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Scariest book you have ever read!

117 replies

BookshowthatIcandrawupsidedown · 24/02/2024 15:04

I have just discovered discovered two new authors. Cj cooke and Michelle Paver..ghostly thrillers. Like their books but I would like to read something really scary. I read a couple of james herbert many years ago. The fog and possibly one about a magic cottage. Don't remember them being really scary.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Deliadidit · 12/04/2024 17:40

BookshowthatIcandrawupsidedown · 08/04/2024 09:21

Just tried to read Salems Lot...sorry but couldn't get into it and have given up about 60 pages in.

Same here! I loved the film as a kid, absolutely terrified me and I was really looking forward to reading this. I did finish it - was determined it wasn’t going to beat me but my god it was tough 😄

I find Stephen King books a bit bit hit and miss, some are amazing and draw you in within the first few pages and others like Salems Lot and Under the Dome for me, where hard work and convoluted from the off.

StickyProblem · 12/04/2024 22:23

HurrahWuff · 27/02/2024 13:11

Let's go play at the Adams' Psychological horror, which I read as a young teen. Terrifying.

I read that!! I still think of it 30 years later. I only read it through once, but I can remember parts of it word for word. I put it in the bin when I finished, didn't want anyone else to read it. Very well done but terrifying.

Tiddlywinkly · 13/04/2024 08:34

BookshowthatIcandrawupsidedown · 24/02/2024 15:32

The only stephen king book I have read is 11.22.63. One of my favourite books ever...not sure why I haven't read anymore tbh. Will look to get some!

Yeah, I second The Shining. Much scarier than the film.

The Exorcist freaked me out as a teenager. I had a nightmare on Xmas Eve and vowed I wouldn't read another page 🤣

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 13/04/2024 08:46

TabbyM · 27/02/2024 12:02

The Twisted Ones by T Kingfisher

I came on to say this - it was the scariest thing I’ve ever read.

thenightsky · 13/04/2024 19:01

StickyProblem · 12/04/2024 22:23

I read that!! I still think of it 30 years later. I only read it through once, but I can remember parts of it word for word. I put it in the bin when I finished, didn't want anyone else to read it. Very well done but terrifying.

Show quote history

Yes, I read it back in 1983 when I was working on nights on a psychiatric ward. I left it in drawer in the nurses night station. I need to say sorry to anyone that picked it up and read it.

Ginflinger · 20/04/2024 19:46

WorkingFromHomeShite · 27/02/2024 18:42

A book by Gerald Durrell called ‘The picnic and suchlike pandemonium’ is ‘A third book of reminiscences describing the hilariously chaotic life of the Durrell family , and other matters’ according to Amazon. Whoever wrote that review did not read the final story in the book which traumatised me as a child. There is a certain aspect of it (I can’t say as it’s a spoiler) that affects me even now and I unconsciously avoid this thing in some situations. It genuinely put me off horror films and books for life.

Edited

Absolutely me too. Completely terrifying!

Bruisername · 22/04/2024 07:50

Anything by Russell H Greenan - stick in your mind and deeply unsettling on various levels!

Allshallbewell2021 · 22/04/2024 13:29

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill terrified me when it came out, then the play terrified me all over again. Then the film!

Evenstar · 22/04/2024 13:36

Pet Sematary, The Shining and It by Stephen King
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

Nitflux · 22/04/2024 17:31

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler. I started reading it on a train at night and kept jumping every time someone walked past. I love anything by Lars Kepler (Nordic Noir) but haven’t been able to finish the last one as it’s too jumpy!

Angrymum22 · 22/04/2024 17:34

Jaws- the first few pages are stomach churning and I have never been keen on swimming in deep open water since.
And a lot of Stephen King but I do love them.

KittyCollar · 22/04/2024 19:03

Definitely Misery by Stephen King

Wishimaywishimight · 22/04/2024 19:05

Salem's Lot is the only book ever to give me nightmares!

purser25 · 22/04/2024 19:12

Jamaica Inn I found it terrifying I had to keep on reading it to get to the end. I went cold with terror.

DancefloorAcrobatics · 22/04/2024 19:14

Another vote for Pet Cemetery by Stephen King. I found it really creepy and uncomfortable to read.

I love love love IT. Red it about 3 times to date

PuppetQueen · 22/04/2024 19:36

When The Wind Blows, which is illustrated by Raymond Briggs. It's put me off The Snowman for life!

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