Any horror books that are a must read?

[squareyedannie]

I read a lot of horror in 90s. King, Koontz, Herbert, Barker etc

I've just started reading the genre again with Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.

Does anyone have any other authors that they could recommend, please?

I'd recommend Susan Hill's "Woman in Black" if you hadn't read it.

Try M. R. James. Wonderful writer.

Also, I cannot recommend the Mark Gatiss documentary on James highly enough. You can watch it on Youtube.

Following as interested too!

Michelle Paver’s Dark Matter is superb. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

I’m struggling to remember any authors I like as much as King. However I do think Sci Fi often walks in much the same territory?
Larry Nivens short story Wait it Out has always stayed with me and The Ugly Little Boy by Asimov has a great premise.
I guess the writing is dated but the concepts are very well imagined.

Its not horror in the style of King but Andrew Michael Hurley’s books have a gothic, folk horror vibe which I’m into.

Starve Acre has been adapted into a film, be interesting to see how they do it. The Loney is good too.

Following for ideas :)

@squareyedannie Hex has been on my wish list for ages, how are you finding it so far?
The Apparition Phase - Will McLean
The Creeper - AM Shine
Adam Nevill - The Cunning Folk and The Reddening unnerved me completely - folk horror.
Darcy Coates has written some easy reading horrors.
Following with interest as I’m looking forward to

The Haunting of Hill House is a good read. M.R. James is a great suggestion too.

I enjoy Laura Purcell's novels, they're more on the Gothic side but very creepy.

@MehtotheChristmasrunup I also love Sci-fi so will have a look, thanks!

@Orangewall Reminds me a little of King with his character development, not in the same league as early King but a really enjoyable read nonetheless.

@Malarandras I watched that twice on Netflix and absolutely adored it.

I also read the Odd Thomas books a few years back and loved those, reminded me very much of Koontz.

Anything by Graham Masterton.

Can't wait to delve into the recs so far. Thank you!

Michelle Paver's Dark matter, and Thin Ice.
Stephen a king pet Sematery
Dennis Wheatley, a bit old fashioned, but some good ones. the Devil Rides Out.
Norah Lofts The Claw
Haunting of a hill House - the only book/film that absolutely terrified the heart of me. Couldn't go to bed after this!
and of course the original Dracula book by Bram Stoker

I've been reading a lot of Iain Rob Wright books, I'm really enjoying them and there's loads.

Me too! I found him on Kindle, not expecting much but I have been really impressed!

i liked some of Joe Hill’s books, he’s Stephen King’s son and the style isn’t a million miles away.

Jason Arnopp is hit and miss but I liked his novella A Sincere Warning About The Entity In Your House.

@TheFireflies
Ah yes, I forgot King had a son who's a writer.

The Hole by Pyun Hye-young is the scariest book I’ve read in a long time

John Connolly's Charlie Parker series. Not exactly horror, more thriller/chiller, but bloody well written with an excellent cast that is easy to root for. He's the only author I buy at full price the second a new book hits the shelves.

Not a big horror reader but I enjoyed Gallows Hill by Darcey Coates. One particular scene <shudders>.

Coraline and Other Stories by Neil Gaiman. Spooky!

Second MR James - always prefer audiobooks though for extra creepiness!

some RH Greenan are true horror a la King

There are some really good Japanese horror books out there but I can’t remember the names unfortunately but if you look in that section I’m sure you’ll find some crackers!