Which of Stephen Kings novels do you feel are the best for sheer terror?

**jordanc123** · January 31st, 2011

I would be interested in seeing which of Stephen Kings novels terrified people the most. The novel frightened me the most would have to be IT. The villain of that novel a other-worldy presence which kills children and is not seen by adults because they either stopped believing or just allowed it to happen kept me up a lot of nights as a kid. Other thoughts on which novel is his scariest.

**JohnDalglish** · February 1st, 2011

Hi,

He himself considers Pet Semetary as the scariest, I believe, and I agree with him, although a few others (Salem's Lot for instance) come close.

And FDNS is pretty darn scary IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

**GNTLGNT** · February 1st, 2011

I think The Stand, or The Long Walk did it for me...portions of those reads are just downright horrifying...

**sam peebles** · February 1st, 2011

I'll agree with It being the scariest. Pet Sematary definitely up there, too. Would also like to throw in Salems Lot as third.

**Jojo87** · February 1st, 2011

Pet Sematary was scary. But any of his books hasn't scared me very much. Not yet. But I like them anyway, because if I have a bad day, they always bright up my day with a smile.

**jordanc123** · February 1st, 2011

i cannot comment on pet semetary as that is one of Stpehens books i have not read. my top five would have to go
It
The Shining
The Stand
Night Shift
and i most agree with GNTLGNT that The Long Walk was pretty scary.

**Tinahorve** · February 1st, 2011

When I first read The Shining and Salems Lot I thought they were both really scary - and they are, but scary in the very traditional horror story way. Misery is the one I always felt was the most terrifying (in that if-I-was-a-famous-writer scenario). He's totally trapped, in a shattered body, with a loon who tortures him and makes him write. I could barely read some of it, with my hands over my eyes and all.

**ItFan** · February 1st, 2011

For me it would be Pet Sematary followed by 'Salem's Lot. I read Pet Sematary while on holiday and every night would go to sleep thinking that Gage was gonna creep up on me!

**jenniegeo** · February 1st, 2011

Sheer terror? Besides It, (shudder) I offer up portions of Gerald's game, I.e. getting out of cuffs. Also the sight of Skeleton Crew jacket circa ratty old paperback I have. I can't even Look at it!