Peter Straub
Peter Francis Straub was an American novelist and poet, known for his work in the horror genre. He is best known for his novels 'Ghost Story,' 'The Talisman' (co-written with Stephen King), and 'Shadowland.'
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Ghost Story
A Novel of the Supernatural
"Ghost Story" by Peter Straub is a chilling tale that follows a group of elderly men who are haunted by a dark secret from their past. As they gather to share ghost stories, they soon realize that their own lives have become intertwined with the supernatural. The line between reality and the supernatural blurs as they are forced to confront their deepest fears and face the consequences of their actions. With atmospheric prose and a gripping plot, this haunting novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the power of secrets.
The 1935th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. Koko
This psychological horror novel centers around four Vietnam War veterans who reunite to confront a series of gruesome murders that eerily resemble war crimes they witnessed. The story delves into the complexities of trauma and the bonds of military brotherhood as the men embark on a harrowing journey to track down the enigmatic figure known only as "Koko," whose identity is as mysterious as the motives behind the killings. As they traverse the globe from the urban landscapes of the United States to the bustling streets of Southeast Asia, the veterans must grapple with their own inner demons and the possibility that the killer they seek may be one of their own.
The 5089th Greatest Book of All Time -
3. Shadowland
"Shadowland" is a dark fantasy novel that follows the story of two young boys, Tom Flanagan and Del Nightingale, who become apprentices to a master magician in a mysterious country estate called Shadowland. Over the course of a summer, the boys are drawn into a world of illusions and magic that becomes increasingly sinister. As they delve deeper into the secrets of the estate and their mentor's past, they encounter a series of strange and terrifying events that challenge their understanding of reality and friendship. The novel blends elements of horror, coming-of-age, and the supernatural, creating a haunting narrative about the seductive dangers of power and the loss of innocence.
The 5645th Greatest Book of All Time -
4. Floating Dragon
This novel weaves a tale of horror and suspense in the small town of Hampstead, Connecticut, where an ancient, malevolent force has been unleashed, threatening the sanity and lives of the town's inhabitants. As a toxic cloud, the result of a chemical spill, hovers over the town, it becomes a catalyst for unleashing unspeakable horrors that have lain dormant for centuries. The narrative follows a diverse group of characters, including a famous novelist, a pregnant woman, a disillusioned Vietnam veteran, and a young boy with psychic abilities, as they band together to confront the ancient evil that feeds on the town's residents. Their struggle against this dark force reveals the town's hidden histories and the personal demons each character faces, culminating in a chilling and suspenseful confrontation with the true nature of the evil that haunts Hampstead.
The 5741st Greatest Book of All Time -
5. Lost Boy Lost Girl
In "Lost Boy Lost Girl," a haunting narrative unfolds around the mysterious disappearance of a teenage boy shortly after his mother, a troubled novelist, commits suicide. The boy's uncle, a writer, delves into the dark and unsettling history of the family's home, uncovering secrets that blur the lines between fiction and reality. As he investigates, he encounters stories of a malevolent presence and a hidden room that may hold the key to the family's terrifying and tragic past. The novel explores themes of loss, the impact of trauma, and the possibility of the supernatural.
The 7539th Greatest Book of All Time -
6. In The Night Room
In this gripping and surreal tale, a successful children's author finds her life entwined with a horror novelist when their fictional worlds begin to bleed into reality. As they confront a series of bizarre and terrifying events, they must unravel the mystery of a haunted past and a sinister force that threatens to consume them. The narrative explores themes of identity, the power of storytelling, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality, culminating in a chilling confrontation with the supernatural.
The 7746th Greatest Book of All Time -
7. Houses Without Doors
The book is a collection of interconnected short stories and a novella that delve into the darker aspects of human nature and the supernatural. Each story explores themes of fear, isolation, and the haunting presence of past traumas, often blurring the lines between reality and the surreal. The characters are intricately developed, facing internal and external horrors that challenge their perceptions and sanity. The narrative style is atmospheric and unsettling, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary is often tinged with the macabre and the inexplicable.
The 8231st Greatest Book of All Time -
8. A Dark Matter
The novel revolves around a group of friends who, during their youth in the 1960s, become involved with a charismatic and enigmatic guru whose mysterious ritual leads to a horrifying and life-altering event. Years later, one of the friends, now a successful writer, seeks to uncover the truth behind that fateful day by interviewing the other participants. As each person recounts their version of events, a complex and chilling narrative unfolds, revealing the dark and supernatural forces at play and the impact of those experiences on their lives.
The 8832nd Greatest Book of All Time -
9. The Throat
A Blue Rose Novel
The novel is a complex and gripping thriller that follows the protagonist, Tim Underhill, as he returns to his hometown to investigate a series of brutal murders that echo a string of unsolved crimes from his past. As Underhill delves deeper into the mystery, he confronts haunting memories and uncovers dark secrets that blur the lines between reality and nightmare. The story weaves together themes of trauma, identity, and the nature of evil, creating a chilling narrative that keeps readers on edge until the very end.
The 12405th Greatest Book of All Time -
10. Mr. X
The novel weaves a complex narrative that intertwines the lives of two families over several generations, centered around a mysterious and malevolent figure known as Mr. X. As the protagonist, Ned Dunstan, returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral, he is plagued by disturbing visions and a sense of impending doom. He delves into his family's dark past, uncovering secrets about his father's identity and a legacy of supernatural abilities. The story explores themes of identity, destiny, and the battle between good and evil, as Ned confronts the sinister forces that have haunted his family for decades.
The 12405th Greatest Book of All Time
