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

Read John Connolly especially the novels that feature the detective Charlie Parker. They are essentially gothic crime novels with a supernatural twist but quite scary

Flesh and blood by Graham Masterton. Ugh but brilliant. I still won't let bay leaves in the house!

Bolshybookworm - thanks for the tip re Devilled Backbone ;) - just ordered the DVD off eBay for a mere 1.99 inc delivery !

Yes, they are excellent, bakingaddict.

I used to read loads by Graham Masterton when I was younger. He was like a budget James Herbert, very fast paced and with the requisite number of Scary Moments and Sex Moments

Bentley Little is good for gross out horror and not choosing a favourite character in case a chainsaw falls on them.

The Amytiville horror.

Made me scared of my own shadow for weeks.

Misery by Stephen King was pretty disturbing. Book and film. Then I got to play Annie Wilkes in am dram. That was FAB!

Scariest book: Probably "House of Leaves" or "It". I also really rate "Heart Shaped Box".

Scariest film: The one I saw recently that really frightened me was an Australian film called The Babadook. I really recommend it.

Book - needful things Stephen king. I've never Finished it. Too scary.

Film- saw series. Seriously grossed me out.

Any Adam Nevill is fantastic. The Audible version of The Little Stranger is giving me a very scary commute at the moment. Also, Robert Aickman short stories are terrifying, my favourite is probably The Same Dog.

Oooh, snotandbothered I loved House of Leaves but it properly unsettled me for weeks after reading.

Loved "The Stand" but was terrified by "Pet Cemetary", both Stephen King.
Was scared witless by "The Little Stranger" by Sarah Waters, which MIL lent me on holiday a few years ago.

Some good recommendations here, will have to look out for them for my Kindle.

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. Got me hooked on thrillers

Oof, I forgot to include Wolf Creek in my scariest films. I had to leave the auditorium a couple of times with that one.

Salem's Lot. I read it as a student. I wouldn't read it if I was in the house alone (in fact, I wouldn't read it alone in my room, I would go into my flatmate's room) and I wouldn't read it after dark.

Woman in Black film terrifying. Even thinking about it makes my hair stand on end!

Re The Little Stranger - I love the book, and her stuff in general, but I think I have missed bits / not read it properly because I didn't really find ita creepy / scary book, but get the feeling I should have?

Mo Hayder - I really really really hate her stuff - sorry, as I can see there are lots of fans on here, I love creepy / scary books and films, but I read about 3 and they all just piled on shock tactics and trying to be as shocking and horrifying with bad taste - the troll man who hides in the house, the man who was forced to attack his own child when the troll man couldn't, the elderly army general (?) withe the SPOILER SO WON'T DETAIL !! to live forever, the girl who met up but it was a trick and she was kidnapped and in the house tied to the board.... horrible, just nasty, horrible ott grim stuff..

Sorry. Rant over

The Ring. I read it whilst coming down with flu and having house guests. They arrived home from the theatre to find me passed out on sofa, book open on chest and I screamed a lot when they woke me up

Mo Hayder has definitely got a lot less gruesome joycedivision, I agree that her early books (particularly Birdman and Tokyo) were over the top to the point of being misogynistic. Her work has really matured, however, and I've enjoyed the last couple of jack caffrey books*

*disclaimer- I'm a bit morbid and love a trashy crime thriller.

Ringu the film scared the living crap out of me, puppet! Especially as I had a TV at the time (in my bedroom) that would randomly turn itself on. Had to unplug it from the wall

Bolshy, ah, thanks for the update re her books. I found the ones I read upsetting and just unneccesary!

Oh no, can't believe people weren't scared by the stand! I got through most of the first part, it was when the demon type thing started appearing that it just got too much and I had to stop reading. I've read much worse books (I think) but I can't believe the effect it had on me!

The House of Leaves is scarier than anything else. Fact.

Curlyclaz13
I still remember Non Omnis Moriar from Prophecy. Scared me so much!

Glitter mud
MrsUnderwood
And

Glittermud
MrsUnderwood
And
Nobodys

We are all right. House of Leaves is the scariest book and we are the winners of the thread. Even the layout is unsettling