Must-Know Horror Books List (51 books)

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From Robert Weinberg's "What You Are Meant to Know," in WRITING HORROR: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association (Ed. Mort Castle, 1997).

In chronological order.

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1	Dracula by Bram Stoker 4.03 avg rating — 1,540,784 ratings score: 771, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	I Am Legend by Richard Matheson 4.05 avg rating — 160,572 ratings score: 566, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Exorcist (The Exorcist, #1) by William Peter Blatty 4.21 avg rating — 282,678 ratings score: 550, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Shining (The Shining, #1) by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 1,768,103 ratings score: 483, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 3.92 avg rating — 2,001,125 ratings score: 479, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Rosemary’s Baby (Rosemary's Baby, #1) by Ira Levin 4.06 avg rating — 166,988 ratings score: 468, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Dunwich Horror and Others by H.P. Lovecraft 4.18 avg rating — 16,887 ratings score: 289, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The October Country by Ray Bradbury 4.09 avg rating — 22,236 ratings score: 270, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Hell House by Richard Matheson 3.67 avg rating — 66,706 ratings score: 268, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury 3.89 avg rating — 159,233 ratings score: 265, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	The Stand by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 862,719 ratings score: 263, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	’Salem’s Lot by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 684,810 ratings score: 262, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Wake the Wicked by Christian Baloga (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Wide Game (Harmony, Indiana, #1) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 234 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Cinema of Shadows (Harmony, Indiana, #2) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 335 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 3.81 avg rating — 423,573 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Poseidon’s Children (The Legacy of the Gods, #1) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.54 avg rating — 451 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Spook House (Harmony, Indiana, #3) by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 274 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Books of Blood: Volumes One to Three (Books of Blood, #1-3) by Clive Barker (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 30,565 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Skull Full of Kisses by Michael West (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 74 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Vampires Don't Sparkle! by Michael West (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 4.01 avg rating — 91 ratings score: 190, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	The Rising (The Rising #1) by Brian Keene (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 11,167 ratings score: 172, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Berserk by Tim Lebbon (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 2,022 ratings score: 170, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Blood of Darkness: Genesis by Richard S. Hartmetz (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Bloody Ripper (Leopard King Saga, #1.2) by T.A. Uner (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 57 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Learning to Kiss in the Snow by D.B. Tarpley (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 63 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Reaper: Awakening by Seth Gruner (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 28 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Factory by Mikel Straub 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Dawn of Evil (The Wages of Sin, #5) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 50 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Lick the Razor by D.B. Tarpley (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 59 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Turn of the Screw by Henry James 3.38 avg rating — 187,853 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Birth of Death (The Wages of Sin, #4) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.58 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Ghost Pirates by William Hope Hodgson 3.60 avg rating — 1,425 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters 3.57 avg rating — 61,193 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Fall of Innocence (The Wages of Sin, #3) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Collected Ghost Stories by M.R. James 4.12 avg rating — 8,072 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Wrath of Truth (The Wages of Sin, #2) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.51 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Burn, Witch, Burn! (Burn Witch Burn #1) by A. Merritt 3.60 avg rating — 1,072 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Devil's Advocate (The Wages of Sin, #1) by L.E. Parker (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 85 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	To Walk the Night (Kat Redding, #1) by E.S. Moore (Goodreads Author) 3.39 avg rating — 1,270 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Fear by L. Ron Hubbard 3.26 avg rating — 2,008 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	In the Flesh (Books of Blood, #5) by Clive Barker (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 8,664 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Darker Than You Think by Jack Williamson 3.49 avg rating — 1,568 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Inhuman Condition (Books of Blood #4) by Clive Barker (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 8,983 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber 3.79 avg rating — 2,913 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Christine by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 270,366 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Collected Stories, Vol. 1 by Richard Matheson 4.25 avg rating — 575 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Collected Stories, Vol. 2 by Richard Matheson 4.24 avg rating — 255 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Collected Stories, Vol. 3 by Richard Matheson 4.25 avg rating — 155 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg 3.89 avg rating — 6,056 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Watchers by Dean Koontz (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 174,632 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars