With the fall season underway, thesehorrorbooks are perfect reads for the colder weather.The most terrifying horror booksare often linked to fall because of the connection with Halloween, but this isn’t an exclusive rule. However, 2024 is seeing the release of severalbooks that get readers in the Halloween spirit, many of which are inspired by past classics. Fall is also associated with the beauty and brightness of the summer months coming to an end and the darkness drawing in, which fits the horror genre brilliantly.
There are also plenty of movies andTV shows that encompass the fall season, but literature has an advantage that the screen doesn’t.The power of the written word, especially in horror, is even more unsettling because of the lack of imagery.As the nights get gloomier and the temperature drops, these books are well worth checking out and adding to your fall reading list.
10Dark Harvest (2006)
The Book Was Written By Norman Partridge
Dark Harvestby Norman Partridge perfectly encapsulates the fall feeling with every read. The novel takes place in an obscure Midwestern hamlet and follows the residents of the area, in which the male population takes place in a horrifying ritual each year.The hunt for the freaky pumpkin-headed creature known as The October Boy, or sometimes Sawtooth Jack, is harrowing and unnerving, but the book is further motivated by the stories of the locals, especially the protagonist, Pete McCormick.
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Dark Harvesttakes elements ofThe Hunger Gamesand1984and adds a horror twist.The wicked truth behind The October Boy and the winner of each ritual is disturbing yet incredibly compelling. While Halloween is naturally heavily featured inDark Harvest, it is also very fall-focused, as the lead-up and fallout of the yearly event eerily dominate the season. The novel’s underrated 2023 movie adaptation beautifully translates the jarring nature of the story to the screen, andDark Harvest’s Sawtooth Jack monsteris a great addition to the list of unique and notable horror film creatures.
9Black River Orchard (2023)
The Book Was Written By Chuck Wendig
Even thoughChuck Wendig is aStar WarsandMarvelcomic writer, the author has also produced some intriguing horror titles.Black River Orchardis about Harrow, a small town plagued with dark magic after an orchard starts sprouting a selection of enigmatic apples.When the townsfolk of Harrow begin eating the fruit and discover the strange gifts it possesses, they swiftly develop an obsession that becomes uncontrollable.
Fall is supposed to be cold on the outside and heartwarming on the inside, but Wendig presents a story in which the chilling qualities of the season take over.
The characters inBlack River Orchardare realistic of a rural area. There’s a wide variation of personalities, and there are plenty of oddities, but all of them fit the small-town archetype well. Against the backdrop of the falling leaves,Harrow’s dark underlying secrets bubble to the surface, and the creepy details about the town that are littered throughout make everything that much more frightful.Black River Orchardcombines folk and psychological horror well, and considering Wendig’s superhero background, the book still provides a decent fall-centric story.
8’Salem’s Lot (1975)
The Book Was Written By Stephen King
While readers may be tempted to check outthe 2024 adaptation of Stephen King’s’Salem’s Lot, a remake of the 1979 original, the source material is a far better option. King’s novel follows writer Ben Mears, who returns to the town after years away, only to find that its residents are turning into vampires.‘Salem’s Lotis so much more than a vampire story, however. It’s also a tale about a haunted house, the mysterious disappearance of a child and the death of another, and a community possessed by a great evil.
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The author is known for his horror novels, so it’s great to see so many otherreferences to other Stephen King books in’Salem’s Lot.‘Salem’s Lot’s small-town setting and supernatural themes blend brilliantly,which provides a read that is truly unsettling yet compelling, making it hard to put down.‘Salem’s Lotisn’t focused on Halloween, but it uses themes that are very much connected to the holiday, so the book is a perfect title to curl up and enjoy at any point in the fall.
7All Hallows (2023)
The Book Was Written By Christopher Golden
Christopher Golden is another author who has also worked across multiple genres, including on the scripts forHellboyand the upcoming movieHellboy: The Crooked Man, as well as theBuffy the Vampire Slayernovelizations.His 2023 bookAll Hallowstakes place on Halloween night in 1984 in Massachusetts. Despite the excitement of the spooky holiday, four local children cower in fear over a mysterious figure named The Cunning Man, and they are adamant that he is coming for them.
All Hallowsalso delves into the lives and secrets of the children’s families. The jump between their points of view is confusing at times, but it eventually pays off, and the switching narrative contributes to the dramatic effect of the book.Parameter Road, where a majority ofAll Hallowsis set, is a perfect encompassing of a small townand is as equally creepy. Golden does a great job of creating a tense atmosphere throughout, while also relying on‘80s slasher movie tropesand gory imagery to keep readers engaged.
6A Night In The Lonesome October (1993)
The Book Was Written By Roger Zelazny
Roger Zelazny’sA Night in the Lonesome Octoberpresents the fall season in a fascinating way. Each chapter of the book covers one day of October, enthralling readers to continue until the gripping climax on the night of Halloween.A Night in the Lonesome Octoberuses both science fiction and horror themes in a story about the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper, all told from the point of view of his dog, Snuff. While this initially seems like a parody,Zelazny’s novel delves into the finer details of Victoria-era London, which serves as a haunting backdrop for the story.
A Night in the Lonesome Octoberis ahorror book that isn’t too scary, especially as readers aren’t surprised by the grisly actions of the historical figure.However, the novel interestingly focuses on occults and rituals that occur under the rare Blue Moon.There are also appearances from other figures from gothic literature that all give off fall vibes, such as Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Victor Frankenstein. The use of humor is also fabulous, and it makes the canine outlook on life during the spooky season even more enjoyable.
5Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962)
The Book Was Written By Ray Bradbury
Something Wicked This Way Comesis a classic ‘80s novel and the basis ofDisney’s 41-year-old underrated horror movie.Ray Bradbury’s 1962 book focuses on teenagers Jim Nightshade and William Holloway and the harrowing carnival that visits their sleepy town of Green Town, Illinois. The combination of the unusual circus and the suburban setting gives readers goosebumps, especially in the boys’ interactions with the enigmatic Mr. Dark, the carnival’s leader. Ray Bradbury is a Halloween and horror novel legend, butSomething Wicked This Way Comesstands out.
Something Wicked This Way Comesis poetic, which really helps set the tone of the book beautifully. It is a timeless story about good versus evil, and it balances realism and the fantastical amazingly. The eerie imagery of things like the broken-down carousel, the balloon funeral, and even Miss Foley’s blindness are jarring, too.The cold and dampness of Green Town is absolutely fall-coded,which is even more impactful with the chilling tone of the narrative.
4December Park (2014)
The Book Was Written By Ronald Malfi
Despite the title suggesting otherwise,December Parkis set during the fall. The quiet area of Harting Farms changes forever after a child is found dead at the titular location, which leads to a conspiracy about an abductor named the Piper. As several other kids vanish, too, one teenager starts to connect the dots behind these mysterious disappearances.Author Ronald Malfi is an amazing writer who has consistently released stories that set readers on edge, especially Halloween-themed titles.
Malfi nails small-town Maryland with his depiction of Harting Farms and the town’s unnerving atmosphere. Even thoughDecember Parkspans an entire calendar year, the haunting knowledge of a possible serial killer is chilling and makes it feel like the entire novel is set in the fall.The coming-of-age elements of the story, alongside the murder mystery, are fantastic throughout as well,which is endearing during any season. Angie’s narration is full of suspense and keeps things interesting, especially as more abductions happen as the book progresses.
3The September House (2023)
The Book Was Written By Carissa Orlando
The September Houseby Carissa Orlando is the Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Best Horror in 2023, and in the limited time it has been on shelves, it’s quickly become a favorite falltime read. It follows the story of Margaret, a woman who is determined to stay living in her new home despite the fact that it’s haunted. The novel is specifically praised for its twists and turns, with many being completely unexpected and horrifying. The fact the walls of Margaret’s house bleed during September is strange enough, but her husband’s sudden disappearance after four years is even worse.
Orlando provides some brilliant yet disturbing imagery of the ghosts in the house, all of which are described with the graphic details of their deaths being on full display in spirit form.
The September Housewould make a fantastichorror movie with a surprisingly happy ending, but just because things work out in the end, it doesn’t make the book any less scary. Orlando provides some brilliant yet disturbing imagery of the ghosts in the house, all of which are described with the graphic details of their deaths being on full display in spirit form.The backdrop of the fall season, paired with the erratic and grisly events of the story, makesThe September Housea thrilling talefor the colder months of the year.
2Harvest Home (1973)
The Book Was Written By Thomas Tryon
Thomas Tryon’sHarvest Homeis a fascinating story about a family moving from the big city to an isolated village in Connecticut, which is not only a shift for them geographically but also culturally.The Constantines’ relocation to Cornwall Combes, an area that is similar to those inmovies likeMidsommar, is incredibly eerie, especially because of that titular festival, which happens every seven years. WhileHarvest Homeopens by introducing a wholesome and fall-themed community, patriarch Ned swiftly discovers that their new home is not as warm and inviting as they initially expected.
Harvest Homeis often compared to‘Salem’s Lot, but Tyron’s book stands out for featuring more female characters. The women who reside in Cornwall Combes are intriguing and developed figures, and the fact that they hold power in the village over their husbands is quite ahead of its time, especially for a novel from the ‘70s.Harvest Homehas an eerie aura to it that makes it a prominent title in folklore horror,and it’s an even more impressive read upon the realization that Tyron is best known as an actor, starring in some ofJohn Wayne’s most rewatchable movies.
1We Have Always Lived In The Castle (1962)
The Book Was Written By Shirley Jackson
We Have Always Lived In The Castleis the last work from author Shirley Jackson, who is also the mind behind titles such asThe LotteryandThe Haunting of Hill House. Jackson’s final novel is more of a mystery story, with horror elements that are subtle but incredibly effective.Protagonist Merricat’s narration about the local village and their towering stately home on its outskirts makes the area sound picturesque,and the 2019 movie adaptation of it does a great job of bringing this setting to life. However, the residents’ feelings about her sister, Constance, are less than serene.
We Have Always Lived In The Castleis full of plot twists, too, and the thrilling tale behind the death of the girls’ parents has a gripping resolution. The implementation of Merricat’s magical abilities is a unique angle for such a story as well. Her opinions on the villagers and her overall psyche are slightly nerve-wracking anyway, but her outlook grows more unhinged as the story progresses.We Have Always Lived In The Castleis full of suspense and is a perfect and engaginghorrorstory for readers to sink their teeth into during the fall season.
