Salem's Lot

Stephen King is presumed to write horror novels, but in fact he writes intelligent small-town American dramas that introduce horror elements in order to accentuate pre-existing character flaws or societal flaws. This formula is accomplished to chilling effect in Salem’s Lot. In it, King profiles the memorable townspeople of Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, whose lives are disrupted when an ancient vampire moves into town and purchases an abandoned house. The narrative is thrilling and layered, and King has improved considerably as a writer with his most complex characters yet. This is one of the best books of Stephen King’s remarkable career.