Welcome to Spooky Reads Friday, where every Friday in the month of October, I will be giving you scary selection book recommendations that will make your weekend reading more fulfilling…and scary 🎃. Check out these haunting book recs…if you dare…
Crooked House by Agatha Christie
In the sprawling, half-timbered mansion in the affluent suburb of Swinly Dean, Aristide Leonides lies dead from barbiturate poisoning. An accident? Not likely. In fact, suspicion has already fallen on his luscious widow, a cunning beauty fifty years his junior, set to inherit a sizeable fortune, and rumored to be carrying on with a strapping young tutor comfortably ensconced in the family estate. But criminologist Charles Hayward is casting his own doubts on the innocence of the entire Leonides brood. He knows them intimately. And he’s certain that in a crooked house such as Three Gables, no one’s on the level… (Credit: William Morrow Paperbacks)
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
“And the lights went out.”
And with those words, Foley takes you on a haunting and thrilling journey that will have you on the edge of your seat and not wanting you to put this book down. I figuratively felt my heart leap out of chest from every turned page and every mystery uncovered. Foley had me guessing until the very end and I loved every minute of it. We have an Agatha Christie for the 21st century! If you loved The Hunting Party, then you will love this one!
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
It’s 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world’s greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.
But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered.
And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.
Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?
With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger onboard. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board. (Credit: Sourcebooks Landmark)
The Pure Heart by Trudi Tweedie
The book was written very well: both eloquently and descriptive. But there were times that I thought it was a bit too drawn out and not getting to the direct point. However, this is one the most articulated YA novels I have read in the genre. It had reasonable approachable writing style with an engaging story. I will say that the ending threw me a curveball. Didn’t expect to happen! And it left chills down my spine, which makes this one good Halloween read.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Both amazing and very suspenseful, if you are a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle, you are sure to like this book. Just prepare for long winded conversations…Collins can go on for a length of time. But this classic detective story makes for one very long but perfect spooky read.
cup of tea with that book, please 