 Halloween is a horror fan's Christmas Day. Fact. And what better way to acknowledge the 'ghoul-tide' celebrations than with a few quality reads that have the overall affect of remaining in the mind for a very long time, if not forever? So here are, in no particular order, my top five picks, with a few lines explaining why I hold them in such ghastly esteem. The Fog by James Herbert James Herbert set the blueprint for British horror in the 70s with his unique 'introduce-em-then-kill-em' approach to writing and slow-motion graphic violence that were to become his trademark. The Rats, The Survivor, and The Spear were all great early books but it was to be Herbert's second novel that would ultimately secure my allegiance as a lifelong fan of his work. The Fog has, at its heart, a conceit that is sadly timeless: the terrible things that people can do to each other. The prevalent brutality as humans succumb to Herbert's sickly green nerve agent remains one of the most jaw-dropping moments in horror literature. Yes it's dated, yes it is a book of its time. But be under no doubt, extreme horror would be nowhere without its godfather. Pet Sematary by Stephen King Not a lot can be said about Stephen King that hasn't been voiced much better elsewhere. The guy is responsible for the way horror has evolved over the past four decades, after all. Pet Sematary is one of those books that King writes better than anyone, his ability to tap into the primordial fears of any parent come alive in a narrative that rockets along and is as creepy as hell. Reanimated cats, the terrible things parents will do in order to cope with unimaginable and crushing grief, and a final two sentences that stall the heart in horror, this is one of my all time favourite King books. Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay Paul Tremblay's 'cusp of the apocalypse' tale is a recent read and has kept me ruminating on the desperate lengths people will go to in order to fulfil a sense of duty, be that delegated or assumed. Like the best of experiences, all good stories stay with you. The one setting affair and multi-perspective narrative leaves the reader off-kilter for most of the book, adding to the overwhelming sense on tension. Its a slow-burning, white knuckle ride that, in the same vein as King, is both eloquent and ferociously violent. Werewolf by Moonlight by Guy N Smith For me, Guy N Smith is the master of modern pulp horror. Admittedly, Willie Meikle comes a close second, but Smith has the edge based purely on the fact that I grew up reading his work. Werewolf by Moonlight takes me back to the Halloween night when I read this book in one sitting and revelled at the concept of werewolves and family curses. It was also deliciously laced with bloodletting that is typical of Smith's work. Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelly A classic for sure, but it's understandable why, even today, so many people still connect with this masterpiece of gothic literature. The quest to defy death is as relevant as it has ever been, Shelly's narrative from the titular doctor is mesmerising, the rationalisations for barbarity, moral and theological ambiguity and Maverick science courts both reason and madness. I've read this book several times and it never fails to get under the skin, just like the good doctor's suture needle!  Dave Jeffery is perhaps best known for his UK #1 bestselling Necropolis Rising series of zombie books released through Severed Press. His Young Adult work includes the critically acclaimed Beatrice Beecham Series (Crystal Lake Publishing), BBC: Headroom endorsed Finding Jericho, and the 2012 Edge Hill Prize Long-listed Campfire Chillers short story collection. His short story, Masquerade was nominated for The Horror Society's IGOR Award. He has published over 14 novels and collections with a variety of publishers. His short stories and essays have featured alongside many horror impresarios including: George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead), Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, The Fog), Tom Holland (Child's Play, Fright Night), John Russo (Night of the Living Dead, Return of the Living Dead) and Tony Burgess (Pontypool, Ejecta). Jeffery is also screenwriter and producer at multi award-winning VLM Productions whose short films have featured at major horror festivals worldwide. He has adapted two of his most successful novels (Finding Jericho and Necropolis Rising) into feature length screenplays ready for option. Finding Jericho is currently being adapted for the stage. A member of the Society of Authors and the British Fantasy Society, he lives in rural Worcestershire with his wife and two children; where he is considered, in the main, to be quite odd.  
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