I hear you. I'm definitely a Grinch when it comes to Halloween. At least there's candy. When my kids were younger, they were really good at choosing and asking for extra peanut butter cups for me!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lori!

My 16 and 12 year old's are the only ones still at home. Last year they had no interest in dressing up. This year, they're into it again! I have to be glad that they're still acting like kids, right? They grow up too fast these days.

I've read all of Morton's books because I just love her so! Crouch is a newer discovery for me, so I've only read a handful of his.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tammy!

It's a good one! Creepy but not terrifying—at least for me.

Thanks for popping in, Cheri!

You're welcome! I enjoy all these authors when I'm in the mood for something a little spooky, but not TOO spooky :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!

It's a good one, isn't it? It scared me just the right amount :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Suzanne!

The Shades of London is a really good series. My only complaint is that there was supposed to be a fourth book to tie everything up and it never materialized. I'm still a little bitter about that!

Thanks for stopping in, Missy!

Thanks! I'm glad you found some books to pique your interest. Hopefully, they won't be TOO scary for you :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!

Lucky you! Last year, none of my kids wanted to trick-or-treat and no one wanted to hand out candy, so we stuck a bowl of candy on the porch, turned out all the lights, and stayed in watching movies together as a family. Best Halloween ever!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Wendy!

I'll take Reese's anything! My kids aren't as big a fan of them as I am, so it works out beautifully :)

DARK MATTER is excellent, isn't it? I liked RECURSION and the Wayward Pines series a lot as well, but DARK MATTER is still my favorite Crouch book.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Greg!

You're absolutely right—it is sci fi. It does have a haunting, otherworldly quality to it, though. I was going to list the Wayward Pines series as my favorite for this list because it goes more with the theme, but I can't tell a lie, DARK MATTER really is my favorite Crouch book :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Alicia!

It's such a good book! Mind-boggling, but an awesome read.

Thanks for stopping by, Anita!

We really are meant to be friends, aren't we? LOL. I've just never been fond of costumes for any reason. I don't like calling attention to myself, so I think that's a big part of it...

Morton is definitely gothic. Her books really aren't scary, but they are haunting. I'm a big fan.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marianne!

We definitely are meant for each other, LOL.

I don't mind the public part but I never liked dressing up.

I know you like Kate Morton, you told me once. I did like the one I read by her, will have to get more.

Did I tell you that THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER is actually my least favorite of Morton's books? It's the only one of hers I didn't love. I'd definitely recommend reading her older books.

Chase has only written a few books, but I've enjoyed them all. She has a new one coming out in 2022, so I'm excited for that.

Thanks for popping in, Louise!

I'm sorry to hear that! I mean, I don't like Halloween, but there's no real reason for it. I just don't.

The Shades of London is a fun series. It's about ghosts and ghost-hunting, but it's not really scary that I remember. It has been a long time since I read the series, though.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

How fun! I know people who keep their tree up all year and decorate it for all the different holidays. I don't have the energy for that, but I love that some people do :)

Thanks for popping in, Cheryl!

I was ONLY in it for the candy! If sweets weren't involved, no one would have been able to persuade my very, very shy self to dress up and go door-to-door. It just would NOT have happened.

Like you, I had to make peace with it for the kids. I do decorate a little bit (cute decorations, not scary), I always went trick-or-treating with the kids, and we do either hand out candy or set a bowl out on our porch, so I'm not a TOTAL Halloween Grinch :)

Oh, and thanks for coming by, Kami!

If you don't like thrillers, then you won't like Sager. He writes thrillers with a creepy bent, which doesn't sound like your thing.

The Jackaby series sounds like one I'd like. I should try it out.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lissa!

Scary-ish, for sure :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Danielle!

Same. I've enjoyed all of Sager's books. They never fail to draw me in and keep me racing through the pages. I love that in a thriller!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

What do the Brits do for Halloween? I have strong British roots—maybe my dislike for the American version of the holiday is in the genetics...

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Alex!

I don't think the Brits used to do much for Halloween. It started to become popular when we lived there (from 1994 onwards). Did you know that the pumpkin carving and celebrating All Hallow's Eve comes from Ireland. They used to carve turnips and when they couldn't find them in the new world, they used what they found there.

I've enjoyed all the books I've read by Crouch. I think I'm up to six now.

FINAL GIRLS is actually the only Sager book I haven't read. I've heard mixed reviews, so I'm holding off for now.

Thanks for stopping in, Alyssa!

I thought my kids were done with trick-or-treating, but my 12-year-old wants to go this year and my 16-year-old wants to "hang out with friends" on Halloween, which may include trick-or-treating. Who knows? It's definitely better when your kids are older and can go on their own or with friends. At least I don't have to be involved, ha ha.

THE SUN DOWN MOTEL is a great, spooky read. I'm glad we both loved it!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

I really enjoyed the Shades of London series. I'm also enjoying Johnson's Truly Devious series, although I'm behind in it.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

Oh, good. I hope you love it!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Pam!

I do like seeing kids in cute costumes and it's always fun to see how creative some people get with theirs. I'm a fan of candy as well (chocolate anyway).

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

I'm glad you loved FORGOTTEN GARDEN. All of Morton's books are kind of the same in vibe and theme, so if you enjoyed that one, you'll probably like her others. I certainly hope so!

Thanks for popping in, Lex!

It's the perfect time of year to give her books a go :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tanya!

Kate Morton is perfect if you want something atmospheric and Gothic-y, but not scary. Eve Chase is the same way, although I've found her books to be eerier.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

Right? Between figuring out costumes, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, etc. it's enough to wear a parent out! Good luck to you :)

Thanks for popping in, Aj!

I enjoyed the first book in the series, but it's been so long since I read it that I'm going to have to go back and re-read the first one so I can continue on with the series. My memory is terrible. I really need to wait until a series is all finished then just binge-read the whole thing so I don't forget what's going on between books! LOL.

Thanks for stopping by, Morgan!

I like that! I would say I do Halloween on my own terms, too. I don't dress up, but I do decorate a little bit (with cute decorations, not scary), hand out candy (or at least leave a bowl on my doorstep), and read haunting stories (nothing TOO creepy).

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

For sure. The older the get, the more squeamish I get, so I'll do without the guts and gore, thank you very much!

Thanks for popping in, Jessica!