The following titles are perfect for this spooky time of year. It’s up to you whether or not you read or listen to them. I’ve got a little of everything below from creeptastic horror to suspenseful thrillers. Be warned.. ..leave the lights on!
While The Lottery and Lamb to the Slaughter by Shirley Jackson are my earliest experiences with horror before moving onto Dean Koontz, Stephen King and Peter Straub (curiosity of the books under my mother’s bed), I decided to focus on more recent favorites and avoided ones I have previously mentioned like Justin Cronin’s Passage trilogy or Mira Grant.
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants–the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it’s located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming–until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . .
Vermont, 2014. As much as she’s tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister’s death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can’t shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.
When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past–and a voice that won’t be silenced. . . .
The Broken Girls was a surprise with some really fantastic creep-factor. Told both the present and the past you won’t soon forget Idlewild Hall.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling novel of supernatural suspense from master of horror Joe Hill, the New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box and Horns.
Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.
Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”
Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.
The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
It’s all fun and games until someone ends up undead. Though Layla reluctantly returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she could never have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla’s help if they are to survive the zombie apocalypse that’s upon them. But that is not the only problem. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek to reclaim power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.
If your idea of horror involves zombies, you are in for a treat. The Harvesting offers a suspenseful, bloody and terrifying tale. The series is stellar with twists into fantasy but this author is brilliant.
The Outsiders by Stephen King
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.
An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.
While this wasn’t super scary, the Outsider does offer plenty of shivers as a man is accused of a heinous murder. His DNA is all over the crime scene, even though he was out of town. I listened to this earlier this year and loved the old King feel this novel had. Will Patton narrated and does a phenomenal job.
The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
If your home was the last safe place on earth, would you let a stranger in?
In this captivating thriller, an Amish settlement is the last safe haven in a world plagued by an unspeakable horror… Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers are free to experience non-Amish culture before officially joining the church. But before Rumspringa arrives, Katie’s safe world starts to crumble. It begins with a fiery helicopter crash in the cornfields, followed by rumors of massive unrest and the disappearance of huge numbers of people all over the world.
Something is out there…and it is making a killing. Unsure why they haven’t yet been attacked, the Amish Elders make a decree: No one goes outside their community, and no one is allowed in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man lying just outside the boundary of their land, she can’t leave him to die. She refuses to submit to the Elder’s rule and secretly brings the stranger into her community—but what else is she bringing in with him?
A terrifying novel set within an Amish settlement, The Hallowed Ones delivered from fear-factor to characters survival. I will warn you that this is only the first book in a duology, so you might want to grab The Outside as well.
Other Books to Consider
Do you read or listen to spooky novels? What is one of your favorites?
Caffeinated Recommends Spooky Books/Listens to read by Flashlight. #horror #ghosts #suspense Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
blodeuedd
I have read Hill! Now why do I never remember this when I have made a post, lol
Kimberly
Right. I do the same.
Stefanie
Just seeing this post made me smile as it brought back the memory of me reading to my fifth graders from a book called “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” every year for the month of October.
Kimberly
Awe, those are the god kind of memories!
Darlene
I haven’t read any of those yet, but they’re all on my list! My absolutely favourite spooky reads are The Shining and The Exorcist, both fantastic on audio.
I also really enjoyed The Troop.
Kimberly
Cool. I enjoyed all three of those myself.
Debbie Haupt
cue scary music 🙂 I have heard so much about Joe Hill I’m tempted to try him the other except for Mr. King are new to me. Thanks Kim
Kimberly
NOS4A2 is by far my favorite Hill book Debbie.
Ethan
I love a good horror book. I just finished reading The Outsider and have enjoyed several others from the list! Now I’ve got a few more added to my reading list for this season 🙂
Kimberly
I loved it on audio. I will pop over and check out your thoughts
sherry fundin
I’ve read The Harvesting and loved it. The others…well, I trust your judgment. 🙂
Kimberly
Thanks. Yes The Harvesting rocked
Melanie Simmons
I really need to read more horror. I loved NOS4A2 (thanks to reviews from you and Felicia). I just read Carrie after reading Mr. Mercedes (which was a great story, but not the horror I was looking for, felt more thriller to me). I’ll have to pick one of these soon. Thanks for the recommendations.
Kimberly
Mr. Mercedes gets creepier as it goes but yes heavy thriller.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I bought the audiobook of NOS4A2 last year so I do want to work that one into my schedule very soon. The Outsider is another one on my tbr list.
Kimberly
I listened to NOS4A2 one year for the #HoHoHoRAT. It has both a winter and holiday element! Listen to the Outside Carole. It was one of his best.
Kristina
Ouuuh thank you for the recs !!
the first one was already on my tbr, but mainly the only one i’ve seen out and about that I remember
Kimberly
Glad to see you have one and hopefully I’ve piqued your curiosity with the others.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
Great list! The Broken Girls is one I’ve been wanting to read for a while now, and The Hallowed Ones really caught my eye as well.
Kimberly
Both were excellent!
Stormi Johnson
I have only read one of those! The Outsider was my favorite SK book in a long time! It made me want to start reading his books again. 🙂
Kimberly
Yes, I was so impressed by The Outsider!
Sophia Rose
Horror has generally been a bit past my comfort zone so I haven’t read any, but books that were marked horror, but really weren’t. I’ve read a few gothics and classics that might fall in the category but don’t have the creep factor of the heavier hitters. Still, I’ve always been curious about Joe Hill and Broken Girls looks good.
Kimberly
Joe Hill’s book borders on Fantasy, but has horror elements. Broken Girls is more mystery with a paranormal element and oe I think you’d enjoy.
Mary Kirkland
I love a spooky read or movie.
Kimberly
Me too Mary!
Anne
These do look spooky and it is just not my thing. But I can appreciate all books. So it’s great you are giving this information. Anne – Books of My Heart
Kimberly
That is ok. I cannot watch horror movies like Texas Chain Saw, etc but love true horror novels
Mary Reiss
I love this list and have 2 of the books listed. I will have to check out the 3. The Harvesting looks awesome…Yes, I have to get back into my horror books. I feel like I have been reading to much YA lately. Great post Kim!
Mary
Kimberly
Yay glad you have some and yes Harvesting rocked.
Melliane
Oh I only read the Bickle one there
Kimberly
I hope you get a chance to try more!
Kimberly
I can read horror no problem and I like some movies..but the Saw, Chainsaw type ones..nope. No way.
kindlemom1
Yay! I’ve read most of these except The Harvesting and The Outsiders! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a KIng novel. I loved him in school but after becoming a mom for some reason I just couldn’t stomach his work anymore.
Maybe I should give him a try again?
ShootingStarsMag
I do love a good spooky read, and I have The Broken Girls and Nos4A2 on my list of books to hopefully read soon. Oh, and The Outsider sounds really good too.
-Lauren
Kimberly
Both were exceptionally good. I listened to NOS4A2 on audio for #HoHoHoRAT one year.
Ailyn Koay
they all sound pretty spooky to me! I think Joe Hill book is good (read him long time ago I think he’s scary too)
Kimberly
I love listening to Joe Hill’s books.
Silvia
Ok, I’m definitely adding some titles to my list but, I must say, The Hallowed Ones is the one that intrigues me the most. Spooky time! Thanks, Kimberly 😀
Kimberly
The Hallowed Ones is a good place to start 🙂