What are My Favorite Gothic Suspense Novels. What is Gothic fiction? What do I think is the best Modern Gothic Fiction? Let’s discuss this suspense subgenre with timeless appeal! I want to hear your picks too.
My Favorite Gothic Suspense Novels
Hello! If you got here directly, you might also want to check out my quiz on What Kind of a Mystery Thriller Reader Are You?
You can also explore my Master Post on the Different Types of Suspense Novels
But if you are just here to learn about Gothic Suspense, that’s great! Let’s begin!
What is a Gothic Suspense Novel?
In case you didn’t get Jen’s Definition of Gothic Suspense in my main suspense post, here are a few facts about Gothic Fiction:
- Gothic fiction began in the 1700s and was named after the Gothic buildings in which the stories took place
- It often combines elements of romance, thriller and/or paranormal fiction
- It can incorporate or be reacting to historical or political events
Gothic novels typically have many of these elements:
- hidden family secrets and buried memories
- an impressive yet gloomy setting, like a castle or mansion
- a preoccupation with the past
- supernatural elements
- epistolary elements, like manuscripts and diaries
- madness (in the 1800s “madness” could mean a lot of things, including being the victim of gaslighting)
- a romance in which a vulnerable young woman and a brooding older man meet cute
Classic Gothic Suspense
I don’t typically head WAY back to the 1800s in my post, but Gothic suspense is rooted in the past, so here are the must-reads if you want to read the classics. I’ve read most of these and, though they might seem slow going to the modern reader, they’re good!
Note: there is Gothic-leaning horror, like Dracula and Frankenstein, but I am sticking to romantic Gothic suspense.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)
- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (1859)
- The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)
- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938) Check out my post on ALL the Rebecca retellings
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (1959)
- Pretty much every book by Victoria Holt (1960s)
My Favorite Modern Gothic Suspense Novels
I think most of my blog readers are going to be interested in Modern Gothic Suspense.
I find it fascinating that ALL (well, most) of the elements that you could find in 1847 books like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are STILL there in Modern Gothic Suspense over 175 years later. Amazing, right? It’s a subgenre that people can’t get enough of!
New Gothic Suspense in 2025
This summer 2025 title has so many hallmarks of the gothic: a creepy (possibly haunted) house, a young mother who is having disturbing dreams and visions, and a murder.
My Readers Guide to Party of Liars!
First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks
This is an interesting gender-flipped Gothic with an older and successful woman and a younger guy. And a modern house with some creepy elements!
My Readers Guide to First Wife’s Shadow!
Verity by Colleen Hoover
If there is a more perfect Modern Gothic, I couldn’t think of it. Creepy house, impoverished woman, creepy handsome guy with secrets, gaslighting everywhere!
Here’s my Spoiler Discussion post for Verity!
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I never reviewed this, but it is about a young girl who falls into the throes of an older, dangerous man. (Edward is, what .. 200+ years old?) Gloomy PNW setting, paranormal elements, and he’s kind of gaslighting her. It might not be your thing, but I think it’s Gothic!
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
I loved the cleverness in this updating about a nanny in a creepy, modern smart house. It’s totally Modern Gothic and I think it’s fun to read through that lens.
Check out my Review of The Turn of the Key!
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Again, all the Gothic elements! A young woman in desperate straits is hired as a nanny/housekeeper. The wife is so erratic and the husband is so hot. How could this go wrong? I feel like this book’s sequel, The Housemaid’s Secret, is a little less Gothic.
Also, readers have pointed out this book’s similarities to The Last Mrs. Parrish, but I feel like that book is more domestic suspense, about a husband-stealing personal assistant.
My Spoiler Discussion for the Housemaid!
The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden
People have pointed out the similarities to Verity, but they are both Gothic and that is the formula. A woman takes a job as the caretaker for a woman who suffered a life-altering injury. Again with the hot distracting husband. Or is he a diabolical, homicidal husband?
I listened to this on audio and really want to review this one, so stay tuned!
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
I had someone in comments who was confused by the identical titles, but I assume both are nods to Jane Eyre. The Wife Upstairs is more of a clear Rebecca retelling. Whether you’ve read the original or not, I think you’ll enjoy it. Come join the Wife Upstairs spoiler post!
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
I was thrilled when he wrote a Modern Gothic and it’s my favorite of his books! A young woman is hired to be the caretaker of a woman reputed to be a notorious murderer. I have both a review of this book and a really fun spoiler discussion – join us!
Starling House by Alix Harrow
This book leans heavily into the Gothic vibes and borders on Gothic fantasy, but if you are a huge fan of Gothic fiction, I’d definitely give it a try.
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
I love reading Gothic fiction from different cultures and continents. This historical Gothic set in Mexico is a perfect example of how Gothic themes and tropes are pretty universal. I didn’t review this but I put it on my list of Mysteries and Thrillers by Latin and Hispanic authors. I enjoyed it!
Do you have favorite Gothic suspense novels to recommend. Let us know in the comments!