Spooky Season Reads for Every Craving

Halloween is only a week away, and after finishing Due at Midnight, I am still well and truly stuck in full-spooky-season mode. Honestly, the gloomy weather and the rain pelting against my office window made the decision for me—it was time to sit down and write a proper seasonal reading post. I've done this in the pas with classic books like Dracula and Frankenstein. They remain excellent choices, but if you want to discover new favorites and give indie authors a chance, please take a look at the list bellow.

I asked the book community on Threads for their favorite Halloweeny reads and they delivered in spades. Honestly, I got so many comments on that post that I could barely keep up. Unfortunately, I can't list here way over a hundred books. However, you can peruse the comments here and grow your TBR list.

A quick note on what you won't find here: I’ve intentionally skipped pure horror and slasher reads. Summon Fantasy has always been about the magic of the paranormal and the supernatural, not blood, gore, or jump scares. We’re here for the atmosphere, the folklore, the magic, and the mystery.

So grab a hot mug of coffee or tea, wrap yourself in a blanket, and let's dive into the list!

The Halloween Reading List

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

A quintessential psychological ghost story that will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s lurking in the shadows of a quiet estate.

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

Think The Night Circus meets a haunted house gauntlet, packed with deadly trials, sinister bargains, and high-stakes supernatural romance.

The Schatten by Ashley Greathouse

A chilling, shadow-person mystery that taps straight into childhood fears and dark family secrets buried in the walls of an old home.

Wyrd Water by Jack Callaghan

Expect ancient rune magic, eerie Lake District folklore, and the feeling that something in the water has been waiting for you.

A Letter to Claudia by Barbara Avon

A retro, Twilight Zone-style haunting where a magical typewriter rewrites reality at a devastating emotional cost.

Folklore: The Beginning by Shanna C. Robillard

A author's worst nightmare brought to life when fictional monsters break free from the page and start hunting in the real world.

The Name of Vampire by Antony J. Stanton

Expect atmospheric dread in a historical dark fantasy where knowing a demon's true name is the only shield against a terrifying medieval vampire threat.

Revenant by Jamie Jackson

Psychic sleuths, a foreboding house of mirrors, and a mysterious gothic lord make this a delicious, enigmatic slow-burn.

Blood Slaves by Marckus Redmond

A bold, dark alternate history that reimagines vampire origins through ancient African lore and a powerful quest for liberation.

Bloodgrove by Elisabeth G. Mark

A gorgeously grotesque, dark gothic fantasy about forbidden magic, deadly political schemes, and decadent intrigue.

That’s my lineup for this spooky season! Whether you're craving sinister folklore, gothic manor mysteries, or a dark game of survival, I hope you found something to add to your stack.