steinbecks ghost

guy gavriel kaye and robert holdstock are both modern fantasy and might fit the bill,also a little older but 'creed' by james herbert a personal favourite

lol think i've discovered my new super power you never know my other half might've turned into kaley cuoco by morning,fingers crossed ;-)

tell it like it is by aaron neville is as soulful as they come,too close to heaven by the waterboys an epic sad/soulful song and johnny cash's version of hurt they don't come sadder than that imo

one of my favourite authors too although for me american gods is his best novel by a mile would love to see it made into a game of thrones style short series

seen guy gavriel kay mentioned on this thread have to say his fionavar tapestry trilogy blew me away had never heard of him before reading that,also bit surprised no-ones mentioned robert holdstock,particularly the mythago wood series a great take on the more adult side of fantasy

have you read mystery by peter straub? he's not usually a thriller/mystery writer more horror but this one is a cracker one of my favourites in fact