Boo! Did I scare you? No? Well fine then. You won’t have a problem reading any of these novels – in the dark, illuminated by a single light, a storm raging outside, and a strange but persistent tapping on your window. According to Goodreads voters, these novels are the top ten modern novels guaranteed to make your skin crawl.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Cannibalism is definitely on my “Shit That Scares the Fuck Out of Me” list.
They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon
I’ve never read this one, but I’m guessing vampires. And they’re thirsty. You know, for blood. I like mine to stay right where it is.
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
He’s called “The scariest man in America” for a reason. Eep.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Children are terrifying. Children possessed by a demon are fucking terrifying. Run away!
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
Seen the movie Hellraiser? This is the novel it was based off of.
Carrie by Stephen King
We all know that kid in school who we were positive would go batshit and kill us all. Now, it’s that person at work. They’re quiet. Made fun of. Think of them while you read this one.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
Horror’s in the goddamn title. Enough said, yea?
The Shining by Stephen King
Here’s Johnny.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Things come back to life and not in the fuzzy, welcoming way.
Off Season by Jack Ketchum
Let’s just say the top and bottom of the list have a lot in common.
They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
Carrie by Stephen King
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
The Shining by Stephen King
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Off Season by Jack Ketchum