The article deals with the problem of achieving the adequacy of translation in the implementation of the strategy of creating an atmosphere of horror. The authors identify the features of lexical and stylistic means in the transmission of this communicative strategy using Stephen King's novels as an example. The study identifies the lexical and stylistic means that influence the creation of an atmosphere of horror in the most significant manner, while comparing different versions of their translation. Also, the article examines the features of creating an atmosphere of horror through lexical and stylistic means in the translation and determines the most adequate ways of implementing this strategy. The authors substantiate the conclusion as to how appropriate it is to use the same lexical and stylistic means in the texts of novels in Russian when implementing the main communicative strategy of the horror genre.