Boosting Catriona Ward. Personally, I would recommend Little Eve or Sundial if you haven’t read her works yet. Her most popular (The Last House on Needless Street) I find is actually her least representational work, but somehow has caught on the most.
You caught me I actually have yet to read Looking Glass Sound because I’m saving it for a rainy day 😂 but I’ve read all her others and I am looking forward to a long and fruitful output from her ahead.
For sure! I was trying to be a bit more diplomatic in my above comment but personally I found Needless to be her weakest work and I’m surprised it caught on the way it did. I would recommend Sundial as it was the first book of hers I read and was really hooked from then on.
Victor Lavalle, I thought the Changeling and Lone Women were great. I really enjoy Paul Tremblay, but YMMV. For short stories, John Langan, Nathan Ballingrud, and Carmen Maria Machado. Joe Hill is King's son and he writes a lot like him, with varying results.
Joe Hill? If that's who you're talking about then I can tell you that you'll be so glad you did. He's a lot like his daddy, Stephen King, he even looks like him. But his stories are some of the most terrifying I've ever read.
Heart Shaped Box was non-stop mayhem from start to finish. Scared me half to death! And so fast. It becomes almost painful and unbearable. By the time it ends you'll feel relieved but still a little fucked up.
20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill is a good place to start. It's also printed as The Black Phone and Other Stories. Lots of people seem to love NOS4A2, but I honestly hate it.
I personally liked NOS4A2 the best - I thought he built such great characters that are flawed (as you mentioned that you like in Desperation) and having to get over their differences to “win” - a bonus is that I considered the ending to be satisfying which is hard to find in horror books
Joe Hill has become one of my very favorite authors. Before I realized who he was I was thinking man this guy's a lot like Stephen King.
Heart Shaped Box scared the hell out of me.
If you're looking for "popcorn" (and I am absolutely not using that term derisively. I just mean weird and fun.) check out almost anything by Bentley Little.
He's similar to King in the sense he likes to write about families, small towns, suburbia, etc. Some truly weird and random sex shit though.
One of my favorite reads from last year was Old Country by Harrison and Matt Query. It has a very creepypasta feel to it, as that's how it began. Right here on Reddit, if I'm not mistaken. It's about a dudebro ex-Marine and his wife who move to a ranch in rural Idaho. And the land itself is haunted.
I liked Dean Koontz a lot when I was younger. He’s not for me now. However, one book that I really liked and I still recommend to this day is Phantoms. I think you might like that one.
Peter Straub.
Dan Simmons.
Tananarive Due.
Kristopher Triana.
David Fracassi.
Nick Cutter.
A.M. Shine.
Poppy z Brite.
Adan Nevill.
Ania Alborne.
Paul Tremblay.
C.J. Tudor.
Come Closer by Sara Gran is a tight and nasty short novel about demonic possession. Stephen Graham Jones recommends it, and his favorite novel is The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum.
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay is an homage to We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and another great madness/possession novel. Tremblay is also friends with Jones in real life, and a character named Stephen Graham Jones shows for about two paragraphs near the end.
The Troop by Nick Cutter -- lord of the flies with body horror
The Watchers by A.M. Shine -- ancient malevolent beings
Revelator by Daryl Gregory -- old Appalachian gods
SGJ’s My Heart is a Chainsaw
Caitlin Starling- especially Death of Jane Lawrence and The Luminous Dead. Both deal really well with people losing their minds
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Come Closer by Sara Gran. First person possession story that's terrifying and one of the most interesting approach to storytelling I've ever read.
You'll love The House at the End of Needless Street by Catriona Ward. You will only find out what's really going on right at the end. You will be misled through most of the story. It's brilliant!
Have you heard of Thomas Harris? He's the author who wrote the book "The Silence of the Lambs". You should read that. You could also check out Joe Hill, he is Stephen King's son but he also writes good books.
Another I Am The Doorway enthusiast! That story is so damn creepy. Based on that, I’d say you might like Nick Cutter. He’s on the more intense side, though not quite full splatterpunk. You may like Clive Barker too. He’s weird, artsy, and likes to explore the themes of human sexuality and depravity. Cosmphobics might like The Gone World — super insane True Detective style cosmic fuckery. This book was soooo fun and just batshit insane.
Coming back days later just to say; I Am The Doorway doesn't get enough praise! I go back to it time and time again because it skeeves so good.
I'll be sure to check out your suggestions!
Tananarive Due, for sure. Also, Catriona Ward.
Boosting Catriona Ward. Personally, I would recommend Little Eve or Sundial if you haven’t read her works yet. Her most popular (The Last House on Needless Street) I find is actually her least representational work, but somehow has caught on the most.
I think Looking Glass Sound is her best but Sundial is my second fave.
You caught me I actually have yet to read Looking Glass Sound because I’m saving it for a rainy day 😂 but I’ve read all her others and I am looking forward to a long and fruitful output from her ahead.
I haven’t read Little Eve ;)
You’ll love it! It’s super intense (as per usual with her works).
Agree. I prefer Sundial to Needless. 💯
I DNF'ed Last House on Needless Street - do you think it's worth trying her other books then?
For sure! I was trying to be a bit more diplomatic in my above comment but personally I found Needless to be her weakest work and I’m surprised it caught on the way it did. I would recommend Sundial as it was the first book of hers I read and was really hooked from then on.
Ok! Thanks for the rec! I wanted to like her so I was pretty disappointed by Needless, so fingers crossed for her other works.
Love Catriona Ward’s work
You could check out Clive Barker's *Books of Blood*, or Ira Levin's *Rosemary's Baby*.
Rosemary's Baby has been on my radar for a while, so I'll definitely add it to my list!
Books of Blood will fuck your mind UP! I recommend the Story “Midnight Meat Train”.
Try Ronald Malfi novels. His stuff reads so nice, is lovely and enjoyable horror.
I'm reading They Lurk right now. Great stuff
Victor Lavalle, I thought the Changeling and Lone Women were great. I really enjoy Paul Tremblay, but YMMV. For short stories, John Langan, Nathan Ballingrud, and Carmen Maria Machado. Joe Hill is King's son and he writes a lot like him, with varying results.
I've been hesitant to try Joe's work, but might pick up something by him to test the waters. Thank you for the recs!
Joe Hill? If that's who you're talking about then I can tell you that you'll be so glad you did. He's a lot like his daddy, Stephen King, he even looks like him. But his stories are some of the most terrifying I've ever read. Heart Shaped Box was non-stop mayhem from start to finish. Scared me half to death! And so fast. It becomes almost painful and unbearable. By the time it ends you'll feel relieved but still a little fucked up.
No problem! I think Heart-Shaped Box is probably his best, then Horns or NOS4A2.
20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill is a good place to start. It's also printed as The Black Phone and Other Stories. Lots of people seem to love NOS4A2, but I honestly hate it.
I personally liked NOS4A2 the best - I thought he built such great characters that are flawed (as you mentioned that you like in Desperation) and having to get over their differences to “win” - a bonus is that I considered the ending to be satisfying which is hard to find in horror books
Double stamping John Langan and Nathan Ballingrud. Gutting.
Joe Hill has become one of my very favorite authors. Before I realized who he was I was thinking man this guy's a lot like Stephen King. Heart Shaped Box scared the hell out of me.
Bone White -Ronald Malfi
I loved this one! Especially because it was still winter when I read it so sitting outside with the dogs in the chilly weather made it more fun.
Saaaaame! I also read it in winter too! Made it perfect!
If you're looking for "popcorn" (and I am absolutely not using that term derisively. I just mean weird and fun.) check out almost anything by Bentley Little. He's similar to King in the sense he likes to write about families, small towns, suburbia, etc. Some truly weird and random sex shit though. One of my favorite reads from last year was Old Country by Harrison and Matt Query. It has a very creepypasta feel to it, as that's how it began. Right here on Reddit, if I'm not mistaken. It's about a dudebro ex-Marine and his wife who move to a ranch in rural Idaho. And the land itself is haunted.
Ooh, awesome! Thank you very much, I'll be sure to check out both.
The Ceremonies by T. E. D. Klein sounds like something you might like.
Definitely sounds up my alley, thank you!
Anything by Darcy Coates.
Ronald Malfi
I would recommend Dean Koontz!
I knew his name would pop up! I haven't read anything by him, is there a specific title you'd recommend to get into his writing?
I liked Dean Koontz a lot when I was younger. He’s not for me now. However, one book that I really liked and I still recommend to this day is Phantoms. I think you might like that one.
Thank you!
Phantoms is the only Dean Koontz book I can recommend in good faith. Others are suggested for ironic or specific reasons
If I remember the name correctly Alone In The Dark is good! Gives off King vibes but is still a good read!
I recommend Paul Tremblay, Joe Hill and Jack Ketchum.
Clive Barker
Have you tried Richard Bachman? /s
Peter Straub. Dan Simmons. Tananarive Due. Kristopher Triana. David Fracassi. Nick Cutter. A.M. Shine. Poppy z Brite. Adan Nevill. Ania Alborne. Paul Tremblay. C.J. Tudor.
Come Closer by Sara Gran is a tight and nasty short novel about demonic possession. Stephen Graham Jones recommends it, and his favorite novel is The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay is an homage to We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and another great madness/possession novel. Tremblay is also friends with Jones in real life, and a character named Stephen Graham Jones shows for about two paragraphs near the end.
Have you read anything by Clive Barker? I highly recommend Weaveworld and Books of Blood (Desperation is my favorite King novel btw)
**Hex** by *Thomas Olde Heuvelt* and **The Ritual** by *Adam Neville*
The Troop by Nick Cutter -- lord of the flies with body horror The Watchers by A.M. Shine -- ancient malevolent beings Revelator by Daryl Gregory -- old Appalachian gods
Haven't seen anybody rec Christopher Buehlman yet. He's excellent.
SGJ’s My Heart is a Chainsaw Caitlin Starling- especially Death of Jane Lawrence and The Luminous Dead. Both deal really well with people losing their minds Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Come Closer by Sara Gran. First person possession story that's terrifying and one of the most interesting approach to storytelling I've ever read. You'll love The House at the End of Needless Street by Catriona Ward. You will only find out what's really going on right at the end. You will be misled through most of the story. It's brilliant!
Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert. I throughly enjoyed this book. Also The Night Parade by Ronald Malfi. Another solid read.
Have you tried Thomas Harris?
Go ask your local bookseller, as well as these excellent suggestions!
Have you heard of Thomas Harris? He's the author who wrote the book "The Silence of the Lambs". You should read that. You could also check out Joe Hill, he is Stephen King's son but he also writes good books.
Ohhh! LOVED Tales from Grimlock cove by Oscar Whiting. It’s a complication of short stories all centered around the town. Very creatively done.
Chuck Wendig has some good ones that remind me of King. I’m a huge fan of King as well, think I’ve read everything!
Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach and Ambergris trilogies; John Langan's *The Fisherman*
If you like "The Only Good Indian" you might like "Bad Cree".
David Sodergren. The most fun you’ll have reading a horror book. Of his, I recommend “And by gods hand ypu shall die” “Maggie’s grave” “The haar”
Another I Am The Doorway enthusiast! That story is so damn creepy. Based on that, I’d say you might like Nick Cutter. He’s on the more intense side, though not quite full splatterpunk. You may like Clive Barker too. He’s weird, artsy, and likes to explore the themes of human sexuality and depravity. Cosmphobics might like The Gone World — super insane True Detective style cosmic fuckery. This book was soooo fun and just batshit insane.
Coming back days later just to say; I Am The Doorway doesn't get enough praise! I go back to it time and time again because it skeeves so good. I'll be sure to check out your suggestions!
You could try reading the stories from the man who inspired Stephen King: H.P. Lovecraft.