Books matching: occult plot
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- #1
Save:A creepy classic that excels at building tension and leaving you unsettled - perfect for fans of psychological horror, but maybe less effective if you already know all its secrets.
"Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin revolves around a young wife, Rosemary Woodhouse, who finds herself entangled in an occult plot to steal her baby for Satanistic rituals after it is born. The story is told solely through Rosemary's eyes, creating a sense of being trapped with her as she navigates through eerie occurrences and reaches a horrifying conclusion. The plot unfolds in contemporary New York City, skillfully crafted by Levin to build mounting suspense and a sense of dread throughout the narrative.
The writing style in "Rosemary's Baby" is described as simple, engrossing, and suspenseful by readers. Levin's storytelling is praised for its subtle yet creepy elements, with a slow buildup of tension leading to a chilling finale. is noted for its ability to delve into themes of satanism, witchcraft, and the fear surrounding motherhood, all set against a backdrop of everyday details that add to the overall sinister atmosphere.
ROSEMARY AND GUY WOODHOUSE had signed a lease on a five-room apartment in a geometric white house on First Avenue when they received word, from a woman named Mrs. Cortez, that a four-room apartment in...January 1967•293 pages - #2
Save:Medusa's Web by Tim Powers is a contemporary fantasy novel set in modern-day Hollywood, featuring elements of time travel, mystery, and the occult. The story revolves around siblings Scott and Madeline Madden, who return to their aunt's eerie Hollywood estate after her death. As they navigate through family secrets, dysfunctional relationships, and supernatural spiders that enable time travel, they find themselves entangled in a complex web of mysteries spanning from the past to the present.
The woman stood at one of the tall French windows, peering through the rain-streaked glass down the slope outside. The day had not ever been very bright, and the light in the overcast sky was now fadi...January 2016•404 pages - #3
Save:A short, punchy, and delightfully twisted ride through a supernatural noir London - great for fans of urban fantasy who want wild imagination and fast action over deep characters or subtle plotting.
'Something from the Nightside' by Simon R. Green is a dark fantasy novel that follows the protagonist, John Taylor, as he navigates the mysterious underworld of the Nightside, a hidden part of London where the supernatural and the bizarre coexist. John, a private investigator with a unique talent for finding things, gets drawn back into the Nightside after five years to solve a case involving a missing girl. As he delves deeper into the dark and dangerous world of the Nightside, he uncovers secrets, encounters strange creatures, and faces unexpected challenges. combines elements of fantasy, horror, and hardboiled detective fiction, creating a fast-paced and immersive story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The writing style of 'Something from the Nightside' is described as engaging, with a good balance of humor, horror, and mystery. The author, Simon R. Green, introduces readers to a vividly imagined world filled with unique characters and imaginative settings. The novel is fast-paced, with a mix of dark and light moments, and features a smartass main character, John Taylor, who adds a layer of wit and charm to the narrative. Green's storytelling weaves together elements of noir detective fiction with supernatural elements, creating a compelling and atmospheric read that transports readers to a world where the line between reality and fantasy blurs.
Private eyes come in all shapes and sizes, and none of them look like television stars. Some do insurance work, some hang around cheap hotels with camcorders hoping to get evidence for divorce cases,...May 2003•249 pages - #4
Save:A wild, pulpy ride through Lovecraft’s world where humans actually get to fight back. If you love action and mythos mashups, it’s a blast - just don’t expect classic cosmic horror vibes.
'The Burrowers Beneath' in the 'Titus Crow' series by Brian Lumley follows the adventures of the occult detective Titus Crow and his friend Marigny as they delve into the world of the Cthulhu deities and their underlings. Crow and Marigny find themselves under siege, trying to escape using an ancient travel device while facing unimaginable creatures wanting to take over the planet. Lumley's writing style adds to Lovecraft's mythos, offering a modern Gothic horror twist to the concepts, keeping readers on the edge and delivering a Lovecraftian essence.
Please alter my order as it stands to cover only the most outstanding cases, on which your continued cooperation would be appreciated as ever. This action not to be misconstrued as being all but a can...June 1974•190 pages - #5
Save:A gorgeously illustrated magical tour - sometimes messy, always imaginative. Come for the Gaiman writing and atmospheric art; stay if you love mysterious, open-ended fantasy adventures.
The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman is a comic series featuring a young boy named Timothy Hunter. He discovers he has the potential to become a powerful magician while being guided by iconic figures like John Constantine and the Phantom Stranger. The story takes him through various magical realms, showcasing a rich journey filled with adventure and encounters with strong characters from the DC Universe.
Gaiman's writing style in this series blends whimsical elements with darkness, creating vivid scenes and thought-provoking moments. While some plot points leave readers wanting more clarity, the artwork is beautifully detailed. Each chapter reflects Gaiman's unique storytelling, turning the comic into a captivating exploration of magic, identity, and choice.
April 1993•218 pages - #6
Save:"Dead Lies Dreaming" by Charles Stross is a departure from the usual Laundry Files series, introducing a new set of characters in a heist plot to acquire a lost spell book, with themes of magic, crime, and Lovecraftian elements. The story is set in the same universe as the Laundry Files but moves away from the original characters, focusing on a group of criminals led by Imp and Eve as they navigate a world under the New Management, hinting at consequences of ubiquitous magic.
Game Boy shook his head and blew a scummy pink bubble. When the alfär executioner held his heavy-duty electric screwdriver against Santa’s wrist, the screams were audible over the rumble of passing bu...October 2020•388 pages - #7
Save:As the guardian of Harrow County, Emmy is not surprised that someone has come to ask for her help. But she is surprised that her visitor is a haint! Someone (or something) has been attacking Harrow County's supernatural residents, and Emmy is surpris
... - #8
Save:'The Cthulhu Mythos' by August Derleth is a collection of stories that add to Lovecraft's Cthulhu universe. Derleth's interpretation of Lovecraft's cosmos, while not identical, builds upon the foundation laid by Lovecraft and introduces new elements to the mythos. The stories in the book often revolve around encounters with Lovecraftian entities, cosmic horror, and the intertwining of biblical themes with the mythos.
1997•448 pages - #9
Save:A bonkers, endlessly inventive classic: perfect for anyone who loves wild gothic adventures, intricate storytelling, and a good puzzle of a book. Not for the faint-hearted, but unforgettable if you stick with it!
Count Jan Potocki's The Manuscript Found in Saragossa is a captivating and complex book with a humorous touch, featuring a story within a story within a story within a story. The book consists of a collection of supernatural tales linked together by a complex series of frame stories, creating a nightmarish hall of mirrors. The narrative is a blend of Arabian Nights in its structure and mythology and Don Quixote in its itinerant adventures and strict system of Honour, making it a gothic, erotic, picaresque, and pastoral tale.
The book follows the journey of Alphonse Van Worden as he navigates the mountainous Spanish countryside, encountering seductive Moorish princesses, nomad kings, monks, demoniacs, mathematicians, and the Spanish Inquisition. Each character he meets has a multi-layered tale to tell, intertwining elements of mystery, mysticism, swashbuckling adventures, and seductions. The stories are nested within one another, creating a complex web of interconnected plots that keep the reader entertained and immersed in a world of history, myths, apocrypha, religion, and philosophy.
8‘The Brothers’: Potocki gives one origin of the name in the text (Zoto’s brothers), but the Inquisition (‘la santa Hermandad’, as it is referred to at the beginning of this chapter) is also known as...1804•655 pages - #10
Save:A clever, bookish thriller packed with literary intrigue and occult secrets; a must for bibliophiles, but may puzzle those who prefer their mysteries more direct.
"The Club Dumas" by Arturo Perez-Reverte is an intellectual mystery that delves into the world of rare book collectors, thieves, and forgers. The plot follows Lucas Corso, a book collector hired to authenticate a rare chapter of The Three Musketeers and to locate two other copies of an occult book, The Nine Doors. As Corso delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding these books, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of secrets, codes, and ancient manuscripts. The writing style of the book is described as rich, dense, and historical, with intricate details and a mix of historical facts and literary interpretations that add depth to the narrative.
My name is Boris Balkan and I once translated The Charterhouse of Parma. Apart from that, I’ve edited a few books on the nineteenth-century popular novel, my reviews and articles appear in supplements...1993•367 pages
