Slightly Spooky Reads

I don’t often read spooky books, but when I do I read them in October. Here’s four books I’ve read recently that all have a spooky, gothic or horror element. Do you like a little tingle up your spine in October? What spooky books have you read lately?

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia~~~5 Stars.

This book is like a roller coaster ride in a haunted graveyard. The writing itself is superb and the characters are all compelling, even the villains. In the first chapters, you’re lulled into glamorous into 1950s Mexico with subtle hints of impending doom. Suddenly, you’re hit with a gothic this-house-is-literally-trying-to-kill-me plot, twisted family drama, and a heroine determined to save her sister. Just when you think you’ve reached maximum creepiness, here come the toxic mushrooms and a fascinating and grotesque conclusion. Not for the faint of heart. (this one’s up for the Goodreads Reader’s Choice 2020 in the horror category)

Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd ~~~5 Stars

This is a beautifully written gothic romance with everything I love in a book: a strong heroine, a dashing sea captain, mysterious goings-on in a sprawling house by the sea, and a satisfying and unexpected ending. The story moves along with excellent pacing and the historical detail is perfectly balanced by the romance and mystery. This book has put Sandra Byrd on my always-read authors list. The best part is realizing I have a lot of catching up to do!

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James~~~ 4 stars

Simone St. James is one of my new favorite authors, and her books always include a mystery and a ghost or two. This one is set in Vermont with a dual timeline of 1950s and present day. I loved the setting of a deserted and dilapidated girls’ school haunted by the ghost of a wronged girl. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, I didn’t. I love it when that happens. I admit I enjoyed her Regency ghost stories a little more than this one, but still highly recommended if you like a spooky read and a mystery as the days turn darker. (If you’ve already read this one, you can vote for it in the Goodreads Reader’s Choice awards here)

Opium and Absinthe by Lydia Kang ~~~3 Stars

I love the cover on this and the premise of a mystery set in turn-of-the-century New York that harkened back to the classic Dracula. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the promise. The story is compelling, and the twists and turns kept me guessing as to the mystery. The historical detail kept my interest but the characters themselves seemed one-dimensional and predictable. The heroine, especially, came off as immature to start and by the end of the story hadn’t changed or grown enough to satisfy me.

If you missed the news about my latest release In A Far Off Land, you can see the cover reveal here and get a peek at the story. In A Far Off Land will release May 4th 2021 and I can’t wait to share this story of Old Hollywood and the Great Depression with you!

You can find more of my book reviews here:

Books about WWII

Books about Friendship including a review of Tyndale author Lynn Austen’s latest book, If I Were You

Books by Tydale Authors

Review of ‘Clouds, a Memoir’ by Laura Sobiech