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What is the most chilling book you've ever read?

190 replies

Beatgrrl · 05/12/2019 14:50

At this time of year, I really love to snuggle up under a blanket, get all comfy and absolutely terrify myself with a great book and I could really use some recommendations. Which books have been absolutely bone-chillingly terrifying for you? Which have been the books that have left you too afraid to turn the lights out; too afraid to move? Which books have made you feel too scared to turn the page?

OP posts:
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WindFlower92 · 08/01/2020 15:28

Forgot to add - 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Poe. Vivid descriptions!

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WindFlower92 · 08/01/2020 15:27

My contribution - think it might be called 'No Way Down' by Graham Bowley. About the climb and descent of K2. Quite haunting as it's realistic!

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WindFlower92 · 08/01/2020 15:23

Place marking to go through these properly later!

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mynameiswah · 08/01/2020 15:18

The Shining. So scary I still haven't been able to finish it.

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SunshineCake · 08/01/2020 14:32

I haven't read he thread yet so thus may have been mentioned by what comes to mind is The Mother's Tale by Camilla Noli. I sometimes reread books but will never read this one again.

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Srictlybakeoff · 05/01/2020 22:40

Katharinblum I agree . Was initially enjoying Naomi’s room, but by the end I thought it was horrible.

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Katharinblum · 04/01/2020 17:39

Just read naomi's room. Started off really well but just nasty at the end.

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Helocariad · 04/01/2020 10:48

The Little Stranger really unnerved me, particularly the ending, and made me go straight back to the beginning of the book.
I love Slade House too, though didn't find it too unsettling, just very gripping and well written.

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bobstersmum · 31/12/2019 20:49

I read A child called it when I was about 20 long before I had my own children and it really got to me. I've never forgotten that book.

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Bouledeneige · 31/12/2019 20:41

American Psycho. It's cruelty and delraviry gave my nightmares. I had to physically remove it from my bedroom and then threw it out.

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Hellokittymania · 31/12/2019 20:29

I can’t read very chilling stuff or I get very bad nightmares… I remember reading something by Wilbur Smith when I was about 20, and a guy was murdered in the sauna or something… And I had nightmares about it for a long time after. Sorry, I can’t remember the name.

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DaddyPigHasASexyVoice · 31/12/2019 20:20

Another vote for Mo Hayder. I recently read one of hers called Tokyo. It had had poor reviews but I really enjoyed it and found it dark and unsettling. It’s definitely stayed with me.

We to talk about Kevin is superb.

Tried to read American Psycho while I was pregnant but couldn’t finish it as it was majorly freaking me out. Hormones probably didn’t help but I found it truly upsetting and disturbing.

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madcatladyforever · 31/12/2019 18:50

American psycho. I was so disgusted after reading it I threw it in the bin.

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EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 31/12/2019 18:47

Dark Matter - it’s the setting the isolation the narrator feels it’s very atmospheric and the audio is great too. Had to sleep with the lamp on

Non fiction - Killing for Company it’s about Dennis Nilsen at times you feel desperately sad for him it’s an excellent book and The Stranger Beside Me about Ted Bundy his crimes and that he appeared like such a nice, smart likeable man is absolutely chilling.

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bettybattenburg · 31/12/2019 12:06

On the beach by Nevil Shute. That's strikingly sad at the moment given what is happening in Australia, though the cause is different.

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patchworkelephant123 · 22/12/2019 16:50

Behind closed doors

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chickensaresafehere · 22/12/2019 16:50

The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert ,
I read it when I worked at the local cemetery & crematorium. I had to lock up when everybody had left & it was dark.Scared the shit out of me!!!
The tv series was pants though.

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habibihabibi · 22/12/2019 16:42

We Need to Talk About Kevin - I actually threw up reading it.

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SecretWitch · 22/12/2019 16:37

The BTK Murders by Carlton Smith...no animal abuse but a terrifying true crime book. I had to read with the light on

Pet Semetary by Stephen King.

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SyntheticPumpkin · 22/12/2019 16:28

I think it’s out of print, but Child Possessed by David St Clair

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Beamur · 22/12/2019 16:26

Not a genre I like but, I couldn't finish The Road either. Short story collection by Neil Gaiman - Smoke and Mirrors has some very clever, deeply unsettling stories.

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katy1213 · 22/12/2019 16:21

The Lottery, Shirley Jackson. It's chilling.

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RaiderOfTheKitchenCupboard · 22/12/2019 16:14

The Church of Dead Girls by Stephen Dobyns is a good read, slow paced and unsettling.

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Hellomumsne · 22/12/2019 11:17

The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule was chilling. By a colleague of Ted Bundy who used to do night shifts alone with him... and thought he was a lovely chap until she learned the truth!

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Flurgle · 22/12/2019 11:07

Well based on this thread I read Thin Air last night.
Thanks for that - bloody terrified me! I’ll read Dark Matter later. Just to ensure I never sleep again.

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