Thomas Ligotti isn't nearly as well known as Stephen King, Peter Straub or Clive Barker. But his stories create more shivers than do the writings of either of those more famous horror scribes.

That's why I was thrilled to find The Nightmare Factory, a graphic-novel adaptation of four of Ligotti's creepiest stories. The novel, published by Fox Atomic Comics, doesn't disappoint. This is a comic you won't want to read by yourself late at night during a thunder storm.

The four stories, adapted by writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, and drawn by artists Colleen Doran, Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever and Micheal Gaydos, are each effective. Perhaps the creepiest, though, is Dr. Locrian's Asylum. In this story, a crumbling asylum is finally destroyed. Unfortunately for the folks living near it, this action unleashes a far worse horror.

Think clowns are scary? Of course you do. Then check out the first story in the collection, The Last Feast of Harlequin. In this tale, what appears to be a harmless winter festival -- feature many, many clowns -- turns out to be anything but a fun time.

As with most horror, giving away too much ruins the chills. My advice, if you're a fan of horror fiction, pick up The Nightmare Factory. If you like what you read -- and I'm certain you will -- then check out more of Ligotti's work. It won't disappoint.