Silence of the Lambs Thomas HarrisIn a recent Lovereading.co.uk poll, to coincide with Hallowee'en The Silence of the Lambs was yesterday voted the nation's scariest book of all time.

Thomas Harris' chilling tale about cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter beat classics Dracula and The Shining to the top spot.

The novel became an instant bestseller following its publication in 1988, and has sold millions of copies worldwide. Its Oscar-winning 1991 film adaptation, starring Anthony Hopkins, is still widely ranked among the best films ever made.

Dracula by Bram StokerIn second place is gothic horror story Dracula by Bram Stoker. The novel, published in 1897, tells the story of the vampire Count Dracula in his remote castle in Transylvania. It has been adapted for the big screen numerous times, the most recent - and successful - being 'Bram Stoker's Dracula’ in 1992. A sequel aimed at teenagers, Bloodline by Kate Cary, will be published in October 2010.

The Shining by Stephen King ranks third, followed by American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis in fourth.

The poll of 2,000 adults was conducted by leading book review site Lovereading.co.uk ahead of Hallowe'en.

Peter Crawshaw, from Lovereading.co.uk, said: ''The Silence of the Lambs has been a horror book staple for more than 20 years. ''It has everything a good horror book needs - a spine-tingling plot, packed with twists and turns, bloodthirsty characters, and vulnerable heroine.

''This survey shows that a good horror stands the test of time, and that Harris has cemented his place in literary history.''

In fifth place was The Collector by John Fowles, a terrifying tale about maniac Frederick Clegg. It was published in 1963 and made into a movie two years later.

Books of Blood by Clive Barker comes in sixth. I am Legend by Richard Matheson also makes the top ten.

TOP 10 SCARIEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME:

  1. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
  2. Dracula by Bram Stoker
  3. The Shining by Stephen King
  4. American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis
  5. The Collector by John Fowles
  6. Books of Blood by Clive Barker
  7. I am Legend by Richard Matheson
  8. Salem's Lot by Stephen King
  9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  10. The Exorcist by William Peter Blattey