Supernatural Thriller Novels

The range of this sub-genre of thriller novel is very wide, and the enjoyment one derives from a book depends on the extent to which the reader can suspend belief. Of course, if a reader believes in black magic, fairies and life after death, then these will not be supernatural, because the reader's definition of natural must include such entities and concepts.

I'm not a believer in such things, but there are some supernatural thrillers which I think are terrific. These usually involve a clever writing device which doesn't require me to suspend belief for the duration of the story, but trips me up right at the end. It's a fantastic writing trick, common in many thriller genres, and for me, essential in the supernatural sub-genre because I have difficulty suspending belief.

There is one novel though, which I adore, and which does not use this device. It scared me when I read it first as a teenager - The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.

• The Haunting of Hill House
  
  A review Haunting of Hill House - a classic of the supernatural sub-genre of thriller novels. This review was written decades after I read it, and it is still vivid in my mind. How the author manipulates one's imagination and fear is a tour de force.
• Sixth Sense
  
  Sixth Sense - a great example of supernatural thriller writing with the twist right at the end. One of Bruce Willis's better films.