When it comes to the horror genre, ambience is everything. It’s not only the setting of a place but a character in its own right–and it affects the story intimately. There’s a reason why subgenres of horror have different goals. Suburban horror is set in the suburbs and seeks to highlight the dichotomy of safety being threatened. Period horror informs how specific time periods give rise to certain fears and monsters. Urban horror can make one feel small and insignificant in a large, overwhelming city.
And specific cities come with its own personality due to their unique history, demographics and physical layout. New York City, for example, is well known for its grid system, its public transportation, and playful rivalry with the other four boroughs. But if you were to consider a horror tale set within this island, the story could be very different depending on where exactly one is located.
Don’t believe me? Consider jumping into these five Big Apple horror novels to get a taste of what expansive terrors you can find in just one city:…