8 Frightening Reads For October

There are usually two types of people every October. There are those who are here for the cute fall vibes, cheery jack-o-lanterns, and Freeform’s 31 Days of Halloween. Then there are those who are all in for the scare factor. While I definitely fall in line with the former, there’s something about those chilly October nights that have me craving something a little spooky. If you also like a little fright on your October nights, here are 8 Frightening Reads for October.

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

When a beloved teacher from Saint Ambrose school is found dead in the woods, the small town community is turned upside down. Although three students discovered the body, the case was never solved. Years later, 16 year-old Brynn has always known there was more to the case. Now that she has moved back to town, Brynn is determined to find answers. Of course, as in any Karen M. McManus mystery, secrets and lies abound and not everything is what it seems.

Any of Karen M. McManus’ YA thrillers would fit perfectly on this list. However, Nothing More to Tell is the most recent of her novels that I’ve read, and it gives off just the right amount of fall vibes. The secrets, the murder mystery, and the suspense in this novel all make it a perfect read for a chilly October night.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Rich, beautiful, and born into a family of high regard, Audrey Rose Wadsworth is everything a society darling should be. But while her peers are practicing their needle point and plotting marriage matches, Audrey Rose sneaks away to her uncle’s lab to study forensic science. When several young women turn up murdered in a similar pattern, Audrey Rose finds herself hunting one of the most notorious serial killers in history.

If you love Jack the Ripper stories, or just tales set against the backdrop of foggy Victorian London, Stalking Jack the Ripper is a must read.

That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally

One cold night in November, a teenage girl is found on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. She’s bruised and dirty and doesn’t remember her name, where she came from, or how she got there. When a man arrives at the police station claiming he’s her father, it seems like the mystery is solved. He has proof, after all. Meanwhile, in a neighboring town, a girl named Lola is missing. The police have changed the case from missing persons to murder and Lola’s boyfriend is the number one suspect. But Drew is innocent. Or so he says, and he’s determined to bring Lola home before it’s too late.

This book had me feeling stressed until the very last page. It’s such a well written thriller that is perfect for fans of the genre, and it will have you guessing and gasping in equal measure.

The Woods are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins

Best friends Neena and Josie decide to hike the Pisgah National Forest as a last hurrah before college. However, three days of fun quickly turn into three days of horror as the girls find themselves fighting for survival.

This may be the scariest book on this list, potentially leaning towards horror. Much like Stephanie Perkins’ previous thriller, There’s Someone Inside Your House, this novel feels almost like a slasher film. It’s a quick read with some definitely scary moments. It’s a little slow to start, but once the action begins, it’s difficult to put down.

Readers should note, this one is graphic in terms of violence.

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

Lila Macapagal is looking for a fresh start. After getting dumped by her boyfriend, she moves home to help revive her aunt’s struggling restaurant. However, coming home means coming face to face with an old ex-boyfriend who seems to hold a grudge against the family restaurant. When he mysteriously turns up dead, immediately after eating Lila’s cooking, Lila is the number one suspect. Determined to clear her name, and to save the family business, Lila takes matters into her own hands.

A little sweetness to break up the spooky, Arsenic and Adobo is the perfect cozy mystery for those looking for a light hearted take on the classic murder mystery. Set around a family owned restaurant, this novel will have you craving Filipino food and guessing who done it until the very last page.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Ten guests are invited to spend the weekend with a mysterious millionaire on his private island. What starts out as a vacation quickly turns to horror when the guests start turning up dead, one by one. With each person hiding damning secrets, suspicions run high, and nobody knows who to trust.

Would it be October without an Agatha Christie novel? She is the queen of mystery after all. This is my favorite of her books, and I could not put it down. Although this book was written many years ago, and many of her plots have been recycled since, there’s still something so inherently spooky about this book. I think my favorite thriller/mystery novel involves multiple people being picked off one by one. Not knowing who’s next is the absolute definition of scary!

The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout

When Ella survives an attempted murder at a high school party, it feels like an unexpected moment of drama in an otherwise sleepy West Virginia town. In the weeks that follow, the nightmare continues as Ella and her friends are haunted by threatening notes and gifts. The killer isn’t done, and someone is next.

If you love Stephanie Perkins thrillers, you’ll devour this one by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It’s YA, so all of the characters are in high school. However, it reads like a slasher film with all of the suspense and drama of the genre.

Readers should note, this one is graphic in terms of violence.

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

When the wealthy Mr. Crowley dies, his fortune is left to the rival Topham family, leaving his friends and family without. Convinced that there’s a second will hidden somewhere on the property, teenage detective Nancy Drew puts her investigative knowledge to the test.

This is more of a sentimental read, but I couldn’t create a list of 8 Frightening Reads for October without including a Nancy Drew mystery. I loved reading these novels when I was young, and I largely attribute them to my continuing love for mystery and thriller books. This novel is a fun mystery featuring our favorite detective, and I love rereading a little vintage spookiness every once in a while.

Looking for more seasonal reads? Check out these 10 Supernatural Reads for Halloween!

Xx, M