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Original poster

Spooky/mystery/thriller novels with atmospheric descriptions on nature

28 replies

WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead · 30/06/2020 20:20

Maybe a bit niche, but I have a hankering for something like The Loney by Andrew Hurley or The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers. Any ideas?

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Cornishblues · 25/07/2020 17:42

The Tenderness of Wolves is a murder mystery set in 1860s Canada, strong sense of time and place.

thesunwillout · 24/07/2020 12:43

Just looking again to keep thread up in active.

mightymalties · 06/07/2020 19:49

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned The Essex Serpent yet, it's a wonderful read!

Touch by Alexi Zentner if you can find it is a beautiful read with it's descriptions of nature. I chanced upon it a couple of years ago as a brand new hardback in Poundland. I have Pine (as mentioned above) on my TBR list in the hope it's of a similar vein.

PhilODox · 05/07/2020 11:14

I have a book on my "To Read" list atm that I've been too scared to begin reading! (I'm really not a fan of spooky stuff, tbh- I want nice escapism)
It's called "Pine" by Francine Toon, sounds like it might be your kind of thing.
I'd also recommend Weathering by Lucy Wood.

Victoria1083 · 05/07/2020 08:47

16 Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting cones to mind too

pigoons · 05/07/2020 00:31

Was going to suggest Reservoir 13 but see someone upthread has beaten me to it

Original poster
WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead · 03/07/2020 20:02

I'm completely torn as to what to choose next! Grin

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Original poster
WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead · 03/07/2020 19:59

@bogoblin I've just finished Wakenhyrst, and it was PERFECT. Thank you for recommending it, and other posters for the other recommendations.

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HarlanWillYouStopNamingNuts · 02/07/2020 08:13

The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements is a historical ghost story set on the Yorkshire Moors and is very atmospheric. I was also going to say Wakenhyrst - Michele Paver has a lot of fans on here!

efeslight · 01/07/2020 18:30

Was also going to recommend The Girl who loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King. The beauty of nature but also how isolating and threatening it can be

Saucery · 01/07/2020 16:36

Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy is an unsettling coming-of-age story set in the countryside.

Saucery · 01/07/2020 16:33

James Brogden’s books, especially The Hollow Tree and Bone Harvest.
Pine by Francine Toon.

Butterer · 01/07/2020 16:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Binglebong · 01/07/2020 16:05

I hesitate slightly to suggest Steven King right now but The Girl Who Loved Tom Collins has her basically battling nature. It does include some mystical elements so I don't know if you want that. I haven't read the ones you mentioned which makes it hard.

Clawdy · 01/07/2020 15:42

Once Upon A River, by Diane Setterfield is a good atmospheric read.

WhiteC0sm05 · 01/07/2020 08:36

Peter Heller’s Dog Stars is a fab thriller with great nature descriptions but it is set in the aftermath of a pandemic. You have been warned.Grin

WhiteC0sm05 · 01/07/2020 08:34

The River by Peter Heller is a thriller with good nature description. I liked his book Celine too.

Where the Crawdads has a mystery in it and has lovely nature description.

All the Jane Harper ones are great with good Australian nature descriptions.

autumnboys · 30/06/2020 21:44

The Familiars by Stacey Halls.

The Merrily Watkins series by Phil Rickman.

I’ll be having a look at some of the others in this thread, thanks!

Original poster
WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead · 30/06/2020 21:39

Thank you! I've acquired Wakenhyrst, and have put the others on my To Read list. I think I read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell quite a while ago, and I think I enjoyed it, but for some reason the nature descriptions didn't leave a lasting impression!

OP posts:
bogoblin · 30/06/2020 20:56

Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand might fit the bill - definitely spooky with some great descriptions of the house and surrounding area.

Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key was excellent, though more a house than nature setting. And for an older setting (still with a house! I'm a sucker for an atmospheric house) with nature and a house, The Silent Companion by Laura Purcell was a good read.

I'm sure I've read something like The Loney but for the life of me I can't think what it is.

bogoblin · 30/06/2020 20:40

Dark Matter is my favourite by Michelle Paver!

Another vote for Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell as well - lots to sink your teeth into and so well written!

Think I'm going to have to go grab my kindle and see what I've been reading, I'm sure I'm forgetting a load of books that fit the bill

JacobReesMogadishu · 30/06/2020 20:35

I’ve recently got into Jane Harper’s books, set in Australia. Very atmospheric crime books. The Dry is very good.

SandysMam · 30/06/2020 20:32

In a dark dark wood by Ruth Ware is good. It’s set in a house in the woods but you feel the atmosphere of the surrounding nature. It’s a good classic thriller, nothing too challenging, one of my faves!

Xiaoxiong · 30/06/2020 20:32

Bogoblin beat me to it, was going to suggest Wakenhyrst.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is brilliant too. Lots of blasted misty moors.

The Gormenghast books

thesunwillout · 30/06/2020 20:29

Ooh!!
I'm going to buy that then thankyou!

I really enjoyed Thin Air, I don't read alot as have concentration problems after a medical thing, but it was so absorbing.

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