[Zsinj16]

I'm wondering, just for the sake of curiosity, what is the scariest, most frightening, most terrifying horror novel anyone's ever read on this board?

[kray3]

Well i havent read all that much horror, basically limitint myself to Stephen King.


But out of all his books, i found Salem's Lot to be the sacriest.

[This message has been edited by kray3 (edited February 04, 2002).]

[ookey]

I'm not all that well versed in King but of what I've read I'd say It is the scariest book I've read.

[AuntiePam]

Peter Straub's Ghost Story is high on my Chill Meter.

At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft -- I totally believed what I was reading.

[estranghero]

Unfortunately, I'm a Stephen King stepchild. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif My dad had most of his books and I grew up reading the stuff.

For scariest novels, I would agree that IT is the one for me. Imagine, a 13-year old kid reading about a monster that dismembers 13-year old children through their worst nightmares.

But SALEM'S LOT is a favorite of mine as well since I remember being so engrossed reading it at the wake of my grandfather's funeral. It was only half-way through the night that I remembered what the hell was I doing reading about vampires in the middle of a friggin' wake!?! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/frown.gif

[Coldfire]

For me it would be Pet Sematary. Scared the crap outta me.

[Rob B]

estranghero, sounds alot like my upbringing http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif
Your dad's not a mechanic btw, is he?

Anyway, two novels that have given me nightmares.

The Shining by King
Summer of Night by Dan Simmons. Similar story to It but there were a couple of very subtly spooky scenes that really got me good. I read the book during the summer too, so maybe that's part of it.

[Nathan Carter]

F.Paul Wilson
The Keep

It displays fear on more than just one level... supernatural and realistic. It's also one of the best written books I've ever come across, The writing style goes for the jugular like like a pit bull and does not relent.

[estranghero]

estranghero, sounds alot like my upbringing
Your dad's not a mechanic btw, is he?

Nup. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif Just a prolific reader. He also loved The Shining.

Hey, FF how's the Simmons book? I'm kinda doubtful of his horror works since I didn't like his 'psi-vampires' book (forgot the name) and The Hollow Man was generally ok but nothing memorable.

I'm hoping for a good word since I love his Hyperion sci-fi work.

[Corwwyn]

Wow, someone's read The Keep! Excellent.

This novel was also made into a very good RPG module and surprisingly enjoyable movie too.