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 writers do not depend on the more usual shocks and violent episodes that one expects in horror fiction but exploit eeriness, unsettling atmospheres and, above all, character. For example Shirley Jackson (The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle) uses the everyday elements of the house and difficult situations to explore the dark side of human nature. Charles L. Grant, known by fans as the “father of horror,” played a major role in his Oxrun Station series, which combined supernatural forces with deep emotional themes. Contemporary writers such as Ramsey Campbell and Susan Hill continue to focus on form and meaning, suggesting that what is implied is more frightening than what is said.
Here are twenty of the top writers of quiet horror fiction:
Henry James (1843–1916)
James’ work has great psychological depth. He is known for the ambiguity of his ghost stories. The novella, The Turn of the Screw is his most famous ghost story.
M.R. James (1862–1936)
James is famous for his scholarly approach to horror, often using the setting of the antiquarian profession. His most notable work is Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.
Arthur Machen (1863–1947)
Machen blends mysticism and horror, focusing on the unseen, often ancient forces that lie beneath the surface. His most famous novel is The Great God Pan.
Algernon Blackwood (1869–1951)
Blackwood is renowned for his atmospheric supernatural stories. His most notable work is The Willows, which illustrates his skill in evoking dread.
Walter de la Mare (1873–1956)
De la Mare expresses a sense of the uncanny, using poetic language. He explores the inner lives of his characters. The Return is one of his best works.
Robert Aickman (1914–1981)
Aickman’s “strange stories,” are renowned for their dreamlike atmosphere. His collection Cold Hand in Mine is one of the most famous works in this genre.
Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989)
Du Maurier’s novels often blend psychological tension with the supernatural, creating an atmosphere of suspense and dread. Rebecca is her most famous work, embodying her skill in quiet horror.
Shirley Jackson (1916–1965)
Jackson celebrates the darker aspects of human nature, using everyday domestic settings. Her most famous novel is The Haunting of Hill House, an American classic.
Charles L. Grant (1942–2006)
Considered the “father of quiet horror,” Grant’s work is known for its atmospheric, character-driven approach. His Oxrun Station series is a hallmark of the genre.
Susan Hill (1942– )
Hill’s writing is characterized by its Gothic sensibility and chilling atmosphere. The Woman in Black is her most famous novel, a classic ghost story that exemplifies quiet horror.
Ramsey Campbell (1946– )
Campbell is known for his ability to create an oppressive, unsettling atmosphere through psychological horror. His novel The Grin of the Dark is a notable example of his style.
T.E.D. Klein (1947– )
Klein is known for his meticulous, slow-building horror that emphasizes atmosphere and psychological tension. His novel The Ceremonies is a key work in quiet horror.
Robert Dunbar (1950– )
Dunbar’s fiction is known for its lyrical prose and haunting atmosphere, often delving into themes of isolation and the supernatural. The Pines is a significant work in his oeuvre.
Lisa Tuttle (1952– )
Tuttle’s work often focuses on the psychological and the personal, blending horror with a deep sense of emotional resonance. Nest of Nightmares is a standout collection of her stories.
Reggie Oliver (1952– )
Oliver’s stories are known for their elegant prose and subtle, creeping horror, often drawing on his background in the theater. The Dreams of Cardinal Vittorini is among his best-known works.
Thomas Ligotti (1953– )
Ligotti’s fiction is philosophical and surreal, often exploring themes of existential dread and the uncanny. The Last Feast of Harlequin is one of his most acclaimed works.
Stephen Volk (1954– )
Volk’s work often merges psychological horror with supernatural elements, creating an unsettling and thought-provoking atmosphere. His novella Whitstable is particularly renowned.
Joel Lane (1963–2013)
Lane’s stories are noted for their bleak, atmospheric tone and their exploration of urban decay and psychological horror. His collection The Lost District is a key example of his style.
Lynda E. Rucker (1967– )
Rucker’s writing is marked by its rich atmosphere and deep psychological insight, often exploring themes of loss and displacement. Her collection You’ll Know When You Get There is a notable work.
Priya Sharma (1972– )
Sharma’s fiction blends the psychological with the supernatural, often focusing on complex characters and emotional depth. Her novella Ormeshadow is a standout work in the genre.
And that’s our list of the 20 top quiet horror writers. What’s your take on these – any surprises, or quiet horror authors not on this list that you feel should make the cut?