penny dreadful

a cheap, sensational novel of adventure, crime, or violence; dime novel.

Origin of penny dreadful

First recorded in 1870–75

Of course you may call it a trap and all that sort of penny-dreadful rot; but what other way had I to see you?

The Eddy |Clarence L. Cullen
Then look at Brigham Young's penny-dreadful tyranny in Utah, with real blood.

The Woman in Black |Edmund Clerihew Bentley
The wildest flight of fancy of an irresponsible novelist had never created such a character in penny-dreadful fiction.

The Dark Star |Robert W. Chambers
Mother doesnt allow me to read any penny-dreadful story papers, magazines or books.

The Girls of Central High on the Stage |Gertrude W. Morrison

Why did he not now emulate the penny-dreadful heroes and say "My darling!"

The Treasure of Heaven |Marie Corelli

penny-dreadful

British informal a cheap, often lurid or sensational book or magazine