The best place to start is The Rats (1974), Herbert's debut novel. It introduces his visceral, fast-paced style perfectly and is short enough to read in a single sitting.
If you prefer something more atmospheric and psychological, try The Magic Cottage (1986) or Haunted (1988).
Most of James Herbert's novels are standalone and can be read in any order. However, two series benefit from reading in sequence:
The Rats Trilogy: The Rats → Lair → Domain
The David Ash Series: Haunted → The Ghosts of Sleath → Ash
For a complete chronological read of all 23 novels, see our Reading Order page.
Opinions vary, but The Rats, The Fog, The Magic Cottage and The Secret of Crickley Hall are consistently cited as his finest works.
The Fog is arguably his most relentlessly horrifying novel. The Secret of Crickley Hall shows his mature writing at its most emotionally powerful.
They are often compared as the dominant horror writers of their respective countries — Herbert was Britain's No.1 and King was America's. Both blended horror with strong character work and social observation.
Herbert's style tends to be more viscerally graphic and British in sensibility, while King is known for longer, more expansive narratives. Stephen King has praised Herbert's work publicly.
James Herbert wrote 23 novels between 1974 and 2012. He also wrote non-fiction including Dark Places: Locations and Legends (1993), the tribute anthology By Horror Haunted (1992), and the illustrated retrospective James Herbert: Devil in the Dark (2002), plus the graphic novel The City (1994).
The Rats (1974) is James Herbert's debut novel. A mutant strain of giant black rats emerges from the East End of London and begins attacking people across the city. Art teacher Harris is drawn into a desperate effort to stop the infestation.
It is a fast-paced creature horror novel that launched Herbert's career and sold over a million copies. It was followed by Lair (1979) and Domain (1984).
Yes. James Herbert was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2010 for services to literature. In the same year, the World Horror Convention named him Grand Master of Horror — the genre's highest honour.
James Herbert died on 20 March 2013 at the age of 69. His death was announced by his publisher Pan Macmillan. His final published novel was Ash (2012), the third David Ash book. He is survived by his wife Eileen and three daughters.
No new James Herbert novels will be published. He passed away in March 2013. Pan Macmillan continues to keep his entire backlist in print, including new anniversary editions with updated cover designs.
The Fog (1975) is widely regarded as his most disturbing novel, featuring scenes of graphic mass violence as a mysterious fog drives people to madness. The Dark (1980) and Domain (1984) are also deeply unsettling.
For psychological horror, The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006) is among the most emotionally affecting ghost stories in British fiction.
Yes. James Herbert was born on 8 April 1943 in Bethnal Green, East London. He grew up in the East End and the experience heavily influenced his writing — most notably The Rats, which is set there. Before becoming a novelist he worked as a graphic designer and art director in advertising.
Several works were adapted. See our Films page for the full list, including:
Haunted (1995) — feature film starring Aidan Quinn and Kate Beckinsale
Fluke (1995) — starring Matthew Modine and Eric Stoltz
The Survivor (1981) — starring Robert Powell and Jenny Agutter
The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012) — BBC One three-part miniseries starring Tom Ellis and Suranne Jones
Yes, there are two series. The Rats Trilogy consists of The Rats (1974), Lair (1979) and Domain (1984). The David Ash Series consists of Haunted (1988), The Ghosts of Sleath (1994) and Ash (2012). All other Herbert novels are standalone.