I am not easily frightened by books. I will read a horror story any time without difficulty. So when I started listening to audio books I did not change my habits in any way. Typically, this has not been a problem. I can recall two cases where I found an audio book genuinely creepy and in both cases it's more about production than content.
The Diviners by Libba Bray
The Diviners is a wonderfully atmospheric, dark story. It deals with ancient evils and struggles for power. Even just read traditionally it's a spooky story. But the audio-book is downright unsettling. There are tones, discordance, sound effects that had me uneasy. Since the tone of the narrative is already unsettling the careful use of background sound can make for a nervous listen, especially if you're awake in the wee hours in a dark house like I was. This is one best heard in the bright light of day.
Unlike Bray's book, this audio has rather sparse production. It's just Annalee Scott reading in a rather even tone. It is almost entirely calm. Until the whispers. I mostly listen to audio-books when I run so I'm typically wearing earbuds. Having that raspy whisper "You found me" hissing in my ear was creepily intimate. The first time it happened I was a bit unsettled. The second time the sun was setting and I was in shadow and it had me flinching at every movement. I had to turn the book off and finish my run in silence. That is production used to remarkable effect, for something so simple to have such a strong impact.
So remember, if you want a truly frightening audio experience it takes more than just a scary story. It needs to use the audio medium to it's best effect.
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