Where to start with horror fiction? Stephen King?

[clemetteattlee]

I have never read any horror but was listening to a radio programme the other day about King's Pet Cemetry and thought I would give the genre a go. But where's the best place to start? I would like it to be scary but not necessarily ridiculously graphic and something well written.
Any recommendations?

But soooooo worth it - one of those books you don't want to put down til it is over.....

I second Kim Newman's Jago, it's very underrated. Early Dean Koontz is worth a read, but he gets a bit fundamentalist Christian/conspiracy theorist/Tea Party politics later on. Can't believe no-one has mentioned Clive Barker! Granted, he's written some shockingly bad books, but Weaveworld and Coldheart Canyon are great.

Fab - keep 'em coming ...

I love SK. Yy to Duma Key and I read Desperation in 2 sittings, as couldnt put it down. The Shining goes without saying, as do IT, Carrie & Pet Semetary. I didn't like Insomnia, though. Starts well but gets all convoluted. Dreamcatcher is quite good.

Other authors: Dracula is excellent. Not keen on James Herbert but I did enjoy '48, but it's a bit gory, if I recall correctly.

I think I'll have to try some of the books/authors suggested on this thread. Broaden my "horror" mind!