It’s almost Halloween, which means it’s time to get all cosy and chill out with a good book.
At this time of year, as the nights get colder, it’s fun to read books and cuddle up, and there are loads of spooky stories out there to suit all tastes.
I’ve been feeling nostalgic this year and decided to reread some classic crime fiction, which made me start thinking about the best horror stories and thrillers. They make you feel warm and happy, at a time when it’s dark outside and you’ve already got the candles out.
Whether you love crime fiction or classics, here are 10 scary stories to give you inspiration.
10.The Turn Of The Screw: Henry James created an amazing ghost story about a governess and her young charges, who are plagued by a ghost. It’s a fascinating story that’s ambiguous- is the governess mad or is there really a supernatural presence? It’s a classic ghost story that builds suspense to a breathtaking conclusion.
9.Seance On A Wet Afternoon: Mark McShane’s thriller is the creepily tantalising tale of an aspiring psychic who wants the notoriety needed to become successful in her profession. To achieve it, she and her husband concoct a plot to kidnap a young girl and then help the police ‘find’ her. What starts as a harmless marketing plan for a desperate psychic goes wrong, and McShane crafts a tense narrative that’s gripping and gut wrenching.
8.The Halloween Party: The Queen Of Crime is good at more than just detective stories: she also crafts a great spooky story. Set during a Halloween party, the novel was the basis for Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting In Venice but far better executed than the film. It’s atmospheric and the crime is terrifying, as if you’re looking for classic crime fiction this Halloween, it’s the perfect pick.
7.The Thirteenth Tale: A modern book written in the gothic style, Diane Setterfield’s book feels much older than it is. Set in a fading family estate, the story is told from the perspective of an elderly writer, who’s reached out to a fellow scribbler who is facing her own demons. She wants her final story told, and to do that she has to reveal a dark secret that’s been kept hidden for decades.
6.Frankenstein: Another classic, Mary Shelley’s novella about a Doctor who breaks the laws of nature and creates a monster that brings chaos and destruction to his life is both scary and philosophically intruding. It raises theological questions about humanity and religion, as well as being frighteningly chilling.
5.Northanger Abbey: Bridgerton fans and anyone who love romance novels can enjoy a combination of gothic horror parody and a fun love story in the form of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. This overlooked Austen novel is set in a gothic castle and includes an evil father, searches for hidden passages and more.
4.The Tell-Tale Heart: Edgar Allan Poe’s classic gothic horror tale is a short but thrilling read that’s easy to digest, making it great for those who don’t have much time for relaxation or want to read a few books this Halloween. You’ll also be noticing pulsating noises for weeks- trust me on that!
3.Mexican Gothic: Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s horror novel tells the tale of a young woman who is sent to High Place, the ancestral home of her cousin’s new English husband. Her cousin is convinced that she’s being poisoned by her new groom, and when Noemí arrives she is promptly told her cousin has consumption. She’s not able to spend much time with her or leave this creepy estate, where she’s surrounded by the Doyles, the creepy family that her cousin has just married into. The tension builds into a grilling finale that will stay with you for years.
2.You Like It Darker: The new Stephen King short story collection is the perfect treat for spooky season. It includes a sequel to Cujo and some truly terrifying short stories that will frighten and inspire you.
1.Dracula: Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire novel is the perfect choice for a Halloween read this spooky season. It starts out as a cool travelog by John Harker, who is travelling to Transylvania to carry out some legal work for a mysterious count. What follows is a terrifying international chase to stop an ancient vampire from taking over the world. It’s thrilling, gripping and timeless.
