There’s something about Halloween that makes it the perfect backdrop for fiction. Crisp autumn air, flickering jack-o’-lanterns, and the eerie sense that something might be lurking in the shadows—it all lends itself to stories that are atmospheric, unsettling, and impossible to put down. Whether you’re in the mood for spine-tingling horror, a haunting mystery, or a darkly magical tale, these adult fiction books capture the spirit of Halloween in unforgettable ways.
Charmed and Spooked Earring Set | Avon
An earring set made for mixing, matching and mischief! This frightfully fun collection includes four pairs of Halloween-themed earrings: jack-o’-lanterns, spiders, skeletons, and goldtone spiderwebs.
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Set on a remote island during a stormy Halloween night, this chilling story of a family reunion gone wrong blends classic locked-room mystery vibes with a modern, twisty narrative. Secrets, betrayals, and shocking revelations unfold as the night stretches on.
Daisy Darker
“A dysfunctional family meets Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None with a truly gasp-inducing twist. This is the book you’ve been looking for.” ―Catherine Ryan Howard, bestselling author of 56 Days
The Widow’s House by Carol Goodman
Gothic, Mystery
A couple moves into a crumbling estate in the Hudson Valley just as Halloween approaches. Whispers of ghosts, strange apparitions, and the house’s dark history create a deeply unsettling atmosphere perfect for a late-October read.
The Widow’s House: A Novel
This chilling novel from the bestselling, award-winning author of The Lake of Dead Languages blends the gothic allure of Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca and the crazed undertones of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper with the twisty, contemporary edge of A.S.A. Harrison’s The Silent Wife—a harrowing tale of psychological suspense set in New York’s Hudson Valley.
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
Witchy Fiction, Dark Comedy
When a newly single woman moves to a small town and befriends a charismatic, possibly magical woman, she discovers that Halloween magic isn’t always what it seems. This one’s funny, dark, and empowering, with plenty of spooky charm.
Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck
Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
In a town that thrives on secrets and enchantment, Halloween becomes the stage for a woman discovering her true magical heritage. A cozy yet thrilling choice for readers who enjoy supernatural small-town vibes.
Small Town, Big Magic: A Witchy Romantic Comedy (Witchlore, 1)
There’s no such thing as witches…right?
What you can expect from Small Town, Big Magic:
- Witchy Rom-Com
- Found Family
- Friends-to-Lovers
- Opposites Attract
- Chosen One
- Slowburn
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Thriller, Mystery
Set around a haunting Halloween disappearance, this novel digs into the dark secrets of a small town, weaving together multiple timelines with Jewell’s trademark suspenseful style.
The Night She Disappeared: A Novel
A young couple’s disappearance on a gorgeous summer night, and the mother who will never give up trying to find them.
Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco
Classic Horror, Supernatural
A terrifying tale of a family who rents a secluded mansion for the summer, but it’s the Halloween season that pushes the story into full-on horror territory. The sinister house demands more than just rent.
Burnt Offerings (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)
“Just pick a quiet place and an uninterrupted time to read this novel. You’ll be inclined to jump at sudden noises or even hurl the book at intruders.” – Chicago Tribune
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Horror, Dark Fantasy
Though not strictly about Halloween, the timing and chilling Southern Gothic atmosphere fit the season perfectly. A decaying family home, creepy gardens, and whispers of something sinister underground will keep you up at night.
A House With Good Bones
“Mom seems off.”
Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks
Graphic Novel, Romance
A lighter option for readers who want the cozy side of Halloween. Set in a pumpkin patch during its last night of the season, this sweet graphic novel is filled with fall spirit and budding romance.
Pumpkinheads (Pumpkinheads, 1)
This is a tender and hilarious story about two irresistible teens discovering what it means to leave behind a place―and a person―with no regrets.
The Family Plot by Megan Collins
Domestic Thriller, Gothic Mystery
A family obsessed with true crime gathers at their eerie estate after the death of their patriarch. Set against a Halloween backdrop, it’s a twisted story about secrets, grief, and inherited darkness.
The Family Plot: A Novel
From the author of The Winter Sister and Behind the Red Door, a family obsessed with true crime gathers to bury their patriarch—only to find another body already in his grave.
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Magical Realism, Family Saga
Part of the Practical Magic universe, this novel spans decades of witchy lives but leans into Halloween’s atmosphere of spells, curses, and forbidden love. Perfect for those who like their autumnal reads with heart and enchantment.
The Rules of Magic: A Novel (2) (The Practical Magic Series)
An instant New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick from beloved author Alice Hoffman—the spellbinding prequel to Practical Magic.
Find your magic.
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Gothic, Paranormal Mystery
A decaying boarding school, a haunting presence, and a mystery that resurfaces around Halloween make this novel a perfect blend of eerie suspense and ghost story.
The Broken Girls
A journalist uncovers the dark secrets of an abandoned boarding school in this chilling suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Historical Fantasy, Witchy Fiction
Following three women across different centuries, this novel ties together themes of witchcraft, nature, and feminine power. The autumnal and Halloween undertones make it an atmospheric seasonal pick.
Weyward
“A brave and original debut, Weyward is a spellbinding story about what may transpire when the natural world collides with a legacy of witchcraft.” ––Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The London Séance Society
I am a Weyward, and wild inside.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
Gothic Mystery, Thriller
Inheritance, tarot cards, and a creepy family estate collide in this suspenseful tale. With a setting that feels perpetually like Halloween night, it’s a perfect gothic mystery for the season.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway
Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, this is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
Horror, Dark Comedy
A woman estranged from her family reluctantly attends a Halloween night wedding, only to be pulled into a story involving blood, curses, and shocking family secrets. Equal parts funny and disturbing, it’s the perfect Halloween read.
Black Sheep
A cynical twentysomething must confront her unconventional family’s dark secrets in this fiery, irreverent horror novel from the author of Such Sharp Teeth and Cackle.
Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare
Slasher Horror, Thriller
For fans of full-throttle horror, this book delivers a blood-soaked Halloween slasher story. A masked killer, small-town secrets, and plenty of scares make it a gory seasonal treat.
Clown in a Cornfield (Clown in a Cornfield, 1)
Quinn Maybrook and her father have moved to tiny, boring Kettle Springs, to find a fresh start. But what they don’t know is that ever since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, Kettle Springs has cracked in half.
Halloween is more than costumes and candy—it’s a mood, a season, and a perfect backdrop for stories that explore the strange, the terrifying, and the magical. Whether you want a cozy witch tale or a terrifying haunted house, these books deliver the Halloween spirit in unforgettable ways.
