Get ready to dive into a world of spine-tingling suspense and eerie enchantment as we unveil our handpicked selection of the Best New Books for Halloween 2023. As the nights grow longer and the air takes on a chill, there’s no better time to curl up with a captivating tale that will send shivers down your spine and transport you to realms of the supernatural and the macabre. Whether you’re a devoted fan of the horror genre or simply seeking a thrilling read to complement the Halloween season, these bewitching books promise to mesmerize and haunt your imagination. From ghostly mysteries to blood-curdling thrillers, our list guarantees a literary feast that will keep you turning pages long after the witching hour has passed. So, grab your favorite cozy blanket, light a candle, and prepare to be enchanted by the Best New Books for Halloween 2023.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Alix E. Harrow, the brilliant mind behind The Ten Thousand Doors of January, returns with a spellbinding masterpiece, Starling House. Chosen as Reese Witherspoon’s October 2023 book club selection, this novel embodies everything you crave in a fall read. Prepare to embark on a haunting journey through an enigmatic Kentucky town, where a cursed mansion conceals dark secrets. The story revolves around an orphaned girl and her brother, destined for a life of quiet insignificance. Yet, they stumble upon a mystery that refuses to be left behind, pulling them into a literary-based enigma that is as bewitching as it is chilling.
Get it now: Amazon
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall
Picture Practical Magic meeting the enchanting warmth of Gilmore Girls, and you have the delightful concoction that is The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic. Set against the backdrop of a quaint, autumnal world, this cozy, witchy tale is the perfect companion for your teatime reading as the leaves fall outside. Meet Sadie, a young woman cursed to endure four heartbreaks in exchange for her extraordinary magical abilities. With her beloved grandmother’s health deteriorating and her first heartbreak, a long-lost crush, returning to town, Sadie faces a profound dilemma: the power of love versus the allure of her own magic. Is the exchange worth it, or does fate have something else in store for her?
Get it now: Amazon
The Haunting on West 10th Street by Helen Phifer
In Helen Phifer’s The Haunting on West 10th Street, Detective Maria Miller stumbles upon a crime scene with a nightmarish aura. The grisly murder and the eerie atmosphere send chills down her spine, evoking a sense of déjà vu. Decades ago, an actress met a similar gruesome fate in a satanic ritual. Now, it seems the malevolent force has returned. Fearless in her pursuit of the truth, Maria unearths a sinister connection that leads her closer to evil than she ever imagined. This chilling crime thriller, perfect for fans of John Connolly and A. J. Rivers, promises to keep you awake at night.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: Spine-Chilling Thrillers with Halloween Vibes
The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre
Join Iris in her quirky, endearingly chaotic world in The Only Purple House in Town. While her sisters seem to have their lives sorted out, Iris finds herself buried in debt. When she inherits a house from her aunt with dreams of transforming it into a charming B&B, her grand plans unravel, leading her to rent rooms to a motley assortment of unusual individuals, some of whom may not be entirely human. Amid this chaos, the reserved yet successful designer, Eli, reenters Iris’s life, becoming one of her tenants and unwittingly plunging into the bizarre realm of her diverse occupants. Get ready for a story that is equal parts heartwarming and unconventional.
Get it now: Amazon
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
In this mesmerizing sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth faces the harrowing consequences of her actions as she embarks on a treacherous mission alongside Ravyn to rescue a kingdom ensnared in the grip of a tyrant king and malevolent magic. Their quest hinges on finding the elusive Twin Alders Providence Card, the last missing piece in their puzzle. With Solstice looming and the kingdom’s fate hanging in the balance, their path leads them into the perilous depths of a mist-shrouded forest, and the only guide capable of navigating this eerie landscape is the same entity that shares residence within Elspeth’s mind: the enigmatic Nightmare. But the Nightmare, it seems, is reluctant to part with its secrets any longer. This dark and enthralling narrative, ideal for fans of Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson’s The Year of the Witching, promises a gripping journey where the line between ally and adversary blurs into shadow.
Get it now: Amazon
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
A haunting family curse, a decades-old maternal disappearance, and a grandmother’s cryptic legacy set the stage for The Unmaking of June Farrow. June has lived in the shadow of her family’s tragedy, raised by her enigmatic grandmother, until her passing. The cryptic clues left behind propel June on a quest for truth, leading her to a door she once considered a mere hallucination. Now, she holds the power to rewrite both the past and the future, but at what cost? Adrienne Young weaves a mesmerizing tale of mystery and self-discovery.
Get it now: Amazon
Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead
Welcome to the devout town of Bottom Springs, Louisiana, where faith runs deep, and superstitions lurk in the swampy shadows. In Midnight is the Darkest Hour, Ruth, the daughter of the Holy Fire Baptists church leader, finds herself entangled in a chilling mystery. A sinister curse, rumored to be the work of a vampiric being that preys on sinners, haunts the town. When a skull is discovered in the woods, Ruth and her troubled friend Everett are thrust into a quest for truth, uncovering dark secrets that have long lain dormant. Prepare for a tale that blends the supernatural with the intricacies of small-town life.
Get it now: Amazon
Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer
In the heart-pounding second installment of the City of Nightmares duology, Ness continues her harrowing journey through a world where nightmares come to life. Having faced the people transformed into Nightmares and survived assassination attempts and Faustian bargains with dream demons, Ness now strives to make a living in Newham, a city where duels and death are disturbingly routine. As she battles to stay afloat, she strikes yet another deal, one that could render her bulletproof. However, in this eerie world, the most formidable adversary she must confront may be the reflection she sees in the mirror.
Get it now: Amazon
Please Take My Baby by Emma Robinson
Please Take My Baby by Emma Robinson is a deeply emotional journey into the complexities of motherhood and the unbreakable bonds of family. The story revolves around Erin, a single mother facing the challenges of caring for her ailing mother and her teenage daughter. As she unravels long-buried family secrets, it prompts a profound quest for her own identity. Robinson’s writing is refreshingly candid, offering a candid portrayal of the intricate web of parenthood and the sacrifices made in the name of a child. The novel’s authenticity resonates deeply, allowing readers who’ve experienced similar struggles to connect on a personal level. Through its poignant storytelling and well-crafted, multi-dimensional characters, Please Take My Baby is both heartrending and heartwarming, leaving an indelible mark on the soul long after the final page is turned. Emma Robinson’s adept handling of real-life issues and the enduring strength of love make this a must-read for those seeking a moving and thought-provoking narrative.
Get it now: Amazon
Our journey through the Best New Books for Halloween 2023 has been a spine-tingling adventure, a mystical sojourn through haunted mansions, enchanting curses, and monstrous secrets. From Alix E. Harrow’s captivating Starling House to Midnight is the Darkest Hour, each of these narratives offers a unique escape into the unknown, inviting us to embrace the supernatural and confront our deepest fears.
As the autumn nights grow longer and the winds whisper secrets, the allure of these stories is undeniable. We have explored the boundaries of magic, the depths of family curses, the mysteries of cursed towns, and the revelation of hidden monsters. Whether you seek to be transported to an eerie world, to ponder the cost of vengeance, or to venture into the realms of the supernatural, these books have something extraordinary to offer.
In the season of Halloween, when the veil between the living and the departed grows thin, these tales beckon you to lose yourself in their pages and to confront the unexplained. So, as the candles flicker and the leaves rustle, we invite you to immerse yourself in these tales that will haunt your dreams and spark your imagination, reminding us that in the world of literature, the supernatural is never too far away, and the unknown is just waiting to be explored. Happy reading, and may your Halloween be filled with chills, thrills, and unforgettable stories.
So many books here that I’m looking forward to, but I haven’t managed to pick up a single one of them yet.