What's the scariest book you've read?

[imaginative]

My two are 'the woman in Black' by Susan Hill - sooo creepy, and much more recently, and probably frightened me a bit more - 'What Laura Saw' by Sarah King. This one has a couple of really great twists and a very sympathetic lead character.

So which books scared you the most? I am looking for another one to read alongside 'The State We're In'. I like to have a couple of books on the go depending on my mood. Thanks

And while we're at it, can you recommend your scariest movie?

The one that scared me the most was The Stand by Stephen King. I never finished it, I got about halfway through. I couldn't sleep, and when I did I kept having nightmares - made DH stay awake until I was asleep and I normally love dystopian stuff!

I have read most of Stephen King's books, but never got around to reading 'The Stand'. I found 'The Shining' the scariest, and 'The Dead Zone'. I think I will add 'The Stand' to my wish list. Though actually, I think that we have it somewhere in paperback as my husband has read all of them.

Agree with The Woman in Black. Also Naomi's Room and Salems Lot.

Peter James, Prophecy. So scary/good I e-mailed the author in a fan girl moment.

The Stand is my favourite book ever. I did not think it was at all scary though.

Salems Lot for me too.

I read 'Flowers in the Attic' as a teenager, all of them. I have never picked up a scary book since!

The rats, by James Herbert. Still gives me nightmares, especially with all the giant rats that were in the news last year. Scariest movie will always be Halloween (the original not crappy remake)

Empty World, John Christopher.

I think you're more like to be terrified by a book you read as a child.

Haunted by James Herbert is terrifying. Also Stephen King's The Shining, Bag of Bones and Misery. I didn't find The Stand scary at all.

I enjoyed the Stand - and found it quite creepy, but by far the scariest book I've read was Dracula by Bram Stoker - couldn't sleep for a full 3 weeks after that

Bag of Bones by Stephen King - utterly terrifying!

I was too chicken to read The Woman In Black so I listened to the audiobook instead. Still scared the bejesus out of me

Another creepy book is Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.

'It' by Stephen King

Everything down here floats,' that chuckling, rotten voice whispered

Another vote for James Herbert - the rats trilogy
It has that horrible 'could happen' feel to it!

Scariest book -The Road
Scariest film -Blair witch project.

One of Mo Hayders early books, I can't remember which one but it was the first or second one IIRC there was large man and hiding involved

I've read all ofStephen Kings but can't say any of them actually scared me the way this one did.

IT by Stephen King. Read it on my first holiday to Crete with my mates in sixth form- THEN had to sleep next to a dripping, gurgling tap in the apartments kitchenette !

Damn near pee'd myself that night!

Books:
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, so creepy.
Pet Cemetary by Stephen King.

Films:
I'm a massive wuss with scary films so generally avoid, but It gave me nightmares.

Tokyo by Mo Hayder. Fuck me! Terrifying!

Thank you! So pleased I started this thread. So many to choose from now. Much better buying books through others' recommendations than relying on the blurb on the sales page and being frequently disappointed. :)

The Woman in Black. Still scared when I think of it.

Your'e Next by Greg Hurwitz

Probably Mo Hayder for me too. Either Birdman or The Treatment. Both disturbingly brilliant.

Anything by Gina Ford!

ha ha ha Dr Seuss!!! Very scary but it worked!