I still haven't found any horrors as good as Stephen King :(

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My fave author of all time. Can anyone recommend any authors / books that may be on a par?

He’s a wonderful storyteller. Dean Koontz has his moments as well.

Michelle Paver has done some horror, one set in the Arctic, one in the Himalayas. Can't remember the titles.
still think Dracula takes some beating.
Some of James Herbert’s are very good.

Try The Rats by James Herbert.

But don’t blame me if you too become scared shitless of anything with a hairless tail no matter how small and innocuous looking.

Avoid any impressionable 11 year olds getting their hands on it (like I did). They may refuse to enter any non-sea bodies of water for decades while wibbling on about Wail’s disease (I can’t remember how i’d actually spelled).

I think it was a trilogy. But the sheer horror must have made my mind go blank on the later books.

Try M. R. James. He is the original horror writer, and still the best (just as the Sherlock Holmes novels are still the best crime fiction). Stephen King himself was influenced by James. I'd recommend Mark Gatiss' documentary on M R James on YouTube. It's a mini masterpiece in its own right.

That is a great book!

@BlooomUnleashed love the Rats and the others in the trilogy! I've read a few by Michelle Paver, she's good. Dean Koontz's writing can be quite weird in some of his books! @Dappy777 thank you, I will have a look at M R James :)

Laird Barron is amazing, especially his short stories.
John Connolly's Charlie Parker series is A+++++++++

I read loads of SK in my teens. I also liked Dean Koontz, 'The Passengers' sticks in my mind.

I’d say nobody is better than Stephen king. Dean koontz is ok though.

I use to read a bit of Shaun hutson but he’s very gory/violent

Agree - no one comes close!

Don’t mind Dean Koontz either, I particularly liked Phantoms as it had a very SK vibe about it.

I tried to re read the rats not long ago and I was shocked at the teacher saying he hated his job but 'the crumpet was alright'

threw it across the room and I'm still furious at my younger self for not even noticing it the first time round

He is the best, that is all. Sorry.

Have you read the book of I Am Legend by Richard Matheson? Nothing like the film, and utterly brilliant in every way.

Adam Neville is very good, also Joe Hill, Stephen Graham Jones and Shirley Jackson

Ronald Malfi is often touted as the new Stephen King and having read a couple I'd say he comes close. He writes really well about people and creates a sense of place before ripping into the horror. Come With Me is definitely as good as an SK book. However I think he is a bit derivative when it comes to plots as a lot of the synopses I've read sound very familiar ( childhood friends coming together as adults to best an old enemy etc)

I liked The Passage by Justin Cronin. Gave The Stand vibes. However both he and Dean Koontz (who I also enjoy, despite his severe need for editing!) seem quite conservative - leaning, which bothers me a bit when it bleeds into the books. I also liked Catriona Ward's Last House on Needless Street, and I'm a fan of Grady Hendrix, especially How to Sell a Haunted House. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son - I am thinking of giving him a try.

I thought December Park was quite King-ish. I enjoyed that one a lot. Read a couple more of his and found them variable, but definitely worth a try.

I also love Grady Hendrix, although funnily enough, How To Sell a Haunted House was my least favourite of his.

HEX by Thomas Olde Heuvelt has that small-town America horror feel to it.

And there was one I read about a reservoir that I really liked, but damn if I can remember what it was called... I think the author was Scott something. Helpful

Started one called The Fisherman recently which is really good so far, but I had to put it on hold because the new Strike book came out. But I'm looking forward to getting back to it!

I love the Stone Man series by Luke Smitherd - not as heavy on the horror as many but still a very good story teller.

I used to like Graham Masterton when I was in my late teens/twenties. He might not be as good as I remember but I liked him at the time. Possibly worth a look. I think he may have covered other genres since then, but it was all horror back in the day!

Fellside by MR Carey.
A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay.
Heart Shaped Box and NOS4ATU by Joe Hill.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley.

I’m a big SK fan (apart from the silly endings) but all of the above have been brilliant reads, well on a par with him.

I would recommend Dean Koontz but read the reviews first as some are a bit weird.

I have read a lot of his books but 'Tick Tock' and 'The Taking" are 2 that really stick in my mind from 15-20 years ago.

Have you read any of his son’s work, Joe Hill? Also very good. I say this as a lifelong fellow SK fan!
Another shout for Adam Nevill too. I really liked The Ritual and Cunning Folk.
Aside from this, individually I’ve really enjoyed Mary, Nestlings, Delicate Condition and The Eyes are the Best Part.

Yes I have read a couple of Joe Hill's and liked them but not all so I'll look those up, thanks!

I am following this thread! Thanks op.

King is also my all time favourite. I have read all his books. A good amount multiple times. I have just finished my third journey to the tower!

I love most of SKs books and have read-read them several times. I just can’t get into the newer ones however which is good because as for the man he’s turned out a huge disappointment for his stance on women’s rights and his ill thought out tweet about Charlie Kirk.

Joe Hill is also very good. I’m really hoping his short story “Faun” ends up being made into a film; apparently Netflix have bought the rights so 🤞

I love The Ritual - both the book and the film.

James Herbert is ok as is Dean Koontz.