Books Like...

"Dark Echo" by F.G. Cottam is a chilling horror novel that revolves around a cursed ship and the evil satanist who captained her in the 1920s. The story seamlessly transitions between past and present, building tension and creating a sense of rising menace through small details. The author's ability to weave multiple stories together, rich character development, and the atmospheric descriptions of coastal resorts and historical events contribute to the overall eerie and captivating narrative. The book follows a group of characters as they uncover family secrets, face hauntings, and navigate through a world of devil worship, all leading to a final conflict filled with suspense and dread.

The writing style of F.G. Cottam in "Dark Echo" is described as accessible, engaging, and skillfully crafted. The author keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, with a plot that unfolds gradually, sprinkled with delightful twists and turns. The balance between setting descriptions, storytelling, and writing style is praised, creating an atmosphere that is both unsettling and immersive. The book delves into themes of history, hauntings, and supernatural elements, drawing readers into a world where past horrors intertwine with present-day events, leading to a climactic confrontation with evil.

The Unseen by Alexandra Sokoloff is a supernatural thriller set in North Carolina, primarily in Durham and on the Duke campus. The story follows Professor Laurel MacDonald, who becomes intrigued by the files of a parapsychology lab shut down 40 years ago after a mysterious experiment. Along with her colleague, Laurel decides to recreate the experiment in a haunted house, leading to paranormal activity, psychological suspense, and a sense of dread as the investigation unfolds. The plot includes elements of psychic abilities, ghostly encounters, and a deep dive into the mysteries of the past, all wrapped in a suspenseful narrative with a touch of horror.

The Loveliest Dead by Ray Garton is a haunting tale about a family who moves into a new house inherited from the wife's estranged father, only to discover it is haunted by the spirits of small boys and a mysterious fat man in a cowboy hat. As the family experiences terrifying encounters, they seek help from a psychic who foresees the danger looming over them. The story unfolds with a mix of supernatural elements, psychological horror, and a race against time to avoid disaster, all presented in a fast-paced narrative style that keeps readers engaged.

The book delves into themes of possession, evil entities, and supernatural occurrences, while also exploring the dynamics within the family and their reactions to the haunting. With well-developed characters, a suspenseful plot, and a blend of horror elements, The Loveliest Dead offers a chilling and gripping read that balances between psychological depth and supernatural terror.

In 'Mischief', the second book of the Harrow House series by Douglas Clegg, readers are taken on a journey with 15-year-old Jack as he navigates through a haunted boys school filled with bizarre occurrences that disrupt his sleep and schoolwork. The story unfolds with an old force menacing the characters, blending ancient evil with a contemporary setting. Jack becomes involuntarily involved with the Cadaver Society, leading to a dark tale of loneliness and shadows.

The writing style in 'Mischief' is described as easy to gobble up, with moments of perverse humor presented in a mature manner. The narrative builds up suspense, but some readers felt that the resolution was lacking, leaving them on a cliffhanger. Despite not being as compelling as the first book in the series, the story is praised for its intricate plots, well-developed characters, and a supernatural theme centered around the horrors of Harrow House.

'Circe' by Jessica Penot is a psychological thriller set in a haunted psychiatric hospital in Alabama. The story follows a newly hired psychiatrist who becomes entangled in the dark and mysterious world of the asylum, leading to a descent into madness. The plot is suspenseful and intriguing, with well-crafted descriptive detail and complex, believable characters. The author's writing style keeps readers engaged, although some found the ending to be rushed and the book in need of better editing.

'Brodmaw Bay' by F.G. Cottam is a chilling tale set in a small picturesque Cornish fishing village that seems too good to be true. The Greer family, going through upheavals, is drawn to the village where they are immediately accepted and made to feel at home. However, as they settle in, the village's welcoming facade starts to unravel, revealing something ancient and evil lurking beneath the surface. The story involves unseen horrors, ancient witchcraft, rituals, ghosts, and true evil, all woven together by Cottam's excellent storytelling style that gradually builds a sense of unease to shocking disbelief.

Kevin, a Florida native, decides to find a fixer-upper in the Midwest to renovate in 30 days with daily video updates on his internet channel. The house he chooses is in a Detroit neighborhood completely abandoned, and even the nearby graveyard garners no attention or maintenance. Despite the house being a steal, there are very real troubles, as the house is infested with more than just termites. As Kevin works on the renovation, he starts experiencing terrifying encounters with spirits inhabiting the house, leading to a haunting and disturbing conclusion.

The book follows protagonist Kevin Taylor, a likable and driven character who is a successful home repair and renovation genius with aspirations of hosting a TV network series. As he delves into renovating the haunted house, he faces increasing terror and challenges, ultimately leading to a chilling and unexpected ending.

This House Is Haunted by John Boyne is a gothic ghost story set in a Victorian era, revolving around Eliza Caine, a young governess who takes a job at Gaudlin Hall to care for two children. As Eliza delves into the mysterious occurrences in the house, she uncovers dark family secrets and faces supernatural threats. The novel combines traditional elements of the 19th-century ghost story genre with a modern twist, incorporating feminist perspectives and eerie atmospheres reminiscent of classics like The Turn of the Screw and Jane Eyre.

The plot unfolds with Eliza navigating through the haunted house, encountering chilling events and uncovering the tragic past of the family residing in Gaudlin Hall. John Boyne skillfully weaves a suspenseful narrative, utilizing familiar tropes like ghostly apparitions, mysterious children, and hidden secrets to create a compelling tale that keeps readers engaged till the end.

'Within These Walls' by Ania Ahlborn is a psychological and supernatural horror novel that follows the story of a true crime author, Lucas Graham, who is offered an exclusive interview with a cult leader, Jeffrey Halcomb, in exchange for moving into the house where a ritualistic killing took place. The book alternates between the present, where Lucas investigates the cult and its rituals, and the past, where we witness Audra Avis being manipulated into the cult and the events leading to her demise. The novel explores themes of manipulation, redemption, and the power of charismatic personalities on vulnerable minds, drawing parallels to real-life cults like the Manson family.

'Perron Manor' by Lee Mountford is a part of 'The Haunted' series, following paranormal investigator David and his team as they face supernatural horrors. The plot unfolds with Sarah, David, and Father Janosch investigating an old cathedral where they discover dark secrets beyond their imagination. The author's writing style creates a chilling atmosphere, weaving historical facts with fiction to craft an exciting tale of demonic possession, religious intrigue, and murder. grips readers from the start, building tension with well-developed characters and engaging storylines that keep them on the edge of their seats.