Books Like...

'Drood' by Dan Simmons is a captivating historical literary mystery that delves into the friendship and rivalry between Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. The story is narrated through the eyes of Wilkie Collins, who recounts the final years of Dickens' life after a near-fatal train accident and his obsession with a mysterious figure named Drood. The novel weaves a tale of intrigue, darkness, and madness, exploring the complexities of Dickens and Collins' relationship and the haunting inspiration behind Dickens' unfinished work, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood.'
If you liked Drood, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
'The Hunger' by Alma Katsu is a historical novel that retells the journey of the Reed Donner Party in 1846, adding a supernatural element to the story. The book delves into the horrors faced by the pioneers, including disease, starvation, and cannibalism, while also incorporating a supernatural twist that heightens the tension and fear within the narrative. Through well-done characterization and vivid descriptions, the author brings to life the interactions and struggles of the moving community, making the story a captivating blend of historical fiction and horror.
The plot of 'The Hunger' follows the ill-fated Donner Party as they face a series of mishaps, poor decisions, and supernatural threats while attempting to cross 1800's America from east to west. The author skillfully weaves together elements of historical events with supernatural horror, creating a gripping and eerie tale that keeps readers on edge. The book explores themes of despair, survival, and the malevolent nature of the surrounding environment, making it a haunting and immersive read that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
He stood that morning in front of the big mirror strapped to the side of James Reed’s wagon. In every direction, the prairie unfurled like a blanket, occasionally rippled by wind: mile after uninterru... - #2
Set in the 1800s, 'The Terror' by Dan Simmons follows the ill-fated expedition of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror as they search for the Northwest Passage through the Arctic. The story is a blend of historical fiction and supernatural elements, incorporating themes of survival, exploration, and the mysterious creature that stalks the crew, creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere. Simmons intricately weaves in elements of Inuit mythology, adding depth and a fresh perspective to the well-known historical event.
Simmons' writing style in 'The Terror' is described as detailed, immersive, and atmospheric, capturing the harsh conditions of the Arctic and the psychological struggles of the characters with precision. The novel keeps readers engaged with its mix of historical accuracy, nautical elements, and fantastical elements, making it a unique and captivating read that blurs the lines between reality and myth.
Captain Crozier comes up on deck to find his ship under attack by celestial ghosts. Above him — above Terror — shimmering folds of light lunge but then quickly withdraw like the colourful arms of aggr... The novel moves between two storylines, one on the Titanic and one a few years later on the Britannic during World War I. The details about the Britannic, how it was reinforced after the Titanic's sinking, and how it was refitted to be a hospital ship were fascinating. The story blends historical fact and fiction seamlessly, with references to the supernatural and superficial characters.
Annie Hebbley pokes her needle into the coarse gray linen, a soft color, like the feathers of the doves that entrap themselves in the chimneys here, fluttering and crying out, sometimes battering them...- #4
Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons is a lengthy horror novel that delves into the chilling tale of a small group of individuals with the ability to control the minds of others. The story follows multiple plot lines that weave in and out of each other, keeping the reader engrossed with clever concepts and plenty of creepy moments. Simmons' writing style is described as detailed, epic, disturbing, and intense, with the ability to create a deep and intense read that takes more than one sitting to fully appreciate.
Nina was going to take credit for the death of that Beatle, John. I thought that was in very bad taste. She had her scrapbook laid out on my mahogany coffee table, newspaper clippings neatly arranged ... - #5
Set in 1870s London, "The Crimson Petal and the White" follows the lives of various characters navigating the stark realities of both poverty and wealth during the Victorian era. The story revolves around Sugar, a prostitute striving to improve her circumstances, and William, a complex character whose actions disappoint and intrigue readers. Michel Faber's writing style immerses readers in the sights and sounds of London, offering a detailed portrayal of the time period.
Watch your step. Keep your wits about you; you will need them. This city I am bringing you to is vast and intricate, and you have not been here before. You may imagine, from other stories you’ve read,... - #6
In "Speaks the Nightbird" by Robert R. McCammon, readers are taken back to the late 17th century in the Colonial Carolinas where a young man named Matthew Corbett, a clerk of a magistrate, is sent to a small town to judge the case of a young woman accused of witchcraft. The book delves into the themes of witchcraft hysteria, mystery, and the fight for justice in a time filled with fear and superstition. The plot is filled with red herrings, surprises, and twists, keeping the readers captivated as they follow Corbett's journey to prove the innocence of the accused woman.
Came the time when the two travelers knew night would catch them, and shelter must be found. It had been a joyful day for frogs and mudhens. For the human breed, however, the low gray clouds and chill... - #7
In 'Anno Dracula', Kim Newman presents an alternate history where Dracula marries Queen Victoria, becoming the Prince Consort, while Jack the Ripper targets vampires in London, creating chaos. The story follows Charles Beauregard and Genevieve Dieudonne as they investigate the Jack the Ripper murders, amidst a backdrop of vampires ruling England and a mix of real and fictional characters from the Victorian era.
A treeline at dusk. Tall, straight, Carpathian pines. The red of sunset bleeds into the dark of night. Great flapping sounds. Huge, dark shapes flit languidly between the trees, sinister, dangerous. A... - #8
Things in Jars by Jess Kidd is a Victorian supernatural mystery following Bridie Devine, a flame-haired detective in London, as she investigates the kidnapping of a strange and supernatural child. With the help of her unusual entourage including a seven-foot housekeeper and the ghost of a tattooed boxer, Bridie navigates through a dark and atmospheric world filled with folklore, oddities, and mysteries from the past.
The narrative of Things in Jars shifts between two timelines, exploring Bridie's investigations into the missing child as well as her complex relationships with her companions. Set in a magical realism version of Victorian England, the book weaves together elements of myth, anatomy, and specimen collecting, creating a richly atmospheric tale that delves into the supernatural while maintaining a compelling mystery at its core.
The raven levels off into a glide, flight feathers fanned. Slick on the rolling level of rising currents and down-draughts, she turns her head, this way and that. To her black eye, as black as pooled ... - #9
In 'The Seance' by John Harwood, Constance Langton inherits the haunted Wraxford Hall and delves into the dark history of the house, uncovering mysteries of disappearances and deaths. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, intertwining tales of fraudulent mediums, broken families, and eerie occurrences. As Constance seeks to uncover the truth behind the sinister events, she is drawn into a web of secrets and dangers, leading to a chilling climax that ties together the threads of the story.
The book combines elements of a gothic mystery with themes of family heritage, the supernatural, and curses set in Victorian England. Through intricate storytelling and atmospheric descriptions, the author creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged as they unravel the haunting secrets of Wraxford Hall and its inhabitants.
If my sister Alma had lived, I should never have begun the séances. She died of scarlatina, soon after her second birthday, when I was five years old. I remember only fragments from the time before sh... - #10
In the novel 'The Devil Aspect' by Craig Russell, set in 1935 Prague, Dr. Viktor Kosarek takes up a position at an asylum for the criminally insane, known as the Devil's Six. As he delves into the minds of these dangerous individuals, a parallel storyline follows a police investigation into a brutal serial killer named Leather Apron. The book weaves together elements of psychology, history, and horror, culminating in unexpected twists and a chilling climax. The writing style is described as engaging, atmospheric, and immersive, with a blend of mythology, culture, and psychology that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
In the late autumn of 1935, Dr. Viktor Kosárek was a tall, lean man in his twenty-ninth year. He was handsome, not the unexceptional handsomeness of most of the Bohemian race, but with a hint of ancie...