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Original poster

Any horror books that are a must read?

87 replies

squareyedannie · 19/09/2023 18:19

I read a lot of horror in 90s. King, Koontz, Herbert, Barker etc

I've just started reading the genre again with Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.

Does anyone have any other authors that they could recommend, please?

OP posts:
Original poster
squareyedannie · 21/09/2023 19:16

@Sodie
I've not been scared by horror for a very long time so I'll Have a look for that. Thanks!

OP posts:
maisouimaisoui1 · 21/09/2023 13:52

Catriona Ward! Esp Sundial, Rawblood and Last House on Needless Street.

MaybeSmaller · 21/09/2023 13:50

Try Stephen Laws, if you like James Herbert. His stuff is of the same era and in a similar vein; Ghost Train, Spectre, and The Frighteners are all decent. He's a Geordie and I like a lot of the local references he puts in. If you're buying second hand, beware of reprints which remove all the regional and period references (presumably to appeal to the American market). The versions currently available on the Kindle store are fine.

Also Jonathan Aycliffe. PP mentioned Naomi's Room, but he's done a few in that gothic MR James, epistolary style. Whispers in the Dark is my favourite.

RabbitsRock · 20/09/2023 23:13

Placemarking

Powaqa · 20/09/2023 23:10

exLtEveDallas · 19/09/2023 19:39

John Connolly's Charlie Parker series. Not exactly horror, more thriller/chiller, but bloody well written with an excellent cast that is easy to root for. He's the only author I buy at full price the second a new book hits the shelves.

I second this. Fantastic author ajd utterly brilliant books. I have now managed to get signed editions and buy in hardback format as well as a kindle copy

Sodie · 20/09/2023 23:07

Naomis room. I love horror, books and films. It's my favourite genre I don't get scared easily. But oh my goodness this book absolutely chilled me. I had to sleep with the main light on for a week.

aroomwithaperfectview · 20/09/2023 10:37

FlyingUnicornWings · 19/09/2023 18:40

Michelle Paver’s Dark Matter is superb. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

I second that.

LovelaceBiggWither · 20/09/2023 10:06

Grady Hendrix is good. I've stopped reading him because they are too creepy.

JudyGemstone · 20/09/2023 10:03

another one for the folk horror fans - Cunning Folk by Adam LG Nevill sounds v good.

JudyGemstone · 19/09/2023 21:02

StoatofDisarray · 19/09/2023 20:37

I recommend the Podcast to the Curious, in which two fans work their way through his entire oeuvre.

Show quote history

Ooh that sounds ace! Thanks for that!

StoatofDisarray · 19/09/2023 20:37

Bruisername · 19/09/2023 20:03

Second MR James - always prefer audiobooks though for extra creepiness!

some RH Greenan are true horror a la King

There are some really good Japanese horror books out there but I can’t remember the names unfortunately but if you look in that section I’m sure you’ll find some crackers!

I recommend the Podcast to the Curious, in which two fans work their way through his entire oeuvre.

cherryassam · 19/09/2023 20:13

Yes there’s some great Japanese horror - off the top of my head I’ve liked:

In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami
My Annihilation by Fuminori Nakamura
The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike

Bruisername · 19/09/2023 20:03

Second MR James - always prefer audiobooks though for extra creepiness!

some RH Greenan are true horror a la King

There are some really good Japanese horror books out there but I can’t remember the names unfortunately but if you look in that section I’m sure you’ll find some crackers!

cassiatwenty · 19/09/2023 19:56

Coraline and Other Stories by Neil Gaiman. Spooky!

CocoPlum · 19/09/2023 19:41

Not a big horror reader but I enjoyed Gallows Hill by Darcey Coates. One particular scene <shudders>.

exLtEveDallas · 19/09/2023 19:39

John Connolly's Charlie Parker series. Not exactly horror, more thriller/chiller, but bloody well written with an excellent cast that is easy to root for. He's the only author I buy at full price the second a new book hits the shelves.

cherryassam · 19/09/2023 19:38

The Hole by Pyun Hye-young is the scariest book I’ve read in a long time

Original poster
squareyedannie · 19/09/2023 19:35

@TheFireflies
Ah yes, I forgot King had a son who's a writer.

OP posts:
TheFireflies · 19/09/2023 19:29

i liked some of Joe Hill’s books, he’s Stephen King’s son and the style isn’t a million miles away.

Jason Arnopp is hit and miss but I liked his novella A Sincere Warning About The Entity In Your House.

Pleasenowthatsenough · 19/09/2023 19:26

Bigpinkslippers · 19/09/2023 19:24

I've been reading a lot of Iain Rob Wright books, I'm really enjoying them and there's loads.

Me too! I found him on Kindle, not expecting much but I have been really impressed!

Bigpinkslippers · 19/09/2023 19:24

I've been reading a lot of Iain Rob Wright books, I'm really enjoying them and there's loads.

FizzingAda · 19/09/2023 19:23

Michelle Paver's Dark matter, and Thin Ice.
Stephen a king pet Sematery
Dennis Wheatley, a bit old fashioned, but some good ones. the Devil Rides Out.
Norah Lofts The Claw
Haunting of a hill House - the only book/film that absolutely terrified the heart of me. Couldn't go to bed after this!
and of course the original Dracula book by Bram Stoker

Original poster
squareyedannie · 19/09/2023 19:22

Can't wait to delve into the recs so far. Thank you!

OP posts:
maidenn · 19/09/2023 19:22

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Ringsofsaturnarebright · 19/09/2023 19:22

Anything by Graham Masterton.