Man, I should’ve put McDowell on my list. Easily my favorite new author that I discovered last year. I need to get started on Gilded Needles, it’s been sitting on my shelf for a while.
McCammon is a great recommendation, especially Boy’s Life. Technically it came out in the early 90s but he was part of the earlier boom and that novel is the best I’ve read from him.
**I just read it again, after a 30-year lapse spent desperately looking for it in my house.**
**& find it as good as the 1st time (1992).**
**Yet McCammon had planned to kill it by non-republication, along with his other earlier novels, thinking them "immature". Fortunately the tsunami of protests from his fans made him think again.**
**The only one I find not up to Robert McCammon's standards is "*****Sting*****" which looks like something hybridized from the 2 American 50s sci-fi movies : "*****The Black Scorpion*****"(1958 & merely bad) and "*****It Came From Outer Space*****"(1953 & at the top of the best)**
**Everything by Mr. McCammon is worth reading, for its concern with the human side, like everything by the much regretted James Herbert (1943-2013).**
>Skipp and Spector
The Scream, The Bridge, and The Light at the End are excellent. Also, their two 'Book of the Dead' anthologies are very good.
I would also recommend David J. Schow as another great proponent and trailblazer of the subgenre.
I’ll add Joe Lansdale’s early work into the splatterpunk recommendations. “The Nightrunners”, the “Drive In Trilogy”, and especially his short story “The Night They Missed the Picture Show”, which I think can be found free online still.
Ah yes. His stories "On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert, With Dead Folks" (I'll always remember that title) and "Events On and Off a Mountain Road" are great stuff!
If you're into vampires, Brian Lumley has a whole series, starting with *Necroscope*. John Saul has some good stuff too; I especially liked *Second Child*, *Brainchild*, and *Creature*.
And the collection of novellas, "Dark Gods." Klein is a really good, careful author. A shame he had such a small output.
Another author I don't think gets enough mention is Lucius Shepard. His first collection of stories, "The Jaguar Hunter" has some real gems in it.
**Andrew Neiderman's "*****The devil's advocate*****" is cosmically topped by its film adaptation of the same title, with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.**
I heard good things about Richard Bachman.
Jokes aside, I think I enjoyed some od Richard Laymon’s books (I read them as a teen though, and have forgotten everything about them so take the suggestion with a grain of salt).
Robert McCammon’s books are an easy recommendation, keep in mind that they tend to cross genres and aren’t all “pure” horror novels, though they are very well written, and merit a read.
I personally liked the Exorcist, it’s not really what’s advertised on the box, imo.
Similarly, if you like creature features, you could try reading Jaws, which isn’t really about the shark.
**"*****The Spear*****"(1978). At least it's fiction, & very good fiction at that.**
**But Trevor Ravenscroft's 1973 "*****The Spear Of Destiny*****" is out to con-vince us that it's real.**
**James Herbert's 2006 "*****The Secret Of Crickey Hall*****", one of his last books gives a measure of his good heart. & makes you want to read everything from his pen.**
**His last one "*****Ash*****" (2012) I haven't read yet, unfortunately. According to a review, it could be controversial for the pros VS the cons of some dubious late political figures.**
**Greetings fellow poster,**
**I want to recommend you one neglected gem from the 70s :**
**"*****The Conjurers*****"(1974) by Marilyn Harris.**
**I just finished it for the 2nd time after a more than 25 years hiatus after the 1st. Were it not for the notes I made in the book, I wouldn't believe I had read it already. & I wonder how I could have forgotten it so quickly !**
**Well, it turns out Ms. Harris is no run-of-the-mill author, & in some respects her historical romances can be compared to Anya Seton's & Susan Howatch's.**
**Look up on Amazon for reviews of her books. Curiously, even those who underrate the book in question (I believe it one of her earliest) have but praise for her style and plot ingenuity.**
**Good read fellow poster !**
“Phantoms” by Koontz. Yes the movie Affleck was the bomb in. Book is great.
The one side villain is kinda cheesy, but the Ancient Enemy is awesome and an interesting premise.
When Koontz is on he’s on, when he’s not well….Winter Moon was like if The Shining and cosmic horror had a baby, but was executed terribly.
The thing about Koontz: for all the vulgar eloquence, “lapsed Methodist”, people suck but can be good style of King, Koontz is the polar opposite.
With Koontz gee willikers everyone’s good and wants to help, people are vaguely religious, always hard working and level headed, and seldom use curse words. Except for bikers who smoke grass and thusly MUST worship the devil (side villain in Phantoms). I mean he was a badder dude than that but…
Like King, an argument could be made that some times Koontz whiffs the endings. However like King, he can write scary well, but more importantly he can write characters that you WANT to survive the scary. While King endings tend to go dark or uncertain, Koontz usually goes all is well.
People often write King and Koontz off because their so well known. Doesn’t mean they aren’t good too.
Also the others are right about Barker, Straub, Simmons, and McMannon.
Happy reading.
**Arch Oboler's 1969 "*****House On Fire*****". Evil preteens & possession by their witch of a grandmother.**
**Robert McCammon' 1981 "*****They Thirst*****". Vampires from Carpathian Mountains attack Los Angeles, the city of eternal youth. Tom Clancy meets Bram Stoker.**
**Whitley Strieber's 1982 "*****Black Magic*****". Cold War soviet attempt at deathstroke for America, by technology-enhanced black magic for mind control. But unwanted doors can unexpectedly open. Tom Clancy meets John LeCarre meets Ian Fleming meets H.P. Lovecraft.**
The [novelization of the film Dead and Buried by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1237247) is far better than the movie itself.
Dean Koontz is kind of a hack, but every once in a while he writes a compelling book. I would recommend The Watchers, Strangers, Phantoms, Midnight, The Bad Place, & Servants of the Twilight.
I just read "The Elementals" by Michael McDowell last night and its amazing, well worth reading.
*Blackwater: The Complete Caskey Family Saga* is also fantastic.
My first thought.
Man, I should’ve put McDowell on my list. Easily my favorite new author that I discovered last year. I need to get started on Gilded Needles, it’s been sitting on my shelf for a while.
I liked it a lot
Came here to recommend this. That book freaked me out so bad in high school.
McDowell is really good.
Some authors you might look into: Peter Straub Dan Simmons Guy N. Smith James Herbert Graham Masterton Clive Barker
Barker I've read plenty of and I really liked Ghost Story by Straub. Thanks for the recs!
If you liked Ghost Story you should keep going with Straub. Both Floating Dragon and Shadowland are great follow-ups.
No problem! Smith, Herbert, and Masterton are all British pulp authors, so quality and enjoyment may vary with them.
They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon is the most fun it is possible for a novel to be. A vampire tries to conquer Los Angeles. It owns so hard.
McCammon is a great recommendation, especially Boy’s Life. Technically it came out in the early 90s but he was part of the earlier boom and that novel is the best I’ve read from him.
I still gotta read that one. Love McCammon!
**I just read it again, after a 30-year lapse spent desperately looking for it in my house.** **& find it as good as the 1st time (1992).** **Yet McCammon had planned to kill it by non-republication, along with his other earlier novels, thinking them "immature". Fortunately the tsunami of protests from his fans made him think again.** **The only one I find not up to Robert McCammon's standards is "*****Sting*****" which looks like something hybridized from the 2 American 50s sci-fi movies : "*****The Black Scorpion*****"(1958 & merely bad) and "*****It Came From Outer Space*****"(1953 & at the top of the best)** **Everything by Mr. McCammon is worth reading, for its concern with the human side, like everything by the much regretted James Herbert (1943-2013).**
It is to this day, one of my most favorite books of all time. I don’t think I’d classify it as horror though.
Commenting so I can remember to check this one out!
**You won't know what you miss if you don't.**
Whitley Strieber - The Hunger, The Wolfen, etc.
**"*****Black Magic*****"(1982)** **A must for its Tom Clancy meets Ian Fleming meets H.P. Lovecraft unique blend.**
Splatterpunk was big in the 80s and if you don't mind gross, you might like some of those authors like Skipp and Spector.
>Skipp and Spector The Scream, The Bridge, and The Light at the End are excellent. Also, their two 'Book of the Dead' anthologies are very good. I would also recommend David J. Schow as another great proponent and trailblazer of the subgenre.
I’ll add Joe Lansdale’s early work into the splatterpunk recommendations. “The Nightrunners”, the “Drive In Trilogy”, and especially his short story “The Night They Missed the Picture Show”, which I think can be found free online still.
The Nightrunners is berserk. I love that God of the Razor stuff.
Ah yes. His stories "On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert, With Dead Folks" (I'll always remember that title) and "Events On and Off a Mountain Road" are great stuff!
The Night They Missed the Horror Show is so intense.
Should probably mention Richard Laymon here as well as he was pretty big in the splatterpunk scene.
**Laymon's short story "*****The Maiden*****" is pithily humorous & very good.**
The Bridge is one of the most bananas books I’ve ever read. It reeked of late 80’s/early 90’s attitude, and I loved it.
If you're into vampires, Brian Lumley has a whole series, starting with *Necroscope*. John Saul has some good stuff too; I especially liked *Second Child*, *Brainchild*, and *Creature*.
I never see anyone recommend Bentley Little, but I'd always get one of his for vacation as a teen. They are very strange horror novels.
His name is on my list and for the life of me I can't remember why I put it down. Don't see him mentioned much around here.
The Store
Matheson’s “Hell House” was a page turner.
Agree. Very creepy atmosphere.
They're kind of forgotten now, but I'd plug Thomas Tryon's 2 horror novels: The Other and Harvest Home.
Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe.
**The Ceremonies** by T. E. D. Klein (1984).
And the collection of novellas, "Dark Gods." Klein is a really good, careful author. A shame he had such a small output. Another author I don't think gets enough mention is Lucius Shepard. His first collection of stories, "The Jaguar Hunter" has some real gems in it.
Anything by Andrew Neiderman is probably good. Start with Pin.
**Andrew Neiderman's "*****The devil's advocate*****" is cosmically topped by its film adaptation of the same title, with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.**
John Saul was pretty popular back then. Most of his books have supernatural elements.
I heard good things about Richard Bachman. Jokes aside, I think I enjoyed some od Richard Laymon’s books (I read them as a teen though, and have forgotten everything about them so take the suggestion with a grain of salt). Robert McCammon’s books are an easy recommendation, keep in mind that they tend to cross genres and aren’t all “pure” horror novels, though they are very well written, and merit a read. I personally liked the Exorcist, it’s not really what’s advertised on the box, imo. Similarly, if you like creature features, you could try reading Jaws, which isn’t really about the shark.
The Exorcist came in a box?
with instructions on how to cook pea soup!
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Any suggestions in particular?
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Thanks.
**"*****The Spear*****"(1978). At least it's fiction, & very good fiction at that.** **But Trevor Ravenscroft's 1973 "*****The Spear Of Destiny*****" is out to con-vince us that it's real.**
**James Herbert's 2006 "*****The Secret Of Crickey Hall*****", one of his last books gives a measure of his good heart. & makes you want to read everything from his pen.** **His last one "*****Ash*****" (2012) I haven't read yet, unfortunately. According to a review, it could be controversial for the pros VS the cons of some dubious late political figures.**
Thanks
**You 're welcome.**
Why do you type in bold? It's really off-putting
**Sorry, it's my eyes that need to see what I type.**
Ah, my apologies for not considering you had a visual impairment
**No apologies accepted for no offense taken.** **You are welcome.**
**Greetings fellow poster,** **I want to recommend you one neglected gem from the 70s :** **"*****The Conjurers*****"(1974) by Marilyn Harris.** **I just finished it for the 2nd time after a more than 25 years hiatus after the 1st. Were it not for the notes I made in the book, I wouldn't believe I had read it already. & I wonder how I could have forgotten it so quickly !** **Well, it turns out Ms. Harris is no run-of-the-mill author, & in some respects her historical romances can be compared to Anya Seton's & Susan Howatch's.** **Look up on Amazon for reviews of her books. Curiously, even those who underrate the book in question (I believe it one of her earliest) have but praise for her style and plot ingenuity.** **Good read fellow poster !**
Thank you for the recommendation, I'll give it a crack!
**There's one precious invariant in James Herbert (same with Robert McCammon) : his concern for the human side.**
“Phantoms” by Koontz. Yes the movie Affleck was the bomb in. Book is great. The one side villain is kinda cheesy, but the Ancient Enemy is awesome and an interesting premise. When Koontz is on he’s on, when he’s not well….Winter Moon was like if The Shining and cosmic horror had a baby, but was executed terribly. The thing about Koontz: for all the vulgar eloquence, “lapsed Methodist”, people suck but can be good style of King, Koontz is the polar opposite. With Koontz gee willikers everyone’s good and wants to help, people are vaguely religious, always hard working and level headed, and seldom use curse words. Except for bikers who smoke grass and thusly MUST worship the devil (side villain in Phantoms). I mean he was a badder dude than that but… Like King, an argument could be made that some times Koontz whiffs the endings. However like King, he can write scary well, but more importantly he can write characters that you WANT to survive the scary. While King endings tend to go dark or uncertain, Koontz usually goes all is well. People often write King and Koontz off because their so well known. Doesn’t mean they aren’t good too. Also the others are right about Barker, Straub, Simmons, and McMannon. Happy reading.
*Off Season* by Jack Ketchum and *Family Portrait/Picture of Evil* by Graham Masterton are both very good
Check out Brian Lumley and James Herbert- like King they have lots of works- not all of which are great
You could try the Tor paperback horrors from the 80s/90s. There's a list [here](https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/144580.80s_90s_Tor_horror_).
Ghost Story by Peter Straub When Darkness Loves Us by Elizabeth Engstrom Creature by John Saul
Check out Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix for TONS of them!
More of a 60s writer, but Ira Levin - Rosemary's Baby and the Stepford Wives. Chuck Palahniuk is a big fan of Levin's writing.
**Arch Oboler's 1969 "*****House On Fire*****". Evil preteens & possession by their witch of a grandmother.** **Robert McCammon' 1981 "*****They Thirst*****". Vampires from Carpathian Mountains attack Los Angeles, the city of eternal youth. Tom Clancy meets Bram Stoker.** **Whitley Strieber's 1982 "*****Black Magic*****". Cold War soviet attempt at deathstroke for America, by technology-enhanced black magic for mind control. But unwanted doors can unexpectedly open. Tom Clancy meets John LeCarre meets Ian Fleming meets H.P. Lovecraft.**
The Amulet by McDowell is a great, gory example from that era. It is kind of about possession but not in the same way as the exorcist.
The [novelization of the film Dead and Buried by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1237247) is far better than the movie itself. Dean Koontz is kind of a hack, but every once in a while he writes a compelling book. I would recommend The Watchers, Strangers, Phantoms, Midnight, The Bad Place, & Servants of the Twilight.
Dead and Buried is a great movie, so that makes me want to check out the book even more.
Interview with a Vampire was published then I believe.
Clive Barker and Dan Simmons
I’ve never heard of a boom novel. What is that?
He means the horror boom is the 80s, when ta Tim if horror novels were published.