Horror Books > B Horror Books > K

Advantages: All time classic by Stephen King
Disadvantages: None

...think up such stories. Bag of Bones is about a writer called Michael Noonan. Michael has a wife called Johanna. Johanna goes to the local store and on her way out there is an accident. Although Johanna isn't directly involved in the accident after running to help others she collapses and dies. Michael later finds out that after several years of trying for a baby that Johanna was pregnant. Michael relises that since Johanna's death that he has ...
...managed to write a book. Luckily he had a few hidden away in a safety deposit box. He used them to try and hide the fact of his writers block to his editor and while the books last he gets away with things. He then decides after a 6 week vacation to Key Largo to move to his second home 'Sara Laughs' where he was always able to write. On his first evening there he starts hearing strange noises like a child crying. He travels to a local cafe and ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting characters, great second half.
Disadvantages: Detached narrative style, characters dont get time to develop, not much Straub.

Children are being abducted and murdered in a brutal fashion in French Landing. Dale, the town's helpless Police Chief fears for his town and his own son's safety. These murders are becoming more frequent and gruesome and the tauntings of the infamous killer nicknamed "The Fisherman" are driving the towns inhabitants insane. Dale turns to the prematurely retired LA Detective Jack Sawyer. He has come to this quiet little town as a means of escape. ...
...gift that he hides away from but when it turns out that this is more than just your average psycho surely he has to stop running? "Black House" is the second collaboration between two masters of horror in Stephen King and Peter Straub. The massively successful "The Talisman" was an epic quest of a twelve-year-old boy, Jack Sawyer and his quest through a magical land to find a cure for his mother. "Black House" is a loose sequel to this and picks ... Read review

Advantages: Quite funny and interesting twists
Disadvantages: confusing at times, puts you off small towns

...he discovers the town of Black River in Northern California. Despite the beautiful setting, Bo begins to feel unsettled after several disturbing incidents. He decides to leave, but his efforts to leave are mysteriously thwarted and he is forced to stay. In the hotel, he discovers that all of his money has been transferred to a bank account in Black River, and a house has been purchased for him by someone on "his" instructions. Astonished and disturbed, ...
...you do it. There is one thing that I was dissapointed about and that was that it doesn't really explain what is happening very clearly, I found that I was wondering at the end of the book "What IS happening in Black River?" but maybe that is the point. ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent storyline, great ideas, a deep look at society, prejudice and genetic engineering
Disadvantages: A bit of a difficult read, some may not like all of the philosophy, can be a bit hard to process all the information

...story by the same author, Beggars in Spain deals with a new frontier - genetic engineering. It takes place in the future where those who can afford it can have their babies genetically altered to rid them of the need for sleep. And born is a new breed of human - The Sleepless. These children, as they grow up, have a huge edge over regular children. Not only do they have over 30% more time to read, learn, achieve and flourish, but they are also healthier, ...
...the Sleepers. Yet there is one thing lacking in the Sleepless life, they cannot dream. It becomes something they long for. The novel opens following the lives of Leisha Camdon and her twin Alice. Leisha was altered to be one of the sleepless. However, Alice wasn't. The differences between them are enormous. Leisha achieves more and more as she grows, while Alice seems to stumble along - looking stupid in comparison. But it's not just Leisha, there ... Read review

Advantages: An excellent & imaginative story
Disadvantages: Waiting for the next book

As a children's story this is some seriously dark writing and may not be suitable of younger readers, but for adults it's an exceptionally good read. The heroine of the story, Candy, finds herself pulled into a parallel world by a strange sea, a world that consists of 25 islands. 24 islands represent a particular hour of the day with the 25th a dark place of murder and madness. This initial volume sees Candy's travels around a selection of these ...
...trying to stay out of arms reach of the dark servants of the Lord of the 25th hour. This is a place where friend and foe are never what they seem and many are out for the capture of Candy. The illustrations included in this book give it an extra and enjoyably warped depth. Clive Barkers visual take on his fantasy world is one where even the good-guys can be seen as ugly monstrosities. You'll definitely want to read the next instalment. ... Read review