That are definitely not for Coulrophobes!
Clowns are nice things from children’s parties, right? It seems not, and literature and television have been inspiring creepy clowns for a long time now, and it’s another we can mainly thank Stephen King for. While Coulrophobes existed before 1986, references to creepy clowns didn’t, and then came IT, and Pennywise, the scariest clown of them all.
Now there’s a whole creepy clown genre, and if the media is to believed, the clownpocalypse has just begun. You know how we like to stay topical here at FRA and so we have 7 fantastic books featuring creepy, and not so creepy clowns.
Coulrophobes turn away now.
It – Stephen King
The original and the best creepy clown of them all has to be Pennywise from King’s 1986 novel IT. The book, and subsequent film inspired the entire genre and it’s absolutely terrifying!
Clown Wars: Blood and Aspic – Joseph D’Lacey, Jeremy Drysdale
Clown Wars: Blood and Aspic is hot off the press and what better time to release a killer clown novel than in the midst of public fear about the current clownpocalypse? The authors have even needed to release a disclaimer to remove themselves from the furore.
When the Circus Came to Town – Deborah McClatchey
If you’re scared of clowns, chances are you’re not too keen on ventriloquist dummies either, I think we can blame The Twilight Zone for that fear. When the circus came to town has it all, and a thrilling finale too.
When the Circus Came to Town US
When the Circus Came to Town UK
Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury
Dark fantasy and a travelling carnival along with Bradbury’s iconic style, it has fantasy, it has horror and it’s guaranteed to creep you out for Halloween.
Something Wicked This Way Comes US
Something Wicked This Way Comes UK
Le Cirque De Magie – Marsha A. Moore
For those not so keen on horror, Le Cirque de Magie is a historical romance that is, as you might have guessed, set in a circus. There’s history, and a hint of the paranormal, like Outlander but with clowns.
Coulro – Brandon Swarrow
There’s a killer clown on the lose in one rural town in this terrifying and exciting thriller. If it all started with Pennywise, then here’s where it’s been heading.
Geek Love – Katherine Dunn
Geek Love is a bit different to the others and might just cure your caulrophobia as Geek Love might be set in the carnival, but it’s all about love and acceptance! Geek Love is a cult classic, and with the loss of Katherine Dunn earlier this year, it’s probably time you picked it up.
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It was very cool of you for selecting Coulro to be on this list. I very much appreciate the shout-out. I tweeted it, but let me know if there is anything else I can do to possibly help your blog gain more exposure.
Thanks Again,
Brandon Swarrow