Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen - I loved the 1845 setting and who is more creepy than Edgar Allan Poe? I loved this adult read.
The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle - This one had some great fantasy elements and was just spooky enough for me.
Blythewood by Carol Goodman - This historical fantasy series has it all: great atmosphere, an eerie setting, magic, and romance.
The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters - There's a great historical setting, many visions of darkness, hypnotism and fantastic atmosphere in this page-turner.
Made for You by Melissa Marr - This YA novel has a Southern Gothic vibe and includes an edge-of-your-seat mystery involving a killer.
The Diviners by Libba Bray - I almost didn't add this novel to my list, because this novel did scare the bejesus out of me, but it's so well written. If you like your novels a bit scarier than I do, you'll enjoy this historical fiction/fantasy novel that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready - This is my kind of ghost story. It's one of my favorites and I enjoyed the entire series.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - This one is a creepy paranormal novel that kept me glued to the pages. It's very haunting and very creepy.
Picture the Dead by Adele Griffin - Here's another ghost story that is right up my alley; plus, it's set during the Civil War time period. I loved the scrapbook portion with illustrations as well!
Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester - This novel is a fun who-done-it middle grade mystery with a great historical NYC setting.
What are some of your favorite not-so-spooky novels? Share with me in the comments below.
I will have to keep Mrs. Poe in mind for next fall's book discussion selections. This month we are reading This House is Haunted by John Boyne which is a gothic historical with a spooky vibe. A young woman becomes a governess at a creepy mansion after her father dies. So far it has the right spooky atmosphere :)
ReplyDeleteI was surprised you included The Diviners because I couldn't read that one at night! Especially after watching the creepy and haunting book trailer. I've read a number of the other books on your list and they are perfect Halloween reads without being too spooky. I think Beautiful Creatures might fit the bill too.
I think you would like Mrs. Poe, Christina. It was one of my favorite reads a few years ago. I will have to check out The House is Haunted.....sounds fun!
DeleteI know....The Diviners really spooked me at times, but not as much as say Stephen King or adult novels from the horror genre, so I decided to include it. Great idea including Beautiful Creatures---that one would work as well! Thanks for visiting!
Oooooh, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer looks GOOD, Christina! Yikes!! :) Thanks for sharing these; it is definitely that time of year!!
ReplyDeleteThe Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is really, really good.....yes, perfect for this time of the year. Thanks for visiting, Tara!
DeleteI LOVE scary stories. I prefer atmospheric scary over gory scary! Have you read The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield? It is one of my faves - a great, atmospheric Halloween read in the Gothic tradition. I think you wold really like it! I'm currently reading Daughters Unto Devils - but I think this one might get a little gory!
ReplyDeleteI will have to check that one out! Thanks for the recommendation, Leanna! Haha....even the title of the one you are currently reading sounds a bit too scary. haha. I will check out Thirteenth Tale though. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteGreat list! I actually love a good creeper--the scarier the better. I did love The Diviners and have been meaning to read the rest of the Mara Dyer series for ages. I enjoyed the first book and then just never followed up with the rest.
ReplyDeleteIf you love creepy reads, definitely check out The Diviners. I could only read it during the day! Thanks for visiting, Natalie!
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