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What's the scariest book you've read?

159 replies

imaginative · 23/01/2015 09:51

My two are 'the woman in Black' by Susan Hill - sooo creepy, and much more recently, and probably frightened me a bit more - 'What Laura Saw' by Sarah King. This one has a couple of really great twists and a very sympathetic lead character.

So which books scared you the most? I am looking for another one to read alongside 'The State We're In'. I like to have a couple of books on the go depending on my mood. Thanks

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imaginative · 23/01/2015 09:53

And while we're at it, can you recommend your scariest movie?

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roughtyping · 23/01/2015 10:06

The one that scared me the most was The Stand by Stephen King. I never finished it, I got about halfway through. I couldn't sleep, and when I did I kept having nightmares - made DH stay awake until I was asleep Blush and I normally love dystopian stuff!

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imaginative · 23/01/2015 10:33

I have read most of Stephen King's books, but never got around to reading 'The Stand'. I found 'The Shining' the scariest, and 'The Dead Zone'. I think I will add 'The Stand' to my wish list. Though actually, I think that we have it somewhere in paperback as my husband has read all of them.

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theconstantvacuumer · 23/01/2015 13:25

Agree with The Woman in Black. Also Naomi's Room and Salems Lot.

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curlyclaz13 · 23/01/2015 13:28

Peter James, Prophecy. So scary/good I e-mailed the author in a fan girl moment.

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Sallystyle · 23/01/2015 14:28

The Stand is my favourite book ever. I did not think it was at all scary though.

Salems Lot for me too.

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petitdonkey · 23/01/2015 14:31

I read 'Flowers in the Attic' as a teenager, all of them. I have never picked up a scary book since!

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loudarts · 23/01/2015 14:34

The rats, by James Herbert. Still gives me nightmares, especially with all the giant rats that were in the news last year. Scariest movie will always be Halloween (the original not crappy remake)

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jeee · 23/01/2015 14:35

Empty World, John Christopher.

I think you're more like to be terrified by a book you read as a child.

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LeonardoAcropolis · 23/01/2015 14:36

Haunted by James Herbert is terrifying. Also Stephen King's The Shining, Bag of Bones and Misery. I didn't find The Stand scary at all.

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isitsnowingyet · 23/01/2015 14:40

I enjoyed the Stand - and found it quite creepy, but by far the scariest book I've read was Dracula by Bram Stoker - couldn't sleep for a full 3 weeks after that Grin

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TheEagle · 23/01/2015 14:41

Bag of Bones by Stephen King - utterly terrifying!

I was too chicken to read The Woman In Black so I listened to the audiobook instead. Still scared the bejesus out of me Shock

Another creepy book is Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.

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MonstersBalls · 23/01/2015 14:41

'It' by Stephen King

Everything down here floats,' that chuckling, rotten voice whispered

Shock

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UnicornsPooFairyLights · 23/01/2015 14:42

Another vote for James Herbert - the rats trilogy
It has that horrible 'could happen' feel to it!

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ThatBloodyWoman · 23/01/2015 14:45

Scariest book -The Road
Scariest film -Blair witch project.

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Cocolepew · 23/01/2015 14:49

One of Mo Hayders early books, I can't remember which one but it was the first or second one IIRC there was large man and hiding involved

I've read all ofStephen Kings but can't say any of them actually scared me the way this one did.

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originalusernamefail · 23/01/2015 14:53

IT by Stephen King. Read it on my first holiday to Crete with my mates in sixth form- THEN had to sleep next to a dripping, gurgling tap in the apartments kitchenette ! Shock

Damn near pee'd myself that night!

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cosmicglittergirl · 23/01/2015 14:56

Books:
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, so creepy.
Pet Cemetary by Stephen King.

Films:
I'm a massive wuss with scary films so generally avoid, but It gave me nightmares.

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Providore · 23/01/2015 15:08

Tokyo by Mo Hayder. Fuck me! Terrifying!

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imaginative · 23/01/2015 18:19

Thank you! So pleased I started this thread. So many to choose from now. Much better buying books through others' recommendations than relying on the blurb on the sales page and being frequently disappointed. :)

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thelittlebooktroll · 23/01/2015 18:23

The Woman in Black. Still scared when I think of it.

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captainfarrell · 23/01/2015 18:25

Your'e Next by Greg Hurwitz

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snozzlemaid · 23/01/2015 18:25

Probably Mo Hayder for me too. Either Birdman or The Treatment. Both disturbingly brilliant.

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DrSeuss · 23/01/2015 18:26

Anything by Gina Ford!

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captainfarrell · 23/01/2015 18:28

ha ha ha Dr Seuss!!! Very scary but it worked!

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