Scary books and psychological thrillers

When I read The Shining years ago and during the daytime, I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure no one was there. The movie scared me and I won't watch it anymore.

I recently read Leave the World Behind. I don't remember the author. It's about a New York city couple who rent a vacation home along with their two teenage children and then some strange things happen. Really good and my daughter liked it, too.

I like the Nicci French novels. Particularly the Frieda Klein Novels which should be read in order.

I agree that Stephen King has written scary novels. Right at the beginning of his career I read Salem's Lot. It was so scary that I had to finish the book during daylight hours, it was too frightening to read it after dark.

O thanks for those everyone. I am off to ‘Libby’to see what I can find !

I don't think anyone has mentioned Stephen King.
I'm sure it's because everyone has read at least some of his books.

I avoid anything like that like the plague. Ever since i saw the film 'the Picture of Dorian Gray.
I think there's some truth in it which I don't want to know about.

I recommend Phil Rickman's series, set in a Herefordshire parish where Merrily Watkins is the vicar. They are moderately scary, but not terrifyingly so. You get to know the characters and follow the ups and downs of their lives. Merrily is a complex character, juggling her pastoral role, her parental responsibilities and her emotional involvement.

@Jaxjacky if you liked mark billingham I recommend the books by Peter James novels featuring Roy Grace and Peter Robinson novels with DI Banks

I don’t read thrillers - I watch them and then have nightmares. I don’t recommend it - stick to reading ?

I’ve now got a list for the library, thank you!

Try “Wakenhyrst” by Michelle Paver. A real chiller!

Oh that's good chickkygran, have just started Hostage.

Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant was very good.

Just finished The Hostage by Clare McIntosh, very tense, loved it

Sarah England, her occult horror trilogy The Father of Lies scared the heeby jeebies out of me.

Adam Nevill has authored some very terrifying books too.

Sabine, not Sabrine

Anything by Sabrine Durrant if you like psychological thrillers

I also like Lisa Jewell, who gets better and better and Louise Candlish. Incidentally both have new books out.

Best of all Ruth Rendell who also wrote under the name of Barbara Vine, at her best no could better her, for me at any rate.

I love a Ruth Rendell or Mary Higgins Clarke.
I also read an absolutely intriguing book called "Anything you do say" which kept me turning the pages like a mad woman to see what happened next.

I could only find this book by Daniel Hurst!

I have read all James Herbert books twice at least…. And I do like Martina Cole as well

Teacheranne

My favourite genre! I love Karin Slaughter books, they can be rather gruesome but have a good plot.

I used to like Karin Slaughter as well Teacheranne but her latest books have not been up to her usual standard at all.

Patricia Highsmith is the Queen of psychological thrillers.

If you like your thrillers particularly gruesome, have you tried Graham Masterton`s books, set in Ireland, featuring police superintendant Katie Maguire? They`re brilliant.

Val McDermid,. Tessa Gerritson, L. J Ross all good thriller writers.

Have you tried Louise Candlish and the later Lisa Jewell ones? Well written but always with a sucker punch that you don't see coming! Tana French and Tamar Cohen are also very good.

I've just finished The Two Of You by Adele Parks, which I thought was excellent. Good (if that's the word) reading!