This is our favourite time of year, and as the days get colder and the leaves start to fall, there is no better time to get lost in a great book. Of course, with Halloween not far off, it’s an excellent time to indulge in some fantastic horror stories!
It’s no secret that this genre is one of our favourites here at Otranto House, so we thought we would share a few spooky season book recommendations with you to enjoy this month.
My Best Friend's Exorcism - Grady Hendrix
This is a book that many people will already know, but if you are a horror fan and haven’t read it yet, we can’t recommend it enough! Hendrix perfectly weaves together horror with emotion and always knows when to drop in the perfect bit of comic relief. Although any of his books could (and deserve to) be on this list, we have chosen My Best Friend’s Exorcism for its Satanic Panic themes and 80s nostalgia. Still, more importantly, it’s a beautiful depiction of female friendship. The book has many eerie moments (and one scene in particular made us feel rather squeamish!), so it’s perfect for reading on a dark night in October.
2.   Salem’s Lot – Stephen King
Countless Stephen King books would be suitable for a scary read this time of year, but we have chosen Salem’s Lot. We love this vampiric tale, everything from the small-town setting, to the creepy abandoned house with its haunting presence, and the connection between the characters. Salem’s Lot was King’s second novel published in 1975, and it’s his twist on the classic gothic novel Dracula. A film adaptation is due to be released by Max this October, but we highly recommend reading the book first (of course!)
3.   The Shadow Man – David Budd
Set at the turn of the millennium, The Shadow Man follows Stephen Loxley as he befriends a group of travellers who have settled in his hometown. He is drawn to the free-spirited and alluring Faith as he sees her dancing in a local club one night, where he also meets her friends and brother Thomas. Soon, Stephen will learn how in tune the twins are with the power of nature, and what is behind the veil of our mortal plane. This gift can also be a curse, however, and they must fight to save Thomas from the influence of the Shadow Man. It’s a good read at this time of year as we see the change of the seasons and the darkness starts to take hold. If you feel nostalgic for the late 90s and early 00s, this will also scratch that itch!
4.   Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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This is a truly captivating gothic tale, and we think this kind of story is perfect to read during the Halloween season. It’s mysterious and eerie, with its isolated setting at a grand house in the Mexican mountains. The Guardian said, ‘It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontes in Latin America,’ and we love that description! Follow Noemi as she goes to investigate what has become of her beloved cousin, and discover the sinister goings-on of the Doyle family she married into. Everything from the setting, the headstrong female lead, and the other well-developed and intriguing (and sometimes downright terrifying) characters was mesmerising! Mexican Gothic is gripping from start to finish and is certainly one to read by candlelight as you get cosy under a blanket.
5.   Five Dead Blondes – Lydia Grace and Elizabeth Kennedy
Set in the Lake District, Five Dead Blondes is one for those who are fans of teen thrillers and murder mysteries. It follows Cash Stone and Daisy Moore, two students from the same school as they navigate the challenges of their personal lives. Cash struggles at home with his loving but unstable mother and Daisy is haunted by a harrowing ordeal from the summer before. Their lives are made all the more frightening when it becomes clear there is a serial killer on the prowl, killing young blondes in the local area. After meeting at a house party, the two strike up a friendship despite being from different social circles, and soon they band together to try and unmask the killer.
There are many more books we could recommend for you to enjoy this October, but we think these are all great places to start!
Do you have any recommendations for us? Let us know in the comments section...
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