Creating a Best Gothic Romance List

[fallover]

#27: I'd recommend Catherine Gaskin's "A Falcon For a Queen". Although some may see it as an historical romance, there were definite Gothic elements in this.

[maisonvivante]

Thank you guys for your contributions!  I'm behind on updating this list, but at some point I will revise my first post and add your contributions up-to-date.

Doddric, you're right, I didn't specify that the novels included here had to be specifically Gothic romances.  It all gets so murky anyway when you try and define a subgenre too specifically.   Most quality Gothic romances can usually be categorized in other areas as well (literary novel, suspense, mystery, etc.).  Part of the appeal of a "good" Gothic is usually because it in some way strays or bends the "formula," which oftentimes means it also qualifies it for other genres.

[whitelady]

#26: "The Reflection of Evil" (Originally "Death of a Fox") by Jan Roffman. I don't know if she wrote many books, but I ran across this one and found it to be a page-turner. Couldn't put it down.

I think "Mistress of Mellyn" was very reminiscent of "Jane Eyre" but I also enjoyed "Kirkland Revels" by Victoria Holt.

#27: I took someone's suggestion and read "The Legend of the Green Man" by Sara Hely - great!

Someone else suggested "Sea Jade" by Phyllis Whitney (#4). It was well-written although somewhat predictable.

[MysteryMind]

#28:  Although Josephine Tey is traditionally a mystery writer, I would classify "Brat Farrar" as a Gothic suspense story.  An excellent read.

#29: "The Hangman's Tree" by Dorothy Cameron Disney.

[readertim]

This list is really great. I'm going to try to read all of the books on it that I haven't already read. Thanks everyone!

[tamtam]

#30: How about something from Stephen King? I've not read any of his books, but I've seen "The Shining" and "Carrie" and I'm sure they would fit into the Gothic category.

[paigenumber]

#31: "Mill Reef Hall" by Ariadne Pritchett. I just finished this book and thought it was wonderful. I had never heard of this author before now.

[sweetMURDER]

#32.  "Show Of Evil" and  "Reign in Hell" by William Diehl
#33.   "The Shawshank Redemption"  by Stephen King
# 34.  "Lost Souls" by Poppy Z. Brite
# 35. "I Am Legend"  by Richard Matheson

[Desdemona]

Two classics

33. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

34. Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

[fallover]

Two classics

33.  Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

34.  Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

I agree these are two classics that are unforgettable, but I know "Jane Eyre" is 19th century and I believe "Phantom" is, too. Perhaps we can start a new list under Classic Gothics for this.