Horror books - What have you been reading, and what do you recommend?

Ratfink · 01-09-2009, 15:37

Been on a horror book binge recently, seeking out stuff by authors I've missed out on like Koontz, Straub, as well as King's latest stuff (as I'm out of date with his more recent works).

Made a fine discovery in Thomas Ligotti, who reminds me of a contemporary Poe, and have also picked up a couple of Herbert's I missed out on. I also intend to pick up on the few Clive Barker's that passed me by.

So, looking for recommendations. Well known authors welcome (if there is a certain book I should read by a certain author), but lesser known/less prolific authors would be preferred. A friend recently recommended me Robert R McCammon's 'They Thirst', which he said was an epic and unputdownable vampire tale. Yet to get round to it though.

Also just started reading (and loving) F Paul Wilson's 'The Keep'. I'm fond of the movie, but I've always been meant to read the book - and it's terrific so far.

So, what else should I be looking for?

SIMON ADEBISI · 01-09-2009, 16:33

I take it you've read World War Z?

The3rdMan · 01-09-2009, 16:42

Maybe not on the lines you were thinking but thanks to Abebooks I just found myseld reliving childhood with a 2nd hand copy of the Usborne Guide To The Supernatural World which was a big favourite of mine. Anyone remember it? Quite graphic for a book aimed at children and I doubt they would get away with it now.

SIMON ADEBISI · 01-09-2009, 17:12

I remember that. Frightened the **** out of my when i was younger. All the ways to dispose of a vampire and about vampirism and the black death.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_62FfjgLQ8x...0/DSCF2710.JPG

I think that image is from the book

/shudder/

I think there was a section on Borley rectory that flat out petrified me

The3rdMan · 01-09-2009, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIMON ADEBISI

I remember that. Frightened the **** out of my when i was younger. All the ways to dispose of a vampire and about vampirism and the black death.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_62FfjgLQ8x...0/DSCF2710.JPG

I think that image is from the book

/shudder/

I think there was a section on Borley rectory that flat out petrified me

That is indeed an image from the book I am now holding. I remember that picture well. The Borley rectory section had me petrified too. I used to write down a list of ways to dispose of a vampire incase I bumped into one on the way home from school

Glad I found it online. There is little info on the book on the internet.

SIMON ADEBISI · 01-09-2009, 17:23

Ive checked ebay and there are no copies for sale. Hmmm ill have to track this one down.

Ive pm'd you as well 3rdman.

Ratfink · 01-09-2009, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIMON ADEBISI

I take it you've read World War Z?

Yep. Wasn't bad. I didn't like it quite as much as most people though.. the talking head structure got tiresome I thought. Had some great moments though, and I'm intrigued to see how how it translates to the screen.

The3rdMan · 01-09-2009, 17:33

Simon Adebisi - I think I've pm'd you as well. Not sure if it worked though but go to Abebooks as they should have copies there. Ebay was no use for me either.

pompeyfan · 01-09-2009, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by The3rdMan

Maybe not on the lines you were thinking but thanks to Abebooks I just found myseld reliving childhood with a 2nd hand copy of the Usborne Guide To The Supernatural World which was a big favourite of mine. Anyone remember it? Quite graphic for a book aimed at children and I doubt they would get away with it now.

I'm pretty sure I still have that and the ones they did on just vampires and just ghosts.

The horror novels I used to enjoy when I was younger were the ones published by New English Library who at the time had the James Herbert Rat and Fog novels and the Guy N. Smith giant crabs novels, one about giant praying mantis that was good and a very explicit (at least to a 13yo

) novel called IIRC The Sorcerors about a satanist coven and devil worship plus others but the names escape me (about 30 odd years since I read them).

Other's I used to like were the Graham Masterton novels like The Manitou, Prey and The Devils of D-Day - Prey particularly was quite eerie moreso because it was set not far from me and I knew the area, and Salem's Lot by Stephen King.

Edit: just did a quick google on Guy N Smith as it brought back memories and he has his own website http://www.guynsmith.com/ - you can get a free pdf e-book of The Wood on there.

SIMON ADEBISI · 01-09-2009, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by The3rdMan

Simon Adebisi - I think I've pm'd you as well. Not sure if it worked though but go to Abebooks as they should have copies there. Ebay was no use for me either.

Just received my order confirmation from them

I like the book forum

Cheers The3rdMan

KRW · 01-09-2009, 18:41

I recomend, with some reservations, Ramsey Campbell if you've not read any of his stuff. Some are better than others but there isn't one I've not gotten something out of. Last one I read was A Grin In The Dark, and it was great fun.

You probably have read some but I'll read anything Richard Layman writes. King of pulp horror.

joconnor · 01-09-2009, 18:49

The Woman In Black is still one of the freakiest books I've ever read.

Recently I read Lunar Park and although it's not a horror book, some parts of it are way more scary than 99% of books that pass as 'horror' books.

Ratfink · 01-09-2009, 18:58

I've read a few Graham Masterton - 'Walkers' was brilliant.

KRW - I know I've read some Laymen ('Funland' I think - but can barely remember it). I'll have to check out more. Any suggestions? Although I know of him, I don't believe I've ever read any Ramsey Campbell.

Ratfink · 01-09-2009, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by joconnor

The Woman In Black is still one of the freakiest books I've ever read.

Recently I read Lunar Park and although it's not a horror book, some parts of it are way more scary than 99% of books that pass as 'horror' books.

Got, read and loved both - but fine recommendations! Only Easton Ellis I haven't read is The Informers, but I've since managed to pick up a copy. It was very good Lunar Park, and I think I commented on it back in the 'what have you been reading' thread somewhere.

The3rdMan · 01-09-2009, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIMON ADEBISI

Just received my order confirmation from them

I like the book forum

Cheers The3rdMan

Happy for you, man! I'm just reading up on how to go ghost hunting at the moment. Some of the illustrations are shocking for kids. Can't believe it. Enjoy it when it arrives

KRW · 01-09-2009, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratfink

I've read a few Graham Masterton - 'Walkers' was brilliant.

KRW - I know I've read some Laymen ('Funland' I think - but can barely remember it). I'll have to check out more. Any suggestions? Although I know of him, I don't believe I've ever read any Ramsey Campbell.

Lots of his early stuff is straightforward Lovecraft 'homage' but quite good at that and a must-read if you're into that sort of thing. His later stuff, i wouldn't really know how to classify, its like horror-fantasy, Clive Barker-esque but a lot more subtle and without a tendancy to go off into fantasy mode. More about mood and pace than beasties and blood. Worth a look, I think, esp if you like Masterton and his ilk.

TonyG · 02-09-2009, 08:19

The last Horror novel i've read was Jonathan Maberry's Patient Zero. More action than horror, but for Zombie fans it's a must.

As others have said, I recommend early Graham Masterton, James Herbert, Stephen King, Dan Simmons (especially Carrion Comfort) & Robert McCammon.

If you can track them down, I also recommend the early novels by John Skipp & Craig Spector, especially The Light at the End & the brilliant The Scream.

SIMON ADEBISI · 07-09-2009, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by The3rdMan

Happy for you, man! I'm just reading up on how to go ghost hunting at the moment. Some of the illustrations are shocking for kids. Can't believe it. Enjoy it when it arrives

Just scanning through this now. Not surprisingly its not 1/4 as freaky as it was when i was 12.

Good laugh though.

Tony Ferrino · 07-09-2009, 20:58

Thanks to the people who mentioned Graham Masterton - I've been trying to remember the name of a book I read as a kid about people who go into dreams to fight demons. The name jogged my memory, and it turns out it was his "Night Warriors". Off to Amazon!

Spooky_uk · 07-09-2009, 23:43

going all retro and the trashy pulp reads of the 70's/80's such as Guy N Smith Crab series or the other killer creepy crawly ones