The Best Horror Novels to Keep You Up at Night

The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining is a horror novel by Stephen King, first published in 1977. The novel is about Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack's young son, Danny, possesses a psychic ability known as "the shining," which allows him to see into the future and the past, as well as communicate with the spirits of the dead. As the winter goes on, Jack becomes increasingly unstable and violent, and Danny becomes plagued by frightening visions. It is eventually revealed that the Overlook Hotel is haunted by ghosts who have taken an interest in Danny and want to use him to destroy the world. The Shining is considered one of the best horror novels of all time and was adapted into a successful film in 1980, directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The Haunting of Hill House is a horror novel by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1959. The novel is about a group of people who are invited to participate in a scientific study of the paranormal at the mysterious Hill House, a mansion with a reputation for being haunted. The group includes Dr. John Montague, an investigator of the supernatural; Theodora, a bohemian artist; Eleanor Vance, a shy young woman; and Luke Sanderson, the young heir to Hill House. As they spend more time in the mansion, strange and unsettling events begin to occur, and the characters start to turn on each other as they try to uncover the source of the hauntings. The Haunting of Hill House is considered a classic of horror literature and has been adapted into numerous films, television series, and stage productions.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book is a young adult fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman, published in 2008. The novel is about a young boy named Nobody "Bod" Owens who is orphaned after his family is brutally murdered and is raised by the ghosts in a graveyard. As he grows up, Bod learns about the dangers and secrets of the world from his ghostly guardians, as well as from the living people he encounters outside the graveyard. Along the way, he must confront the man who killed his family, the mysterious Mr. Jacquel and Mr. D’Aqualine, and the sinister organization known as the Jacks of All Trades. The Graveyard Book is a horror novel with elements of mystery, adventure, and dark fantasy, and has won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein is a novel by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818. The novel is about a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein who becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life. Using cutting-edge science and his own genius, Victor succeeds in creating a humanoid creature from body parts he has collected. However, the creature is grotesque and shunned by society, leading it to become vengeful and murderous. The novel follows Victor as he is pursued by the creature he created, and as he grapples with the consequences of his actions. Frankenstein is considered a classic of horror and science fiction, and has inspired numerous adaptations in various media. The novel is also notable for being one of the first works in the science fiction genre.

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist is a horror novel by William Peter Blatty, published in 1971. The novel is about a young girl named Regan MacNeil who becomes possessed by a demon, and the efforts of two priests to exorcise the demon from her body. The novel is set in Washington, D.C., and follows the priests, Father Damien Karras and Father Lankester Merrin, as they try to understand the nature of the possession and to perform the exorcism. The Exorcist is known for its graphic and disturbing depiction of demonic possession, and for its exploration of themes such as faith, doubt, and the nature of good and evil. The novel was a bestseller and was adapted into a highly successful film in 1973, directed by William Friedkin.