I want your best, pant wettingly scary novels please

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

I've run out of scary books. I've read all of Stephen King's work. So come on, share your scariest, most memorable books here

Blimey, pandalaw, that was an extremly unfortunate coincidence for you!

That's a good point you make though - never read that book alone in a house or hotel room

I wouldn't tell you off! I just have v v v v high expectations of Stephen King. In fact, I am quite in love with him, so him telling me to read a book I didn't like was a bit like dp turning up with a beautifully wrapped present for me which turns out to be a toaster or something, rather than the lovely Mulberry or huge box of chocolates I was hoping for.

Oops - I've just followed your dark Echo link and I have already read it! Had no idea it was the same writer. Nope, that didn't do it for me either. We will have to stick to talking about The Lord Of The Flies instead! :)

Why did I just put 'The' at the front of 'Lord Of The Flies?'

I rarely get spooked by books and that made me realise that it's only because I'm rarely alone when I read. It's hard to be scared when someone's shouting for you to wipe their bottom!

Actually, I take that back. Under certain circumstances, that could be a terrifying prospect.

I've just remembered the bit where the woman goes up to the derelict nursery. By god, I could hardly sleep that night. I shall say no more for fear of spoiling it.

I second the 'woman in black' by Susan Hill. Very real and believable haunting and not silly like some ghost stories. Also I loved 'Hold my hand' by Serena Mackesy.

I've just read "On Writing" by SK, Remus. He does seem to be a lovely man, too. I hadn't realised the full extent of his injuries in his accident. Amazing he's still with us really. I think it must be terribly hard for him to recommend books as almost any other author of that genre cites him as their favourite and biggest influence.

Remus, because of Michael Flatley, The Lord of the Dance. That's why.
Never read the Woman in Black, mandoo. I keep meaning to and may buy it now! Doozle, you've made me want to read it again. In company, of course.

It depends on what kind of scare you want, if you would like something a little more - 'Edgy' why not try American Psycho - I've read it 3 times now and it only gets better! Perhaps alittle gory in places but only as graphic as man kind!

Yes, his accident was horrific. I love the way that he uses it in 'The Dark Tower' and also the way that he presents himself in a not terribly good light in the series at times - even though the very future of all worlds depends on him, he'd rather have a drink!

Ooooh I have just thought of another brilliantly creepy novel: 'Lullaby' by the guy who wrote Fight Club.

Second Chunky on American psycho, hideously compelling. I had to keep leaving it as I found myself holding my breath.

Yes! Chuck Palahniuk! Loved that!

My thoughts exactly Flowerista. Wrote my dissertation on it. (Badly, btw) Another one to re-read.

Chunkymonkey, a 'little' gory? :)

A Clockwork orange too - it took me a v v long time to read it because the first few pages freaked me out so much that I refused to read it forabout 15 years. But when I finally forced myself to read it, I loved it. It's horrible but horribly compelling too. I think it is, in fact, one of the best novels ever, ever written (and I don't say things like that lightly!).

Meh - a little sprinkling here and there

Chunky total understatement, shudder at nail gun

Off to read my book. 'Regeneration", third time. Horrific in a whole other way. Look forward to more of your recommendations.

i found House Of Leaves creepy as fuck, but it's not exactly a race-along thriller (although it is unputdownable imo).

glamorama and lunar park by bret easton ellis are both pretty terrifying, in different ways - lunar park is spooky, glamorama just full of the terror of chaos. i can't bring myself to read american psycho. loved the film though.

sorry for lack of capitals, baby asleep on chest :)

Like givesleepachance I found julie myerson v scary- I had to stop reading Out of Breath one night as I was terrified.

I liked John Connolly's Book of Lost Things very much.

I was so very disappointed by The Little Stranger. It could have been so much more I feel if she'd given in and made it a proper ghost story. As it was I hated all the characters, and didt really care what happened to any of them.

I'm currently reading both The Passage and Into the Darkest corner and loving both, but they're not scaring my pants off (yet?)

Have also read just about everything SK has done and am always looking for scary novels!

I read Amityville Horror a few years ago after seeing the film and it disturbed for ages afterwards, moreso than any SK novel ever has. I actually had nightmares the night I finished it, it was pretty bad! (don't know why I see this as a mark of a good story - I was traumatised!) - also it's supposedly a true story (or based on true events) so maybe that's why it was so much worse....

CaptainNancy - thank goodness for somebody else who didn't like The Little Stranger. Most people on MN love it so much that I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me!

I didn't like The Book Of Lost Things, probably because I loved the cover so much that I was bound to be disappointed in my expectations!

Florence & Giles by John Harding. Very atmospheric and creepy.