Spooky/mystery/thriller novels with atmospheric descriptions on nature

[WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead]

Maybe a bit niche, but I have a hankering for something like The Loney by Andrew Hurley or The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers. Any ideas?

Might not be quite right but have you read
Thin Air by Michelle Paver?

Atmospheric and spooky.

Ooh, well I read Dark Matter by Michelle Paver and absolutely loved it. Good tip!

Michelle Paver wrote a book called Wakenhyrst as well that has some good description. Set on a fen I believe so suitable atmospheric!

Ooh!!
I'm going to buy that then thankyou!

I really enjoyed Thin Air, I don't read alot as have concentration problems after a medical thing, but it was so absorbing.

Bogoblin beat me to it, was going to suggest Wakenhyrst.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is brilliant too. Lots of blasted misty moors.

The Gormenghast books

In a dark dark wood by Ruth Ware is good. It’s set in a house in the woods but you feel the atmosphere of the surrounding nature. It’s a good classic thriller, nothing too challenging, one of my faves!

I’ve recently got into Jane Harper’s books, set in Australia. Very atmospheric crime books. The Dry is very good.

Dark Matter is my favourite by Michelle Paver!

Another vote for Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell as well - lots to sink your teeth into and so well written!

Think I'm going to have to go grab my kindle and see what I've been reading, I'm sure I'm forgetting a load of books that fit the bill

Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand might fit the bill - definitely spooky with some great descriptions of the house and surrounding area.

Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key was excellent, though more a house than nature setting. And for an older setting (still with a house! I'm a sucker for an atmospheric house) with nature and a house, The Silent Companion by Laura Purcell was a good read.

I'm sure I've read something like The Loney but for the life of me I can't think what it is.

Thank you! I've acquired Wakenhyrst, and have put the others on my To Read list. I think I read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell quite a while ago, and I think I enjoyed it, but for some reason the nature descriptions didn't leave a lasting impression!

The Familiars by Stacey Halls.

The Merrily Watkins series by Phil Rickman.

I’ll be having a look at some of the others in this thread, thanks!

The River by Peter Heller is a thriller with good nature description. I liked his book Celine too.

Where the Crawdads has a mystery in it and has lovely nature description.

All the Jane Harper ones are great with good Australian nature descriptions.

Peter Heller’s Dog Stars is a fab thriller with great nature descriptions but it is set in the aftermath of a pandemic. You have been warned.

Once Upon A River, by Diane Setterfield is a good atmospheric read.

I hesitate slightly to suggest Steven King right now but The Girl Who Loved Tom Collins has her basically battling nature. It does include some mystical elements so I don't know if you want that. I haven't read the ones you mentioned which makes it hard.

James Brogden’s books, especially The Hollow Tree and Bone Harvest.
Pine by Francine Toon.

Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy is an unsettling coming-of-age story set in the countryside.

Was also going to recommend The Girl who loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King. The beauty of nature but also how isolating and threatening it can be

The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements is a historical ghost story set on the Yorkshire Moors and is very atmospheric. I was also going to say Wakenhyrst - Michele Paver has a lot of fans on here!

@bogoblin I've just finished Wakenhyrst, and it was PERFECT. Thank you for recommending it, and other posters for the other recommendations.

I'm completely torn as to what to choose next!

Was going to suggest Reservoir 13 but see someone upthread has beaten me to it

16 Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting cones to mind too

I have a book on my "To Read" list atm that I've been too scared to begin reading! (I'm really not a fan of spooky stuff, tbh- I want nice escapism)
It's called "Pine" by Francine Toon, sounds like it might be your kind of thing.
I'd also recommend Weathering by Lucy Wood.