“He built a house. People have been dying in it ever since.”
When it comes to the world of horror, haunted houses are absolute must-haves. Immediately evoking images of giant gothic mansions with sordid histories and dark secrets behind every corner – it’s part of the formula readers have loved to devour ever since the heyday of gothic horror during the late 1800s. With the subgenre still continuing to go strong today, check out 7 of the best haunted house horror books from the past few years here at What We Reading!
The Library Of The Dead – T.L. Huchu
The Library of the Dead kickstarts T.L. Huchu’s Edinburgh Nights series, and is an action-packed waltz with the supernatural set in an occult library with plenty of dark secrets lurking in its passageways.
The book follows Ropa, a woman living in Edinburgh with the ability to speak to the dead. It’s honest work until she comes across a spirit that is leaving the city’s children empty husks, devoid of life and joy. Discovering a hidden library filled with secrets, The Library of the Dead combines the creepy setting of the Scottish city’s streets with Zimbabwean magic from Huchu’s roots.
The Haunting Of Ashburn House – Darcy Coates
For nearly a century, the ancient Ashburn House has been the subject of countless rumours. Its proud owner, Edith, has never allowed visitors inside but, following her death, the property has passed to her sole remaining relative, Adrienne.
In a terrifying Haunted House tale, Darcy Coates whisks readers on a journey across Ashburn House’s grizzly past, and all the sinister inhabitants that line its walls.
The Cottage – Lisa Stone
After losing her job and relationship, Jan Hamlin jumps at the opportunity of renting out a secluded cottage. But, after a tap at her window, things begin to take a sinister turn as she realises there is someone, or something, lurking outside in the shadows.
The Cottage is Lisa Stone’s 2021 Haunted House Horror Book that grapples with resentment and loss in a beautifully eerie setting.
Check out Every Horror Subgenre
The House Of A Hundred Whispers – Graham Masterton
Acclaimed British horror author Graham Masterton produces a chilling gothic horror novel set on the Devon moors in The House of a Hundred Whispers.
The book follows the estranged Russell family who convenes at the old Allhallows Hall following the murder of their father, Herbert. Once there, however, protagonist Martin’s son, Timmy, goes missing somewhere in the old building and the family is locked into a deadly hunt across Allhallows Hall, where the walls seem to have the ghosts of years gone by whispering in their ears.
Masterton expertly weaves in the creepy setting and local folklore to create a suspenseful and fast-paced read set in this crumbling gothic mansion.
Check out our House of a Hundred Whispers book review here!
The House On Cold Hill – Peter James
Bestselling crime and thriller author Peter James introduces his chilling House on Cold Hill series with the 2015 entry novel, The House on Cold Hill.
This haunted house horror book follows Ollie, Caro Harcourt and their 12-year-old daughter Jade as they move from the seaside of Sussex to the countryside, moving into the grand Georgian mansion. But, after seeing the spectral woman standing behind them on a FaceTime call, they realise they aren’t the only residents living in this old house.
Don’t Look Back – Ben Cheetham
Pushcart Prize nominee Ben Cheetham kicks off the Fenton House series with his 2018 novel Don’t Look Back.
Adam is not the type of man to believe in ghosts. So, after the opportunity arises for him and his wife to stay in a beautiful, yet supposedly haunted, mansion, he jumps at the opportunity. This house has plenty of dark mysteries lurking in its past however, with the original owner hanging himself and an entire family disappearing without a trace.
Haunted by the memories of his dead son, Adam and his family quickly realize they might not be alone in this old stately home.
Too Near The Dead – Helen Grant
One of the most chilling indie horror books, Helen Grant’s Too Near the Dead whisks readers to the eerily picturesque Perthshire countryside and into the story of Fen Munro and her fiance, James.
For the couple, Barr Dubh is the perfect forever home. Providing an escape from the bustling streets of London, its contemporary design is stunning and the surroundings are to die for. However, these grounds are constantly stalked by the lavender-wearing woman. Horrifying nightmares begin to plague Fen. Something, or someone, is trying to steal all the happiness in her life. And nothing, not even death itself, will stop it from getting what it wants.
The Whistling – Rebecca Netley
With no one else in her world, Elspeth Swansome has taken a job as a nanny for a family on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea. However, in this old gothic house, there are dark secrets waiting to reveal themselves to her.
The child she is looking after hasn’t uttered a word since her twin died, the previous babysitter disappeared mysteriously not long after that, strange dolls turn up in different rooms, and hypnotic lullabies can be heard being sung in the corridors at night. With her passage back to the mainland cut off, The Whistling is an atmospheric page-turner that pays homage to the classic gothic books of old.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
