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Can anyone recommend a horror/scary book that is actually scary or at least creepy?

Can anyone recommend a horror/scary book that is actually scary or at least creepy?? I want to read something that will make me sleep with the lights on. I can’t even find a movie to scare me that much. (Yes, I’m a weirdo)

Irene #recommend #horror

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158 Answers

Laureen

Scariest story I ever read: The Boogeyman by Stephen King. https://www.scasd.org/cms/lib5/PA01000006/Centricity/Domain/1252/The%20Boogeyman.pdf

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Amanda

I second this!

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Emily

YES! Read it as a teenager and it haunts me to this day.

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Leah

YES! ‘The door was open just a crack’ ?

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Maurice

Pet Sematary
by Stephen King.

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Ashley

This!

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Vanessa

Christine by Stephen King

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Nikki

You by Caroline Kepnes is creepy in a realistic ‘could happen to anyone’ kind of way

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Claire

Woman in Black. I couldn’t sleep with light off for ages and wasn’t helped by living in ground floor flat in middle of nowhere

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Becca

I second this!

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Michelle

The Shining. Scariest book I ever read. Apparently Stephen King is THE GUY!

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IreneQuestion author

I have a lot of his books. They’re great just not scary for me. Creepy, yes. I cannot wait to read “Dr. Sleep”, the sequel to The Shining! I didn’t even know about it until about a month ago!

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Michelle

@Irene ohhhh! I didn’t know about it either. No other Stephen King book has scared me except the shining actually, it’s just that one?!

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IreneQuestion author

So the sequel is about Danny’s life after the Shining… It came out in 2013, so not too old.

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Michelle

@Irene I’m definitely going to check it out. Thanks for the tip!

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IreneQuestion author

Me too. Someone in the group told me about it, I was in awe!

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Simon

James Herbert Haunted.

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Jen

I’m a huge Stephen King fan, so of course there are several of his books that come to mind. But if you want something a little less known, try The Elementals by Michael McDowell. Super creepy!!

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Amy

House of Leaves. I locked it in the trunk of my car. Twice.

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Jen

I just got that from the library yesterday!

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Kelley

This is the only book that’s given me nightmares! But, I loved it and think about reading it again sometime in the future haha

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Amy

@Kelley right?! Super scary, right to the very core.

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Nancy

Oh! Wait! Is that the one with the weird maps/writings in it? Oh dear God….it scared the crap out of me!

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Heather

I was going to suggest this as well. Creepy and amazing. There’s no other book like it

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Lena

I just ordered it! Looking forward to reading it!

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Tom

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. And for well written, creepy short stories – I loved Black Horse and Other Strange Stories by Jason Wyckoff (Tartarus Press – ebook is a bargain)

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Becca

Love The Haunting of Hill House!

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Carson

Shirley Jackson – Hill House; Lottery; others…

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Kevin

Hell House, Richard Matheson.

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Vickey

Anything James Herbert!

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Cindy

It sounds like you have a pretty high tolerance to scary stuff, so I’m not sure if this is creepy enough, but try Bird House by Josh Malerman. It freaked me right out!!

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Cassie

Bird Box. ?
Yeah that one is excellent

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Stephanie

Maybe try something local?

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Margie

It by Stephen King

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Roberta

Have you tried anything written by Dean Koontz?

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IreneQuestion author

No not yet

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Roberta

He’s sure to do the trick!!

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Marian

Bentley Little writes a series of horror stories. I’ve read a few but they’re not my thing. The ones I read came from the library.

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Lena

It by Stephen King scared me. The Troop and The Deep by Nick Cutter also creepy and scary.

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Jenny

I liked both The Troop and The Deep. The Deep was really creepy.

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Gail

It’s YA, but don’t let that fool you. It’s creepy. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6457229-the-monstrumologist

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Jenny

The Colour Out of Space, H.P. Lovecraft. It’s a short story.

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Maurice

I found this the most frightening short story:

“Gramma” by Stephen King.

Scared me stiff.

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Andreia

Oh i’m reading that! Link for those who want to try it: http://cf.edliostatic.com/XbcaxvxMPim8adoRdpFEHDRvn3CWW89s.pdf it starts on page 672

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Jacki

Okay, that was creepy. I saw a few of the twists coming but not all of them. I don’t regret reading that. 🙂

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Andreia

I’m starting it in exactly one hour, after I finish a boring meeting. Can’t wait!

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Andreia

The Birthing House – Christopher Ransom. It will mess with you.

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IreneQuestion author

Ooohh that’s what I’m looking for!

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Andreia

Also, one that made me physically sick: Gerald’s Game (Stephen King)

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Francesca

Yes, Gerald’s Game is the scariest book I’ve ever read.

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Melanie

the scariest book I ever read was Red Dragon by Thomas Harris – it was the prequel to Silence of the Lambs…

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Gail

I read that many years ago.

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Kathryn
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Kathryn

Just following ?

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Jennifer

The stranger beside me by Ann rule. True story about ted bundy.

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Jennifer

I love that autocorrect changed a serial killer’s last name to ‘bunny’! ?

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Jennifer

Jennifer Blume White didnt even notice. ?

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Stacy

Bird Box

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Diane

The scariest book I ever read was Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. I read lots of scary stuff too

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Coral

Bird Box by Josh Malerman or A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay.

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Emily

Following ?

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Heather

Intensity by Koontz. Not his usual paranormal-ishy stuff

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Kat

It.

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Simon

Michelle Paver writes a good ghost story. Dark Matter and Thin Ice are very atmospheric.

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Katie

Very good writer.

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Julia

Single scariest scene I ever read was in Unwind. The book wasn’t that scary though, just good.

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Jennifer

I remember the scene you’re talking about. Omg, the dread and helplessness.

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Gail

I still get shivers when I think about that scene. It’s horrific.

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Gail

I decided maybe it is a horror story–I woke up at 4:00 am this morning and couldn’t stop thinking about it. There are two other scenes I just couldn’t get out of my mind. It is really one of the most distubing dystopias that I’ve read, but I think it get’s overlooked because it is more subtle. The premises on which the society is built are truely frightening.

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Lydia

Following…

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Michelle

My friend likes Thomas Ligotti for horror.

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Kate

Art of the Deal by Donald Trump (sorry, couldn’t resist)

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Heather

Lol! You win!!!

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John

yeah I have never ever considered reading this .

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Teri

In Cold Blood. Capote

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Katie

Horrifying in it’s own right.

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Teri

I read it as a teen and shortly after spent a sleepless night at a rural ranch home.

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Katie

It’s really chilling.

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Mary

Stephen King’s earlier books: Misery, Carrie, Dead Zone. My fave of his is The Stand.

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Cindy

Cujo scared the crap out of me!

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Mary

His early short story book with the monkey toy, the mist and worst that black spot in the lake that got the people on the swimming dock (always bad when you get paranoid about doing something fun in real life)

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Carolyn

Bird Box by Josh Malerman, you won’t be able to close your eyes ?…

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Peg

I read Bird Box in one sitting, finishing at 3 am.

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Carolyn

@Peg Me Too!

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Peg

I still think that Salem’s Lot is the creepiest thing that King ever wrote. I couldn’t look out the window for a really long time.

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Lora

Still have trouble looking out at night. I’m sure the boys will be looking in.

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Lydia

I’m like you @Irene, in that I don’t get scared easily. I haven’t read a book that really scared me in a while. That being said, I’ve recently been on the hunt as well and while Bird Box wasn’t as scary as I’d hoped (to me) it was still really good. The book Hex by Thomas Heuvelt also gave it a really good try.

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Peg

I didn’t find Bird Box scary as much as suspenseful. .

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Lydia

yes, definitely suspenseful

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Coral

Bird Box was so ominous. And since the characters couldn’t look at the “monster”, and therefore, couldn’t describe it, that made it way creepier to me. I don’t get scared from books, but that’s one that definitely creeped me out.

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Mary

Dan Chaon has a new one out. Ill Will. Haven’t read it, probably won’t. He’s such a good writer and I don’t like to be scared. I’ve read some of his short stories and wound up curled up in a fetal position in a state of terror. So yeah, I can recommend him.

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Vanesa

Following. ?

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Marla

The Terror by Dan Simmons.

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Sandi

That one is so scary.

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Julissa

This is a really good one!

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Kara

Stephen King’s IT. The remake of the movie is about to come out but I doubt it’ll be as scary as the book.

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IreneQuestion author

The whole clown thing doesn’t scare me at all. I wish it would

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Kara

@Irene Have you read it? I was never scared of clowns but this is much different.

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IreneQuestion author

I have the original book and movie, read some of the book, but I know what it’s about basically.

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Deb

The witching hour by Anne Rice

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Gloria

Yes! Was going to suggest same

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Jenny

One of my favorites!

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Amanda

I love intensity by dean koontz

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Sandi

Heart-shaped Box by Joe Hill is the scariest book I have ever read.

I find, however, that I don’t really get scared by horror much as a middle-aged adult.

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Julissa

I really liked this one.

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Katie

Yes. Very good.

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Leslie

Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Also My Soul to Keep series or The Good House by Tananarive Due.

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Julissa

I read a lot of horror. Naomi’s Room made it hard to use the rest room in the middle of the night. Endless Night gave me nightmares. Now, that’s what I call a good book!

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IreneQuestion author

I want nightmares! 😉

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Nancy

https://www.amazon.com/Horrorstor-Novel-Grady-Hendrix/dp/1594745269

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Nancy

My sis told me to read this….she loved it. Haven’t read it yet!

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Amber

I thought it could’ve been better

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Brittany

have you seen the movie “creep”? thats one of the only ones to scare me..

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IreneQuestion author

No, never heard of that! Is it old? I’ll look it up

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Brittany

nope i think from like 2014?

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Coral

OMG THAT IS SUCH A GREAT MOVIE. I hardly ever rewatch movies because I feel like there’s so many for me to see, but I’ve rewatched that a few times. An underrated gem.

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Brittany

I cannot rewatch it cause its too creepy!!!! ahhhh

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Lydia

Y’all, I have added so many books to my Goodreads list… thank you!

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Erika

House of Leaves

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Melanie

It’s not a book, but there’s a creepypasta story that gave me a damn good scare. I just wish it had been a full length book instead of a long blog.

http://www.angelfire.com/trek/caver/

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Gloria

I bit, just read it and yes thrilling – BUT – a cliff hanger. No entry after 5/19/01 and no blog, no comments, I’ll forever be in suspense!

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Amy

Daphne Du Mauriere has the classics! Try My Cousin Rachel, or Rebecca. Good ole fashion scary stuff.

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Ines

I’m reading My cousin Rachel right now and i wouldn’t say it’s what she’s looking for, it’s a mystery book, but it’s not scary

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Gloria

For a movie, try Skeleton Key. Great plot twists, well written, the ending will freak you out!

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Therese

Agreed – very creepy!

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Katie

That movie. OMG.

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Patricia

NOs4A2 by Joe Hill
Nick Cutters books are pretty scary…The Troop or The Deep. And House of Leaves.

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Jenny

I’m like you. But Peter Straub’s Ghost Story came pretty close for me. And Stephen King’s It. As for movies, Sinister got me. Not sure why, but it really creeped me out.

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Ary

I liked The Ritual by Neville.

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Carson

Following!

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Carson

Toni Morrison’s Beloved is excellent horror; Stephen King: It and short story: The Jaunt; George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo is deeply entrenched in horror though not necessarily “scary;” Joe Hill’s short stories; Alice Sola Kim’s short story “Mothers, Lock Up Your Daughters” is maybe the best modern horror story I know; Shirley Jackson is one of the best horror writers ever lived, The Lottery, Hill House. Audiobook fans should also check out Pseudopod, which is consistently excellent.

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Robin

I don’t know if it’s so much horror but more psychologically disturbing but “The Girl Next Door” by Jack Ketchum haunts me until this day. It was an awful story but well written. I usually don’t recommend this book just because it was so disturbing, so be warned.

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IreneQuestion author

Now I’m interested

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Heather

I believe they made a movie of that? If so it’s heavy on torture

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Robin

@Heather I haven’t seen the movie but the book was.

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Linda

Helter Skelter, which is based on the Manson case. Horrifying.

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Vanessa

Misery by Stephen King

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Mary

Well I don’t think they are exactly what you are looking for but I find John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series pretty creepy.

I mean it sort of depends on what an individual is most scared of. I personally don’t like devil/evil paranormal stuff. Some might find true crime/serial killer/crazy people stuff more scary. I find violence against women/rape in movies to be traumatic vs. scary.

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Carolyn

I love John Connelly’s Charlie Parker series…

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Mary

@Carolyn I do too but I can only read the books spaced out between many others.

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Lindsey

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the creepiest book I’ve ever read..even better to listen if you like audiobooks. Got chills over and over, partially because it’s just so beautifully written but mostly because it’s creepy af.

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Mycala

Got a kick out of your last sentence. 🙂

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Amber

The Bird Box

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Linda

I wish I could help but I am a very destroyed person lol I love King, Koontz and Joe Hill and neither has scared me much :/ Although King is on my top list for at least creepy lol

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Mycala

My friend is currently reading The Turn of the Screw. I’m too timid for that sort of thing myself, but hope it’s what you’re looking for. 🙂

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Diane

I had exactly the reaction you’re looking for when I read Salem’s Lot by Stephen King.

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Fran

Yes! That book had me up all night long holding my crucifix, I was so petrified. And I’m an atheist! LOL

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IreneQuestion author

Really? I have this book too! I’m gonna have to check it out

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Peg

@Irene don’t look out the windows.

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Carolyn

Read it years ago-you all are scaring me again! Great book…

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Judy

Look for books by Clive Barker.

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Tanima

following

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Angela

Try John J. Niven “Cold Hands”. Truly chilling

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Cecilia

I remember reading a pretty spooky book a while back. Pretty sure it was Whispers by Dean Koontz

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Angela

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is pretty spooky, also the excellent Let The Right One In – I saw the stage show and my heart almost stopped with shock at one point

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IreneQuestion author

Thank you for all your responses my fellow bookworms! I think I’m going to get started on Salem’s Lot tonight. Send me spooky vibes! 😉

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IreneQuestion author

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Kevin

Enjoy

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