It’s that time of year when everything gets a little bit extra eerie and mysterious. The shadows feel a little longer and the haunts a little more, well, haunting. What better way to get into the spirit of the season that a few good Halloween reads? No matter what your level of scare-preference, there are plenty of options on this list to keep you cozy and maybe a little bit creepy, too.
Cozy Mysteries
Dead and Gondola (Christie Bookshop #1) by Ann Claire – When a mysterious bookshop visitor dies under murderous circumstances, the Christie sisters and their cat Agatha call on all they’ve learned about solving mysteries from their favorite novelist.
A Grave Roast (Orchard Hallow #1) by A. N. Sage – A Grave Roast is a paranormal cozy mystery complete with an unlucky witch, a ghost familiar, and a feisty raccoon with a talent for getting into sticky situations.
In The Shadow Garden by Liz Parker – Three generations of witches must discover where their magic went wrong as secrets resurface that could solve a twenty-year-old mystery, perfect for fans of Practical Magic and Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe.
Thrillers
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole – Rear Window meets Get Out in this gripping thriller in which the gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning. (TW: social injustice specifically towards BIPOC communities, racism, mistreatment by police)
In The Dark by Loreth Anne White – Eight guests invited to a secluded luxury spa in the wilderness. Each one has a secret. Each one has something to hide. And now, as darkness closes in, they all have something to fear—including one another. (TW: death, death of a child, infidelity, some gory deaths)
Under The Surface by Diana Urban – An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost. (TW: claustrophobia, dark spaces, being followed, some blood & gore)
Horror
Holly Horror (Holly Horror #1) by Michelle Jabès Corpora – Evie learns her new home carries a dark past after learning about Holly Hobbie, who mysteriously vanished in her bedroom one night. Can Evie find out what happened the night of Holly’s disappearance? Or is history doomed to repeat itself in the Horror House? (TW: creepy dolls, creepy house, creepy kids, some gore (but not intense))
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix – Abby and Gretchen have been BFFs since 5th grade. After starting high school, Gretchen begins to act very different. Slowly Abby realizes the worst: her bestie is possessed. She embarks on a quest to save her, but is the power of friendship enough? (TW: possession, demons, body horror, bullying, verbal/emotional abuse)
Sign Here by Claudia Lux – A darkly humorous, surprisingly poignant, and utterly gripping debut novel about a guy who works in Hell (literally) and is on the cusp of a big promotion if only he can get one more member of the wealthy Harrison family to sell their soul. (TW: abuse, death, some body horror, doomsday cult)
No matter what mood you’re in, there’s sure to be a book to suit your taste! What are you favorite Halloween reads?
Contributed by Kim
Kim, aka Peachy, loves all things retro. She can often be found watching classic films, or mashing buttons on her favorite retro gaming console. She’d petition for it to be Christmas and Halloween year-round, and definitely considers cake an acceptable breakfast food.
