The tree outside my bedroom window creaks like an arthritic limb, which I love. It's an audible dare to my imagination, conjuring up all kinds of possible scenes to create, especially in the fall. Dark days. Skeleton trees. The rush of a cold breeze up my spine. Even though I don't celebrate Halloween, I can't help but notice that everyone around me does. It seems like a fitting time to share some of my favorite creepy books.


5 Haunting Reads

The Solitary Tales by Travis Thrasher
This series is set in the woods of North Carolina, where past and present secrets collide into one big scary place. As soon as teenager Chris Buckley and his recently divorced mom move there, they're swept into all the strange happenings. If bumps in the night are your thing, this is the best autumn read for you that ends with light crushing darkness.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Forget all the cheesy movies you've seen and don't even think about those stupid plastic green face masks lining the shelves at WalMart. If you've never read the classic, you are missing out, my friend. Frankenstein is more than just a monster. It's a theological debate on creation set in story format, raising questions in the reader's mind about our Creator.

Homemade Haunting by Rob Stennett
Funny. Snarky. This book is an interesting mix of what ifs and dude-don't-open-that-door. It's a light-hearted read that explores all the things good Christians know they shouldn't do.

A Heart Deceived by Michelle Griep
You didn't think I'd let an opportunity like this slip by, did you? While you won't find any monsters in this one, it's frightening nonetheless. A mostly empty rectory. Rumors of a missing vicar. Inmates with no faces inhabiting an insane asylum. Deception is a vile evil.

The Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker
I'm admittedly not a Dekkerite, but this story is haunting enough to meet my criteria for this list. It's about a serial killer who breaks the victim's bones one at a time. Ouch. Sick. Yep...creepy.

If romping around in a costume begging for candy isn't your thing, grab one of these books and settle in for an evening of reading instead.