‘Wuthering Heights’ to ‘Frankenstein’: 7 Gripping, Must-Read Gothic Fiction Books
From Gillian Flynn to Emily Bronte, these haunting stories will pull you in from the start!
Simmering tension, foggy moors, candlelit corridors, hidden secrets, yearning emotion…gothic fiction has always been enthralling but right now the genre is having a major resurgence in film and literature. With millions of views on TikTok and Instagram and buzzy blockbusters like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights, gothic stories in all forms are certainly having a moment. But why? Well, according to one professor, readers are seeking meaning in times of uncertainty. “Whenever we’re going through periods of upheaval or civil unrest, the gothic is very appealing,” said Ellen Ledoux, an English professor at Rutgers who specializes in gothic literature, in an interview with Inverse.com. “The Victorian period, when the British empire started to decline—that’s when you have narratives like Dracula and Jekyll and Hyde.”
The genre itself dates back to the 1700s with works like The Castle of Otranto, which solidified the hallmarks of a gothic read: haunted architecture, a female main character trying to break a barrier (literally, figuratively, spiritually…take your pick!), deep emotion and layered mystery set amidst looming uncertainty.
Whether you’re interested in dipping your toe into this genre, which seamlessly blends beauty and terror, or you’re already a #gothicfiction fan in the mood for a new-to-you hand-picked read, you’re in the right place! (Or if you’re impatiently waiting to watch Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie light up the screen as Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights, this list is also for you.) Here, we gathered up 7 of the best gothic fiction books from classic authors like Mary Shelley to bestselling modern authors like Gillian Flynn and more. Each of these reads guarantees a gripping journey, so grab your book, pour yourself a steaming mug of cider or a hot toddy, light a candle and enjoy the chilling escape.
Keep scrolling for all our must-read gothic fiction recommendations!
‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
This year, Oscar-winning writer-director Guillermo del Toro breathed new life into Mary Shelley’s classic gothic horror tale Frankenstein, thanks to a major motion-picture starring Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth. In the book, Victor Frankenstein scavenges graveyards for body parts to construct a new being, which he brings to life through electricity. However, his flawed creation—spurned by Frankenstein and deprived of human connection—vows revenge, seeking to destroy his creator and everything he loves.
What readers are saying: “I’ve watched the numerous movie versions of this classic horror tale, but nothing could have prepared me for how deeply touching the original story is when read. My heart ached for creature and creator equally. Frankenstein is a tale of obsession, longing and desperation.”
‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë
Jacob Elordi must be a fellow gothic fiction fan because the actor is starring in not one, but two new blockbusters in the atmospheric genre. The second one is Wuthering Heights, which hits theaters on Valentine’s Day 2026 and is highly anticipated among readers on BookTok, Bookstagram and beyond. Based on Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights is a gripping story set on the bleak Yorkshire Moors. It begins when Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange, seeks shelter one night at Wuthering Heights, the home of his landlord. Here, he uncovers the history of the events that took place years before—events surrounding the intense relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. A dark, complicated yet compelling story about choosing between desire and societal expectations.
What readers are saying: “What I love about this novel is the setting; the wilderness. This is not a story about niceties and upper-class propriety. This is the tale of people who aren’t so socially acceptable, who live away from the strict rules of civilization—it’s almost as if they’re not quite from the world we know. The isolation of the setting out on the Yorkshire moors between the fictional dwellings of The Heights and Thrushcross Grange emphasises how far removed these characters are from social norms, how unconventional they are and how lonely they are.”
‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier
Haunting details, sweeping settings and building tension abound in this classic gothic novel penned by Daphne Du Maurier. The book begins in Monte Carlo, where the story’s heroine kicks off a whirlwind romance with a handsome widower named Maxim de Winter. She’s working as a lady’s maid and can’t believe her luck—so when he asks for her hand in marriage, she says yes. Now, she’s the second Mrs. de Winter and when they arrive at his palatial country estate, eerie events begin to occur. Before long, she becomes determined to uncover the secrets behind the death of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca.
What readers are saying: “This has to be one of the best and most complete books I have ever read. Each element: plot, characters, twists, suspense, climax—all of it, perfect! If I had one criticism, it might be a slightly slow start, but with the awesome payoff, that is hardly worth mentioning.”
‘Sharp Objects’ by Gillian Flynn
If you’re looking for a more modern gothic tale to whisk you away, we suggest Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. In fact, the King of Horror himself, Stephen King, described Flynn’s novel as “relentlessly creepy” and filled with “sharp insights.” Years after fleeing her hometown, newspaper reporter Camille Preaker returns to cover the recent murders of two girls. As she works to solve the crime, she’s forced to revisit her own past—and the possibility that the two may be intertwined.
What readers are saying: “This is the second Flynn book I’ve ever read and upon a reread, it’s still my favorite. This one is stunning. Flynn is able to immerse you into her world like no other. The setting was just the right level of hair-raisingly eerie and all of the characters were unsettling in their own unique way.”
‘These Fleeting Shadows’ by Kate Alice Marshall
Spooky estate? Check! A cryptic fortune? Check! A disturbing, long-buried mystery? Double check! In Kate Alice Marshall’s YA gothic thriller, readers are in for a seriously wild ride. When Helen Vaughan unexpectedly inherits her family’s crumbling estate, Harrowstone Hall, she also inherits its secrets. To claim her fortune, she must live there for a year—a challenge that quickly turns sinister as the house’s eerie architecture and nightly disturbances blur the line between dream and madness. Before long, Helen realizes the real question isn’t whether she’ll claim her inheritance—but whether she’ll make it out of Harrowstone Hall alive.
What readers are saying: “I was hoping for creepy gothic, haunted house vibes and man, did this deliver! This was a creepy, disorienting, sometimes disturbing book—so full warning! It’s also about cycles of violence, tainted heritage and the corruption of power. And how, throughout history, agency and personhood have been denied those who are different, misunderstood or marginalized. It’s not a light book, but the execution is excellent and I found the conclusion to be very satisfying.”
‘The Thirteenth Tale’ by Diane Setterfield
Diane Setterfield’s novel The Thirteenth Tale has sold millions of copies worldwide and it’s a book that’s often listed as a reader-favorite in bookish Reddit forums—with readers describing the prose as mesmerizing, atmospheric and “gorgeously gothic.” The story follows Margaret Lea, a biographer who is taken by surprise when she receives a letter from the celebrated author Vida Winters. Famous for her storytelling and mysterious past, Ms. Winters finally wishes to tell her true life story—to confess the secrets she has long hidden. Before agreeing, Margaret reads the author’s collection, Thirteen Tales of Change and Desperation, only to discover that it contains just twelve stories. What happened to the missing tale? Drawn in by the mystery, Margaret accepts the job. As Vida begins to unravel the truth of her past, both women are forced to face the shadows that have shaped their lives.
What readers are saying: “This book has been sitting on my TBR for years. And I had no idea I was going to get a gothic ghost story. The format is very The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but instead of Hollywood, it’s Victorian Jane Eyre. It was a complete surprise how spooky this story is. I really don’t want to say much because, honestly, I would recommend readers go into this blind to get the full effect. But just know this is a story about twins, an old manor house and all of the secrets held within.”
‘Daisy Darker’ by Alice Feeney
Alice Feeney fans crowned the author the “Queen of Twists” and her novel Daisy Darker proves why. In this story, which channels the ominous feel of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Daisy Darker’s estranged family is reuniting after many years for Nana’s 80th birthday. The party is being held at Nana’s crumbling gothic home on a tiny island. But once everyone arrives, a storm surges—and Nana is found dead, followed by another family member in the next hour. Can the Darkers piece together the past and solve the present horrors before it’s too late?
What readers are saying: “It’s a brilliant tribute to Christie’s And Then There Were None, combined with the classic 1985 mystery movie Clue (with the six guests invited to a mansion theme)! A dark, claustrophobic thriller set in a dilapidated gothic house on a tidal island. A family gathers to celebrate the 80th birthday of their grandmother, who was born on Halloween. Alice Feeney has done it again!”
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