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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

--Staff Picks

The Haunting of Hill House

Shirley Jackson
Published: 1959
Age Range: Young Adult - Adult
Genre: Psychological Horror, Suspense

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a classic psychological horror novel that follows four strangers who come together to investigate Hill House, an eerie mansion with a sinister reputation. Led by Dr. Montague, a researcher of the paranormal, the group begins experiencing increasingly frightening supernatural events. The story focuses on Eleanor, a vulnerable woman who becomes psychically connected to the house. As tensions build, Hill House’s dark influence escalates, confounding the guests, and blurring the lines between reality and psychological disorientation.

As intended by its author, reading The Haunting of Hill House left me unsettled—it’s one of those books that burrows into your mind. Shirley Jackson creates such an eerie atmosphere that I felt the house itself was alive. Watching Eleanor’s already tenuous grip on reality unravel as the story progresses was disturbing. Jackson masterfully blurs the line between psychological and supernatural horror. This isn’t just a scary story; it lingers in a way that’s haunting and unforgettable.

If you’d like to increase the horror factor even further, you can also listen to this novel in an eAudiobook format. Find it by searching Libby or click this link to find it in the catalog.

And if you’d like to try other books about haunted houses, click this link to search the catalog.