Sunday, November 8, 2015

Five haunted house novels you may not have read

Christopher Golden's latest novel is Dead Ringers. At Tor.com he tagged five haunted house novels you may not have read, including:
BURNT OFFERINGS (1973) by Robert Marasco

So many classic horror films were adapted from novels without most members of the viewing audience having any idea of the films’ literary origins. If you’ve seen the film version of Burnt Offerings starring Oliver Reed, Karen Black, and Bette Davis, you know the basic story. A couple from the city get an impossible to refuse deal on the summer rental of a mansion, as long as they’re willing to take care of the owners’ ancient mother, bringing food to her attic room. Soon, the new tenants find their bodies, emotions, and relationship withering, as if they’re being drained away. It’s an excellent film, one that scared the hell out of me as a kid. I didn’t read the novel until years later, and I wished (of course) that I’d read it first. But either way, if you love a good haunted house novel, don’t pass on Burnt Offerings.
Read about the other books on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue