Horror fans eagerly await fresh chills to set the tone for October every fall. Mike Flanagan has raised the bar with this year’s latest instalment of the Haunting of Hill House series, The Fall of the House of Usher. Streaming now on Netflix, it’s packed with bloody twists, gory moments, and clever literary-references, making it a must-watch for those who crave revenge-driven narratives. Best books to read after watching Netflix.
The eight-episode series is a perfect way to dive into the spooky szn, offering plenty of fun and nightmares to keep you company. Whether you’re ready to rejoice or simply terrified, this officially released masterpiece promises a filled evening of haunting thrills.
Dive Into Haunting Gothic Masterpieces
For those captivated by the eerie brilliance of The Fall of the House of Usher. A closer dive into Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House or Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw is a must. Both novels embody the unsettling blend of psychological tension and supernatural terror that Edgar Allen Poe perfected in his 1839 short story and other works.
What makes these stories shine is how they use broad strokes of haunting themes while leaving enough room for mystery and dread to seep in. If you enjoyed how Flanagan reimagined Poe’s classics for Netflix, with nods to works like The Masque of the Red Death and The Murder in the Rue Morgue. You’ll love the way these books play with similar ideas. They offer the kind of Poe-esque scares that creep up on you and linger long after.
Creepy Recommendations to Amp-Up Your TBR Pile
Whether you’re adding to your October TBR pile or just seeking creepy novels to savor. These recommendations hit the perfect balance. Like Succession, but with a slasher twist, the unsettling dynamics in these stories captivate as much as they terrify. Each author delivers creative updates to familiar gothic tropes, transforming the original plot into something drastically different yet equally enthralling. For fans of the horror auteur, these books are more than just similar. They’re essential reading for anyone looking to amp-up their gothic repertoire.
10. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe
You get a sense of awe when you read books like The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe. One can’t help but appreciate the classic mastery of gothic horror that has remained influential since its 1800s publication. This story is more than just an eerie tale. It’s a haunting exploration of through the eyes of an unnamed narrator. The unraveling of the Usher family—marked by bizarre happenings and their illustrious legacy being torn apart—captures a timeless fear that still grips readers today.
If you’re drawn to the layered storytelling that Mike Flanagan’s series brought to life, imagine stepping into the perspective of Roderick Usher’s old friend, called for help as the house itself seemed to pulse with dread. The liberties taken by modern adaptations don’t stray far from the source material’s chilling core, proving why the story’s OG status remains unshaken. From the final members of a cursed bloodline to the psychological torment woven into the plot. This story is more than a gothic relic—it’s an experience that leaves its mark, quite literally.
9. His Hideous Heart: 13 of Edgar Allan Poe’s Most Unsettling Tales Reimagined by Dahlia Adler
If you’re craving sinister, spine-chilling reads with a touch of the weird. His Hideous Heart by Dahlia Adler is a must-explore anthology. It is a remarkable collection that brings re-imaginings of Poe’s iconic stories to life, reinterpreted by 13 young adult authors who give the classics a modern twist. Kendare Blake’s eerie retelling of “Metzengerstein” and Rin Chupeco’s clever twist on “The Murders in the Rue Morgue captures the classic’s haunting essence while keeping it relevant for today’s readers.
I recommend amazing standout pieces including Lamar Giles’ psychological take on The Oval Portrait, Tessa Gratton’s poetic twist on Annabel Lee, and Tiffany D. Jackson’s intense reworking of The Cask of Amontillado. So you fans of suspense will be fascinated by Stephanie Kuehn’s chilling The Tell-Tale Heart and Emily Lloyd-Jones’ clever adaptation of The Purloined Letter. Caleb Roehrig and Fran Wilde bring new life to The Pit and the Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher, and Hillary Monahan’s The Masque of the Red Death. It is this combination of modern voices with timeless terror that makes His Hideous Heart an unforgettable tribute to one of literature’s greatest talents.
8. What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
The reimagining of an original Poe-style story by author T. Kingfisher is a natural follow-up for fans of eerie tales. This book blends an atmospheric gothic horror vibe with a modern twist, delivering a short, sweet, and scary experience. As I delved into this quick read. I found myself drawn to the chilling narrative of retired soldier Alex Easton. Who rushes to the remote countryside estate of their childhood friend, Madeline Usher, upon hearing word of her mysterious illness. The setting, overrun by fungal growths and wild animals seemingly possessed by something, amplifies the terror.
Joined by a British mycologist and an American doctor, Alex races to save both Maddy and her brother, Roderick, who also shows troubling signs of a malady. While the story’s intensity might unsettle the weak-stomached, its focus on suspense and dread rather than gory details keeps the tension manageable. As I turned each page, I could practically see the estate’s nightmarish details, making the haunting tale an unforgettable journey.
7. A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
If you love haunted house stories that leave your mind tingling with eerie suspense, then this is a must-read recommendation for fans of the genre. It is inspired by the works of Poe, and reminiscent of the series by Mike Flanagan. This book transports you into a world of longing and isolation. It is written by the award-winning author Elizabeth Hand. The Haunting of Hill House—an authorized novel based on Shirley Jackson’s classic—returns with a chilling atmosphere. It delivers a suspenseful, contemporary, and undeniably terrifying story that makes it impossible to put down.
The publisher describes it as a fresh take for a new era of horror. While reading, you’ll find it to be eerie as hell—a tale best read under a single light at home to amplify the chills. Pro-tip: Don’t open this book unless you’re prepared to immerse yourself fully, as it pulls you into its world relentlessly. The mix of World Fantasy and Nebula-nominated brilliance makes it perfect for those craving spine-tingling tales.
6. The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis
You won’t want to miss Mindy McGinnis’s YA duology, which channels the eerie atmosphere of “The Fall of the House of Usher.” In The Initial Insult, set in the mysterious town of Amontillado, Ohio. We follow Tress Montor, a troubled teenager whose life was shattered when her parents disappeared seven years ago. Tress now carries the weight of being shunned by the entire town. The tension builds when she devises a drastic plan at a Halloween costume party in an abandoned house. There, she confronts her former best friend, Felicity Turnado, intending to pry out the truth, brick by brick, as she seals Felicity into a coal chute.
As the party unfolds, the chilling nature of this problem-solving turns into something far darker. Tress seeks not only the answers to her parents’ disappearance but also a chance at gruesome revenge for the betrayals she’s endured. The sense of danger grows as the night progresses, and her chilling actions mirror the kinds of twisted tales Poe so famously created. It’s a psychological extravaganza, capturing the essence of suspense, secrets, and the lengths to which someone will go for revenge.
5. The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Are you a fan of gothic horror with eerie, suspenseful elements. Then you’ll find similarities between The Fall of the House of Usher and Laura Purcell’s 2017 novel. Purcell’s story revolves around newly widowed Elsie moving to a crumbling country estate called The Bridge to finish her pregnancy. As she struggles with morning sickness and swollen ankles, Elsie discovers that the estate isn’t the luxurious haven she expected. Instead, she’s left with only her awkward cousin for company and an unsettling mystery.
The home’s staff is terrified of a painted wooden figure kept behind a locked door, which looks identical to Elsie herself. It is not surprising that this discovery is similar to The Fall of the House of Usher. Since both stories blur the line between the living and the supernatural. For fans of shows like The Haunting of Bly Manor. This novel offers a similar atmospheric tension and haunting, making it a must-read for those who crave chilling, gothic tales.
4. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
It is a treat for fans of horror stories that draw on gothic literature and the eerie, disturbing vibes of The Fall of the House of Usher. You’ll fun with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s 2020 bestseller. Noemí Taboada novel introduces, a socialite from Mexico City, who receives a distressing letter from her cousin. She travels to the Mexican countryside to visit her cousin’s new home, High Place, a once-grand estate now consumed by decay.
The house itself feels alive, with damp wallpaper and overgrown gardens that add to its mysterious, unsettling atmosphere. As Noemí navigates this mansion, she finds herself in the midst of nightmares filled with blood, violence, and an ever-present sense of dread. The handsome husband of her cousin gives off rancid vibes, and the family seems to be wrapped in their own dark, supernatural secrets.
Moreno-Garcia weaves in themes of natural selection and evolution, blending Mexican folklore with her rich, gothic-inspired narrative. The house feels almost cursed, as if it holds within it the power to influence its inhabitants’ fates. The story becomes a battle for life and escape, where the horror of the house is not just physical, but psychological. Fans of classic literature will recognize the darkness and the violence that makes this book a slam dunk.
The sense of haunting beauty and the deep-rooted mystery within the walls of High Place will have readers hooked, just like an unsuspecting person unknowingly eating a poisonous mushroom. Whether it’s the evolution theory lurking in the background or the chilling atmosphere of the family’s disturbing secrets, this story will leave you questioning everything, long after you finish it.
3. Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen
If The Fall of the House of Usher left you intrigued and eager for more. You might find Lynn Cullen’s novel equally compelling. The work of fiction dives into the life of a woman who becomes deeply entangled with the famous horror author Edgar Allen Poe and his much-younger wife, set in the mid-1800s. While it doesn’t bring the same scares. It blends historical fiction, a dash of mystery, and a hint of romance, woven into a tale that captures the eerie atmosphere of Poe’s world. It’s a story where the curious will feel the tension and unravel the complex layers of relationships, making it a fascinating journey for fans of Poe’s dark, intriguing universe.
2. See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
It’s a good bet that if you’ve enjoyed the dysfunctional families and eerie suspense of The Fall of the House of Usher, you’d like Sarah Schmidt’s novel See What I Have Done as well. This historical fiction dives deep into the lives of Lizzie Borden and her family, immersing readers in a volatile household where murder and mystery unfold. It is based on the infamous ax murders of Andrew Borden and Abby Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts, a crime that has left more questions than answers.
The crime scene holds secrets, and through a shifting narrative, readers get a sense of the psychological toll the family faces, with characters like Lizzie and her unreliable perspective adding layers of suspense. This dark tale of tragedy, conflict, and family relationships parallels the haunting atmosphere of Ushers, where emotions like jealousy and guilt simmer beneath the surface.
The narrative’s shifting perspectives from Emma, Lizzie’s sister, to the enigmatic Benjamin help reveal the complicated drama that surrounds the Borden family. Their lives, steeped in love that seems spiteful and filled with tension, are unraveling in a way that feels both inevitable and tragic. It’s this sense of foreboding, combined with the constant presence of psychological tension and emotional complexity, that makes the book a gripping read. Whether you’re drawn to thrillers, crime mysteries, or tales of families whose secrets are slowly exposed, Sarah Schmidt’s exploration of a dark family dynamic will certainly leave you haunted, much like the Ushers in Edgar Allan Poe’s tale.
1. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware’s 2019 thriller brings a fresh, contemporary update to the classic tale of suspense and haunting. In this story, a woman accepts a nannying post at Heatherbrae House, a luxurious, smart home nestled in the Scottish Highlands. The house, fitted with modern conveniences, promises a perfect setting for anyone seeking tranquility, but this place holds a dark secret. The decision to take a live-in position soon spirals out of control, as the twisty plot unfolds.
As the story develops, the child under her care ends up dead, and the woman finds herself in prison, awaiting trial for murder. The live-in nannying post quickly turns into a nightmare, leaving her with no escape. The trial looms, and the haunting atmosphere grows as the tension builds to a breaking point. The murder she is accused of, paired with the dead child, keeps readers on edge, wondering if the house itself is cursed, or if the woman is a victim of forces beyond her control. Dun, dunnnn – the chilling mystery deepens with each page.
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