# What is the scariest book you ever read? (Title already used almost 15 years ago) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [October 13, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447 "2021-10-13T20:48:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/82 "2021-10-16T02:26:13Z")
šŸ‘ Already bought, about to be delivered to my Kindle. I just have to fetch it and turn on Wifi. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/83 "2021-10-16T02:36:26Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Is there a good Stephen King short stories anthology anyone can recommend? _Skeleton Crew_ also has some champion short stories. Donā€™t pass up his novella collections, such as _Different Seasons_, while youā€™re at it. Iā€™d like to know which of his novels youā€™ve read, so we can all rag on 'em. šŸ˜† ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/84 "2021-10-16T02:44:01Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Iā€™d like to know which of his novels youā€™ve read, so we can all rag on 'em. Disclaimer first: it was long ago that I read Stephen King, 20 to 35 years ago. Letā€™s see, I remember: Pet Sematary (good) Shining (good, I read it after having seen the movie, which I also like, but they are different) Firestarter (it was a long time back, I donā€™t remember much, but it didnā€™t impress me, I donā€™t remember if I even finished it) Tommyknockers (a druggy mess, but entertaining) Dreamcatcher (same, even messier) And I think that was it. Iā€™ve estimated too high with seven or eight. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/85 "2021-10-16T02:55:16Z")
Amazing: I picked two of your five ā€“ I could not wait for **The Tommyknockers** to be done. IMHO, his worst. **Dreamcatcher** runs a very close 2nd. Too many of his novels have ā€œchase sequences.ā€ Settle in some evening and try **The Dead Zone** , or **'Salemā€™s Lot** (A **Dracula** pastiche). ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/86 "2021-10-16T02:57:28Z")
Nobody here afraid of getting abducted by aliens? Whitley Streiberā€™s _Communion_ and _Transformation_ are both high-octane nightmare fuel. It is left to the reader to decide if they should be classified as fiction or non-fiction but either way, both absurdly scary books. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/87 "2021-10-16T02:58:02Z")
I read Stephen Kingā€™s _Carrie_ when I was in 8th grade and he didnā€™t as of yet have a second novel out. I didnā€™t find it particulary scary so much as riveting entertainment. Second book of his that I encountered was _The Shining_ which I still think is his best work overall. Very few of his books have utterly creeped me out, but whichever of the Tower series had the flashback section in which the wife or girlfriend of the Gunslinger dude got burnt as a witch, and the sheer sense of the inevitability of the event, as if it were a preordained tragedy, was definitely creepy; then there was that short story ā€œThe Manglerā€ about the evil steam press in the laundromat, and the ā€œSun Dogā€ with the haunted cameraā€¦ mostly heā€™s an author who is really good at telling tales, who incidentally does shivery stories as his genre, and I find them dramatic and engrossing but only sometimes scary as fuck, inspiration for nightmares etc. Having said that, _Christine_ was better and more unnerving than it gets credit for. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/88 "2021-10-16T03:03:28Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Amazing: I picked two of your five ā€“ I could not wait for **The Tommyknockers** to be done. IMHO, his worst. **Dreamcatcher** runs a very close 2nd. Too many of his novels have ā€œchase sequences.ā€ > > Settle in some evening and try **The Dead Zone** , or **'Salemā€™s Lot** (A **Dracula** pastiche). I picked both Tommyknockers and Dreamcatcher out of the books bargain bin in supermarkets. I thought, what can go wrong with DM 2.99 invested in 700 pages by Stephen King? Boy, I was in for some treats. But I finished both books, I was entertained enough. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/89 "2021-10-16T03:04:16Z")
I never read Transformation. I have read Communion and some related books by others. The concept is indeed terrifying- Monsters are real. They can come for you at any time and do unspeakable things to you. No one can help you. No one will hear you scream. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/90 "2021-10-16T03:04:21Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Tommyknockers (a druggy mess, but entertaining) > Dreamcatcher (same, even messier) I havenā€™t read either of these, but: There are several lists online that purport to rank all of Stephen Kingā€™s books. On [one such list](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/every-single-stephen-king-book-ranked/) of just the novels, _The Tommyknockers_ is ranked last (51 out of 51), and _Dreamcatcher_ is #46. On [another list](https://www.vulture.com/article/stephen-king-books-ranked-worst-best.html), _Tommyknockers_ is #63 and _Dreamcatcher_ is #62 out of 64. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/91 "2021-10-16T03:08:57Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Tommyknockers (a druggy mess, but entertaining) Rumor (or, maybe not) has it that SK was hitting the cocaine pretty hard while writing a few of his novels and I think **The Tommyknockers** was one of those. BTW: If youā€™re going to try **The Stand** , see if you can find the original 800 page version. Then if you like it, have a slog at the 1100 page version in a few years. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/92 "2021-10-16T03:12:01Z")
Yeah, I heard the same rumors, and Tommyknockers shows that it could be true. It borders on absurdity, just like Dreamcatcher. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/93 "2021-10-16T03:25:00Z")
Before Stephen King, who is the greatest horror writer of our time, there was Ira Levin, who wrote **Rosemaryā€™s Baby** in 1967. Scariest book Iā€™d ever read up to that point. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/94 "2021-10-16T03:34:55Z")
On the question about Stephen Kingā€™s short story collections, this is the complete list: > **[Stephen King | Collections (List)](https://stephenking.com/works/collection/index.html)** > > A complete list of Stephen King's Collections _Night Shift_ is definitely one of the good ones, but I think Iā€™ve read most of the stories in all of them. I do have _Night Shift_ but canā€™t remember reading _Jerusalemā€™s Lot_. May have been one of the ones I missed. Will probably read it tonight ā€“ itā€™s on my Kindle. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/95 "2021-10-16T04:18:13Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Apparently, these authors were well kmown horror writers at one point, but I never heard of anymof them. > > The Red Lodge, by H. R. Wakefield. > Sredni Vashtar, by Saki. > Thurnley Abbey, by P. Landon. > ā€œGod grante that she lye stilleā€, by C. Asquith. > The voice in the night, by W. H. Hodgson. > The extra passenger, by A. Derleth. > Casting the runes, by M. R. James. > The book, by M. Irwin. Not even M.R. James? W. H. Hodgson is pretty famous too, though I donā€™t believe Iā€™ve read him (I do have that Borderlands book in my to be read pileā€¦for about 3 years) I think the scariest book Iā€™ve ever read is Mine by Robert R. McCammon. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/96 "2021-10-16T05:03:11Z")
I, too read ā€œCommunionā€ and ā€œTransformationā€ when they came out; there are a few other sequels that came out later that are lesser-known. Both Whitley and his wife Anne, who died a few years ago, maintain(ed) that the stories were true. I also read this book largely debunking those stories, although it was also quite a few years ago and I donā€™t remember much about it. > **[Amazon.com: Report on Communion : An independent investigation of and commentary...](https://www.amazon.com/Report-Communion-independent-investigation-commentary/dp/0380708116)** > > Amazon.com: Report on Communion : An independent investigation of and commentary on Whitley Strieber's Communion: 9780380708116: Conroy, Ed: Books ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/97 "2021-10-16T07:17:08Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > _Skeleton Crew_ also has some champion short stories. Gramma is a personal favorite. Talk about creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/98 "2021-10-16T13:46:04Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I think the scariest book Iā€™ve ever read is Mine by Robert R. McCammon. Funny, I just read that a few months ago. It didnā€™t quite work for me, but McCammon really is a good writer of set pieces/individual scenes. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/99 "2021-10-16T14:05:34Z")
Itā€™s funny which stories stick to people in SKā€™s short stories. The Jaunt haunted me so much that once I had to have emergency surgery and the medication they gave me to counteract hallucinations the actual anesthesia gave me did not work and The Jaunt featured prominently in my fevered dreams. That was at least 15 years after I read Skeleton Crew. The Survivor Type with its catchy last line and The Mist with its movie also stuck. I even remember Mrs. Toddā€™s Shortcut quite well even though it isnā€™t very memorable but I donā€™t remember Gramma even after reading the synopsis. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/100 "2021-10-16T14:24:42Z")
I reread The Stand during the beginning of the pandemic. Wasnā€™t a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2021, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-scariest-book-you-ever-read-title-already-used-almost-15-years-ago/952447/101 "2021-10-16T14:30:32Z")
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