Innovative horror novel recommendations

[Lockridge]

Hello all,
Over the weekend I was at Chapters looking for a good book. I came to the horror section and found that around 80% of the shelf space was taken up the by the same three authors - I suspect you know who they were. Of the remaining 20% I really had no idea what would be a good creepy read.

So I'm asking for your help, Enworlders.

Can anyone recommend a good horror that is not run-of-the-mill. The last good horror novels I read that seemed to be a departure from the norm were both by Ann Rice - "Interview with the vampire" and "Witching Hour". They seemed to redefine the tired old vampire and witch mythology.

So, any suggestions for something good and not ordinary?

Thanks in advance.

 

[WayneLigon]

Wow, the hoprror field is so wide open I don't know where to begin. I strongly suspect that most of the actually innovative horror you're looking for will be in small press magazines and specialty chapbooks. Also, many bookstores will shelve horror in with mainstream fiction, even if they have a horror section because that really is the Rice/King section They've had the same effect on horror that Tolkien had on fantasy: they did so well that for years and years every publisher wanted authors to just copy what they did.

There is a 'World's Best Horror' anthology that comes out annually, from the same people that do WB Fantasy and WB Science Fiction. Check that out.

http://www.creature-corner.com/ has some book reviews as does http://www.buried.com/features/novels.shtml

 

[Hypersmurf]

If I'm in the right mood, I've enjoyed Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's books. Although I'm not sure I'd classify most of them as horror, despite finding them in the horror section on account of the vampires.

-Hyp.

 

[Tetsubo]

Poppy Z. Brite, hands down the best horror I ever read... the -Exquisite Corpse- may be my favorite...

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

House of Leaves came out a few years back. It is a good read and is one of the few books to have ever unnerved me. It is also quite innovative and unusual in many aspects.

 

[Felon]

The last good horror novels I read that seemed to be a departure from the norm were both by Ann Rice - "Interview with the vampire" and "Witching Hour". They seemed to redefine the tired old vampire and witch mythology.

Departure, eh? And when did you read these?

Marge: Otto, you can't just sit there watching TV all day.

Otto: You're right. I should do a little reading. Uh, you got any of those Where's Waldo? books?

Marge: No.

Otto: How about anything from the vampire's point of view?

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I liked the Michael Slade books. They are set in BC, which is a nice change of location (EDIT: ok, maybe not for the OP), and there is usually a fair bit of history mixed in. And the author (actually, authors, it's been a rotating crew of collaborators) isn't afraid to make bad things happen to the main characters. They're really more 'thriller' as there isn't much supernatural, though.

Richard Laymon also does some creepy stuff. I think The Cellar warped half of my 9th grade class to a noticeable extent

 

[trancejeremy]

Hmmmm, they aren't exactly new (and indeed, I think he might have stopped writing them), but Paul Doherty has a series called "Canterbury Tales of Mystery And Murder". Based on the premise that the various people in the Canterbury tales told amusing stories in the day, but at night, told ghost/supernatural stories.

1. An Ancient Evil: The Knight's Tale of Mystery and Murder As He Goes on Pilgrimage from London to Canterbury (1993)
2. A Tapestry of Murders (1994)
3. A Tournament of Murders (1995)
4. Ghostly Murders (1997)
5. The Hangman's Hymn: The Carpenter's Tale (2002)
6. A Haunt of Murder (2002)

 

[Tonguez]

Frank E. Peretti writes Christian Horror which despite the theological bent are pretty good (major theme: spiritual warfare and the worldly influence of demons and angels)

Twenty-seven people died that I know of, and I can only guess that the others fled with whatever they could carry away. I could hear the screams and the shooting all night long, and I dared not venture out. The Reverend DuBois was left hanging in Hyde Hall until this afternoon. I informed Ben that I would not attend the signing of the Charter until the body was removed, so Ben ordered him cut down, taken out, and buried with the others. By late afternoon, the men who remained in Hyde River were back in the mines as if nothing had happened, and I also attended my business. After nightfall, we gathered in Hyde Hall under the cover of darkness and signed the Charter. With the signing of our names, we took the oath of silence, so I cannot speak of these things, but only write them secretly. The trouble is over, but I am no happier. I am afraid of what we have done. I am afraid of tomorrow

- Opening Paragraph of 'The Oath'

 

[Lockridge]

Departure, eh? And when did you read these?

Many years ago I have to admit. I should have mentioned that I have not read too many horror novels in my time. The reason for this is that after a while they all seemed the same. There are only so many John Saul books you can read before you realize that they are all the same. The risks I've taken by simply picking up a book based on its cover did not turn out well. And so I'm asking for advice.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! There are a few that I intend to pick up.