Peter Straub, celebrated horror author, dies aged 79

Acclaimed US author of numerous dark fantasies, and collaborator of Stephen King, died on Sunday after a long illness

Peter Straub, the celebrated author of dark fantasies, psychological thrillers and literary horrors, died on Sunday following a long illness. He was 79.

Straub authored numerous novels, short stories and novellas during his lifetime, from his debut horror novel Julia in 1975 - later filmed as The Haunting of Julia - to the 2010 novel A Dark Matter and The Talisman, which he co-wrote with Stephen King.