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Halloween is such the perfect time for a great mystery or spooky book. If you are like me you love seasonal reading but you don’t like scary. I have put together a list of books that I feel fit that description.
Many of these books are great on audio (which helps you get in the spooky season mood). Here are the best not so scary Halloween books.
Best Not So Scary Books for Halloween
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn into a chilling mystery set on the foggy moors in one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous tales.
A country physician arrives at 221B Baker Street with a disturbing account: the Baskerville family is said to be cursed by a monstrous hound that stalks the moors near their ancestral estate. The legend warns that any Baskerville who dares to wander there risks a terrifying fate.
Though the story seems unbelievable, the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville—discovered near paw prints from an enormous dog—suggests otherwise. Holmes and his loyal companion, Dr. Watson, take on the case, determined to uncover the truth. Yet they soon realize that behind the eerie legend lies a mystery far more complicated than it first appears.
The Witch at Blackbird Pondy by Elizabeth George Speare
Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler faces suspicion and judgment as soon as she lands in colonial Connecticut in 1687. Having left her cherished home in Barbados, she arrives alone to live with relatives she’s never met.
Caught between wanting to fit in and staying true to herself, Kit finds life in this strict Puritan world difficult and lonely—until she befriends Hannah Tupper, a woman the townspeople shun and call a witch. Their friendship soon tests Kit’s courage and convictions, forcing her to choose between following her heart and obeying the rigid expectations of her new community.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre is a powerful and captivating novel that has inspired readers for generations with its story of a woman’s fight for independence and self-respect. Orphaned and mistreated by her aunt, Jane endures the hardships of a grim charity school but emerges strong and self-reliant. As a governess at Thornfield Hall, she falls in love with her witty and mysterious employer, Mr. Rochester. Yet when his dark secret is revealed, Jane must decide whether to stay with him despite the cost or follow her conscience, even if it means losing the man she loves.
This Penguin Classics edition includes a new introduction by Brontë expert and novelist Stevie Davies, along with detailed notes, a timeline, suggested readings, and an appendix.
Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories Vol 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Since first appearing in Beeton’s Christmas Annual in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has captured readers’ imaginations like few other literary figures. Now, Bantam brings together the complete works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s master detective—fifty-six short stories and four full-length novels—across two paperback volumes.
Volume I begins with A Study in Scarlet, the debut novel that introduced Holmes and his soon-to-be inseparable companion, Dr. John Watson. In this tale, a puzzling murder and the mysterious word Rache scrawled in blood set the stage for their first case together. The collection continues with The Sign of Four, which unveils Holmes’s infamous “seven percent solution” and leads the detective into the perplexing mystery surrounding Mary Morstan and a treasure tied to betrayal and greed.
The Essential Edgar Allan Poe Collection: His Best-Loved Tales and His Complete Poems by Edgar Allan Poe
Step into the dark genius of Edgar Allan Poe with this complete collection of his writings. The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe gathers together all of his unforgettable stories and poems, offering a masterclass in gothic imagination. Within these pages, you’ll encounter the chilling, the mysterious, and the uncanny—tales and verses that have fascinated and unsettled readers for generations.
I have the list below and if you want a library checklist to take to the library with you, sign up in the box below to sign up for my email list and the list will come straight to your inbox.
Weyward by Emilia Hart
In 2019, Kate escapes an abusive relationship in London and hides away in the run-down Weyward Cottage left to her by a great-aunt she hardly knew. Surrounded by tangled ivy and wild gardens, the cottage feels like a refuge—but Kate senses it also holds long-buried secrets dating back to the witch trials of the 1600s.
In 1619, Altha awaits trial for the death of a farmer trampled by his cows. Taught by her mother to understand the natural world rather than cast spells, Altha’s wisdom is mistaken for witchcraft. As the accusations mount, she must rely on her knowledge and courage to fight for her life.
In 1942, during World War II, Violet feels imprisoned in her decaying family estate. Denied the education given to her brother and haunted by rumors that her late mother was insane, Violet clings to the few clues left behind—a locket engraved with a W and the word weyward carved into her floorboards.
Spanning five centuries, Weyward by Emilia Hart intertwines the lives of these three remarkable women in a powerful story of strength, survival, and the enduring spirit of womanhood.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
What could be a better read than Frankenstein for Halloween?
The concept of a reanimated corpse was imagined by 18-year-old Mary Shelley while vacationing near Lake Geneva, Switzerland, with her future husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the poet Lord Byron. During their stay, the group challenged one another to write ghost stories—a contest that inspired one of the most enduring novels of the 19th century. Published anonymously in three volumes, Frankenstein quickly became a landmark of literary horror and is often credited as the first true work of science fiction. In 1831, under public pressure, Shelley revised the novel to better suit contemporary tastes. This edition from Reader’s Library Classics presents the original 1818 version.
In the story, young scientist Victor Frankenstein, devastated by his mother’s death, begins experimenting with creating life from the lifeless. His ambition leads him to build an eight-foot-tall humanoid creature—but he soon learns that bringing something to life is far easier than controlling what follows.
1984 by George Orwell
First published seventy-five years ago, 1984 remains George Orwell’s stark and unsettling vision of a future where truth itself can be manipulated. Though the year has long since passed, Orwell’s warning about authoritarian control and the rewriting of reality feels more relevant today than ever.
This 75th Anniversary Edition features:
• A brand-new introduction by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, acclaimed author of Take My Hand and winner of the 2023 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Fiction
• A new afterword by Sandra Newman, author of Julia: A Retelling of George Orwell’s 1984
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë tells a dark and passionate tale of the fierce, almost supernatural bond between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan taken in by Catherine’s father. After Mr. Earnshaw dies, Catherine’s brother Hindley mistreats Heathcliff, driving him away when he believes Catherine doesn’t love him back. Years later, Heathcliff returns, rich and refined, determined to take revenge on those who wronged him. The story is filled with turmoil and violence, yet Brontë’s skillful storytelling, haunting portrayal of the desolate moors, and powerful emotional depth make this novel an enduring masterpiece of English literature.
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Two and a half years after a devastating tragedy shatters her life, Nastya Kashnikov moves to a new town, determined to bury her past and keep everyone at arm’s length. But her resolve begins to crumble when she crosses paths with Josh Bennett—the only person who seems as alone as she is.
Everyone already knows Josh’s story: one by one, he’s lost everyone he’s ever loved. By seventeen, he’s learned that people tend to stay away from the boy whose name has become linked with death. Everyone, that is, except Nastya—who keeps showing up until she becomes an unshakable part of his life. As their connection deepens, Josh begins to question whether he truly wants to uncover the darkness she hides—or let it stay buried.
The Sea of Tranquility is a powerful, emotionally charged novel about two broken souls, the pain that binds them, and the extraordinary beauty of second chances.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal–winning novel introduces us to Jonas, a twelve-year-old boy growing up in a community that appears to be perfect. Everything is carefully controlled—birthmothers bring newchildren into the world, who are then placed with assigned family units; careers and spouses are chosen for citizens; rules are followed without question. Life runs smoothly, and everyone is the same.
But when Jonas is chosen for his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory, he begins to uncover the hidden truths behind this carefully constructed society—and realizes that perfection comes at a very dark price.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This special 10th anniversary edition of The Graveyard Book features a foreword by Margaret Atwood, along with exclusive extras—original sketches, handwritten drafts, and Neil Gaiman’s Newbery Medal acceptance speech.
“It takes a graveyard to raise a child.”
Nobody Owens—called Bod—is an ordinary boy in extraordinary circumstances. He lives in a graveyard, raised by kindly ghosts and protected by a mysterious guardian who belongs to neither the living nor the dead. Within the graveyard walls, Bod discovers adventure and danger: the haunting Indigo Man, a passageway into the city of ghouls, and the sinister Sleer. But beyond the safety of the cemetery lies his greatest threat—the man Jack, the killer who murdered Bod’s family and still hunts him to this day.
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
An unforgettable novel about the power of words to nourish hope, even in humanity’s darkest hours.
When Death is your narrator, every story demands to be heard.
The year is 1939, and Nazi Germany is on the brink of chaos. Death has never been so busy—and yet still finds time to tell the tale of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living near Munich. Struggling to survive, Liesel turns to stealing the only treasure she cannot resist: books. With guidance from her gentle, accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and discovers the magic of sharing stories—offering comfort during air raids and bringing light to a Jewish man hiding in her family’s basement.
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
This was not for me, it has too many triggers for me but many love it!
For sixty years, reclusive novelist Vida Winter—best known for her collection of twelve spellbinding tales—has spun countless fabricated versions of her own life. Now elderly and gravely ill, she is at last prepared to confess the truth about her extraordinary past, a past filled with secrets long concealed.
She summons Margaret Lea, a young biographer burdened by her own private sorrows, to hear her real story. What Margaret uncovers is a haunting narrative of gothic mystery—of the captivating Isabelle, the wild and inseparable twins Adeline and Emmeline, a governess, a ghost, a maze of topiary, and a catastrophic fire.
As Vida reveals her hidden history, both women are forced to face the specters that have shadowed them for years—and each finds herself changed forever by the telling of the tale.
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
I love a good Kate Morton book! I really feel any of her books would be great this time of year.
This spellbinding romantic thriller echoes the great traditions of gothic literature, weaving together mystery, suspense, and the lingering ache of lost love.
It begins with a letter—misplaced for fifty years and unexpectedly delivered to Edie’s mother one quiet Sunday afternoon. The discovery draws Edie to Milderhurst Castle, home of the eccentric Blythe sisters and the place where her mother once stayed during World War II. The elder sisters, twins, have devoted their lives to caring for their younger sibling, Juniper, whose mind was forever altered after her fiancé abandoned her in 1941.
Within the crumbling castle walls, Edie searches for the truth about her mother’s past but soon realizes the Blythes are guarding secrets of their own. The mystery of what truly happened in the distant hours has been waiting, buried in silence, for someone to uncover it at last.
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
My husband and I listened to this one while working a puzzle a couple of fall seasons ago! It definitely has a spooky vibe!
Something dark has lingered at the roadside Sun Down Motel for decades—and Carly Kirk is about to uncover the truth in this chilling novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Girls.
Fell, New York, 1982. Hoping to save money before moving to the city, Viv Delaney takes a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel. But soon she realizes the place is far from ordinary. The motel is steeped in strange happenings and unsettling secrets—something ghostly, something terrifying—that refuses to stay hidden.
A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Simone St. James
I really enjoyed this one and it has a movie now!
In the town of Fairview, everyone knows the story.
Andie Bell, the beautiful and popular high school senior, was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh—who then took his own life. The case was closed, the verdict accepted, and for years it’s been the shadow hanging over the town.
Five years later, Pip, now a senior herself, can’t let it rest. She remembers Sal as kind, not the monster people believe him to be. Determined to find the truth, she chooses the case as the focus of her final project—at first just to question the official story. But as she digs deeper, Pip uncovers hidden secrets that suggest Sal may have been innocent after all.
The deeper she searches, the more dangerous it becomes. Someone in Fairview is determined to keep the past buried—and Pip may not make it out alive.
Magpie Murders & Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz
I’m a huge Anthony Horowitz fan and I love the Susan Ryeland series. It has such an interesting twist on how the story is told and Magpie Murders (first in the series) had me from the first page!
When editor Susan Ryeland receives the manuscript of Alan Conway’s newest novel, she expects nothing out of the ordinary. After all, she’s spent years polishing the work of the bestselling crime writer and knows his famous detective, Atticus Pünd, inside and out. Conway’s formula—murders in quiet English villages, solved with sharp wit and deduction—has long paid homage to the golden age of mystery writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. It’s also been lucrative enough that Susan has tolerated Conway’s difficult personality to keep her position.
Brilliantly constructed and wickedly suspenseful, Magpie Murders is both a love letter to vintage crime fiction and a cunning twist on the genre—inviting the reader to play detective in more ways than one.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Fall and Halloween time are the perfect time to read Harry Potter. I know some who read at least one of the books every year. If you have not read or listened to this series you are in for a treat! I’m always jealous of anyone who gets to read it for the first time.
Left as an infant on a doorstep, Harry Potter grows up unaware that he is “the Boy Who Lived”—a legend in the wizarding world. Everything changes when, years later, a mysterious letter arrives, inviting him to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Suddenly, Harry is swept into a world of spells, secrets, and extraordinary adventures.
Alongside his brave friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, Harry discovers the strength of friendship and the enduring power of truth, love, and hope.
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
This one is fun for the whole family! It is great on audio with sound effects and everything!
Beneath the ordinary world lies another—filled with magic, monsters, ancient gods, and long-buried secrets. Stephanie was destined for it, created to step into its dangers. But survival is another matter entirely.
Her one chance rests with Skulduggery Pleasant: a sharp-witted, skeletal detective whose brilliance is matched only by the darkness of his past—and the shadows waiting in Stephanie’s future.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My favorite Agatha Christie book of all time! Everyone needs to read And Then There Were None at least once in their lifetime. Perfect for the Halloween season.
Ten strangers, each carrying secrets they’d rather forget, are summoned to a remote mansion on Indian Island. Their mysterious host never arrives, leaving them alone—trapped with nothing but one another and the weight of their hidden sins.
As accusations rise and their darkest pasts are laid bare, the guests begin to die one by one. Fear tightens its grip with every passing hour.
Who among them is the murderer? And will anyone live to uncover the truth?
Hallowe’en Party A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
If you love Halloween and Agatha Christie
At a Halloween party, thirteen-year-old Joyce brashly claims she once saw a murder. The guests dismiss her as attention-seeking, and she storms away in anger. But before the night is over, Joyce is discovered dead—her body drowned in a tub meant for apple-bobbing.
Enter Hercule Poirot. Called to unravel the case, the famed detective must sift through tricks, secrets, and whispers of the occult to expose the true darkness behind this chilling crime.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This was not a book for me! However, my husband loved it and it was so different and so unique I had to add it to the list. Many people love it! The narrator was perfect for this one, he fit the story like a glove.
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a dazzling, genre-bending mystery where time itself is the ultimate twist.
Aiden Bishop is trapped in a nightmarish loop: Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered every single day unless he can uncover her killer and shatter the cycle. Each morning, he awakens in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor—some allies, some enemies, all with secrets of their own.
With echoes of Agatha Christie and a puzzle-box structure unlike anything else, Stuart Turton delivers a gripping, high-speed tale of murder, deception, and relentless suspense.
Dublin Murder Series by Tana French
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Rebecca is the perfect Halloween book! We did this for our Bookclub last season. It has a spooky vibe for sure! Rebecca is a classic and everyone needs to read it at least once.
Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is a haunting gothic classic about love, obsession, and the shadows of the past.
A shy, unnamed young woman marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and arrives at his magnificent estate, Manderley. There, she finds herself constantly compared to Maxim’s late wife, Rebecca—beautiful, accomplished, and seemingly unforgettable. Rebecca’s presence lingers everywhere, reinforced by the chilling devotion of the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers.
As the new Mrs. de Winter unravels the truth behind Rebecca’s life and death, she discovers a web of jealousy, deception, and dark secrets. What begins as a fairy-tale romance spirals into a tense and unforgettable story that builds to a shocking, dramatic finale.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Another spooky house vibe that takes place in my home state of Kentucky.
“I dream sometimes of a house I’ve never seen…”
Opal has worn many labels—an orphan, a high school dropout, a cynic, a cashier—but her most important role is caring for her younger brother, Jasper. She’ll do whatever it takes to carve out a better future for him, far away from Eden, Kentucky—a town known only for its streak of misfortune and for E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author of The Underland, who vanished more than a century ago.
What remains of Starling’s legacy is little more than unsettling rumors—and her estate, a strange, foreboding mansion now inhabited by her solitary heir, Arthur. Everyone in Eden knows to steer clear of the house. Well, almost everyone.
Not Scary Halloween Books
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