We are the midst of the Fraterfest Readathon here at Caffeinated Reviewer so it’s the perfect time to talk about spooky & creeptastic reads that are perfect for the fall season. Grab a flashlight, a tall pumpkin spice mocha, and settle in….
I love the fear of the unknown, that sense of evil lurking just around the corner. NOS4a2 by Joe Hill is one of my favorites. I listened to it during the HoHoHo Readathon. Hey, it’s Christmassy!?It’s now a TV series, but I recommend listening to Kate Mulgrew as she delivers the tale of Charles Talent Manx and his Victoria McQueen.
Hell House by Richard Matheson is a classic. An old evil house, a team of investigators. Come spend the night at Belasco House. Bwahaha!
Ah spooky spectrals, moving objects and angry entities. Nothing calls forth the witching hour quite like spirits. While The Shining by Stephen King immediately comes to mind, perhaps one of the scariest I’ve read was Ghost Story by Peter Straub.
Last year, I read a new to me author who dazzled and terrified me with a tale set in an abandoned school called, The Broken Girls by Simone St. James. She has a new book coming in 2020 called, The Sun Down Motel which looks equally atmospheric and I have an advanced copy calling my name.
I love a good thriller regardless of the terror level. It’s that sense that you know something is off and you’re just for things to go terribly, terribly wrong.
In the case of Ruth Ware’s latest novel, Turn of the Key, you listen or grip your novel the entire time because the suspense is killer. I listened and thought it had an atmospheric vibe that was creeptastic with a storyline that holds you captive from the onset. Her best novel to date.
Other thrillers you might enjoy: The Wife Between Us by Greer Henricks, a page turner thriller with twists that you won’t see coming. The Au Pair by Emma Rous was another tale with twists that sucks you in and has you holding your breath. It’s more suspense and mystery for those wanting a tamer ride.
Do you like a dark twisted romance mixed in, try You by Caroline Kepnes. You’re gonna love Joe. Verity by Colleen Hoover is another twisted tale to try. Yes, that Colleen Hoover. Trust me, you’ll thank me.
For those wanted high fear factor try Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box. Leave the lights on though.
For the YA fan, who doesn’t mind a zombie or two try This is Not A Test by Courtney Summer. Trust me the zombies aren’t the scariest thing. The Hallowed Ones by Lauren Bickle is also creeptastic. It’s part of a dulogy and held me captive.
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
Carla
There are definitely some spooky reads on this list. I have actually read some of them, so they would be atmospheric reads for me.
Melanie Simmons
NOS4A2 is still one of my favorites. I relistened to it before I started watching the show. I loved it is just as much as the first time. The show isn’t as good as the book, but it is okay. I”m enjoying it and can’t wait for season two. I need to try some of the others you mentioned.
Jennifer
I have YOU on my TBL from the library. I plan on listening to it next, once I’m done with my current audiobook.
Lover of Romance
Great look at some thrillers and things that are really perfect for a stormy night this time of year.
Stormi Johnson
Some cool recommendations and I haven’t read most of them! 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh The Au Pair was a good one and I really want to try the one from Ruth Ware! The Broken Girls is also calling my name but I”m a bit too chicken to try the rest!
sjhigbee
I’m awed at your courage… I wish I could read books like these, but they just give me horrible, horrible nightmares!
Suzie Olsen
I don’t know when I’ll fit these all in, but I love all the recommendations!
Lorna
I’ve actually read or listened to several of these. Broken Girls was really creepy, Ghost Story was too although I read it a really long time ago. I loved the Hallowed Ones. So good. Verity was exceptional. And The Shining. Stephen King. Can’t beat him for creepy! Salem’s Lot scared me a lot too. Oh, and Karina Halle’s Experiment in Terror scared me so bad at times. So good. Glad you found so many to enjoy.
Jenea's Book Obsession
These are some great spooky recommendations. Loved The Turn of the Key and The Broken Girls. I love me some spooky and eerie reads but the one thing I dont do is dolls. At all. I don’t like to read about them. *shivers*
sherry fundin
spookalicious!!!!!!!!
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
Thanks for the recommendations Kim! I haven’t read any of these books, but I like that I can comeback and browse this list when I’m looking for a particular creepy Halloween read!
Debbie Haupt
OH man i’ll be sleeping with the lights on again LOL 🙂
kindlemom1
Anything by Simone St. James is amazing and you are going to love her newest, so good! I love this time of year and all it’s spookiness!
Nadene
Verity is twisted. Hoping to read You for the readathon.
Sophia Rose
Oh yeah, those are properly creepy and spooky ones. I’ve only managed Ruth Ware from your list. I did get introduced to Laura Purcell’s historical horrors, the Silent Companions and The Poison Thread which both raised my hair.
Ailyn Koay
it’s that time of the year already? this year seems like a great amount of good selections !
Silvia
I was waiting for someone to share some spooky titles!! Thanks, Kimberly, and I hope the advanced copy calling your name lives up to the great atmospheric vibes it gives!