Quiet horror is a subgenre of horror that features more of a psychological, more subtle, quieter tension instead of overt shocks and violence. Quiet horror fiction does not depend on the more usual shocks and violent episodes that one expects in horror fiction but exploits eeriness, unsettling atmospheres and, above all, character.
The horror rises from the ordinary with the horrific situation slowly emerging from that. The fiction explores the internal anxieties and fears of the protagonists, and leaves most of the effects to the imagination. It stays with the reader or viewer, providing a disturbing, unclear experience that leads to a long-lasting reflection on the story. Quiet horror is illustrated through the works of authors like Shirley Jackson or Susan Hill, where the terror is more about what is suggested than what is explicitly shown.
Here are 20 of the greatest quiet horror books:
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)
A governess becomes convinced that the children in her care are being manipulated by malevolent spirits. This classic novella is a masterclass in ambiguity, leaving the reader questioning reality.
The Uninvited by Dorothy Macardle (1941)
A brother and sister purchase a seaside home, only to discover it is haunted by a troubled spirit. This novel is a classic example of subtle ghostly horror, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere.
The Bird’s Nest by Shirley Jackson (1954)
A young woman suffering from multiple personality disorder begins to unravel the mysteries of her past. Jackson masterfully intertwines psychological horror with the supernatural.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (1959)
Four characters spend time in a supposedly haunted mansion, where the line between the supernatural and psychological becomes confusing. Shirley Jackson explores the horror of the unknown, and the inner fears of the characters.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (1962)
Two sisters live in isolation after the rest of their family dies from arsenic poisoning, facing the hostility of their small town. The novel is a chilling exploration of paranoia and societal exclusion.
Cold Hand in Mine by Robert Aickman (1975)
This collection of strange stories explores the eerie and the inexplicable, with an emphasis on subtle, psychological horror. Aickman’s stories are quietly unsettling, leaving much unresolved.
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons (1978)
A seemingly cursed house brings tragedy to each family that moves in. Told from a neighbour’s perspective, this novel blends suburban life with growing unease and horror.
Ghost Story by Peter Straub (1979)
Four elderly men share ghost stories, only to find themselves haunted by a figure from their past. The novel is a dense, atmospheric tale that slowly builds its horror through intricate storytelling.
The Elementals by Michael McDowell (1981)
Two Southern families vacation in isolated beach houses, where they encounter an ancient, malevolent force. The novel builds horror through its slow, unsettling development and eerie setting.
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (1983)
A young law to settle the affairs of a client who has passed away. He encounters a mysterious woman in black. It is a very atmospheric novel and the tension comes from that. The supernational is hinted at in a subtle way rather than presented overtly.
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks (1984)
A teenage boy living on a secluded Scottish island indulges in disturbing rituals, leading to a shocking revelation. The novel is quietly horrifying, with its focus on psychological aberration and isolation.
Affinity by Sarah Waters (1999)
A Victorian woman becomes obsessed with a spiritualist she meets in a women’s prison. The novel’s quiet horror stems from its depiction of obsession and the supernatural within a repressive society.
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (2009)
A country doctor becomes involved with the Ayres, a family in decline, living on their possibly haunted estate. The novel slowly builds atmosphere and psychological horror
The Ritual by Adam Nevill (2011)
Four friends on a hiking trip in Sweden stumble upon an ancient pagan ritual. The novel is a slow build, emphasizing psychological terror and the oppressive wilderness.
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon (2014)
A modern-day family discovers a diary revealing a dark history involving the dead returning to life. The novel skilfully intertwines past and present, creating a lingering sense of dread.
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley (2014)
A man recalls a childhood pilgrimage to a remote English coast, where unsettling events occurred. The novel is a slow-burn, focusing on religious fervour and the eerie landscape.
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand (2015)
A folk band retreats to a secluded manor to record their album, only for one member to vanish mysteriously. The novel weaves together horror and folk music, creating a haunting, atmospheric tale.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid (2016)
An apparently well bonded couple go on a road trip but the woman is thinking of ending the relationship. Several increasingly disturbning events occur. The novel is highly ambiguous and its disturbing effect comes from the author’s skilful exploration of the human mind.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell (2017)
A woman who has lost her husband goes to his ancestral home, where she becomes involved with wooden figures that seem to move on their own when no-one is watching. The novel is a mixture of the gothic with the subtly atmospheric.
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc (2017)
A couple moves into a new home, only to be confronted by strange occurrences and inexplicable events. The novel is a subtle exploration of psychological breakdown, framed within a haunted house narrative.
And that’s our list of the 20 best quiet horror books. What’s your take on these – any surprises, or quiet horror literature not on this list that you feel should make the cut?