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Original poster

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

207 replies

Beatgrrl · 05/12/2019 14:50

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?

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DowntonCrabby · 05/12/2019 20:07

Oh god @Snozzlemaid The treatment!!!!

With so many books I think “oh I’ve read that” but often don’t remember much about it. Mo Hayder writes so you’ll remember them for a long long time.

Srictlybakeoff · 05/12/2019 20:07

The Darkest Room by Joseph Theorim if you like ghost stories

poseysbobblehat · 05/12/2019 20:06

'I was Doctor Mengele's assistant', true story of a Jewish doctor forced to work with Mengele in Auschwitz. It makes you wonder what you would do to ensure that you and your family survived

thatguiltyfeeling · 05/12/2019 20:05

Pet semetry freaked me out. Barely read the end I was so scared and books don't usually do that to me

Faffandahalf · 05/12/2019 19:58

We Need to Talk about Kevin has never left me.
I was terrified of motherhood and not loving my children and reading this book (well before I had them) did not help!
It’s just awful. I can understand it’s literary ‘value’ perhaps but there was no enjoyment in reading it all. Just horrifying.

RedRosie · 05/12/2019 19:50

I think The Road by Cormac McCarthy is the most frightening thing I've read. Falls into post-apoclyptic fiction I guess ... No happy endings. It stayed with me for a long time and I'm not easily spooked.

loutypips · 05/12/2019 19:46

The shining. Trying to read Doctor Sleep, but it's slow going.

The yellow wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins gilman is really good. You can read it for free online or kindle.

Kyriesmum1 · 05/12/2019 19:41

Poppet has to read it all in one go 😖

Snozzlemaid · 05/12/2019 19:35

Mo Hayder's Birdman and also The Treatment.

Foghead · 05/12/2019 16:42

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz
Me too!

Naomi’s room was terrifying. I have The Historian at home so will start that.

Furballs35 · 05/12/2019 16:26

Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe
Bird Box by Josh Malerman (the film was awful, nothing like the book). I read it a few years before the film and it stayed with me for a very long time.
Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware was a little bit scary

Original poster
Beatgrrl · 05/12/2019 16:15

My personal pick would be Let the Right One in byJohn Ajvide Lindqvist. It's perfect for this time of year and although it can be quite chilling it's also quite beautiful too.

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Fizbo · 05/12/2019 16:07

Forgot to mention The House on Cold Hill and The Secret of Cold Hill by Peter James, very atmospheric and creepy!

moodolph · 05/12/2019 15:57

I read terror by night written by terry caffey. It is a true story written by him regarding the murder of his wife and two sons by their daughters boyfriend. His daughter is serving two life sentences for her part in it. It will haunt me forever.

Househunt1 · 05/12/2019 15:54

@coldhandscoldheart turning the book around on the book shelf haha that made me laugh

crosser62 · 05/12/2019 15:51

The shining

haverhill · 05/12/2019 15:50

Christine by Stephen King. Scared the beejeesus out of me.

Peanutbutteryogurt · 05/12/2019 15:50

Birdbox. I know lots of people don't like it but it really affected me! I read it in about two days and used to catch myself staring at the window in the middle of the night making a plan for what we could do if it happened, did we have enough stuff to cover all our windows etc...

BeardedVulture · 05/12/2019 15:49

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is scary and very weird. I've not read it on Kindle though so not sure how well it would translate to that format

SillyUnMurphy · 05/12/2019 15:48

Naomi's Room. Utterly terrifying and horrifying.

I had heard this book advertised on the radio over and over when I was twelve and, enjoying scaring myself shitless, I asked my mum for it for Christmas. God it was horrible. It still haunts me to this day if I ever, God forbid, think about it in the middle of the night.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 05/12/2019 15:47

Cheers OP, I'll try those.

Threads like this act like a good kick up the backside to me to stop faffing on my phone when I get to bed and get back to reading again which I really love. I'm now going to start an Amazon list for my kindle.

Blacmange · 05/12/2019 15:47

I really enjoyed all Susan Hill novels that I’ve read but didn’t find them scary or chilling. They’re atmospheric though and good for this time of year,

scorpido · 05/12/2019 15:46

Naomi's room

Blacmange · 05/12/2019 15:45

Following this thread. I have just looked at amazon reviews for The Perfect Child and they mention animal cruelty OP. I can’t stomach that either so won’t be getting it

Original poster
Beatgrrl · 05/12/2019 15:45

Yeah, I couldn't get on with Haunting of Hill House, but The Lottery and We Have Always Lived in the Castle also by Shirley Jackson are two of my favourites.

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