There’s a reason Stephen King is called “the king of horror,” as the author has written some of the best books in the genre. And if King is recommending a horror book, it’s bound to be a good one — especially when he says it “scared the living hell out of” him. With more than 60 books under King’s belt, it’s hard to imagine that he’s easy to scare. That makes his endorsement of one 2015 novel particularly exciting, as it suggests the book will appeal to readers who aren’t easily spooked.

It can be difficult to find horror books that hold up years later, but this is true of many of the books King has applauded. King hyped up Gillian Flynn’s thriller, Sharp Objects, years before it got famous. He also had great things to say about Riley Sager’s Lock Every Door, which remains a disturbing read six years after its debut. And King’s enthusiasm for a 10-year-old horror book also still rings true, giving readers all the incentive they need to read Head Full of Ghosts.

Stephen King’s Praise For Paul Tremblay’s Head Full Of Ghosts Highlights How Scary It Is

The Psychological Horror Is One Of The Book’s Strengths

King often uses social media to highlight other authors’ work, and his praise for Paul Tremblay’s Head Full of Ghosts highlights how scary the 2015 novel is. In August 2015, King took to Twitter (now X) to admit that Head Full of Ghosts “scared the living hell out of me, and I’m pretty hard to scare.” This sentiment is echoed in the book’s Goodreads reviews, which praise its disturbing psychological elements and overall creepiness.

Head Full of Ghosts centers on the apparent possession of a girl named Marjorie, though it’s not clear if she’s truly under the control of a demonic spirit. But Father Wanderly, the priest who agrees to help Marjorie’s family, certainly thinks so — and thus begins the Barretts’ harrowing journey to “save” their daughter. Because they’re desperate for cash, they also agree to have Marjorie’s exorcism filmed for a reality show called The Possession. And readers learn most of what happens through the recollections of the girl’s sister, Merry, who is fairly young when all of this takes place.

Head Full of Ghosts is a clever addition to the horror genre, and it leaves readers to wonder about the true nature of Marjorie’s behavior even after the story is over. Recounting the family’s tragedy from Merry’s point of view adds to the intrigue, and it puts a unique and heartbreaking spin on the story. Its scares may not come in the form of monster reveals and gore, but its deeply unsettling content will leave readers feeling disturbed. It’s one of those books that will keep you glancing over your shoulder, and that remains true a decade later.

Head Full Of Ghosts Remains A Must-Read Horror Book, 10 Years After Its Debut

It Remains One Of Paul Tremblay’s Best Novels

Head Full of Ghosts lives up to King’s praise 10 years after its debut, and its ending is one that readers are likely to remember even after all that time. It’s one of Tremblay’s best novels, and it’s a solid addition to the possession horror subgenre — even if there might be no possession to speak of. Its ambiguity makes it more chilling, as the belief that a demon is haunting Marjorie leaves deep scars on her sister and tears her family apart. Stephen King was right about the novel 10 years ago, and readers can still count on his recommendation today.