What is the most chilling book you've ever read?

[Beatgrrl]

At this time of year, I really love to snuggle up under a blanket, get all comfy and absolutely terrify myself with a great book and I could really use some recommendations. Which books have been absolutely bone-chillingly terrifying for you? Which have been the books that have left you too afraid to turn the lights out; too afraid to move? Which books have made you feel too scared to turn the page?

[Tableclothing]

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis was pretty unpleasant, but I'm guessing you're more after Edgar Allan Poe-type recommendations?

[AutumnCrow]

Watching your thread!

I'll have a think.

[puds11]

IT by Stephen King. Bloody fabulous. After that, Bram Stokers Dracula.

[Fizbo]

I really enjoyed The Historian by Elizabeth Kostovo I started reading it one summer and thought it was definitely a winter book so saved it. I wasn't disappointed!

[anenomeV19]

The lovely bones
I wasn’t very old and it really stuck with me maybe I shouldn’t have read it but I did and it had such an undertone of normality somehow that I felt given the wrong circumstances I could one day step sideways into that life and it terrified me

[Herja]

Such small hands (I think anyway, by andres barber). It's only short, perfect for a cozy evening in, but it's really very chilling. The plot is based around children though, which I know some don't like, so avoid if you're one of those people! It was described as a ghost story on the blurb, which I disagree with. Definitely scary though.

[longleggedgal]

Oooo following

[lulla12345]

The perfect child by Lucinda Berry, more haunting than terrifying. It stayed with me though.

[KilljoysDutch]

Last Days by Adam Nevill it starts slow but that's the beauty of it the horror slowly builds until you honestly are afraid of switching off the light. I love horror movies and horror novels but I've never gotten over how terrified I was of this book.

[Oblomov19]

[Soen]

Place marking

[Rassy]

Another vote for The Lovely Bones. Chills your blood.
I remember reading it while DD1 was outside playing with friends and I had to stop myself from going out and bringing her home.
The last line of the book has always stuck with me - 'I hope you have a long and happy life'...

[3timeslucky]

We Need to Talk about Kevin ... maybe not the kind of chilling you're looking for but I found it really disturbing.

[Beatgrrl]

@Tableclothing American Psycho is great. I was thinking more in the realms of the supernatural but I'm open to giving anything a try.

@Fizbo Thats one of my favourites too. Love a good vampire novel.

@Herja Books about children are often the most chilling aren't they?

[Iamanaubergine]

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. Really creepy, set in the Arctic circle in Winter.

[Hiddentext]

Another vote for "We need to talk about Kevin".

[MrsMaryBOOface]

Following with interest... There was a similar thread a few weeks back:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/3673214-Can-anyone-help-me-find-a-very-very-scary-book

I tried to read Heart Shaped Box after reading that thread but I could not get into it at all 😔

[Redannie118]

Haunted by James Herbert. Beautiful gothic- style haunted house story with a fantastic twist. Its pretty short too

[DowntonCrabby]

I also loved the historian.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Then there were none by Agatha Christie and Picnic at Hanging Rock - shit me up so much I had to turn it round on the bookshelf.

[MadisonAvenue]

We Need To Talk About Kevin

[meandmyboyz]

I love "the woman in black" susan hill so much better as a book than the film/theatre show , I've re read it so many times xx

[GoodbyePiccadilly]

Another vote for Adam Neville. Try 'The Ritual' or 'Last Days'. He has a particular skill for creepy locations.

[Beatgrrl]

A few people have mentioned We Need to Talk About Kevin. Does it have a lot of animal cruelty in it? That's one of the few things I can't really stomach. I'm ok if it's just a reference here and there.

[grannycake]

Sophie's Choice was chilling and I've never forgotten it