Aussie Readers discussion

Horror Novels

One of the first horror books I read as a teenager was Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot. I remember that it scared the pants off me but at the same time I became fascinated by this genre, and in particular vampires. I couldn’t get enough of Stephen King, read many of his books back then but not so much now. I then moved on to reading books by Dean Koontz, and also the odd book here and there like The Exorcist, The Silence of the Lambs and The Amityville Horror, which I absolutely love but also frightened me.


I would like to hear you thoughts on horror novels.

What is the scariest book you’ve read and/or do you have a favourite horror book? Are there any supernatural characters you like the most in a horror book e.g. Ghost, Zombies, Vampires etc.

They both sound good Michael...not my preferred genre either, though I'll try most things:) I read a fair bit of Stephen King when I was younger, but haven't for a lot of years!

Michael wrote: "Horror isn't favorite genre but have read a few good ones this year.

The Night Strangers was very eery and intriging read while Still Life is full on scary read."

I've read your review on Still Life...you've sold me, I've added it to my TBR :)

Thanks Michael and yeah you're right. I've checked some of the online sites and no one has it in stock. I’ll browse second hand bookshops

Library Mish?

I'm not much of a horror reader but for literary horror I obviously would recommend classics like Frankenstein or Dracula but for something more recent try The Passage or one of my favourite series by Glen Duncan; The Last Werewolf and Talulla Rising

mmm horror!
I love my monsters and zombies and well all thing goretastic ( its a word)

I would have to recommend anything by H.P. Lovecraft also Edgar Allan Poe who is probably more thrillerish

a good YA one that is horror based but wasnt actually that scary IMO

Another fave is which is Dracula but told from a different POV I loved it so very much.

Ill probably come up with some more later

I love horror :)

Stephen wrote: "I'm new to this group, and as an author I've just had my first horror short story published. I know it's probably not the right place to do it, but I've included a link to Amazon for it.
http://ww..."

Hi Stephen, Welcome to the group. The place to promote your book is in the Aussie Authors Section. Create a your own thread here and you can tell us a bit about the book, release date etc... anything you'd like :)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

Thanks for that, Mish. Have taken your advice and posted.

I actually love The Shining by Mr King. I also loved the film which I am told Stanley Kubric wasn't satisfied with and so whilst he lived wasn't released on video or dvd. Very atmospheric. Hits every horror, ghostly cliche, and I loved it.

For me it was early Shaun Hutson, early Dean Koontz, Graham Masteron and Brian Lumley.

Yes, author:Graham Masterton|10275], has a creepy vibe all his own. The kind of mind that has cobwebs and evil possessed moths crowding inside his head. I think you can always tell, the hairdo, is a dead giveaway. I wish a few of those evil possessed moths would find inbed themselves in my head and help my write a creepy horror novel.

I just saw your profile, I also play guitar badly. Got me kicked out of band once. I loved those days, life on the road. Concerts. Screaming fans. Okay, that was me watching the life my ex band members had once I was sacked.

@Mish, I watched the Amityville Horror movies and they frightened me so much, I had nightmares for months. I remember putting plugs in the bath and sink after watching 'Alligator'. Might give a horror another go. Last one I read was 'It' by Stephen King (this was when I was 15).

Hi Michael, sounds great. I'll read that.

I would second Michael's recommendation of Glen Duncan's The Last Werewolf and Talulla Rising.

James Herbert, John Farris and Dan Simmons have written some classic horror stories.

Two Australian writers who might be of interest to some here are Kim Wilkins and G.M. Hague.

Tried of these, won't say which one, and was a bit underwhelmed, but the other will have a look at. The Last Werewolf sounds like a guy I used to work with. James Herbert, tries hard, a bit too hard.

James, would you dabble in a new Australian authors entering the horror market?

Yes.

James wrote: "Yes."

I have a new little story out and I may be willing to share - if you ask really nociely!!

If you send me a copy of your book I will rate it and provide a review, though I am not an expert reviewer. It is a bit of a gift all its own, reviewing.

James wrote: "If you send me a copy of your book I will rate it and provide a review, though I am not an expert reviewer. It is a bit of a gift all its own, reviewing."

Drop me a personal message with your email in it and we'll go from there.

Okay, doing it now.

Stephen wrote: "Thanks for that, Mish. Have taken your advice and posted."

That's great Stephen :)

Stephen wrote: "For me it was early Shaun Hutson, early Dean Koontz, Graham Masteron and Brian Lumley."

Shaun Hutson, Dean Koontz, Brian Lumley & Graham Masterton

Thanks for these Stephen. I've read a few Dean Koontz but haven't heard of the others.

Amanda wrote: "@Mish, I watched the Amityville Horror movies and they frightened me so much, I had nightmares for months. I remember putting plugs in the bath and sink after watching 'Alligator'. Might give a hor..."


I agree The Amityville Horror was a chilling book & movie :)

That is so sad Paul! Thanks for passing on this news. RIP James Herbert!

Too young - especially when it says he was not sick.

not long now till Doctor Sleep

Michael wrote: "not long now till Doctor Sleep"

Ooh I didn't know about this one Michael! Looks like it will be a good read!

Unfortunately have to wait till Feb 2014 for By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan

But I've heard some good things about Red Moon by Benjamin Percy. I've not read it yet but it might be a good werewolf novel to keep me going while waiting for By Blood We Live

Haven't heard of those, but I don't think they are for me either:/

Michael wrote: "not long now till Doctor Sleep"

Thoroughly excited about this book. The Shining would have to be one of my favourites Stephen King books & movie. And now a sequel.....Woohoo!

The Shining

With to moderators hanging out for the new Glen Duncan book you've never heard of the series D:

Michael wrote: "Unfortunately have to wait till Feb 2014 for By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan

But I've heard some good things about Red Moon by Benjamin Percy. I've not read it yet but it might be a good werewolf ..."

Oooh I haven't heard of Red Moon but if it's any good I'd be interested too.

Stephen wrote: "If you need something to read before King's Doctor Sleep, I offer you a review for my novel Pendant (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5MV2OE): Graphic details that could cause sleepless nights... This..."

Thanks Stephen but this is not the place to promote your book. If you wish you can promote it in the Authors Spotlight. You can create your own thread here:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

Michael wrote: "With to moderators hanging out for the new Glen Duncan book you've never heard of the series D:"

But they're not my sort of books Michael, that's why;)

I used to read everything King many years ago, but I haven't read him in ages...

Brenda wrote: "But they're not my sort of books Michael, that's why;)"

Don't make me sick Mish onto you :P

Michael wrote: "Brenda wrote: "But they're not my sort of books Michael, that's why;)"

Don't make me sick Mish onto you :P"

Haha! I'm not scared;P

Brenda wrote: "I used to read everything King many years ago, but I haven't read him in ages..."

Brenda, you're missing out. I recently read The Wind Through the Keyhole and it reminded me of what a good storyteller King is (and it made me want to read the whole Dark Tower series again). Although I wouldn't call that horror, or 11/22/63, which I just read and thought was excellent!

Marianne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I used to read everything King many years ago, but I haven't read him in ages..."

Brenda, you're missing out. I recently read The Wind Through the Keyhole and it reminded me of what..."

I think I got "all King'd out", lol....but I might pick up another one day soon:)

I love Graham Masterton, I find his books very creepy. The Red Hotel & The Doorkeepers have been my favourite so far.
I enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill and would like to read his latest NOS4A2

I generally sway towards Horror with Ghost, Demons/Hell related & love Apocalptic Zombies! (Sometimes I find it hard to put that into the horror catergory as there are so many variations of Zombies).

P.J. wrote: "Win a copy of

Hi P.J. this is not the thread for competitions and giveaways. You can promote your competition here by setting up your own thread:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

I'm quite partial to Richard Laymon and Stephen King. I also love Dean Koontz, although he's becoming a little monotonous. The darker the better for me, but then again, I'm one twisted bitch.

Hi this thread looks old can't seem to find any new posts but I thought I would post anyway.....so hi everyone lol

Do you enjoy reading horror Brooke?

I love Horror!

Stephen King's older works, James Herbert, Adam Nevill, and some new ones I've discovered.