It's natural to be suspicious about novelizations. What could be so different about them that makes them worth the read? The Wicker Man is a great answer to that: overall, the story feels more fleshed out and detailed. On the other hand, I found myself being irritated by Howie, the policeman who travels to a Scottish island to investigate a case of a missing girl. He's got a pile of religious hang-ups that results in endless patronising rants about the religious beliefs of the island. There is a girl missing and he's worried about the luscious lips of the innkeeper's daughter. Come on now. Get a grip.

That being said, The Wicker Man is fairly effective as horror, just more quiet than what you'd expect. A bit too quiet at times, but it does have a very present eerie mood. You just know the people have something to hide, and then it all culminates in one of the greatest endings of horror cinema. It's a bit different in the book and the movie, but they're both good in their own way. The former leaves a lingering mood and the latter has more desperation. Obviously, the drawback of the book is that you won't be able to hear the music or see Christopher Lee prancing around in a wig and a dress.