A Good Thriller discussion

What is a Supernatural/Horror Thriller?
With paranormal elements like ghosts, demons, or curses that violate natural laws, featuring ordinary characters confronting malevolent unseen forces, blurring the line between psychological suspense and supernatural terror.

Key characteristics:
Supernatural Elements
Paranormal elements
Curses that violate natural laws
Edge-of-your-seat pacing
Protagonist vs. Entity
Fear through unease

The Outsider by Stephen King - A murder mystery that pivots into supernatural horror.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak - Winner of a 2022 Goodreads Choice Award! “A one-of-a-kind thriller... you won't put it down. I loved it.” Stephen King
Movie-The Exorcist (1973) is frequently cited as the best, most terrifying supernatural horror film ever made, featuring iconic demonic possession.

Really Outstanding and Unknown Reads

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno: A deeply unsettling, modern look at grief and tech-based haunting.

The Dark Between the Trees by Fiona Barnett: A story that blends historical, atmospheric horror with modern, suspenseful tension.

Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt: A gripping, supernatural survival story set in the Alps.

American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett: A sprawling, eerie tale featuring a woman discovering a town that doesn't appear on any map.

I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardottir: A chilling Icelandic ghost story that blends supernatural elements with a mystery.

Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth: A dark, darkly funny, and deeply disturbing novel about a toxic mother-in-law.

All Heads Turn When the Hunt Goes By By by John Farris: A voodoo-horror classic with high-stakes, old-timey atmospheric terror.

Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez: A collection of eerie, culturally-rooted stories that are both atmospheric and disturbing short stories.

Windeye: Stories by Brian Evenson: A collection of surreal, quietly terrifying short stories.

I don't read a lot of horror novels, but several of the above sound intriguing.
One that I read in September of 2025 was Willow Rose by M. Kevin Hayden. Dr. Alder is on his way home when his world ignites in a blinding white flash.

Other 2025 reads in this category include Gothictown by Emily Carpenter, The Vengeful Dead by Darcy Coates, and A Haunting in the Arctic by A Haunting in the Arctic.

James Herbert

Sean wrote: "James Herbert"

Which one do you most recommend Sean?

The Shining by Stephen King and so many others such as It, Carrie, Pet Sematary

Carolyn the one that I can never read or watch ever again from King is Cujo. That dog is pure evil!

Carolyn

Lesle wrote: "Carolyn the one that I can never read or watch ever again from King is Cujo. That dog is pure evil!"

I've never wanted to read that one either!

Sean wrote: "Carolyn

"

Oh no! I don't think I could read that. I'd be having nightmares! I'm a wimp when it comes to horror thrillers and movies. It has to be fairly tame, preferably not very realistic and not really scary!

LOL

Yes scary

Stephen King has several books that give me the creeps. The Shining and Misery come to mind.. of course each one has a different “creepy” level. The Shining is the creepiest of his books to me.

Yes of course Stephen King.