Scary Read Recommendations Requested

Hello everyone,
My WIP is going to be a scary story when complete, at least that is my stated goal!

I thought I might go back and read the only book that I can recall ever scaring me enough not to read next to a window of any kind, to see why it scared me, but that book is no longer in print. (It was 'The Wolfen' by Whitley Strieber, and it could just be hazy memories.....) I could order a used copy but I am going out of town in a few days and would like to take something along to distract me from cramped-leg-airline syndrome so that won't work.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good scary book?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. If anyone reads this after the fact please feel free post a suggestion anyway - you can never read too many scary books!

Hi Linda, and thanks for the advice. I am very very new to this whole 'writing' world, my only qualification being a life-long desire to write. I know I have a lot to learn! I guess my problem is that I am still not sure how to categorize the book I am working on, so perhaps what I want to read for some 'inspiration' may not be a book like 'The Wolfen'. I mentioned that one because it is the only one I can recall scaring me, although it was over 20 years ago...

I am not thinking blood and gore, witches, vampires, werewolves, etc. My WIP does involve a ghost (or two), however. The basic premise is the story of a woman who lives in a haunted house, has a cheating husband who claims she is imagining things (what is happening in the house as well as the cheating!), and she has to deal with the whole mess while questioning her sanity. She does some investigation and discovers the story behind her ghost (a woman hung for murdering her husband). There is also a subplot of a mssing child (and potential serial killer) that will be the basis for a second book that I am working on in tandem. The books are based in fact to some extent. So, what am I writing? (scratches her head)

I followed your links and read some of the docs you posted. In the Mystery vs. Thriller list I can more closely identify my goal with the thriller/suspense side, but is that what I am working on? In the Amazon description for Ms. Skillman's 'Writing the Thriller' it says "Suspense is emotional. It's surprise and confusion and fear and anticipation. And suspense is danger. Immediate danger." These are elements I want my book to contain. One variety of thriller mentioned is psychological suspense, which is sort of what I thought I was going for, maybe. Can a thriller have a ghost? A ghost who is one of the sources of the psychological suspense?

I will pick up Ms. Skillman's book if I can locate it, looks like a good starting point, and read more of the info on your site. Thanks very very very much!

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful!

Thanks everyone! I will go shopping! (like I ever need an excuse to do that..) I have seen the movie 'The Shining' multiple times but I never thought to read the book (and I call myself a writer). I'll start there and move on to Messrs. Barker, Lovecraft, and Straub.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks again. I will add more to my list!

Thanks once more, everyone!

Ben, that truly was a blast from the past! I am sure I read it once upon a time (probably *cough* around the same time you did ), but my most vivid memories of this story are sitting around a campfire, clutching the person next to me as we listened.

Sounds like Mr. King is the ultimate in scary reads to most folks so far. I am reading 'On Writing' right now but 'The Shining' is on deck. I have seen the movie a billion times but I have never read the book. And after seeing episodes of TAPS where that door opened and closed by itself ... okay, maybe it was fake but I'm open-minded!!

Hi Will! I just did some research on your recommendation, and with all due respect to Mr. King, this will be in my hands by tomorrow evening, moved to the top of the list. If the reviews are any indication, I'll start 'The Shining' on Monday.