From remote castles shrouded in mist to Byronic love interests hiding dark secrets, Gothic fiction has enthralled readers for centuries with its potent blend of romance and horror. Gothic romance novels first captured the public imagination in the late 1700s, and since those early days of The Castle of Otranto and The Mysteries of Udolpho, the genre has undergone many incarnations from classic Victorian chillers to contemporary paranormal tales. Yet a few key elements remain constant across the best examples of the Gothic romance genre: isolated settings, supernatural occurrences, brooding romantic heroes, young heroines, and a dangerous air of mystery and suspense.
Gothic romance endures because it speaks to both our darker fears of what hides in the shadows and our deeper longings for passionate, mysterious love. The atmospheric settings provide an enchanting backdrop, while the suspense ratchets up the drama of the romance. Something about these stories, often set in crumbling old castles or mansions, touches our primal love of being thrilled and moved at the same time.
In this article, we will explore some of the greatest and most influential Gothic romance novels ever written in the English language. The curated collection moves chronologically from 18th-century trailblazers like Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho and Matthew Lewis’ The Monk through 19th-century classics from the Brontës, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and beyond. The list continues through iconic Gothic romances of the mid-20th century like Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca and modern classics like A.S. Byatt’s Possession. A number of recently published 21st century novels show that Gothic romantic suspense continues to evolve and thrill new generations of readers.
While the books on this list span over 200 years, what unites these spellbinding stories are their beautiful use of suspense and passion to plumb the depths of the human psyche. Lovers of romance, horror, and mystery can all find plenty to discover and admire in these seminal Gothic tales. So curl up in your darkest corner and enjoy this deep dive into the best Gothic romances ever written. Just beware what goes bump in the night…
Below is a list of some of the best and most influential Gothic romance novels in history:
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (1794)
One of the most famous Gothic romances ever written, The Mysteries of Udolpho tells the story of the orphaned Emily St. Aubert. After her father dies, Emily is sent to live with her aunt, Madame Cheron, who soon marries the villainous Signor Montoni. Emily becomes caught up in the dangerous secrets and mysteries of Udolpho Castle in the Appenines of Italy, a foreboding place full of banditti, threats of violence, and supernatural occurrences that seem to haunt Emily. Known for its picturesque descriptions of landscapes and architecture, The Mysteries of Udolpho established many of the core elements that would define the Gothic genre.
The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis (1796)
One of the more lurid and sensationalist Gothic romances, Matthew Gregory Lewis’ The Monk caused quite a scandal when it was first released in the late 18th century due to its graphic violence, sexual content, and criticism of the church. The story follows Ambrosio, a monk in the Monastery of the Capuchins in Madrid, who falls prey to temptation and descends into carnal desire, rape, incest and murder. The Monk employs common Gothic motifs like violence, supernatural elements, family secrets and exaggerated emotion.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
Mary Shelley’s haunting masterpiece hardly needs an introduction. The story of the obsessed scientist Victor Frankenstein and the horrifying creature he brings to life using science is one of the most well-known Gothic horror stories of all time. At its heart, Frankenstein has the passion and emotion of a Gothic romance. The novel allows readers to sympathize with the monster’s yearning for love and companionship, making him a complex and tragic romantic figure. Shelley’s superb suspense and terror combined with the underlying romantic tragedy cemented Frankenstein’s legacy in the Gothic canon.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)
Though not a full-fledged Gothic romance, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre contains multiple Gothic elements that influenced the genre. Jane Eyre follows the titular character, an orphan who becomes a governess and falls in love with her mysterious and brooding employer, Edward Rochester. Their love story unfolds in Thornfield Hall, Rochester’s remote estate full of strange noises, secret rooms, and ghostly events. Jane Eyre borrows Gothic atmospherics and mysterious Byronic love interests to create an unforgettable romance laced with suspense.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)
Emily Brontë’s lone novel may be the quintessential Gothic romance. Wuthering Heights tells the tale of the doomed love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Set on the foggy moors of Yorkshire, England, the novel is rife with ghosts, gloom, death, and dangerous passions. Heathcliff is the ultimate Byronic romantic hero – dark, brooding, and consumed by uncontrollable emotions. The tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine transcends life and death and passes down through generations. Wuthering Heights’ Gothic landscapes, violent emotions, and doomed star-crossed lovers cement it as one of the best Gothic romances ever written.
Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
Bram Stoker’s blood-soaked masterpiece hardly needs an introduction. Stoker took vampires from folklore and turned them into an enduring symbol of Gothic horror and romance. In the novel, the charismatic and sinister Count Dracula travels from Transylvania to England, spreading death and vampirism, before being confronted by Professor Van Helsing. Dracula pioneered and popularised many early vampire tropes, such as vampires turning into bats and having a stake driven through their heart to kill them. The character of Dracula would influence depictions of vampires for decades to come. Though chilling and frightening, Dracula is also filled with passion and seduction between Dracula and his female victims like Lucy and Mina, making it one of the most iconic Gothic horror romances.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)
Daphne du Maurier’s beloved novel Rebecca remains one of the finest 20th century Gothic romances. The book follows an unnamed protagonist who falls in love with the wealthy and mysterious Maxim de Winter, only to find herself living in the shadow of Rebecca, Maxim’s dead first wife. After marrying Maxim, she goes to live with him at Manderley, his enormous country estate in England. The new Mrs. de Winter slowly learns dark secrets about Rebecca’s haunting continued influence over the house. The novel masterfully builds an atmosphere of secrets, tension, and psychological terror. Though Max and his new wife do genuinely fall in love, Rebecca’s ghost stands between them, creating a doomed and melancholic Gothic romance.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (1962)
Shirley Jackson was a master of Gothic suspense and horror, and her final novel, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, borrows Gothic elements to recount a dark romance. The story follows Mary Katherine “Merricat” Blackwood, who lives with her sister and uncle in a large manor house in isolation. The rest of their family died years before after being poisoned at dinner. Though her sister Constance was acquitted of the murders, the townspeople still believe she is guilty. When their estranged cousin Charles shows up looking for the family fortune, he and Merricat fall into a strange courtship laced with secrets, tension, and the threat of tragedy. The Gothic atmosphere, family secrets, foreboding isolation and doomed romantic undertones make this novella a 20th-century Gothic romance classic.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2006)
A contemporary Gothic romance novel, The Thirteenth Tale captures the brooding atmosphere and mystery of classic Gothic tales. The novel follows Margaret Lea, a biographer summoned to write the life story of the renowned but reclusive novelist Vida Winter. As Margaret digs into her subject’s mysterious past, full of questions about mistresses, governesses, feral children, and fires, she realizes Vida’s tale is more ghostly than real. The two form an unlikely bond as the mysteries unfold, creating notes of Gothic romance. With its isolated manor houses, mysterious births, doppelgängers, and family secrets, The Thirteenth Tale is a masterful Gothic romance for the modern age.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005)
The Historian blends Gothic suspense and horror with unlikely romance in a way that revitalizes traditional genre elements. The story follows a historian’s daughter, who comes across letters her father has been hiding about his search for Dracula’s tomb, along with missing texts about the real Vlad the Impaler. She ends up tracing her father’s investigation across Europe with a mysterious companion she both distrusts and feels passion for. The romantic undertones between the heroine and shadowy Paul, along with the novel’s reimagining of Dracula, make The Historian a compelling contemporary twist on Gothic horror and romance.
Affinity by Sarah Waters (1999)
Set in Victorian England, Affinity by Sarah Waters uses Gothic elements to tell a sweeping lesbian romance story. The book centers on Margaret Prior, who goes to visit Millbank prison where she is deeply moved by her visits with inmate Selina Dawes, a self-described spiritualist. As their connection gets closer, the lines between spiritualism, sexuality, and desire blur. Meanwhile, Selina’s life story unfolds through diary entries, revealing the hopes and tragedies that brought her to Millbank. Mysteries build, secrets come to light, and an uneasy romance blossoms in the shadows of the prison. Affinity’s Gothic moodiness, doomed queerness, and sensual undertones put a fresh spin on traditional Gothic romance motifs.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2020)
A recent novel, Mexican Gothic breathes new life into Gothic suspense while seamlessly blending it with themes of female empowerment. The story follows Naomi, a bold socialite in 1950s Mexico who goes to visit her mysterious cousin Catalina at her husband’s estate after receiving a concerning letter. She arrives at the remote mansion in the Mexican countryside to find Catalina is wasting away, her handsome husband is oddly controlling, and the house seems to be rotting from the inside out. As Naomi investigates further, she uncovers the family’s dark secrets tied to exploitation and decay. Mexican Gothic captures the suffocating isolation and impending doom of classic Gothic romances through the lens of a modern, feminist horror story with hints of taboo romance.
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1872)
One of the earliest works of vampire fiction, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s 19th century novella Carmilla introduces Gothic romance elements like the mysterious seductress, the remote castle, and secrets from the past. The story is told from the perspective of Laura, a young English woman living in a castle in Styria. Their isolated lives change with the arrival of the exotic and beautiful Carmilla, who seems immediately drawn to Laura. As the two get closer, Laura dreams of nocturnal visits and begins wasting away. Carmilla’s influential vampiric seductress character would inspire Gothic tales for generations, using romance and desire to create an atmosphere of unease.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A. N. Roquelaure (1983)
A controversial erotic novel, The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty is the first book in A. N. Roquelaure’s (pen name for Anne Rice) Sleeping Beauty series. It puts a sensual, BDSM twist on the classic fairy tale, exploring desire, dominance, and romantic awakenings. After Sleeping Beauty is awakened from her century of slumber by the Prince’s kiss, she is sent to his domain where she is educated and trained in erotic servitude and pleasure. She is stripped of her naive past self and claimed by the Prince and his Mother Queen as a sexual submissive. The novel thrusts the fairy tale characters into a world of dominance and submission, using Gothic settings and power dynamics to fuel the eroticism. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty pioneered blending romance with Gothic renderings of fairy tales.
The Radleys by Matt Haig (2017)
A clever contemporary Gothic novel, The Radleys puts a fresh spin on genres by fusing traditional vampire lore with satire. The Radleys are a suburban family living a seemingly normal life near London until their daughter Clara makes a shocking discovery – her parents abstain from blood not because they are vegetarians but because they are vampires trying to fit in with humans. As tensions come to a head, secrets unravel, vampire neighbors get involved and soon the Radley’s bizarre Gothic double life comes to light. The Radleys injects parody and wit into classic Gothic romance elements like blood, secrecy, desire, and sinister aristocrats living double lives.
The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King (1982 – 2012)
Master of horror Stephen King tries his hand at Gothic and fantasy in his epic Dark Tower series. The novels follow the Gunslinger Roland Deschain on his quest to reach the mythical Dark Tower to save his dying world. The saga incorporates Gothic horror, Arthurian legend, spaghetti Westerns, medieval romance, and plenty of supernatural threats. As Roland travels through magical realms, he encounters the seductive Lady of Shadows and a succubus who almost kills him with erotic pleasure and feeding. Though filled with horror, the series also explores Roland’s inner turmoil, regret, and chance at redemption, giving the novels Gothic romantic undertones.
Dragonwyck by Anya Seton (1944)
A classic 20th century Gothic romance, Dragonwyck transports readers to the estate of Nicholas Van Ryn, a handsome but foreboding aristocrat living in the 1840s Hudson Valley. When Miranda Wells becomes governess to Van Ryn’s daughter, she is enthralled by his wealth and power. But below the surface, Van Ryn’s increasing coercion of Miranda suggests a darker side. As Miranda realizes the secrets, madness, and violence that haunt Dragonwyck manor, she must decide if Van Ryn is her Gothic prince or a sinister trap. Dragonwyck established many enduring Gothic romance tropes, from the Byronic love interest to the remote ancestral estate haunted by dark secrets from the past.
The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie (2007)
In The Rose Labyrinth, the mystery of the past enmeshes with dangerous romance in the present. When Mike finds an elderly woman trying to sell an antique silver roses pendant, he buys it for his wife. Jealous archaeologist Lucy becomes consumed with researching the pendant, which leads her to a secret ancient labyrinth below a church in France. As she follows its twisting path, she discovers buried passions, esoteric symbolism, and goddess worship that resonates with her own blossoming romance and sexual awakenings. The Rose Labyrinth blends history, feminism, spirituality, and romance in a modern Gothic tale.
The Darkling Bride by Laura Andersen (2017)
The Darkling Bride offers a fresh spin on classic Gothic romance motifs with a sinister wedding at an ancient Italian villa. Deep Falls is a crumbling old estate on the Amalfi Coast where generations of Carragher brides spend their honeymoon. When Eva, recently married to Nathaniel, arrives, she is haunted by strange visions and a sinister presence. Seeking answers about the three Carragher brides who died mysteriously at Deep Falls, Eva uncovers dark family secrets and hidden passages where the ghosts of the past still lurk. Blending mystery, ghosts, foreboding settings, and family secrets, The Darkling Bride is a Gothic romance for a new age.
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand (2015)
A haunting novel, Wylding Hall uses Gothic romance to explore the mysterious death of a gifted musician. In the 1970s, Wylding Hall was a remote Elizabethan mansion where the band Windhollow Faire retreated. It was there that their singer Tom Haring died under mysterious circumstances. Years later, the surviving band members recount their time there through interviews, memoirs, and supernatural encounters. The reports only deepen the mysteries of Haring’s fate, the manor’s secrets, and the romance between Tom and bandmate Alison. Dark and atmospheric, Wylding Hall is both an ode to 70s folk-rock and a creepy Gothic tale.
Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen (1986)
Karleen Koen’s sweeping historical saga contains Gothic romantic elements that unfold across 18th century Europe. The story follows aristocratic Barbara Alderley, whose visionary gift both captivates and frightens suitors. After rejecting a sinister mystic, Barbara marries the charismatic Sir David Casement. At his estate, she encounters a bitter caretaker’s widow and her own uncanny dreams that seem connected to a dark presence. As Barbara embraces her prophetic powers, she must confront the shadows of the past and present. Blending historical fiction, supernatural mystery, and romance, Through a Glass Darkly is an under-recognized Gothic gem.
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling (2019)
The Luminous Dead is a futuristic thriller that channels classic Gothic suspense and isolation. In the story, Gyre Price fraudulently lands a contract for a mining expedition on a remote planet to pay off her debts. Far below the surface with only her handler Em for company, Gyre faces horrors that defy explanation. As she questions what is real and who Em really is, claustrophobia, dread and affection intermingle. The Luminous Dead translates Gothic tropes like isolated heroines, crumbling settings, unseen threats and unreliable narrators into a chilling science fiction tale with touches of romance.
The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith (2020)
In this imaginative fantasy debut, books inspire romance and mystery inside a haunted library. Claire is the head librarian of the Unwritten Wing where unfinished books languish until their characters fade from existence. When a Hero escapes his story, Claire must work with a alluring fallen angel to track him through the library’s many dangerous supernatural books to prevent chaos. Blending prose as haunting and lyrical as any Gothic classic with fantastical settings and characters, The Library of the Unwritten is a Gothic bibliophile’s fantasy with dashes of flirtatious romance.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley (2020)
Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None gets a Gothic romance makeover in Lucy Foley’s hit locked-room mystery novel The Guest List. The book takes place on a remote Irish island during a celebrity wedding. When the maid of honor is found dead, it becomes clear a killer is hunting the guests and bridal party one-by-one. Each chapter bounces between different characters’ perspectives leading up to the murder, building the Gothic atmosphere and potential suspects. The isolated island setting, family secrets, haunted pasts, and hidden motives for murder add Gothic flare.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (2021)
In this modern Gothic thriller, remnants of the past haunt a new marriage. Jane becomes the wife of charismatic Eddie Rochester after working as his dog walker. He sweeps her up into his lavish Southern lifestyle in an inherited historic house. But the presence of Eddie’s late first wife Bea Roux lingers over them. Jane discovers dark truths as she navigates the tension between her illicit romance, Bea’s secrets, and mysteries buried in the house’s past. The Wife Upstairs expertly entwines a contemporary psychological thriller with enduring Gothic haunted house motifs.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)
Henry James’ ambiguous and unsettling ghost story has become a classic in Gothic and psychological horror. In the tale, a young governess is hired to care for two children in an isolated English country house called Bly. She begins glimpsing two ghosts that appear to be corrupting and possessing the children. The governess becomes obsessed with protecting her charges, but it remains unclear if the ghosts are real or figments of her unraveling mind. James builds bone-chilling tension through uncertainty and the children’s increasing corruption. The Turn of the Screw demonstrates Gothic minimalism with its restless ghosts, remote manor, and aura of doom.
Revenge by Yoko Ogawa (1998)
Yoko Ogawa’s gothic thriller Revenge weaves together a tapestry of interconnected stories laced with simmering passions and violence. The story collection centers around a woman who comes to a secluded inn every month to seek culinary perfection from the chef. Interspersed are short stories about the chef’s childhood, past jobs, first love affair, and dark compulsion to murder beautiful unwed mothers. Revenge haunts the tales like a specter as buried motives and deadly consequences surface. Ogawa skillfully uses fragmented tales and nonlinear time to build a Gothic atmosphere and sense of impending horror.
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley (2014)
An unsettling and immersive Gothic tale, The Loney follows a family on a religious pilgrimage to an isolated bay rumored to cure muteness. The narrator arrives with his devout Catholic family and brother who has not spoken since birth. Sinister locals, strange discoveries and darker family secrets emerge as they search for a miracle. The brooding Lancashire coastline sets a tone of mystery and dread. Blending Gothic melancholy with psychological ambiguity, The Loney lingers like a gloomy fog. It won the Costa Book Award for Best First Novel in 2015.
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (2009)
The Little Stranger resurrects Gothic suspense in postwar England through a lonely doctor and a dilapidated manor. Dr. Faraday is called to the creaking Hundreds Hall to treat a maid. After this initial visit, he becomes entangled with the isolated Ayres family and their estate as unexplained events terrorize the household. Themes of social change, grief, class tension, and repression amplify the horror. Waters masterfully reimagines Gothic haunting for a modern era through nuanced characters and simmering tragedy.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell (2017)
A tale of Gothic dread and madness, The Silent Companions blends spooky thrills with human frailty and romance. Newly widowed Elsie is sent to her late husband’s crumbling ancestral home. The house is inhabited by lifelike wooden figures called “silent companions” that seem to move and watch Elsie. Interspersed diary entries reveal the companions’ dark history and Elsie’s growing paranoia. Atmospheric and chilling, Purcell’s gothic ghost story shows psychological fragility amplifying the supernatural.
Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver (2019)
An acclaimed historical fiction author, Michelle Paver’s Wakenhyrst is a haunting work of Gothic melodrama. In the 1960s, Maud investigates her oppressive father’s journals seeking clues to her mother’s death. The story then flashes back to Edwardian Suffolk where Maud’s ancestors lived in Wake’s End, a dreary manor prone to flooding. Her father becomes convinced a supernatural evil lurks in the fens, haunting his family across generations. Paver creates an immersive Gothic tale rich with secrets, suggested paranormal forces, and madness passed down through bloodlines.
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar (2018)
Set in 1785 London, The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock explores desire, ambition, and obsession against a historical Gothic backdrop. When gentleman merchant Jonah Hancock receives a supposedly preserved mermaid corpse, he sees an opportunity for riches by putting it on display. The mermaid captivates Angelica Neal, a high-class courtesan looking to rise above her station and mesmerize London’s elite. Their fates intertwine amidst the intrigue and shadows of 18th century society. Gowar’s debut novel evokes Gothic dualities of decay and splendor, reason and superstition.
These haunted tales of romance, suspense, and the macabre demonstrate the enduring allure of Gothic fiction novels. Since its beginnings over 200 years ago, the Gothic genre with its remote settings, tumultuous emotions, and complex villains and heroines in peril has allowed readers to both revel in supernatural thrills and connect deeply with characters’ desires, terrors, and internal demons. While trends and conventions shift, these classics novels prove that our urge for Gothic romance and horror springs eternal.
