Books matching: horror elements in drama
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- #1
Save:One for Sorrow by Sarah A. Denzil follows the story of Leah Smith, a psychiatric nurse starting a new job at Crowmont Hospital where she is tasked with caring for Isabel Fielding, a patient who was convicted of murdering a young child. As Leah delves into Isabel's case, she begins to question the truth behind the murder, leading to a complex and suspenseful cat-and-mouse scenario between the two women. The book is a psychological thriller filled with twists, revelations, and a gripping plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The novel expertly weaves together themes of mental health, suspense, and mystery, creating a compelling narrative that explores the blurred lines between sanity and madness. Through the evolving dynamics between Leah and Isabel, the author skillfully delves into the complexities of human psychology, keeping readers engaged with its well-crafted characters and unexpected plot developments.
I was unaccustomed to the icy bite of the northern wind. Even in early March, I’d woken to frost on the windscreen that morning and layered up my clothing. Wearing my fingerless gloves as I drove, int... Hospital by Toby Litt is a surreal and imaginative tale set in a soap opera hospital where the story revolves around a lost boy wandering the corridors of a strange building and a man who won't wake up despite the hospital staff's efforts. The plot takes a dark turn as chaos ensues within the hospital, with Satanists, voodoo priests, and bizarre occurrences like people becoming immortal and the dead arising. The writing style is described as a mix of amusement and horror, with moments of brilliant imagination and a fight of good versus evil woven throughout the storyline.
- #3
Save:In the Yellow City, male mages are losing their powers, leading to water riots and societal breakdown. Women start discovering their own magical abilities, causing a shift in power dynamics. As the Sisters of the Raven become more accepted, the story explores gender politics and societal changes in a magical setting. The plot involves a group of women seeking to save the Yellow City from dark magic while navigating prejudice and danger. Barbara Hambly crafts a complex tale with well-developed characters and intricate world-building, addressing themes of power, gender roles, and societal upheaval.
If the other novice wizards on the row hadn’t broken into Raeshaldis’s rooms the previous day, pissed on her bed and written WHORE and THIEF on the walls, she probably would have been killed on the ni... - #4
Save:A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill is a dark family drama intertwined with horror elements that explore themes of family trauma, mental illness, and the supernatural. The story follows the Turner family, haunted by monsters both real and imagined, as they navigate through generations of darkness and love. The writing style is described as beautiful, engaging, and complex, with layers of meaning and different time periods woven together by family bonds and mysterious monsters.
Like me, my mother was born somewhat late into her parents’ marriage. Unlike me, however, she reaped the benefits of being born to financially successful parents. Her father, Christopher Byrne, was a ... - #5
Save:"The Cipher" by Kathe Koja is a horror novel that revolves around the discovery of a mysterious, pulsating hole in a storage room by Nicholas and his girlfriend Nakota. As they become obsessed with the hole, experimenting and exploring its depths, their lives and mental states deteriorate. The book delves into themes of nihilism, obsession, and the unknown, with a writing style that is described as visceral, bleak, and sometimes challenging to follow due to its stream of consciousness narrative.
Nakota, who saw it first: long spider legs drawn up beneath her ugly skirt, wise mouth pursed into nothing like a smile. Sitting in my dreary third-floor flat, on a dreary thrift shop chair, the windo... - #6
Save:'The Night Strangers' by Chris Bohjalian follows the story of Captain Chip Linton, a pilot who experiences a traumatic plane crash that leaves him struggling with PTSD and survivor's guilt. Chip, along with his wife Emily and twin daughters, relocates to a small town in New Hampshire to start afresh. However, they soon discover that the community is filled with mysterious elements, including herbalists, witches, and a haunted house with a door sealed by 39 bolts. As Chip delves into the secrets of the town, supernatural occurrences and eerie plot developments unfold, leading to a chilling and unexpected ending. The narrative style alternates between different viewpoints, providing a unique and suspenseful reading experience that keeps the reader engaged.
delves into themes of trauma, supernatural elements, and psychological struggles faced by the characters, creating a dark and suspenseful atmosphere throughout the story. The author weaves together a complex plot involving ghosts, witches, and a town shrouded in mystery, while exploring the impact of a tragic event on the lives of those involved. With elements reminiscent of Stephen King's storytelling and a focus on character development, 'The Night Strangers' offers a blend of horror, suspense, and psychological depth that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the surprising conclusion.
You see the long, wide, perfectly straight strip of asphalt before you, the hangar to your right with the words GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS painted in billboard-size letters along the side. You recognize it a... 'Hug Chickenpenny: The Panegyric of an Anomalous Child' by S. Craig Zahler is a dark and twisted tale that follows the life of a deformed orphan named Hug Chickenpenny. The story is a farce and a lark, testing the reader's limits to care for this very strange protagonist in a sincere and heartfelt manner. The narrative progresses through short vignettes, reminiscent of a Roald Dahl story with a Grimm's Fairy Tale twist, showcasing a unique blend of humor, darkness, and emotional depth.
The book explores themes of discrimination, hardship, and the struggles of a tragic yet uplifting spirit in a dark child's fable for adults. The writing style is described as folksy and fun, with a charming protagonist in Hug Chickenpenny, but some readers feel the lack of a traditional plot progression and conflicts, leading to a somewhat episodic and meandering storytelling approach.
The sun crested a distant mountain range and shone upon suburban rooftops that had chimneys, television antennas, and lost model airplanes. Away from these pastel homes and atop a weedy hill stood an ...- #8
Save:Good Me, Bad Me by Ali Land is a psychological thriller that delves into the dark and disturbing world of a young girl named Milly, who is placed in foster care after turning her serial killer mother over to the police. The book follows Milly's struggles with her past, her inner demons, and her desire to build a new life while dealing with the challenges of her temporary foster family and preparing to testify against her mother in court. The story is gripping, chilling, and explores themes of abuse, trauma, identity, and the complexities of human nature.
His hand – I noticed a slight tremor as it reached for the telephone. Come now, he said. You need to hear this. The silent waiting for his superior to arrive. Bearable for me. Less so for him. A hundr... - #9
Save:"Baby Teeth" by Zoje Stage is a chilling psychological horror novel that delves into the disturbing relationship between a mother, Suzette, and her mute 7-year-old daughter, Hanna. The story unfolds through alternating chapters narrated by Suzette and Hanna, revealing Hanna's dark desires to eliminate her mother and have her father all to herself. As the plot progresses, the tension escalates, showcasing Hanna's manipulative and devious nature, leading to a terrifying and unsettling narrative. The book explores themes of obsession, parental love, and the thin line between fear and affection in a gripping and intense writing style that keeps readers on edge.
MAYBE THE MACHINE could see the words she never spoke. Maybe they blazed in her bones. Maybe if the people in the white coats blew up the pictures they’d see her thoughts, mapped like mountains and ra... - #10
Save:'Under the Skin' by Michel Faber is a dark and disturbing novel that follows the story of Isserley, a female driver who cruises the Scottish Highlands looking for muscular male hitchhikers. The plot takes unexpected twists and turns, delving into themes of humanity, dehumanization, and the exploitation of the other. The writing style is described as beautifully imagined, thought-provoking, and suspenseful, keeping readers on edge as they uncover the mysteries within the narrative.
The book explores the concept of what it means to be human, the moral boundaries of slaughter, and the complexities of identity and mercy. It presents a unique perspective on modern life, turning societal norms upside down and challenging readers to contemplate deeper questions about equality, sacrifice, and the essence of humanity. Faber's narrative weaves together elements of science fiction, horror, and social commentary, creating a compelling and unsettling story that lingers in the minds of readers long after they have finished the book.
ISSERLEY ALWAYS DROVE straight past a hitch-hiker when she first saw him, to give herself time to size him up. She was looking for big muscles: a hunk on legs. Puny, scrawny specimens were no use to h...
