Can you recommend the best recent horror novels for a beginner in horror literature?

Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has an eerie atmosphere and psychological scares that are not too over - the - top. Another good one is 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. It has a simple yet disturbing premise about a place where things that are buried come back, but not in a good way.

Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has a very eerie atmosphere. The story revolves around a group of people staying in a supposedly haunted house. It doesn't rely on excessive gore but rather on psychological unease to create horror.

For a beginner, 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill could be a great choice. It has a spooky atmosphere and a really creepy ghost story. Another option is 'The Amityville Horror' which is based on a supposed true story of a haunted house. It has all the classic elements of a horror story like strange noises, apparitions, etc. These books will introduce you to the world of horror literature in an accessible way.

Sure. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is a good start. It's a short but impactful story about the duality of human nature. Another one is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. His use of psychological horror is brilliant and it's an easy read.

Sure. 'The Only Good Indians' by Stephen Graham Jones is a great recent horror novel. It explores Native American culture and horror in a very unique way. The story is about four friends who are haunted by a past event involving an elk hunt.

For a beginner, 'The Shining' by Stephen King is a great choice. It's a well - known horror novel with a simple yet effective premise of a family in a haunted hotel. The characters are relatable and the build - up of horror is gradual. Another good one is 'Pet Sematary'. It's easy to get into and the concept of the cursed burial ground is both scary and fascinating.

For a beginner, 'The Monkey's Paw' is a great choice. It's a short story that shows how a simple wish - granting device can lead to horror. The family's desperation and the unexpected and dark outcomes are quite effective in creating a sense of dread.

Sure. 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson is a great start. It has a slow - building sense of dread and the atmosphere of the haunted house is really spooky.

I'd recommend 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It seems like a normal small - town story at first. The townspeople gather for an annual lottery. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that this lottery is not what it seems, and the 'winner' is actually going to be stoned to death by the rest of the villagers. It's a great introduction to the idea that not everything is as it appears in horror stories.

For a beginner, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is also worth reading. It was one of the early vampire stories. It tells the story of a young woman who befriends Carmilla, who turns out to be a vampire. The story has an air of mystery and gothic horror that is not too extreme for someone new to horror short stories.