For Readers: Blog

Reading for a dark and stormy night

Ready for unsettling vibes and eerie atmospheres? There’s no telling if Halloween will feel like a beautiful summer day or will surprise us with snow, but no matter the weather you can rely on your reading list to set the right mood.

Stuart Neville’s Blood Like Mine is a chilling horror-thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Rebecca has been on the move constantly for years, driving across the country with her daughter and trying to stay under the radar. Meanwhile, an FBI agent is finally closing in on a serial killer who has been leaving a trail of mutilated bodies. The two plotlines soon converge, taking readers on a cinematic and intense ride. [e-book | print]
House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias is a gritty and lyrical blend of thriller, horror, and coming-of-age story. Bimbo and his best friends are on a quest to avenge his mother’s murder, going after one of Puerto Rico’s most dangerous drug lords. Their violent and foolhardy mission is further complicated when the hurricane hits, bringing destruction and an unsettling supernatural presence. The tense atmosphere, stunning writing, and fast pace result in a memorable page-turner. [e-book | print]

Stuart Turton’s The Last Murder at the End of the World is a thought-provoking mystery that immerses readers in its post-apocalyptic setting. A deadly fog has taken out most of the world, but a small island remains as a refuge to those who follow the strict rules. When an elder is murdered, the island’s security system fails, and the islanders have 107 hours to solve the murder before the fog consumes their home. [e-book | print | large type]

Horror meets Southern charm in Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan. The Evans women run the only funeral parlor in their small Texan town, but their experience also extends to stopping the undead. When their town is plagued by violent attacks, the youngest Evans gets clued into her legacy. Told through multiple points of view, four generations of Evans women try to protect the town while battling their own family secrets in this gruesome yet amusing read. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Love the atmosphere of gothic fiction? This Cursed House by Del Sandeen is a suspenseful debut that hits all the marks. Hoping to outrun her complicated past and some literal ghosts, Jemma leaves 1960s Chicago to work for the mysterious Duchon family in New Orleans. As Jemma grows uneasy in their house, she finds out why she was really summoned: to break the Duchon family curse. This is a creepy and captivating story of family, race, and identity. [e-book | print]

Known for her haunting and evocative works of literary horror, Mariana Enríquez is back with the short story collection A Sunny Place for Shady People. These unsettling stories revolve around the lives and hardships of women in Buenos Aires. Through body horror and creepy supernatural encounters, these stories raise questions about loss, pain, and the line between good and evil. [e-book | print]

⏤Laura