Some could argue this entire year has been the longest spooky season yet.

But if you’re looking to cozy up to a good thriller, consider checking out some of these titles from your local library or independent book store!

Home Before Dark By Riley Sager 

 

This is a recent Book of the Month offering and the newest novel from thriller author Riley Sager. Twenty five years after Maggie Holt’s family moved out of Branderberry Hall, she finds herself back at the home that changed her life forever. She must learn to make sense of the ghostly encounters. Its haunted history blurred memories from her childhood as the result of her father’s best selling novel The House of Horrors.  

 

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 

 

A horror story about four strangers who experience the unexplainable in hopes of documenting proof of its ghostly phenomena. Dr. Montague is the lead researcher, looking for evidence of a haunting alongside Theordora, Luke is the future heir of Hill House. Eleanor, a fragile girl, experiences poltergeists who seem to influence her experience during her stay at Hill House.  The book is slightly different than the hit Netflix series of the same name, but certainly worth the read if you like a supernatural thriller!

 

If It Bleeds by Stephen King

 

A collection of four thriller novellas; Mr. Harrison’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, If It Bleeds, and Rat. Mr. Harrison’s Phone is a short story about a dead teenage boy who can communicate beyond the grave. He has this ability because he was buried with this phone. The Life of Chuck is about a story told in reverse, as Chuck Krantz recollects the joy and happiness while on his deathbed. If it Bleeds, is about a detective agency on the hunt for a missing dog. The lead detective, Holly Gibney witnesses a school bombing and suddenly nothing is as it seems. Finally, Rat, is about an offer given by a rat to rid the main character’s wretched writer’s block. But, it is in exchange for the death of one of his loved ones. (Although, any of King’s books would make for a spine-chilling read.)

Some notable Halloween mentions: Carrie, The Shining, and others.

 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia

 

After receiving an alarming letter in the mail from her cousin who is newly married, Noemi heads to her cousin’s aide. There, she discovers haunting secrets that make their way into her dreams. This causes her to question everything she thought she knew about her life and family. While this book is a slow burn at first, it beautifully weaves Mexican culture and subtle gothic horror elements.

 

 

 

 

Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James.

 

In 1982, Viv Delaney, originally from Chicago, makes an overnight pit stop in Fell, New York at the Sun Down Motel. She decides to take a job as a night clerk to save money for her eventual move. Viv finds herself fascinated with the mysterious death of several women on property and decides to stick around. Fast forward to 2017, following the death of her mother, Carly finds herself obsessed with piecing together the story of her Aunt Viv. Viv was presumed dead over twenty years ago after she went missing while working at the motel. Upon arriving to Fell, New York, Carly finds herself mimicking parts of her aunt’s former life. She even takes the same job as night clerk. She works towards solving the case of what happened to her beloved aunt all these years later.

 

Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

 

Set in the south during the 90s, Patricia Campbell finds peace in her local book club. Her husband works all the time, she has to care for her elderly mother in law, and always finds herself stressing to complete her daily to do list. One night, after her book club, she is violently attacked by a woman and meets her nephew, James Harris. While she finds herself intrigued by James, she also worries he may be more dangerous then he lets on; especially after several children from the other side of town go missing, and then presumed dead by local authorities. A tale of neighborly kindness gone wrong makes Patricia question everything.

 

 

If you are interested in reading a thriller like one of these listed, it is important in these uncertain times to support your local library and local independent book stores!

Many of these titles have been released for the 2020 autumn reading season! If you are a reader who prefers digital and audio books, be sure to connect your library card to the Libby app for a digital reading experience. Let me know what you think about these books in the comments below!  What your go-to books are this Halloween?

Did you also read a thriller or two?

Photo by Alex Geerts on Unsplash