Spooky Reads

Even though spooky season is now over, I've still been enjoying plenty of spooky reads from a variety of genres. From properly creepy Victorian gothic horrors to cosy romance. Here are my spooky picks to take you from Halloween all the way through to Christmas - traditionally a time for reading ghost stories!

Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie Genre: Mystery Publication Date: 1969 There's a reason Christie is still the queen of mystery novels and this is a typically fun mystery novel with a spooky halloween twist. The beloved detective Hercule Poirot is joined by sidekick Ariadne Oliver for the eponymous hallowe'en party - but where Poirot goes, murder is sure to follow and this tale is no exception. But with the victim only a child, there is more than one mystery waiting to be unravelled...

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Genre: Paranormal Rom-Com Publication Date: 2021

A light and fun romantic romp, that will really get you into the spirit of the autumnal season. With the changing of the leaves, a cosy town, dark academia vibes, exes to lovers romance, witches, and even a talking cat, what's not to love? The perfect choice for when the weather is too frightful to go outdoors and you want to curl up and drift off to another place.

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James Genre: Gothic Horror Publication Date: 1898

Though this piece of fantastic gothic fiction may not seem an obvious Christmas selection, I would argue for it being included on any festive reading list. The framing story sees a group gather for Christmas Eve, and as tradition dictates, a spooky tale is narrated aloud to the assembled group. Perhaps not for the faint of heart, this tale of a governess who may or may not be tormented by haunting visions is a gothic classic for the ages.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Genre: Classic Literature Publication Date: 1843 Dickens, after all, is the man who invented Christmas. So this spooky festive treat is sure to get anyone in the spirit. We all know the story, but it doesn't mean it isn't worth revisiting. The miser Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future. Will he learn the error of his ways before it is too late? We all know the answer, but I still come back year after year for this classic tale!

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry Genre: Gothic Publication Date: 2016

A strange and disquieting read I won't pretend that it didn't take me a little while to get into one, but I’d argue it is a modern classic of the gothic genre. The whole novel is permeated by such a strange unease that stays with you long after reading. Set in the Victoria era, this unusual novel sees its protagonist the peculiar and ahead of her time Cora Seaborne, freed from an abusive and controlling marriage by widowhood. Enamoured by the idea of a still living mythical beast, she sets off to find the titular Essex serpent.