Book picks similar to
House of Dead Trees by Joseph Duncan
horror
ghosts
supernatural
ghost-story
A House Divided
Deborah Leblanc - 2006
When Keith Lafleur discovers that he can obtain a majestic old farmhouse for free -- all he has to do is move it -- he jumps at the opportunity. But the spot where he wants to place it is too small, so he splits the house in half and creates two separate buildings. After renovations, one house is rented by friends Laura Toups and Tawana Batiste, who open a salon on the first floor and live above the shop with Tawana's mentally challenged cousin, Moweez. Matt Daigle rents the second structure, turning the ground floor into a café and living upstairs with his eight-year old son, Seth. But when unexplainable calamities start occurring -- Lafleur becomes afflicted with necrotic lesions, Seth is tormented by children's voices, Moweez begins drawing horrific premonitions, etc. -- the inhabitants of the house divided must get to the bottom of the ghostly mystery before it's too late With just three novels under her belt (Family Inheritance, Grave Intent, and A House Divided), LeBlanc has already amassed a huge cult following. This can be attributed not only to her ultra-smooth and richly descriptive writing style but also to her unique blend of sardonic wit and Lovecraftian nightmare. Her stories are not only frightening, they're great fun in a macabre sort of way. In A House Divided, for example, she portrays Lafleur not only as a repulsive villain but also as a kind of comedic cautionary example. Gruesome, creepy and chock-full of jaw-dropping plot twists, this novel is, above all else, wildly entertaining. Paul Goat Allen
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red
Joyce Reardon - 2001
This diary became the secret place where Ellen could confess her fears of the new marriage, her confusion over her emerging sexuality, and the nightmare that her life would become. The diary not only follows the development of a girl into womanhood, it follows the construction of the Rimbauer mansion—called Rose Red—an enormous home that would be the site of so many horrific and inexplicable tragedies in the years ahead.The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer: My Life at Rose Red is a rare document, one that gives us an unusual view of daily life among the aristocracy in the early 1900s, a window into one woman's hidden emotional torment, and a record of the mysterious events at Rose Red that scandalized Seattle society at the time—events that can only be fully understood now that the diary has come to light. Edited by Joyce Reardon, Ph.D. as part of her research, the diary is being published as preparations are being made by Dr. Reardon to enter Rose Red and fully investigate its disturbing history. (back cover)
The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson - 1959
Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, the lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
The Whistling
Rebecca Netley - 2021
Her charge, Mary, is a troubled child. Distracted and secretive, she hasn't uttered a word since the sudden death of her twin, William—just days after their former nanny disappeared.With Mary defiantly silent, Elspeth turns to the islanders. But no one will speak of what happened to William. Just as no one can explain the hypnotic lullabies sung in empty corridors. Nor the strange dolls that appear in abandoned rooms.Nor the faint whistling that comes in the night...As winter draws in and passage to the mainland becomes impossible, Elspeth finds herself trapped.But is this house haunted by the ghosts of the past?OR THE SECRETS OF THE LIVING..?Chilling, twisty and emotionally gripping, The Whistling is an atmospheric page-turner with shades of the classics, yet a unique character of its own. Perfect for fans of Susan Hill and Laura Purcell.
One for Sorrow
Mary Downing Hahn - 2017
Soon Annie makes other friends and finds herself joining them in teasing and tormenting Elsie. Elsie dies from influenza, but then she returns to reclaim Annie's friendship and punish all the girls who bullied her. Young readers who revel in spooky stories will relish this chilling tale of a girl haunted by a vengeful ghost.
White Crow
Marcus Sedgwick - 2010
Rebecca is an unwilling visitor to Winterfold - taken from the buzz of London and her friends and what she thinks is the start of a promising romance. Ferelith already lives in Winterfold - it's a place that doesn't like to let you go, and she knows it inside out.
The Amityville Horror
Jay Anson - 1977
28 Days of Terror in a House Possessed by Evil SpiritsIn December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their dream home, the same home where Ronald DeFeo had murdered his parents, brothers and sisters just one year earlier.the psychic phenomena that followed created the most terrifying experience the Lutz family had ever encountered, forcing them to flee the house in 28 days, convinced that it was possessed by evil spirits.Their fantastic story, never before disclosed in full detail, makes for an unforgettable book with all the shocks and gripping suspense of The Exorcist, The Omen or Rosemary's Baby, but with one vital difference...the story is true--back cover
Haverscroft
S.A. Harris - 2019
Little does she realise, Haverscroft’s dark secrets will drive her to question her sanity, her husband and fatally engulf her family unless she can stop the past repeating itself. Can Kate keep her children safe and escape Haverscroft in time, even if it will end her marriage?Haverscroft is a gripping and chilling dark tale, a modern ghost story that will keep you turning its pages late into the night.
The Haunting of the Creole House
Blake Croft - 2019
Something dark lurks in the old Creole house.Abbie and Richard’s young sons are the first to witness this phenomenon. When Aiden, the youngest, treats the teddy bear he found in their room as a friend, his brother Dave senses something terrible. Constant nightmares and fighting take a toll on them all, and what begins as a strange occurrence takes an ugly turn that spurs them to run for their lives. However, the sinister entity has other plans.Can the Coltranes bring an end to the madness before tragedy strikes?There is something in the Creole house. Ever watching, always hungry… it waits.If you like chilling supernatural suspense, you’ll love this story. Get your copy now!
The Haunting of Gawthorpe House
Jack Lewis - 2017
That they saw things. Heard noises. That it kept secrets. After being blamed for a horrific accident, Scarlett Gawthorpe is forced to leave her family home. Sixteen, scared, and pregnant, she leaves with her soon-to-be husband, Trev. Not long after, they have a daughter. They spend the next decade barely getting by, without a hint of contact from her parents. Then, after years of being cut off, Scarlett is shocked to learn that when her dad dies, he leaves her two things. One is the house. Another is a letter, with just six cryptic words. With nowhere else to go, Scarlett and her family journey back to Gawthorpe House. Something waits for them there. Not just the house - a presence. Something that lurks just out of view, but always where it can see them. Not only is Scarlett going to have to face her past, but she will have to battle an opponent both terrifying and powerful. She’s about to find out what lives in the shadows of the old estate. The house has a terrifying secret, and it could tear her family apart. The Haunting of Gawthorpe House is a paranormal horror novel set in the north of England, about a woman forced to face the chilling ghosts of her past in order to save her family.
The Haunting of Brynlee House: Based on a Real Haunted House
Caroline Clark - 2017
Emma has been hiding for a year. Hiding from an abusive ex who broke more than her bones. Now it is time to start again and she has been left an old house in which to make a new beginning. Brynlee house is remote, old, and kinda creepy but she knows that this is the second chance she needs. That is until things start to go wrong. The sound of a child laughing, or screaming haunts her dreams. Strange sounds, smells and marks on the wall make her doubt her own sanity and what is it with the black cat? Is this just stress? Has her ex found her and is he playing games? When Emma starts to research the house she reads of witch trials, of burning, and torture but surely that can have nothing to do with today? In her panic she goes to the police. Brent is a Detective Inspector, he searches the house but can find no intruder. All his training tells him this woman is seeing things... and yet his gut says something is not quite right. Welcome to Brynlee House, dare you look into its past? Could the murder of a mother and child have left a stain on the house? Watch out for the cat, he has been here longer than anyone! Read this exciting haunted house mystery for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED.
Thirteen Chairs
Dave Shelton - 2013
They argue, they laugh, and they tell their stories. Some tell their own stories, some tell stories they have heard elsewhere. Some of them are true, some are not. But each tale draws you closer.One by one, the storytellers depart, until suddenly it's just you and the narrator, alone in the dark...
Twelve Nights at Rotter House
J.W. Ocker - 2019
As with his other gigs, he sets rules for himself: no leaving the house for any reason, refrain from outside contact, and sleep during the day.When Thomas Ruth, Felix's oldest friend and fellow horror film obsessive, joins him on the project, the two dance around a recent and unspeakably painful rough-patch in their friendship, but eventually fall into their old rhythms of dark humor and movie trivia. That's when things start going wrong: screams from upstairs, figures in the thresholds, and more than what should be in any basement. Felix realizes the book he's writing, and his very state of mind, is tilting from nonfiction into all out horror, and the shocking climax answers a question that's been staring these men in the face all along: In Rotter House, who's haunting who?
The Bell Witch: An American Haunting
Brent Monahan - 1997
It was a cruel and noisy spirit, given to rapping and gnawing sounds before it found its voices.With these voices and its supernatural acts, the Bell Witch tormented the Bell family. This extraordinary book recounts the only documented case in U.S. history when a spirit actually caused a man's death.The local schoolteacher, Richard Powell, witnessed the strange events and recorded them for his daughter. His astonishing manuscript fell into the hands of novelist Brent Monahan, who has prepared the book for publication. Members of the Bell family have previously provided information on this fascinating case, but this book recounts the tale with novelistic vigor and verve. It is truly chilling.
The Cold Room
Jason N. LaVelle - 2013
But when an unexpected event forces Karen to move in with Joel, things start to go wrong. Karen soon realizes that she and Joel are not the only ones inhabiting his house. There is something very dark living there, and it wants her gone. As Karen is stalked through the night by an ancient assailant, her focus starts to shift from unraveling the house’s mysteries to just making it out alive. Inspired by chilling real events, The Cold Room is a frightening thriller. You may want to sleep with the lights on after reading this.