Spooky

It’s hard to believe fall is here again. The time is perfect for hot apple cider, a warm slice of pie, Halloween candy and a great book. To get into the holiday spirit, here are some great books to get you in the spooky mood.

Severed, by Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft, and Attila Futaki

At the turn of the century, young Jack Garron runs away from home to find his father, a wayward minstrel. While riding the rails, he meets a charming traveling salesman whose smile hides a secret. Under the fake veneer, a mouth full of shape teeth hunger for human flesh. What will Jack do? Will anyone be able to save him? From comic book legend Scott Snyder, Eisner Award winning author of Batman and American Vampire, author Scott Tuft, and Hungarian artist Attila Futaki, of the Percy Jackson graphic novels, Severed is sure to keep you up at night.

The Haunted Season, by G. M. Malliet

If you’re in the mood for a spooky mystery, G. M. Malliet’s newest novel in the Max Tudor series, The Haunted Season, is the perfect fit. Max Tudor, a handsome cleric and former MI5 agent, lives and works in the sleepy English village of Nether Monkslip. When Lord and Lady Baaden-Boomethistle take up residence at Totleigh Hall, they hope to return their title and the manor to their former glory, bestowing good tidings on the village and its residents.  However, after a suspicious death on the grounds, it is up to Max Tudor to solve the mystery. From Agatha Award winning G. M. Malliet, this cozy mystery is great for readers who enjoy Louise Penny, Martha Grimes and Agatha Christie.

No One Gets Out Alive, by Adam Nevill

Seasoned English author Adam Nevill’s new horror story No One Gets Out Alive follows a young woman named Stephanie as she moves out on her own and rents a room in the Perry Bar neighborhood of Birmingham, England.  She doesn’t quite understand why the room she rented is called “The Cell,” the ceilings are high, the room is spacious, and the windows are large. However, the longer she stays in “the Cell,” the more bizarre her experience becomes. She begins to hear noises in the night, and objects in her room will move without warning. With a mischievous landlord and little financial resources, it is up to Stephanie to discover who haunts her room and how to rid herself of the terror.

A Head Full of Ghosts, by Paul Tremblay

Fans of Mark Danielewski’s House of Leaves, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, and Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist are sure to enjoy the latest novel from acclaimed author Paul Tremblay, A Head Full of Ghosts. On the outside, the Barretts seem like every other family in their New England community. However, when 14-year old Marjorie begins to act strangely, the family quickly believes it is demonic possession. Because of their financial situation, Marjorie’s parents agree to host a reality show documenting the everyday struggles and hunt for a cure to Marjorie’s possession. But is the possession real, or just the overactive imagination of a teenaged girl? Told from the perspective of a reporter recounting the events from Marjorie’s younger sister Merry, the narrative is unique and engaging.

Ghostly: A collection of ghost stories, edited by Audrey Niffenegger

There is no better way to get into the ghostly spirit than reading some great short stories. In Ghostly: A collection of ghost stories, Audrey Niffenegger, of The Time Traveler’s Wife fame, brings together contemporary and classical ghost stories. From Edgar Allen Poe to Neil Gaiman, Edith Wharton to Ray Bradburry, Ghostly is sure to have a story just for you. What is unique about this anthology is its historical retrospective, selecting stories from the beginning of the horror genre in the eighteenth century, to modern, techno-horror. The inclusion of original artwork by Niffenegger and an original story titled A Secret Life With Cats makes this a charming read.

American Ghost: A family’s haunted past in the Desert Southwest, by Hannah Nordhaus

In this personal search to uncover the truth behind a family legend, noted journalist Hannah Nordhaus investigates the alleged hauntings at La Posada, a grand hotel in Santa Fe. In the 1970s, odd, paranormal events started happening; fireplaces would turn on and off by themselves, vases would move on their own and in one room in particular, the bed would be ripped of its sheets, mysterious lights would appear, and the room would change temperatures without notice. The ghost allegedly haunting La Posada is Nordhaus’ great-great-grandmother, Julia Schuster Staab, who appears as a translucent figure in a black gown and dark eyes. Join the author in the spine-chilling book about family history, ghost hunters and lore. Available in print and as a CD Book.

--Tracy Boehm, Technical Services Librarian