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Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Top Ten Tuesday: Halloween Reading for Wimps (Me)
3:36 PM
Here in the U.S., we're gearing up for Halloween, which kicks off our much-anticipated holiday season. Personally, I'm not a fan of Fright Night. Although I'm always happy to take a fun-size Reese's Peanut Butter Cup for the team, I've never been much for dressing up or braving haunted houses or even watching scary movies. Creepy books, though? I was a big Stephen King and John Saul fan as a teen and young adult. Old age has made a big wimp out of me, so these days, my Fall/Halloween reading is more about eerie, atmospheric books. I still dig a good Gothic chiller or a shivery ghost story, but I mostly prefer realistic mystery/thrillers with tense, heart-pounding plots and close, claustrophobic settings. When I saw that today's TTT topic is a Halloween Freebie, I started thinking about my favorite authors who capture the vibes I described above. I made a list of ten, but it felt so familiar that I checked and...yep, I crafted the exact same list for a Halloween freebie back in 2021! Some things never change. I almost just copied and pasted the old list since I'm lazy and I'm always looking for readalike recs based on my favorite authors, but I did come up with something else for this year. If you have a minute, though, check out my 2021 list. If you have any ideas for creepy(ish) books/authors I might like, I'd love to hear them. For now, here's my list of mysteries, thrillers, and a few supernatural spine-tinglers on my TBR that feel perfect for Halloween reading:
(As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.)
Top Ten Halloween-ish Reads on My TBR List
1. Gothictown by Emily Carpenter (available March 5, 2025)—Carpenter is one of the authors on my 2021 list. She's written a handful of books, all of which I've enjoyed. It's been a few years since she's published one, so I was excited to see that she has a new one coming out. It's about a woman living in a cramped apartment with her husband and daughter in post-pandemic New York City. Eager to embrace life again, she jumps at the chance to accept an unbelievable opportunity—for just $100, she and her family can buy a spacious home in a quaint Georgia town that's desperately trying to boost their economy. After one quick visit, the family makes the move. It's not long, though, before they realize something isn't quite right with their new town. There's a sinister presence that lurks under all the Southern hospitality, something that has them all in its clutches and doesn't want to let go...
2. The Haunting of Moscow House by Oleysa Salnikova Gilmore—When a group of Bolsheviks take over the Golitevas' ancestral Moscow home in 1921, the family is forced to move into the mansion's cramped attic. Sisters Irina and Lili find escape in volunteering with the American Relief Administration to help ease some of their comrades' desperate needs. In the middle of it all, the house starts whispering to the young women, hinting at its traumatic past. Then, one of the officials living in their house dies, leading them to wonder what exactly caused his demise. Was it natural causes or something...otherworldly?
3. The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro—When her brother leaves her cryptic clues to a double murder, nurse Gemma Tate is roped into investigating the deaths. She's not any keener on working with police inspector Sebastian Bell than he is with her, but it will take both of them to stop a dangerous killer.
4. The Act of Disappearing by Nathan Gower—Julia White is getting nowhere with her writing career, her romantic relationship is on the rocks, and she's losing the battle against the mountain of medical bills she needs to pay somehow. When a famous photographer makes her a tantalizing proposition to research a mysterious death, she's both curious enough and broke enough not to refuse. Soon, Julia is embroiled in a shocking mystery that she's determined to solve.
5. Under the Surface by Diana Urban—A party in the Paris catacombs goes horribly awry in this YA thriller/survival story. While a group of trapped teens tries desperate to escape their underground prison, their friend aboveground races to save them. Will the kids make it out of the catacombs alive? Or will their bones join all the others lying beneath the City of Light?
6. Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce—Mina is struggling to get her foot in the door in her new career as a child psychologist. A journalist in her grief counseling group makes her an offer she can't afford to refuse. He wants her to live in the home of a 13-year-old girl who claims she's being haunted by a witch and treat her on-site. Curious and confident, Mina takes the job. It's not long before she's wrapped up in the affairs of a strange town that's obsessed with superstition and witchcraft. The more she learns, the more terrified she grows. How can she help her distressed patient to feel safe when she can't even help herself?
7. Bitter House by Kiersten Modglin—When Bridget's parents died, she was taken in by her grandmother, Vera Bitter. The cold-hearted old woman did her duty, but kicked her granddaughter to the curb as soon as she graduated from high school, and never contacted her again. Bridget is stunned, then, when Vera dies and leaves her home to Bridget. Not surprisingly, the oppressive house is filled with secrets, mysteries, and danger. As Bridget starts to unravel them, she realizes that nothing at Bitter House is as it seems...
8. The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood—As a female solicitor in Victorian England, it's nearly impossible for Vaughan Springthorpe to be taken seriously. So, when she's hired sight unseen by a mysterious employer who offers her a suspiciously large amount of money to ready his Yorkshire estate for sale, she can't afford to say no. Not only does Vaughan find the village surrounding the estate strange, but odd things begin happening to her inside of the building. Is the old abbey haunted? Or is Vaughan going mad? What secrets does the crumbling pile keep?
9. The House by the Cemetery by Lisa Childs—As the daughter of the town undertaker, River Gold was constantly teased about being a ghoul. The town gossip hinted that she wasn't even a true Gold. When she fled at 17, River had no intention of ever returning to her insular hometown. Then, her father dies, her mother is accused of his murder, and she is unwittingly trapped once again in a hostile place overrun with secrets and lies. Can River clear her mother's name? Figure out who really killed her father? Find her way out again?
10. The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase—Twenty years ago, a recently widowed mother of two walked out the door of her home, blew a kiss to her children, and vanished without a trace. Two decades later, the home's new owner starts digging out the basement. What will they find and what will it tell them about what really happened to Dee Delancey all those years ago?
There you go, ten mystery/thriller novels that wimpy me wants to read sometime soon. Have you read any of them? What will you be reading during spooky season? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here.
Happy TTT!
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I'm not a big fan of Halloween, but I do like spooky type books. Your list looks great!
ReplyDeleteSame, as long as they're just spooky and not terrifying!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Yvonne!
I should know to already have Goodreads open when I visit your blog, especially around this time of year - I'm a wuss when it comes to scary books or movies, and I really appreciate all the great titles I had to add to my TBR. Thanks, and I hope you have a nice, relaxing Halloween and a great time reading these!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Sorry/not sorry! Seriously, though, I'm glad I've helped you find some tantalizing new reads. That's on of the things I like most about about being a part of our wonderful book blogosphere.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!
I haven't read any of them, but the ones with Victorian covers catch my attention.
ReplyDeleteI love an atmospheric Victorian book cover! They always catch my eye too.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Vero!
I'm honestly the complete opposite of you...I loved dressing up in a fun costume and going out to get candy, but I did not ever like the scary parts of the holiday! lol
ReplyDeleteYou're a lot more fun than I am! I'm a party pooper from waaayyyy back :) I used to be more into scary movies and books, but I've definitely gotten wimpier in my old age. I still like a spooky-ish story, but not one that's so terrifying it's going to give me nightmares. I value my sleep and my sanity too much for that!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!
I read the same things in spooky season I read all year! 😂 I’m susceptible to nightmares so I avoid all things spooky! ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I read the same types of books no matter the season. I'm not big on nightmares either, so I never read anything TOO spooky. At least I try not to - some books end up being scarier than they look!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carol!
The Act of Disappearing sounds very good. Have you read it? If not, move it up on the list. Tee-hee! thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't read any of these books yet. Hopefully soon. If you get to THE ACT OF DISAPPEARING before I do, let me know what you think. It sounds really good.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Anne!
while i am not one for scary reads, the haunting of moscow house and the midnight hour intrigue me!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT is here
I'm excited for both of them! I ended up buying a copy of THE MIDNIGHT HOUR even though it's super expensive because neither of my local libraries carried it. I have really liked Chase's other books, so hopefully this one is worth the $30. LOL
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lady in Read!
Fab list! Under the Surface looks good and I have the Eve chase on my TBR as I love her books.
ReplyDeleteSame! As I mentioned above, I bought a copy of THE MIDNIGHT HOUR because I couldn't find it at my local libraries and I REALLY want to read it sooner rather than later. It sounds so good. I hope we both enjoy it.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, NickiMags!
I'm a horror wimp too, but I *have* been looking to explore it more and some of these sound terrifying! I'll be adding a few to my maybe-TBR (if I'm feeling brave lol)
ReplyDeleteI used to be all about the gory, terrifying horror books, but I can't handle them at all anymore. I still like a spooky story as long as it's just shivery and not scary.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Louise!
I hope you like all of these books.
ReplyDeleteI still read a little horror now and again, but I was much more into it as a teenager just like you were.
Back in the day, horror (specifically Stephen King) was the only genre that was considered "cool" to read in public, so I developed a taste for it. The older I've gotten, though, the less I gravitate to it.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!
At least the books have a consistent hold on your imagination!
ReplyDeleteMy overactive imagination is exactly the problem! Even if a book isn't THAT scary, it my imagination makes it more so, and then I'm jumping at every sound. LOL
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Stephen!
That's a great list, Susan! I hope you enjoy reading them all. Have a happy and safe Halloween!
ReplyDeleteI did have a happy and safe Halloween. We went to our friend's annual block party and handed out lots of candy while chatting with friends. It was low-key and fun. Just the way I like it! I hope yours was enjoyable as well.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Stephanie!
Made me laugh to see you mention John Saul -- I haven't thought of his books in a long time, but they terrified me as a teen!! I like the look of so many of the books on your list -- eerie, but without outright horror. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteSame! I loved Stephen King and anything King-ish when I was a teenager. Those books gave me plenty of nightmares. I can't handle that now. I'm too old and wimpy for that nonsense, LOL.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!
Some of these look really intriguing! I haven't heard of Irina's book that cover looks cool and very atmospheric. :) Thanks so much for visiting my list yesterday.
ReplyDeleteRight? Those foggy, eerie Victorian covers always catch my eye.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rissi!
OOoh nice picks! Diana Urban's on my TBR as well! Along with 2 other titles of hers I think? Lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my TTT!
I read her LYING IN THE DEEP earlier this year and liked it well enough. UNDER THE SURFACE has a great premise, so I'm hoping it will be as good as it sounds.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jessica!
I'm too wimpy for any of those! I like the cover on Something in the Walls
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Maybe I'm not as wimpy as I think I am??
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!
These sound fun, though they might push the boundaries of my creepy-book-tolerance too far! (I'm a horror wimp, too.) I can handle MG horror, and that's about as far as I like to go. (Though I did enjoy Mexican Gothic, which might fit your "supernatural spine-tinglers" request...)
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT on a Wednesday! Somehow I scheduled my post in advance and then completely forgot yesterday was Tuesday!
Funny enough, I've been avoiding MEXICAN GOTHIC because it sounded too scary for me. Several people have recommended it to me lately, though, so I think I need to give it a try. Thanks for the rec!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!
The cover alone for Something in the Walls creeped me out!! haha. I am such a chicken though. :) Happy TTT! I hope you have a happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteRight? The cover and the title are creepy enough. I can't imagine what the story is like! Ha ha.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leslie!
I loved Midnight Hour-!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it! I'm excited to read it.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Anita!
Wow! You read some scary books as a kid. I used to watch slasher movies in my teens, but now, no thank you. Interesting how we both moved away from that stuff as we aged.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teen and a young adult, I definitely read scary stuff. My parents never really cared what I read, but I do remember bringing a stack of horror novels home from the library one time in high school, and getting a raised eyebrow from my dad! Ha ha.
DeleteThe older I get, the wimpier I get. It seems like it's not just me, though! Maybe it's a natural progression as we age.
Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!
Something in the Walls is on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very intriguing. I hope we both enjoy it!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Alicia!
Scary, spooky, creepy...these are not the types of books I like to read. So I don't know the books on your list. But a couple have amazing covers that draw me in. The Curse of Morton Abbey looks excellent. As does The Highgate Cemetery Murder. Both look really good!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Both of them seem more like mysteries than horror-ish stories. I have high hopes for both.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!
All of these look good especially Something in the Walls. I checked out your 2021 list and I've had The Invited and The sundown Motel on my wishlist for a while. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteThose are two of my favorite horror (well, horror lite) novels! I just reread THE SUN DOWN MOTEL and liked it as much the second time round. I hope you enjoy both of these when you read them.
DeleteThanks for popping in, bookworm!
Love the cover for Something in the Walls!
ReplyDeleteSimple, but spooky!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marg!
Haha, I am a wimp as well. I also was a huge Stephen King fan, but no more! I am going to check out your 2021 list and possibly leave a few suggestions :)
ReplyDeleteStephen King scared me to death and I LIKED it back then! These days, I just can't handle that level of darkness and scariness. A shivery ghost story is fine, just nothing too gory or freaky.
DeleteYou suggested Jamie Jo Wright. THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL was just okay for me, but that's the only one of hers I've read. I need to give her another try because everyone seems to love her books.
Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!
I too am also a wimp but I love Halloween and that's what I love about it, that it's so flexible and you can celebrate it any way you want. The vibes you described above sound perfect for me too and this is a great list, I have not heard of any of these but Gothictown especially sounds intriguing to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
-Veros @ Dark Shelf of Wonders
Good point. I can celebrate the cute/whimsical elements and let others enjoy the scary stuff!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Veros!
I have both the Highgate Cemetery Murder and The House by the Cemetery on my TBR list! And Gothictown looks intriguing. I think I want to read that one, too. Fun list, Susan!
ReplyDeleteI love that we have similar taste in books! I always find great recs on your blog :)
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!
Oh yes, Stephen King and John Saul were favorites of mine as well. I should have done a favorite scary authors. As I was going to do books, I got to where so many were going to be Stephen King! Great list!
ReplyDeleteWell, he is the King of Horror! His books scared me to death and I LOVED it back in the day. I'm just too wimpy for him now :)
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!
These look fun though! Morton abbey sounds good! Thanks for dropping by my post! @onereadingnurse
ReplyDeleteI agree. I'm excited for all of these, even if I probably won't get to most of them until around next Halloween. Ha ha.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Athena!
I haven't read any of these, I don't read a lot of horror or creepy books. The Highgate Cemetery Murder looks great though :) Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteMe neither, but I do look atmospheric books and THE HIGHGATE CEMETERY MURDER looks like it fits the bill!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marwah!
I am not a fan of Halloween and it got worse when I moved to my current subdivision. I live in a rather large subdivision and to top it off people in town as well as the cities around us bring their kids here. You could easily spend $300 on candy and not have enough (learned the hard way) and I'm just not going to do that.
ReplyDeleteThere's a few of these I could read and possibly not be scared. Maybe The Highgate Cemetery Murder .
I was astounded by how much Halloween candy cost this year! Yikes. I buy enough to fill up my trick-or-treat bowl and that's it. When I'm out, I'm out. I do generally run out of candy before I run out of trick-or-treaters, though. Oh well!
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!
These look good! Hope you enjoy them when you get round to it.
ReplyDeleteSame! It might be awhile before I actually read any of these, but hopefully not too long and hopefully, at least some of them will be winners.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicky!
For wimps? I don't think so! These look like just the right amount of scary! I'm going to have to check some of these out!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. I'm a lot wimpier about scary stuff now than I was in my younger days, but maybe I'm not as wimpy as I think I am. Ha ha.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Haze!
I'm also not big into scary books, so it's nice to know there are some out there for "wimps" like us :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! There's something out there for every scare level.
DeleteThanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jaime!
I'm definitely more of a wimp when it comes to Halloween reading too. I'm also more into eerie and atmospheric then downright scary. Under The Surface has caught my eye before, it does sound like something I could still like.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a wimp so I love this list! I haven't read any of them but I love the sound of pretty much all of them - especially The Midnight Hour and Something in the Walls - well and really all the rest!
ReplyDelete