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Spooky books recommendations please

42 replies

Beechview · 20/07/2013 18:10

I've decided to join in with the kids library challenge to get me back into reading (too much time spent online :()

I don't mind horror but I love a good spooky ghost story.

Any ideas?

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greenhill · 20/07/2013 18:24

M R James is the best ghost story writer; he does a very dry, creeping horror in ordinary situations.

perplexedpirate · 20/07/2013 18:25

I loved Dark Matter by Michelle Paver and The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.
V interested in others recommendations, I love a ghost story.

greenhill · 20/07/2013 18:47

YY to The Little Stranger too. It was quick to read, hard to put down and really atmospheric.

devilinside · 20/07/2013 18:53

Jonathon Aycliffe is good too

Beechview · 20/07/2013 19:41

I've read The Little Stranger and liked it. I've read a couple of Jonathan Aycliffe and liked them. Will see what else he has.
Dark Matter looks good.

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Beechview · 20/07/2013 19:43

I actually have an MR James short stories book or at least hes one of the contributors. Will have a hunt for that.

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BringBackBod · 20/07/2013 20:46

362 Belisle st by Susie Moloney.
It centres around a house that's up for sale, and the experiences of various buyers of the property.
The house never stays occupied for long.
It's a very spooky read.

perplexedpirate · 21/07/2013 09:45

I do life MR James, and I'll get 362 Belisle Street on the kindle today.
Any more? Bumpity bump!

Beechview · 21/07/2013 12:24

To anyone else who's interested - Naomi's Room is a really good Jonathon Aycliffe.

Here's a link to Goodreads popular ghost stories. Looks like some good ones there :)

www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/ghost-stories

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MerlinFromCamelot · 21/07/2013 13:38

Ghost stories of an antiquary part 1 & 2 are free on kindle. Have not read them yet but as a freebee thought worth mentioning.

bottleofbeer · 25/07/2013 00:08

Dark Matter did nothing for me.

Just as something seems to be happening....it peters out to the end.

Naomi's Room is very good.

Try the Jack Nightingale series. Probably the best supernatural out now. For extra entertainment read the author's (Stephen Leather) reviews on Amazon. He properly kicks off at bad reviews. It makes me want to hate his books but they're just too good Grin

Oh and there's one in Asda/Tesco now called The Sleep Room which I enjoyed.

DamnDeDoubtance · 25/07/2013 21:32

Phil Rickman is excellent, slow creeping spookiness.

Inthebeginning · 25/07/2013 21:36

Do not read the birthing room. It starts scary. And ends shit!

SilkStalkings · 26/07/2013 20:02

Phil Rickman writes brilliant supernatural detective books with great humour, much scariness and wonderfully written female characters.

Mrsrobertduvall · 26/07/2013 20:05

I have just bought 3 Jonathan Aycliffe books on the recommendation of this thread Grin

Beechview · 26/07/2013 20:19

Which ones did you get Mrsrobertduvall?

I got
362 Belisle st
Stephen Leather Cursed (free on kindle but only 91 pages)
Apple Tree Yard Louise Doughty which is a thriller recommended on another thread.

That should start me off!

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PicklePants · 26/07/2013 20:25

I was going to recommend The Little Stranger but I see others have beaten me to it, so my suggestion is The Woman In Black - very creepy indeed. But I am a complete wuss when it comes to ghost stories!

Lovemynailstoday · 26/07/2013 20:33

There's another thread about Rosemary's Baby (Ira Levin). I have just romped through it in two days. Marvellous. The first horror book to be set in "normal" everday life which makes it all the spookier.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 27/07/2013 01:24

I just read one called "Dust" by Arthur Slade and it was very atmospheric and creepy - a little bit reminiscent of some of Stephen King's stuff, but by no means a "rip off" iyswim.
I also got one called "Turtle Boy" by Kealan Burke that I couldn't even finish because I was too scared Blush - I think there are sequels to it too, but I am too much of a wuss - it was really scary!

Mrsrobertduvall · 28/07/2013 09:11

Just finished Naomi's room...very good.
Have started the Vanishment by same author but am finding it a bit
Have also got Whispers in the Dark to read.

Mrsrobertduvall · 28/07/2013 09:12

Bit samey

Beechview · 28/07/2013 12:22

Mrsrobertduvall that was quick!

I just need to finish 11.22.63 by Stephen King then I'll start 362 Belisle st (have been reading 11.22.63 for about 6 months! I'm so slow these days)

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Beechview · 28/07/2013 12:26

The Turtle Boy recommended by PombearwithanOFRS is free on kindle!
Have got it.

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Beechview · 28/07/2013 12:27

Or mentioned as being v scary rather than recommended Grin

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greenhill · 28/07/2013 13:47

Thanks, I've downloaded Turtle Boy. Smile

This M R James download is 34 p on Amazon and contains 30 stories.

www.amazon.co.uk/The-M-R-James-Megapack-ebook/dp/B00C5W6GZE/ref=pd_sim_kinc_31