Can anyone recommended a good ghost story that's not too scary?

[Kasterborous]

I've read a couple of the Susan Hill ones a while ago and I just fancy reading a ghost story but don't know where to start.

The Thirteenth Tale is brilliant. I loved it, but the tv adaptation altered a lot of the story and left so much out. Still good though.

Diane Setterfield has written another book Bellman & Black, which DH has read. He enjoyed it, but I haven't read it yet.

Marking my place. It's not a ghost story but has elements of one - 'The Woman in White' by Wilkie Collins.

I didn't like, 'Dark Matter.' I thought it began well and then got sillier and sillier.

Yes to, 'Bag of Bones.' Also, 'The Shining' has a couple of very scary ghosts.

Has anybody said, 'The Telltale Heart' or, 'The Red Room' yet?

Lots of people like, 'The Haunting of Hill House' (one of King's favourites too, incidentally) but I thought it was dreadful!

How about The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons?

Oh and another recommendation from DH - This House is Haunted by John Boyne. He said it was a good old-fashioned spooky Victorian house, children and governess type story (reminiscent of Turn of the Screw).

Has anyone mentioned Florence and Giles? Can't remember the author, but was another of DH's ghostly books. Also, The Small Hand, and The Man in the Picture both by Susan Hill.

I've got This House Is Haunted on my wish list and Florence and Giles in the pile of unread books by my bed

Glad to here that they are both recommended. But the Susan Hill ones, I've read them both and I don't know how she does it but IMO she's managed to suck out any hint of spookiness from what should have been two very good books. Did your DH like them as ghost stories? I've not spoken to anyone else who has read them to ask what they thought. I've started to think that with Susan Hill, I'm just missing something from all her books that everyone else seems to get.

Has anyone mentioned The Servants by MM Smith yet? I would have earlier only I couldn't remember the title It is about a young boy living with his mother and step-father in a mostly converted house in Brighton who meets the elderly lady living in the flat in the basement below. She reveals a secret to him that soon becomes a spooky obsession.

I didn't get on too well with Dark Matter. It reminded me of Ripping Yarns in the end. Making notes of other suggestions here though. I do like creepy stories.

Sarah - I agree with you about Susan Hill, although I did think The Woman in Black was scary. The Man in the Picture I thought a bit meh, not read The Small Hand yet. DH said he enjoyed them as good stories but not that scary. He prefers ones that really send shivers

Susan Hill not v good. 'The Woman in Black' doesn't do much at all for me, and the others are even worse imvho.

The haunting of hill house is well written, and better than the films. I also enjoy ghost stories :)

Ahhh - you have already been recommended hill house and Florence and Giles. There was a good one on blackheath seance parlour. Also the matrix by Jonathon aytclife and song of Kali by Dan simmonds

Lastly, the ghost hunters by Neil spring :)

DH started reading Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor last night. Too early to say much about it but it does sound like it's going to be a good one.

Wow thanks for the recommendations everyone. There are quite a few on here I haven't read. I agree with those who suggested The Thirteenth Tale I really enjoyed it, even the TV adaptation was very good.

'Anatomy of Ghosts' promises much more than it delivers, sadly.

Marking my place. Love a ghost story.