where the unsettling events that unfold provide a unique and thrilling experience.
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Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.
23. Best books about hauntings
“The Elementals” by Michael McDowell is a Southern Gothic masterpiece that skillfully weaves together family secrets, supernatural forces, and atmospheric horror in a tale of generational curses set against the backdrop of an eerie Alabama beach estate.
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Two of the houses are habitable, while the third is slowly and mysteriously being buried beneath an enormous dune of blindingly white sand. But though long uninhabited, the third house is not empty. Inside, something deadly lies in wait. Something that has terrified Dauphin Savage and Luker McCray since they were boys and which still haunts their nightmares. Something horrific that may be responsible for several terrible and unexplained deaths years earlier – and is now ready to kill again …
24. Spooky modern haunted house books
“The Broken Girls” by Simone St. James is a riveting blend of mystery, historical fiction, and supernatural elements, weaving a compelling narrative that seamlessly intertwines the past and present.
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Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the ones too smart for their good. It’s called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears…
Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan’s elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. Although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling that something was never right about the case.
25. YA haunted house books
“She Is a Haunting” by Trang Thanh Tran is an amazing haunted read that needs to be on everyone’s TBR list.
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When Jade Nguyen arrives in Vietnam for a visit with her estranged father, she has one goal: survive five weeks pretending to be a happy family in the French colonial house Ba is restoring. She’s always lied to fit in, so if she’s straight enough, Vietnamese enough, American enough, she can get out with the college money he promised.
But the house has other plans. Night after night, Jade wakes up paralyzed. The walls exude a thrumming sound while bugs leave their legs and feelers in places they don’t belong. She finds curious traces of her ancestors in the gardens they once tended. And at night Jade can’t ignore the ghost of the beautiful bride who leaves cryptic warnings: Don’t eat.
This post was all about 20 spine-chilling haunted house books that will immerse you in tales of supernatural suspense and ghostly encounters. 🏚️📚
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