1978: Our Lady Of Darkness

Our Lady of Darkness tells the story of Franz, a recovering alcoholic and accomplished horror writer in San Francisco. Franz discovers an old journal of weird metaphysical writings and his life takes a bizarre turn. While gazing out his apartment window, he spies a strangely robed figure dancing on Corona Heights. This catches his interest, and he resolves to take a hike out there to discover more. When he gets there, he takes out his binoculars and enjoys the view, but when he looks at his apartment building, he sees the same strangely robed figure waving back at him from his window. Why it's on the list An excellent example of urban horror fantasy, Fritz Leiber was one of the great fantasy writers of the 50-70s. The book is so well-written, and the characters (especially Westen) are so compelling that it is sure to keep you in its spell right to the end. The enticing, slow pace of this story sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the final culmination of the tale. Fritz Leiber was brilliant at using disparate objects to create strange and meaningful synchronicities. Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest writers of all time. Read if you like Urban Horror, Fantasy in modern settings.