Great article. I'd also like to add Susan Hill, whose The Woman in Black is a work of genius, and also Diane Setterfield, for The Thirteenth Tale. Oh, and Shirley Jackson for The Haunting of Hill House. And how about Sarah Waters for The Little Stranger or Laura Purcell for The Corset and The Silent Companions?

As you can see, I'm rather preoccupied with gothic mystery, supernatural horror, ghost stories, etc. Hardly surprising considering my own novels.

Oh - Don't forget Enid Blyton, who gave me endless joy as a child (particularly Five Go To Smuggler's Top). :)