Page Six editors share the horror books they’re reading this Halloween

Something wicked this way comes.

There’s nothing better than curling up with a spooky book as All Hallows’ Eve creeps up on us.

Whether you’re looking for a subtle scare or an all-out fright-fest, the Page Six editors have the best horror book recommendations for everyone this Halloween.

“This one came out in April and has been on my list to read. I loved Cassidy’s 2022 book, “Mary,” and the premise of his latest offering — a struggling actress finds a 5-year-old runaway and has a bloody encounter with the boy’s father that leaves them running for their lives — already has me on the edge of my seat. — Antoinette Bueno, Page Six Reporter

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“My book club picked ‘Play Nice’ by Rachel Harrison as our October read, and I can’t wait to dive into it before we meet later this month. Following the death of her mother, a woman is literally haunted by her demons as she flips her childhood home. It sounds like a fun, but also hopefully spooky, story! — Lindsey Kupfer, Page Six Deputy Editor

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“After falling in love with Chapman’s writing in his horror novel ‘Ghost Eaters,’ I’ve continued through his backlist and have not been disappointed. ‘Acquired Taste’ is his new spooky short story collection that will gross you out, make you laugh and get under your skin in the best kind of way. There’s a story in here for everybody, perfect for the spooky season and beyond.” — Nicole Mazza, Page Six Deputy Photo Editor

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“‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is Shirley Jackson’s gothic masterpiece in atmospheric horror — a book best enjoyed in the crisp chill of October. Occult scholar Dr. Montague enlists several participants for a study at a creepy estate with a disturbing history of madness and hauntings. The house, it turns out, is the main character — a terrifying specter in its own right.” — Audrey Rock, Page Six Reporter

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“In truth, you could pick up any novel or read the stories by Mariana Enriquez to find horror and the unsettling, but now the Argentine writer is back with a new essay collection on cemeteries, ‘Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave.’ Translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell, Enriquez visits 21 graveyards worldwide in an effort to explore the supernatural with a critical lens focusing on real-life horrors, acting as a tour guide through the gothic and death and the stories hidden six-feet in the ground. Stops include Savannah, Paris, Buenos Aires and more.” — Kyle Schnitzer, New York Post Reporter

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“Ryan La Sala lulls readers into this poignant summer camp story about a gender-fluid teen struggling to find his place in the wake of his twin sister’s death — before tossing us headfirst into a surreal, culty nightmare. ‘The Honeys’ is unsettling, unhinged and perfect for ‘Midsommar’ movie fans.” — Riley Cardoza, Page Six Associate Editor

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“Thanks to my celeb crush Charlie Hunnam portraying Ed Gein in Ryan Murphy’s new ‘Monster’ series for Netflix, I’ve been investigating everything there is to know about the ‘Butcher of Plainfield’ / ‘Plainfield Ghoul.’ I’m now reading a classic horror book that’s been on my to-read list for a while: ‘Psycho.’

It follows the story of serial killer Norman Bates, a fictional character whose life shares an eerie resemblance to Gein’s real experience with his domineering mother and the gruesome crimes he commits after her death. The suspense novel was published in 1959, one year before Alfred Hitchcock adapted it into the iconic thriller that horror film fans know and still love today.” — Desiree Murphy, Page Six Deputy Editor

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“I’ve been reading my way through Grady Hendrix’s catalogue the past few weeks, and the tension build-up in this one was done so well. I love the way Hendrix’s books span a lifetime for his characters and give the reader a story that spans decades, and this one is no different. There were points in the middle that I was so on edge about what was going to happen I had to read it while pacing around my living room. The payoff in the end is so sweet though, and I found myself crying at the ending.” — Jacquelyn Kozak, Page Six Senior Photo Editor

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“There’s no better time to read or reread Mary Shelley’s classic gothic horror novel ‘Frankenstein’ before the Netflix movie drops in November. I actually read this for the first time last year and absolutely fell in love with it. It’s so beautifully written. There’s a reason it’s considered one of the ultimate must-read classic novels.” — Lindsey Kupfer, Page Six Deputy Editor

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“I’ve heard nothing but good things about this horror novel that follows a woman’s descent into madness and supposedly a tribute to Stephen King’s ‘Carrie.’ I loved Cassidy’s writing style in ‘Nestlings’ and ‘When the Wolf Comes Home,’ so I can’t wait to start this one ASAP.” — Nicole Mazza, Page Six Deputy Photo Editor

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“From ‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism’ to ‘How to Sell a Haunted House,’ Grady Hendrix is known for his bestselling horror novels. But ‘Paperbacks from Hell,’ a colorful and creepy coffee table book breaking down the history of ’70s and ’80s horror fiction — complete with incredible vintage covers — might be my favorite of his books.” — Riley Cardoza, Page Six Associate Editor

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“‘The Vampire Lestat’ is the second in Anne Rice’s famed Vampire Chronicles. It follows Lestat de Lioncourt’s metamorphosis from his existence as an affluent Frenchman to a 1980s rock god — a brilliant place from which to explore the truth about his creation and the future of the undead in a rapidly changing world. This volume stands alone, though if you’re committed to fully fleshing out the character, read ‘Interview With the Vampire’ first to better understand Lestat’s motivations.” — Audrey Rock, Page Six Reporter

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“This is a new edition to my TBR and I’m so excited to dive in. From the excerpt, it feels like it’s going to be a ‘Knives Out’ last will and testament style read, but make it supernatural instead of crime mystery. I love narratives where the house – or the setting itself – is an active main character in the story.” — Jacquelyn Kozak, Page Six Senior Photo Editor

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