Stephenie Meyer has taken a drubbing from the horror community for her portrayal of sparkling, angst-ridden vampires. I've seen a few of the Twilight movies and can't say I care much for their portrayal of vampires. Likewise for Anne Rice's less-than-frightening vamps. That being said, if you're looking for good, old-fashioned bloodsuckers, here are some books that won't steer you wrong.
1. Salem's Lot, Stephen King. I tried reading King's vampire opus when I was eleven-years-old, and it frightened me so badly I had to put it down. I eventually read it years later and it's one of his best.
2. They Thirst, Robert McCammon. Vampires run amok in Los Angeles, and mayhem ensues. They Thirst, along with Swan Song, are two of McCammon's finest horror novels.
3. Carrion Comfort, Dan Simmons. Simmons' creations are mind-vampires, but that doesn't make them any less creepy. An epic, sprawling book that you can get happily lost in.
4. The Keep, F. Paul Wilson. Nazis, a creepy old castle, and an shadowy, murderous force that lurks within the walls. What else could you ask for?
Also worth checking out is William Meikle's Watchers: The Coming of the King. Meikle blends 18th Century England with wicked vamps. Highly entertaining. I'm reading this one now and can't wait to get into more of Meikle's works.
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