I’m looking for novels or short stories that are so scary you have to read them in daylight. I’ve read and watched horror all my life so probably am already familiar with most well known books. Something dark and creepy that makes the hairs on your neck stand up, rather than just cheap jump scares. Think old British stuff – a good reference would be the original Woman in Black movie (not the D Radcliff one). Also the eerie feel of the first Paranormal Activity movie when she stands by the bed for hours watching her bf sleep. I know these are movie references, but I hope they give a sense of what I want. Basically to be scared crapless, but in a subtle way.
by YaYadivine
3 Comments
*Ghost Story* by Peter Straub is one of the best ghost novels I’ve ever read. “Terrifying” is subjective, but I found it to be quite frightening. A shapeshifting ghost terrorizes an entire town during a blizzard.
If you want true ghost stories you could try needle in a haystack. It has a lot of paranormal from spirits, demonic attacks, sleep paralysis, etc.
*Heart-Shaped Box* by Joe Hill is about an aging rock star who finds himself haunted by the ghost of a jilted lover’s father. Brutal while being cinematic, and I found myself shockingly emotional during the final chapters.
*Summer Sons* is a highly acclaimed ghost story from 2021. A young man comes to the college where is best friend was attending and had committed suicide after being away for months. What he discovers is a trail of unusual circumstances and shady characters which makes him question whether or not it was actually murder.