Book Recommendation's?

[abhorsen950]

I was wondering if anybody could point me in the direction of some Gothic Horror Fiction, or Horror Fiction that you like/enjoy, I'm thinking of doing an RP Game in the genre and would love some inspiration.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Steve
Also I already have and read Dracula

[Agent Brown]

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman if you can get your hands on it. Due for a re-release in May 2011 if you want a new copy. Imagines a world where Dracula won. Great stuff.
Any of Jack Yeovil's Genevieve series (Jack Yeovil is the pseudonym of Kim Newman). While these are set in the Warhammer Fantasy world they are very gothic in tone and good reads as well. Start with Drachenfels.
Edit: here's all of the Genevieve novels in one volume.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vampire-Genevieve-Warhammer-Jack-Yeovil/dp/1844162443/ref=sr_1_8?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1286005451&sr=8-8
Don't be put off by the Warhammer background, they're definitely Gothic Horror.

[Malamute]

I second Anno Dracula, a great read.

Perhaps the first of the Interview with the Vampire series by Anne Rice.  

Any of the Sherlock Holmes stories- not horror, but gives a flavour of the Victorian era.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly. The original gothic horror story.

The strange case of Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

[jet]

Everything mentioned (especially The Strange Case of Jekyll/Hyde) and I would add The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells.

[abhorsen950]

Thankyou for all the help everyone I've got my list now,

Its appreciated

Steve

[Neotacha]

For an interesting take on vampires, werewolves and preternatural creatures, I recommend Soulless and its sequels.  It's kind of a blend of steampunk and horror lite (and, I'm afraid, a bit of a romance, sorry), but you can get the flavor of Victorian steampunk horror from it.  The author is Gail Carriger.  There are several books titled Soulless, so remember you're looking for the Parasol Protectorate series or you'll end up with something political.

I like the idea of a person born without a soul, and how that affects the supernatural beings around her.  I also like the explanation for how one becomes a vampire, werewolf or ghost, and why not everyone does.

[YPU]

If your going to do the Sherlock Holmes books you might find The Hound of the Baskervilles to be the most appropriate, I finished it last week and must say it was a blast to read. (also, overexposure has been effecting my choice of words from time to time)

[jet]

Read the entire Sherlock Holmes Canon. Seriously.

Many of the SH stories deal with run-of-the-mill crimes - revenge, love, money, However, there are some that go a step further, telling dark tales of truly evil criminals. Here are some that come to mind;

A Case Of Identity
The Speckled Band (one of my faves)
The Copper Beeches
The Resident Patient
The Solitary Cyclist
The Greek Interpreter

And for a real tribute to the entire era of Victorian adventure, dark plots, and Britain's connection to its foreign colonies, The Sign Of Four is absolute required reading.

Can't believe I never mentioned this one earlier. For a real moody ghost story you should read The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. It's a true classic ghost story of the Victorian Era with the stereotypical country governess as the main character.

[archangel1]

The Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole, is generally regarded as the first Gothic novel.  It's available for free at the link below, along with thousands of other horror stories, novels, novellas and novelettes.  There's also some non-fiction horror! A truly amazing collection.  It even includes some work by Arthur Machen, one of HP Lovecraft's muses.

Everything is downloadable as pdf's so you don't have to read it online.

http://www.horrormasters.com/sub-genre.htm

It's under Novellas.  I read it decades ago but can't remember a thing about it, sorry.

[abhorsen950]

The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of my favourite books, blew me away. Was a cracking read, thanks for the rest guys!!

Cheers
Steve

[n815e]

The Moonstone is considered to be the first detective novel.

The Island of Dr. Moreau.

The Turn of the Screw.

[Skrapwelder]

Drood by Dan Simmons. Not a Gothic novel but full of atmosphere and inspiration.

[Smokeyrone]

A lot of Lovecraft stories would be good too.

Frankenstein, I never liked the book. (it is not as gothic as the Universal film, the film was better, IMO)