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Oct 13

[ARCHIVED] Horror in October: Haunting Horrors

The original item was published from October 13, 2022 9:41 AM to October 13, 2022 10:04 AM

Ghosts and ghost stories have long been popular in American society, but ghost stories have existed since ancient times. Many of us have our own ghost stories or experiences we share with others. There are even people who hunt for ghosts, some even on TV. There is something innately fascinating and disturbing about ghosts. 

It could be that part of what makes them so terrifying is that they are unseen beings watching you and sometimes able to interact with objects around them. Part of the horror could come from the stories of possession that come from both a religious history and past ghost stories. Ghosts as evil spirits and haunting sinister figures are one of the most iconic parts of the horror genre.

As such, this week of Horror in October, we’re all about ghost stories. Be ready to be spookily thrilled by these hauntingly terrifying tales. Don’t forget to check out the book Kill Creek, which is set in Kansas.

A woman with long, dark hair and a white long sleeve dress walks into forest path, full moon above.

DB 95051 The siren and the specter by Jonathan Janz

David Caine, celebrated skeptic of the supernatural, is invited to spend a month at Alexander House, the most haunted house in Virginia. David himself is haunted by a moment in his own past when he turned away from the woman he loved. Strong language, some violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2018.

Black and green chandelier and damask wall paper

DB 99512 Home before dark by Riley Sager

Maggie Holt returns to the house made famous by her father's bestselling horror memoir. Is the place really haunted by evil forces, as her father claimed? Or are there more earthbound and dangerous secrets hidden within its walls? Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

A large two story brick building with a similar buildings around it and tree next to it under clouds

DB 102752 The lost village by Camilla Sten

Documentary filmmaker Alice Lindstedt obsesses over the history of "The Lost Village" and the residents who suddenly vanished. When her small crew begins filming in the remote mining town, terrifying events unfold. Translated from the 2019 Swedish edition. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

Crooked tree in fog with large building with light shining from three windows all in fog.

DB 84238 Fellside by M. R. Carey

Addict Jess Moulson wakes in the hospital with no memory of the fire she started while high on heroin, scarring her own face and killing Alex, a boy who lived upstairs. She lands in Fellside, a prison on the Yorkshire Moors, where Alex's ghost visits. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2016.

Woman with arms and body wrapped in chains, levitating with small debris floating around her, back t

DB 86712 Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

The town of Black Spring, New York, has been dealing with a curse for centuries. Residents have high-tech ways to cope, including an app to log sightings of the town's ghost, Katherine. Now a group of bored teens could ruin everything. Strong language and some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2016.

Black silhouette of a three story house with some windows boarded up and a tree in the background.

DB 90276 Kill Creek by Scott Thomas

The Finch House has sat deserted in the Kansas countryside for decades, known as one of the country's most famous haunted houses. Sam Carver and three other horror writers agree to stay the night, but what began as a publicity stunt leads to a fight for their lives. Explicti descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

Wet paved road with evergreen trees on either side under darkening clouds.

DB 64088 Heart-shaped box by Joe Hill

Middle-aged rock star Judas Coyne collects morbid curios. He buys a haunted suit online and discovers that it belonged to Craddock McDermott, the deceased stepfather of one of Coyne's groupies. Over time, both Coyne's own motives and those of McDermott's ghost are revealed. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2007.

Black silhouette of treen branches against a starry night sky.

DB 86030 Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay

One night, after sneaking into the Borderland State Park with his friends, teenager Tommy Sanderson disappears. Devastated, his mother believes that she sees Tommy's ghost and receives pages that seem to be torn from Tommy's diary. Violence and some strong language. 2016.