Horror Aficionados discussion

What horror authors would you avoid like the plague? (Or re-worded, your worst reading experiences in horror fiction?)

That's so subjective! For me, the one Graham Masterton I read left me with no desire to read another. Ditto Michael Laimo and Ruby Jean Jensen.

The one Bentley Little and John Saul I read did not want to make me run out and get any more by either of them.

Punish the Sinners turned me off John Saul permanently.

The Right Hand of Evil did the same thing for me.

@Jon - I'm with you on John Saul...and unfortunately I will add Ramsey Campbell for the most part. I cannot seem to find anything I like--maybe Ancient Images, but that's a good day.

@Jeremy - I like Campbell in small doses. Have you read any of his short stories? People seem to like them better than his novels.

I can't think of any author I'd totally boycott, although I wasn't a fan of F. Paul Wilson's The Keep, so I don't have a desire to seek him out at all.

Back when I was a teen and couldn't find much horror to read, I read a few John Sauls—Comes the Blind Fury, I think.

Jon Recluse wrote: "@Jeremy - I like Campbell in small doses. Have you read any of his short stories? People seem to like them better than his novels."

Very good point. I think I remember the blogger for Too Much Horror Fiction and some of his fans saying the same thing. I will put that on the back burner.

Tressa wrote: "I can't think of any author I'd totally boycott, although I wasn't a fan of F. Paul Wilson's The Keep, so I don't have a desire to seek him out at all.

Back when I was a teen and couldn't find muc..."
Man, for some reason, The Keep is the few books I like by Wilson. I think I read it as a kid sick in bed and bored so was happy for anything. The movie adaptation is just -well-not good but I like it anyway. Huh.

I do not care for John Saul and Dean Koontz

Saul is just too 'light horror' for me, even though he's been writing novels for years (but for some reason hasn't published anything new in a long time) and I was disappointed in the last Ramsey Campbell novel I'd read about 5-6 years ago (the one set in a bookstore; had high hopes for it and thought it really fell flat) but I wouldn't say I'd never pick up another of his novels since I'd read him before. Probably any horror author writing about oh-poor-me vampires...

I've read some of Saul's books in a row when I first got into horror fiction. They basically all had the same plot. To a certain degree the same thing can be said about Koontz.

Yeah, Koontz can be a bit formulaic but not nearly as so with others...and I am not familiar enough with Saul to say the same, since I think I last read one of his books maybe 20 years ago...

I agree that the Campbell in the bookstore, The Overnight, was pretty weak. He's written some of the scariest short fiction ever, though!

Thanks, Cathy! Having been in the retail book bidness for a very long time, I really wanted this book to be better...and it wasn't...oh well.

I wouldn't boycott any author, either. And that includes Stephanie Myer. I read the first Twilight book and that was enough for me, but I'm glad that there's still stuff out there getting young people to read.

I used to like John Saul and Dean Koontz, but I cannot read their newer stories. At all.

I read Stephanie Meyer's adult book,The Host.
I'm glad teens are reading, but cereal boxes must be more literary....

The absolutely worst horror book I've ever had the misfortune to read was Deadweight by some joker called Robert Devereaux. Don't know what the Fangoria reviewer (the usually reliable Linda Marotta) and blurbers Dennis Etchison and Poppy Z. Brite were thinking but this book simply stunk!

Wow, really? Devereaux isn't for everyone (I think I read Deadweight many years ago...don't really remember it, so there ya go) and PZB can be difficult to get through, especially if you have issues with homosexuality. I know Etchison is highly regarded by some as an editor but haven't read his fiction yet.

Jon Recluse wrote: "I read Stephanie Meyer's adult book,The Host.
I'm glad teens are reading, but cereal boxes must be more literary...."

Heh...Jon read the Twilight author...heh...

I used to love Dean Koontz-I thought Watchers was excellent. Now though, his stories have been too predictable for me. I do sort of like the character of Odd though, despite myself. : )

Chris wrote: "Wow, really? Devereaux isn't for everyone (I think I read Deadweight many years ago...don't really remember it, so there ya go) and PZB can be difficult to get through, especially if you have issu..."
O no, I love those early PZB-books. That's why her blurb on this stinker baffled me so..

Chris wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "I read Stephanie Meyer's adult book,The Host.
I'm glad teens are reading, but cereal boxes must be more literary...."

Heh...Jon read the Twilight author...heh..."

Been there, done that, got the irreversible brain damage to prove it!

I can't stand Bentley Little. John Saul is very formulaic. His books all seem the same. Newer Dean Koontz novels aren't that good, but I also like the Odd Thomas novels for some reason.

Jon Recluse wrote: "Chris wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "I read Stephanie Meyer's adult book,The Host.
I'm glad teens are reading, but cereal boxes must be more literary...."

Heh...Jon read the Twilight author...heh..."..."

so THAT explains it! I knew Stephenie Myers was the devil!

Ardy wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "Chris wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "I read Stephanie Meyer's adult book,The Host.
I'm glad teens are reading, but cereal boxes must be more literary...."

Heh...Jon read the Twili..."

Stop dissing the Boss.

Oprah's got lawyers, y'know....

lol

Tawnee wrote: "I can't stand Bentley Little. John Saul is very formulaic. His books all seem the same. Newer Dean Koontz novels aren't that good, but I also like the Odd Thomas novels for some reason."

The latest Odd Thomas novel, Odd Apocalypse, just came out this past Tuesday...

Based on the Bram Stoker winners for that year (1990?), I decided to read "The Manse" by Lisa Cantrell.
Needless to say I totally avoided the sequel. This book was filled with horror cliches.
This is rather sad, in a way because I don't this author has written much in the last few years... I guess horror was not Ms. Cantrell's cup of tea.

Oprah's got bigger weapons than lawyers. People disappear when she gets angry ...

Jason wrote: "Oprah's got bigger weapons than lawyers. People disappear when she gets angry ..."

"GET IN MY BELLY!!!"

...and you wouldn't like her when she gets angry...she'll get Lou Ferrigno after you!

Chris wrote: "...and you wouldn't like her when she gets angry...she'll get Lou Ferrigno after you!"

She outweighs Lou.....

Say hello to my little friend

Zip your fly, Jason.....

Jason wrote: "Say hello to my little friend"

Watching Scarface, as well, Jason?

Jon, you're too effing funny, you know that?

Chris wrote: "Jason wrote: "Say hello to my little friend"

Watching Scarface, as well, Jason?

Jon, you're too effing funny, you know that?"

Is that what that was?
I thought it looked like Al Pacino.....

That's what I hear, Chris.

I really dislike Myers.I found nothing new in her book the host. Sad thing is it is being made into a movie

Scarface is awesome!

I will resist the urge to leap to Ramsey Campbell's defence...

Koontz I agree with. I'd also add Shaun Hutson.

Jason wrote: "Scarface is awesome!"

Yes, it is...one of Pacino's best!

Is it Pacino week or something? We've seen all the Godfathers (or at least 1 and 2) and then Scarface last night. I just love Pacino.

Hi James! *waving*
Don't resist the urge! If you like Campbell, tell us why. : )
He has always been hit or miss with me. Is there one book in particular you would recommend?

I actually really have liked the newer Koontz books but I wish he would write more about the Guy in fear nothing,I can't think of his name right now.but I geuss I should also say that I am a twilight fan lol so maybe my opion does nnot count. I can't really think of a author I won't read except john saul I have read a bunch of his books but only one have I liked.I think it was called darkness.

October, Koontz recently released three Odd Thomas novellas as ebooks that all take place in Fort Wyvern, setting for the Christopher Snow novels you mentioned. Check out my reviews...

77 Shadow St is the first Koontz book I just can't seem to get into. I am having the hardest time finishing it.

Hi Charlene - well I think he's a better short story writer than novelist. His first collection is a bit too obviously 'inspired' by Lovecraft; the next one, 'Demons By Daylight' is pretty great though. Or his 'best of' 'Alone With The Horrors' although as this is in chronological order again the first story not great unfortunately...

'The Companion' is often cited as one of his greatest stories.

James wrote: "Hi Charlene - well I think he's a better short story writer than novelist. His first collection is a bit too obviously 'inspired' by Lovecraft; the next one, 'Demons By Daylight' is pretty great th..."

I'll second that, James.
I was introduced to Campbell's work through his short stories.
And a little dose of Campbell goes a long way.....

The Campbell stories I'd recommend starting with:

The Companion, definitely
Mackintosh Willie
The Interloper
Down There

Those are just the ones where I can remember the titles -- he's written tons of other great stories, like the Santa Claus one (and I hate "evil Santa" stories in general). He's also written a number of lazy, murky, or self-plagiarizing stories, but anyone that prolific can't be at the top of his game all the time.

Edit -- the story title is The Chimney.

Thanks, all!