Something wicked this way comes.
There’s nothing better than curling up with a spooky book as All Hallows’ Eve creeps up on us.
Whether you’re looking for a subtle scare or an all-out fright-fest, the Page Six editors have the best horror book recommendations for everyone this Halloween.
“After absolutely eating up ‘Hidden Pictures’ and being stunned by the twist I didn’t see coming, when I saw Rekulak was releasing a cat-centric horror book, as a self-proclaimed cat lady, I immediately added this to my October must-reads.” — Nicole Mazza, Deputy Photo Editor
“Surreal, strange and captivating, this horror novel is too underrated. It’s about adult children grappling with their supernatural father’s legacy, but it’s far less straightforward than that sounds. If you surrender to the story, it’s a wild ride full of vivid, sometimes horrifying imagery, and an immersive world.” — Lauren Sarner, TV Reporter
“You don’t have to be a vampire enthusiast to enjoy this captivating novel and its blood-sucking women. It’s set in three different centuries and in three different cities — a small town in 16th-century Spain, early 19th-century London and Boston in 2019 — each with a headstrong woman with a taste for blood. The vampire elements are grounded in rich period details and well-crafted characters.” — Hailey Eber, News Features Editor-at-Large
“My book club has selected this one for our October read and it seems like the perfect time of year to pick up. A witch — who traded her soul to survive a violent attack — must protect her wildlife sanctuary and a strange animal from the nearby town pastor and the devil. Excited to give this one a try this month!” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor
“‘Ghost Story’ is a masterpiece of horror fiction that chills straight to the bone. It follows four senior citizen pals as they gather in a sleepy New York town to share spooky tales — but find that in reality, they’re being haunted by a vengeful ghost who’s returned to remind them of their sinister past. Straub’s skill for setting a terrifyingly vivid scene will haunt your dreams for years to come.” — Audrey Rock, Reporter
“Grady Hendrix’s backlist is the gift that keeps on giving during spooky season. I especially recommend Horrorstör, Ikea-inspired nightmare fuel that will pair perfectly with a ‘Backrooms’ movie night.” — Riley Cardoza, Associate Editor
“‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ is a chilling book about a school shooting told from the perspective of the teenage killer’s mother as she attempts to come to terms with her murderous son.” — Nicki Gostin, Reporter
“This isn’t the ‘Dracula’ you grew up reading for school. ‘Bridgerton’ heartthrob Jonathan Bailey leads an all-star cast in a new Audible adaptation of Bram Stoker’s horror classic that is … well … we’re just going to say it: super horny. The new recording — also starring Ella Purnell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aimee Lou Wood — aims to give Mina (Purnell) a more active role in the story, turning her from the hunted to the hunter. That (plus Bailey’s bringing sexy back) is more than enough reason to dive into an updated classic.” — Carson Blackwelder, Associate Editor
“I’ve always been a sucker for a good haunted house story, and this one, about a group of teens whose lives are altered after entering this spooky abandoned mansion, is right at the top of my list, sounding a whole lot like a mix of ‘Final Destination’ and ‘Insidious.’” — Nicole Mazza, Deputy Photo Editor
“Last year, I read Harrison’s book ‘Play Nice’ and loved it, so I immediately picked up her new one last month and have been saving it for October. A campy horror novel about a wedding guest trapped in a murderous time loop? Sign me all the way up.” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor
“If you haven’t read ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ since high school, revisit Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s classic work of Gothic horror. This chilling, semi-autobiographical short story — an (unfortunately) timeless examination of marriage and the postpartum experience within the patriarchy — is a truly haunting read. — Riley Cardoza, Associate Editor
“‘Salem’s Lot’ is one of Stephen King’s best-known works, and for good reason. Ben Mears returns to his childhood hometown, Jerusalem’s Lot in Maine, hoping to come to terms with childhood nightmares about an abandoned mansion in the town — and perhaps gain some inspiration for his next novel.
“Instead, he finds himself in a living nightmare, fighting evil as the dead begin to rise. A unique and truly scary take on the modern vampire genre.” — Audrey Rock, Reporter
“‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ is a gothic delight and the subject matter concerning aging and appearance seems highly apt in these Botox-obsessed/fillers times.” — Nicki Gostin, Reporter
“With spooky season upon us, I wanted to fuel my TikTok addiction to Appalachian folklore and cryptids into my TBR list. That’s where ‘The Twisted Ones’ by T. Kingfisher (the pen name of author Ursula Vernon) enters the picture. After a quick search, the novel — which is about a woman who comes across some unsettling lore about strange creatures in the woods while cleaning out her late hoarder grandmother’s North Carolina mountain home — quickly rose to the top of my list, and I can’t wait to dive in.” — Carson Blackwelder, Associate Editor
“Sometimes I just crave a popcorn thriller, and McFadden is my go-to author for a bingeable, page-turning read. With the release of her first paranormal thriller on Oct. 6, ‘The Witch’ sounds like the perfect pick to kick off my spooky season.” — Nicole Mazza, Deputy Photo Editor
