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I'm looking for book recommendations, specifically horror fiction, along the lines of Susan Hill's The Woman in Black. I want something that will scare the pants off me, as opposed to the usual blood and gore of mainstream horror fiction. The scarier the better....

Much obliged, folks.

have you ever read the original Jaws book?

very suspensefull.

A lot of stuff by Stephen King, although you've probably read them, some of his stuff is more psychological thrillers though. (I'm thinking out loud) What about Needful Things by Stephen King? It's not crazy scary but its a good (rather long) read.

I don't read much scary stuff I usually find it rather the same plot again and again and again. (Again, thinking out loud)

M.R. James

Not the greatest writer as far as the art of language goes, but he's responsible for some of the very best British ghost stories. And they're all short tales you can dip into on-the-hoof...

In particular, check out 'Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You My Lad, 'Casting the Runes', and 'Lost Hearts'.

Pete

The original Exorcist book.

themagicwand wrote:The original Exorcist book.

Yes, I've read that. Absolutely chilling; gave me goose bumps, made my hairs stand up on end and had me glancing nervously around the room. Terrifying book.

I've just ordered this little beauty from Play.

Ken Follet, Eye Of The Needle, very suspensful.

H.P. Lovecraft - tales from the witchhouse...

Definitely the Lovecraft. There is a lovely leather bound edition out now of his stories. Its £20, but it is a lovely illustrated hardback edition of it.

Jobasha wrote:Definitely the Lovecraft. There is a lovely leather bound edition out now of his stories. Its £20, but it is a lovely illustrated hardback edition of it.

Is that the one Replicant says he's ordered?

I'm quite a fan of Lovecraft, and I'll second Pete's recommendation of M. R. James. I will also suggest Arthur Machen, who wrote some very macabre stories (and was apparently a major influence on Lovecraft). Also, 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. Unsettling.

It is. I had most of the stories in it already, but this seemed like a nice edition that will last. I used to read Stephen King and Henry James, but don't really enjoy them as much any more, but Lovecraft i end up drawn back to his call.

MR James never did much for me -- EXCEPT for "Whistle and I'll Come to You", which is masterful. He's an excellent writer, but not particularly scary in my opinion.

The stories by William Hope Hodgson about Carnacki the Ghost Finder are very good. Some of the "ghosts" Carnacki investigates turn out to be mysteries of human origin, others are supernatural beings -- which keeps the tension high because you can never be sure what will turn up in the end.

Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House is ghostly and genuinely scary, and will stick with you for a LONG time. None of the movies based on it have come anywhere near it. We Have Always Lived in the Castle, also by Jackson, is not about ghosts but is equally haunting and disturbing.

Part-Timer wrote:

Jobasha wrote:Definitely the Lovecraft. There is a lovely leather bound edition out now of his stories. Its £20, but it is a lovely illustrated hardback edition of it.

Is that the one Replicant says he's ordered?

It is indeed. It's only £14 at Amazon, but once you include postage it works out cheaper at Play.

Thanks for the recommendations so far. I have made a note of them and will be checking them out in due course.

For a genuine book that will scare you, try the book by L.A. Bour.

It has horror on every single page.

This is one publication that will leave anybody in a cold sweat.


The title is "financial forecast for the year ahead."