As autumn ends and winter begins, the long, dark nights have begun. What better to accompany them than a Gothic novel?

Gothic novels are deeply atmospheric, and create a sense of suspense and terror. They often feature decaying, crumbling houses, with dark corners and large empty rooms, where an atmosphere of terror lurks around every corner. Gothic novels deal in memories of the past, death, and psychological dread. There are rarely any happy endings in gothic literature!

Here are 5 of my favourites:

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

You probably read this one at school (like I did). You may (like one of our Instagram followers) still have a dog-eared copy (I have two!).

The Woman in Black is a short but terrifying ghost story. Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to the market town of Crythin Gifford, to attend the funeral of recently deceased Alice Drablow and settle her estate. Among the mourners is a mysterious woman in black.

Settled in at Eel Marsh House, a desolate, dank home at the end of causeway (and cut off at high tide), Kipps begins to work through the widow’s papers. From here begins a chilling sequence of events : unexplained sounds from within the house, screams heard on the causeway, and appearances from the woman in black.

To say more would be to spoil this wonderful novel’s many twists and turns. It’s the perfect companion to dark stormy nights spent by the fire, with an ending you won’t forget.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Did she? Didn’t she?

That’s the premise of this chilling suspense novel by the queen of gothic fiction and one of my favourite authors.

Orphaned at an early age, Phillip Ashley is raised by his kindly cousin Ambrose, who later declares Ashley his heir. But on a trip to Florence, Ambrose marries, and fails to return as planned. Shortly after, he dies in mysterious circumstances.

In no time at all, Ambrose’s widow – the alluring, vivacious Rachel – travels to England and enters Ashley’s life. Suspecting her of being responsible for Ambrose’s death, Ashley is initially hostile but soon friendship turns to something deeper. Is Rachel’s affection for Ashley genuine? Or is she, as he suspects, a murderous, manipulative, gold digger? Is he next?

Yes, it’s a trope that has been done many times since, but du Maurier was ahead of her time with this one. We know, from the moment he meets Rachel, that Phillip Ashley doesn’t stand a chance. What we don’t know, is whether Rachel is guilty of murdering her husband.

Give this one a read and make up your own mind.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Now we’re talking!

You know a book is truly terrifying when you have to switch to something else at bedtime. That’s exactly what happened when I encountered this terrifying book during the 2020 lockdown.

Hill House is a mansion, in an unspecified location, surrounded by hills. The owners have long since vacated the property. The housekeepers leave before nightfall, refusing to stay at the property overnight. It is a cavernous place with large, empty rooms and dark corners.

Convinced that a supernatural presence inhabits Hill House, Dr John Montague rents the property over one summer and invites several volunteers to join him, all of whom have been witness to paranormal events.

From here, it is safe to say that things begin to go bump in the night. What The Haunting of Hill House does so well is recreate things many of us have seen and felt – unexplained noises in the middle of the night, the chilling sensation that someone (or something) is watching us, the feeling of a sinister presence that we can neither see nor explain.

It’s a wild ride, and one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend taking this Halloween.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

A modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Starling House is set in the industrial town of Eden, Kentucky. There, Opal and her brother live in a motel, destitute and with little hope of lifting themselves out of their situation. On the edge of town stands Starling House, a crumbling mansion that once belonged to the reclusive Eleanor Starling. Now it is home to the sole heir, Arthur Starling, who offers Opal a job as housekeeper.

Thus begins a journey into the house’s ties to Eden’s violent past, the mysterious death of its owner, and a fight to save those we love from their own destruction.

Drawing on elements of fantasy, gothic literature, fairytales and romance, and a probable future classic, this one is perfect for those who prefer gentle chills over jump scares.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

We don’t typically associate Austen with gothic literature, but she took a reasonable stab at the genre with this cozy addition. Like Starling House, this one is a good choice for those who prefer a gentler, more satirical visit to the dark world of the gothic.

17 year old Catherine Morland is one of 10 siblings, the daughter of a country clergyman, who loves to read Gothic novels. Whilst spending a season in Bath, Catherine meets and falls for Henry Tilney, who invites her to visit his family home, Northanger Abbey. Once there, seduced by the shadowy atmospherics of the old mansion, Catherine’s mind begins to fill with all manner of terrors.

Is there a dark secret hidden within the rooms of the old Abbey? Is Henry’s father responsible for the death of Henry’s mother? Is Henry himself to be trusted, or is he part of something evil?

The lengths to which the heroine goes to uncover the “conspiracy” hiding at Northanger Abbey are gently comic, and as with Austen’s other novels, we know there will be a happy ending awaiting her on the other side. It’s a joyous look at love and marriage, and a great choice for those seeking a happier addition to the Gothic genre this Halloween.

Any I’ve missed?