Books
18 scary books for Stephen King fans
Stephen King is the master of the horror genre. His novels explore post-apocalyptic worlds, the supernatural, and the monstrous actions of humans.
While his work has earned him a loyal fan base, he’s not the only author writing gripping, creepy and nail-biting horror books. That’s why we’ve compiled the following round-up of the best books for fans of Stephen King.
Best books for fans of Stephen King
Hide by Kiersten White
Hide by Kiersten White
In a high stakes hide-and-seek competition, the rules are simple: stay hidden and don’t get caught. Following a week hiding at an abandoned theme park, the last one standing will win a life-changing amount of money. But for those who are caught, the consequences are fatal.
Mack is sure she can beat her competitors. But as the people around her start dropping like flies, she soon learns she might have to band together with her opponents to survive. This claustrophobic thriller revels in the darker side of human nature and is great for fans of Stephen King and Squid Game alike.
Zone One by Colson Whitehead
Zone One by Colson Whitehead
In Colson Whitehead’s dark futuristic satire, the planet is reeling from a zombie apocalypse. While the plague is receding, and the army has successfully eliminated the most dangerous of the infected, a team of volunteers must track down the “malfunctioning” zombies – those who exist in a catatonic state, fixated on their former lives.
This post-apocalyptic novel is violent, satirical and surprisingly emotional. Like Stephen King’s 1978 novel The Stand, it offers a twist on the classic apocalyptic battle between good and evil.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House. As they begin to cope with horrifying occurrences beyond their control or understanding, they cannot possibly know what lies ahead. For Hill House is gathering its powers – and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
Twice filmed as The Haunting, and the inspiration for a 10-part Netflix series, this book is a powerful work of slow-burning psychological horror.
Sleep Donation by Karen Russell
Sleep Donation by Karen Russell
An epidemic of deadly insomnia has swept across America, and hundreds of thousands of people have lost the ability to sleep. Enter “Slumber Corps”: an agency that transfers sleep from healthy volunteers to insomniacs.
Trish has spent seven years recruiting donors for the Corps. But her faith in the corporation is shaken when she is confronted by ‘Baby A,’ the first universal sleep donor, and the mysterious ‘Donor Y.’ This haunting tale of a dystopian America shares similar themes with Stephen King’s work.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
It’s been over 50 years since it was first published, yet The Exorcist still has the power to shock and terrify.
We follow 11-year-old Regan, the character at the heart of this scary book, as subtle changes to her personality start to emerge with no apparent explanation. At the same time, the family experience sudden icy chills, strange noises in the attic, furniture moving around… Distraught, they call in Jesuit Priest Father Damien Karras and all hell breaks loose.
The Fog by James Herbert
The Fog by James Herbert
This is one scary book. The plot revolves around a deadly fog that drives those who come into contact with it insane. Combining many elements of a fast-paced thriller with a good dollop of horror, we promise you’ll be hooked from the start. The cast of likeable and believable characters who struggle against this silent killer make it an all-round winner, particularly for fans of Stephen King’s Under The Dome.
There are a few dated scenes – it was written in 1975 – but if you embrace them you’ll be back in Shining territory in no time!
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
When a party of pioneers is stranded in the mountains, the group is driven to extremes. Children start to disappear, fights break out, and survivors turn against each other. Some gradually realise that the real danger is not the extreme weather, but their own primal instincts.
This eerie novel is based on the true story of The Donner Party, and it’s a fascinating exploration of human nature at its most extreme. Stephen King himself called it, “deeply, deeply disturbing, hard to put down”.
The Whistling by Rebecca Netley
The Whistling by Rebecca Netley
Elspeth takes the position of nanny to a family on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea. Her charge, Mary, hasn’t uttered a word since the sudden death of her twin, William. No one will speak of what happened to him. Just as no one can explain the hypnotic lullabies sung in empty corridors, the strange dolls that appear in abandoned rooms or the faint whistling that comes in the night. But is this house haunted by the ghosts of the past – or the secrets of the living?
Set on a wild island off the coast of Scotland, The Whistling is deliciously creepy – and it’s guaranteed to keep you reading with the lights on.
The Whisper Man by Alex North
The Whisper Man by Alex North
When Tom and his son move to a small, sleepy town, they’re hoping for a fresh start. But the town, which was once home to a notorious serial killer, is not the safe haven they had hoped for. When a young boy goes missing, Tom wonders if history is repeating itself – and, if so, how to protect his son. If you love Stephen King and C J Tudor, you’ll find this incredibly creepy psychological thriller as gripping as they come. And, once you’ve finished, we recommend Alex North’s latest book, The Half Burnt House.
Read a chapter from the book here.
The Taking of Annie Thorne by C J Tudor
The Taking of Annie Thorne by C J Tudor
The Chalk Man author C J Tudor returns with a chilling, creepy tale. When a young girl, Annie, disappears, her family fear the worst. But when she reappears 48 hours later, their relief is short-lived – because Annie isn’t the same girl she once was, and her actions are becoming increasingly sinister…
Packed full of tension, this absorbing page turner transports us to a claustrophobic small town that’s hiding a secret darker than anyone could imagine. It’s eerie, unnerving and seriously addictive, so prepare to be thrilled.
The Witch in the Well by Camilla Bruce
The Witch in the Well by Camilla Bruce
Centuries ago, a young woman, Ilsbeth Clark, was accused of witchcraft, following the disappearance of several young children. Her acquittal did nothing to persuade the local townspeople of her innocence, and they drowned her in a well. In present day, local schoolteacher Catherine has dedicated her life to writing a truthful account of what happened to Ilsbeth. But then her childhood nemesis – now an influencer – returns to town and wants to write her own account.
Beneath their rivalry, something sinister is afoot; by the end of the summer, one woman will be dead and the other accused of murder. But is she guilty, or are there other forces at work? And who was Ilsbeth Clark really?
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Welcome to a post-apocalyptic world where a new, unidentified ‘breed’ will drive you mad and kill you if you look at them, and simply leaving your house could result in your mind being completely altered beyond repair. To survive, you must live in near complete blindness.
This psychological thriller plays on the eternal fear of the unseen and unknown and is both disturbing and compelling in equal measures.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Full of menace, The Turn of the Key is a modern-day haunted house thriller from the author of In A Dark, Dark Wood and The Death of Mrs Westaway. When Rowan takes a well-paid position as a nanny, she can hardly believe her luck. But the house holds dark secrets – secrets that will land Rowan in a jail cell, on trial for murder.
This is a genuinely suspenseful read permeated with a creeping sense of dread, and it’s sure to have you holding your breath right up to the dramatic conclusion.
Pine by Francine Toon
Pine by Francine Toon
In Lauren’s small Highlands community, mysteries are not out of the ordinary. The trapper found hanging with the dead animals for two weeks. Locked doors and stone circles. The disappearance of Lauren’s mother a decade ago. Lauren seeks answers from her tarot cards, hoping she might one day be able to read her father’s turbulent mind. But when local teen Ann-Marie disappears, Lauren’s insular, secluded town grows increasingly sinister…
With her magnetic writing, Francine Toon expertly combines the supernatural and the all too real. Pine perfectly captures the claustrophobia of small-town living, and the story will unsettle you right until its chilling conclusion.
Psycho by Robert Bloch
Psycho by Robert Bloch
Psycho is a horror classic and not a tale for queasy stomachs or faint hearts. Influenced by a real story, it captivated the nation when it was first published in 1959. Suspenseful, chilling and dramatic, it’s still absolutely timeless, both on the page and the screen.
After stealing $40,000 from her employer, Mary Crane flees and takes refuge at Bates motel. This sets off a chain of horrific events which lead to the discovery of a macabre secret that lays within. A must-read.
Ghost Stories by E F Benson
Ghost Stories by E F Benson
There’s nothing sinister about a London bus. Nothing supernatural could occur on a busy Tube platform. There’s nothing terrifying about a little caterpillar. And a telephone, what could be scary about that? Don’t be frightened of the dark corners of your room. Don’t be alarmed by a sudden, inexplicable chill. There’s no need for a ticking clock, a limping footstep, or a knock at the door to start you trembling. There’s nothing to be scared of. Nothing at all.
Sherlock star Mark Gatiss selects and introduces chilling tales by the unsung master of the classic ghost story in this unmissable collection.
The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen
The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen
This haunting standalone novel from the author of the Rizzoli and Isles series follows Ava, a woman with a dark past, as she retreats to a house that also has something to hide.
Ava gradually becomes convinced that she’s not alone in the house – either that, or she’s losing her mind. This book is as chilling and creepy as they come, and perfect for fans of Stephen King’s horror fiction.
It by Stephen King
It by Stephen King
Of course, we couldn’t not include one of Stephen King’s own iconic works. Is there anything more sinister or scarier than a murderous clown with dead eyes and a machete? I for one am certainly not laughing.
This book is a masterstroke: not only does it deal with the differences between adults and children and what they fear, but it looks forensically into the way we lie to ourselves on a daily basis rather than face up to the monsters in our lives. An unbelievably scary book that will make you think. And hide behind the sofa.
Have we missed any seriously scary books for fans of Stephen King? Let us know in the comments below!
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Salem’s Lot by Stephen King was the first book of his that I ever read – I would never have read it if I had known it was about Vampires. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson – a short story that caused a furore on its publication. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. M R James.
The Whisper Man by Alex North – I loved this book as not too scary but a roller coaster that wouldn’t stop, brilliant suspenseful story.
Salem’s Lot definitely (the TV version scared the heck out of little me) with honourable mention in dispatches to MR James and Denis Wheatley. I recall some Alfred Hitchcock curated spooky compilation books that terrified me in my youth. Audio books lend themselves well to this genre.
The Shining was the first Stephen King book I read! Loved it and recommended it to my cousin and uncle – they thought it great as well! IT was really scary, loved it! I’ve made notes of what people like here and hope to enjoy some good f r i g h t e n i n g reads!
A new book
Pine
By Francine Toon
Absolutely fantastic with good twist
Shutter Island Dennis Lehane
The Gone series by Michael Grant was excellent. It’s along the same lines as Steven Kings Under The Dome, but, in my opinion much better. It’s classed as young adult, but it made no difference to me.
IT is very well written and frightening.
Don’t forget The Uninvited by Dorothy Macardle!
Anything by Tess Geritsen, fabulous author.
I do think The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood should be included!
Love all these kind of books,would put me in seventh heaven.
I wish I hadn’t seen this email ?? My kids have put me on a book diet, so I think I’m going to have to sneak and squeeze, a few extra books in my bookcases somehow ?♀️?
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Peter James The house on Cold Hill and his latest The Secret of Cold Hill kept me entertained for many an evening. Well worth reading if you haven’t already.
The Shining. Stephen King’s book is more scary than the film and the book of “It”. The scene in the snow and the topiary moving is spine chilling.
Anything by Adam Nevill (author of The Ritual, which is currently on DVD and Netflix). His work is so unsettling, it can scare you into looking at the world differently
Salem’s lot(Stephen king,of course !)
Something wicked this way comes,not really horror,but a great read
Ghost Story – Peter Straub & Stephen King
Thank you for this, will be having a look at some of those. To add to it: the ghost stories of M.R. James are truly frightening.
Thanks for the suggestions, there’s a couple of authors I hadn’t heard of so I’ll dip into their chilling world soon.
Dennis wheatley books, the devil rides out and also the ka of gifford hilary. Both old but never forgotten.
Scared me as a boy , the best ever.
Dennis wheatley books, the devil rides out and also the ka of gifford hilary. Very old but never forgotten!
The shining!