Ghost stories... I loved Dark Matter, what else to try?

[AnonymousBird]

I really surprised myself - I thought Dark Matter was fabulous, really intriguing and genuinely had me wondering and imagining what it would be like in that situation. Loved it, lots of atmosphere and suspense. Serious chill in the spine.

Unlike Greatcoat, which was as flat as a pancake!

I've never really explored the Ghost Story genre, only read the odd slightly ghostly story by accident in the past (eg. Lovely Bones), so please can anyone recommend anything else? I have Woman in White, Florence and Giles and White Lie on my Kindle for starters....

Thanks!

[rockinhippy]

Mmmmm, maybe I better read it first then just incase - thanks

[carlajean]

rockinhippy give her Marianne Dreams by Katherine Stott (I think), a very good, but scary, book for that age group

[seeker]

Ooh, just remembered Charlotte Sometimes- can't remember who wrote it, and The Ghost in the Blue Velvet Dress, by Martin Waddell!

[mimbleandlittlemy]

The Girl on the Landing by Paul Torday is good - it's not quite a ghost story as such but strangely creepy.

I would also second The Little Stranger which I loved and found very spooky though I know others who didn't, also second MR James' stories - Whistle And I'll Come To You is one of the great ghost stories and Susan Hill actually does homage to it in Woman in Black.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Charlotte Sometimes is lovely - one of my very favourites. Is it Penelope Lively? Having a bimbo moment and can't remember.

'Marianne Dreams' v good but maybe a bit 'young?'

Not a ghost story as such, and the ending isn't very good but 'Coraline' is a great spooky story for a ten year old.

[rockinhippy]

I had to come back & update -

I've now read Dark Matter, so has DD, after reading the comments as regards how disturbing some of you found it, figured best read it myself before considering it for DD, besides you had me very interested as I love a good disturbing book myself.

I enjoyed it, good enough read, strong characters etc etc, but just as it started to get going, that was it, over, I was thoroughly disappointed that I didn't find it disturbing at all, very tame - DD read it & pretty much said the same thing, she wasn't scared at all, in fact she thought it too tame too, but she did enjoy reading it & loved that it taught her about arctic expeditions etc

Goes to show we are all different, our DCs too - I'd say its fine for a none nervous 10 yr old :)

[LordEmsworth]

If you can get hold of a copy - When Marnie Was There. I first read it at about 9, and can still re-read it, a certain number of decades later...

[KurriKurri]

Not sure if it's been mentioned earlier - but The Owl Service by Alan Garner is pretty spooky and suitable for a ten yr old I'd have said, - and for adults too if you haven't read it

I recently read one by Susan Hill called The Small Hand - which is a quick. spookyish read.

[KurriKurri]

sorry about random full stop in that post

[ScrambledSmegs]

I loved The Small Hand too. Very spooky, but also short. More of a novella.

[carlajean]

you might enjoy The Green Man by Kingsley Amis - anyone else read it? it's very creepy

[DuchessofMalfi]

DH loves a good ghost story. He said Dark Matter was one of the best books he's read from that genre.

I've got The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters lined up to read soon. Looking forward to that :)

[AnonymousBird]

I have never read Sarah Waters, though have seen several recommendations of her books recently. Are you in Book Vipers on Goodreads Duchess?! That book is next month's read....

[DuchessofMalfi]

Yes I am Anonymous :)

[KurriKurri]

I really enjoyed The Little Stranger, - it seems to be one of those marmite books on here - love it or hate it! - but certainly leaves you with lots to think about.

[DamnDeDoubtance]

Phil Rickman is amazing really chilling stuff but subtle.

[KurriKurri]

Thanks for that recommendation DamnDeDoubtance - I've read a couple of Phil Rickman's merrily Watkins book and enjoyed them - didn't realise he did other ghostly stuff, - and there seem to be a few well priced on Kindle atm

[KurriKurri]

Oops - clicked to soon, -are there any titles in particular you'd recommend?

[rockinhippy]

The Mackinnon Curse Series, by Julia A. Templeton are good - DD has just finished reading them & really rates them as better than Dark Matter - I'm just reading the first one now & its looking good so far -

The first book is "The Deepest Cut" which we got as a free IBook download, 2&3 you buy, but very reasonably priced, book 4 is free too

[rockinhippy]

Thanks Kurri I loved the Owl Service as a DC, - DD read it a couple of years ago, but wasn't impressed

[juneau]

The Silent Land by Graham Joyce
The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

[Lindalehughes]

I'm reading Heart Shaped Box at the moment and it is very beliveable an rather creepy! There are a few sexual references but so far, nothing too graphic.

[marissab]

Rockinhippy i can recommend fog by carolinne b cooney. Also snow, and fire. Spooky and weird, exciting and not gory or sexual. Aimed at teens. They may be out of print but are excellent. Did someone recommend james herbert to you? Nearly all his books have graphic sexual and violent scenes. Stephen king is a better option for younger readers.

[Rockinhippy]

thanks Marrissa - no, not recommended, that was me trying to remember which if any of my James Herbert books might be suitable for her, its been a long time since I read most of them, but she's very keen to read them

she's not fazed by gore, she's obsessed with all things medical, especially surgery & ATM wants to either work in A&E or be a surgeon, so I suppose it's good training - lol - but I will be fazed with her reading anything too sexually explicit of course

I will look those titles up, they sound perfect - THANK YOU

Heart Shaped Box sounds very interesting for me too :)

[CoteDAzur]

Has anyone mentioned The Witching Hour by Anne Rice?