Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Fall is the time for cozy blankets and a cup of something warm… unless it’s still 90 degrees where you are. Since I live in one of those areas where it won’t really start to cool down for another few weeks, I thought I’d go with a more creepy, atmospheric sort of vibe rather than cozy fall feels. I do love a good spooky read, so hopefully one of these sparks a bit of interest.
The Hacienda and Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas. These are both set in Mexico in the early 1800’s and give off a very spooky, gothic vibe.
This Ancient Evil by Dorothy Daniels. Another set in Mexico, but in the late 1800’s. I had some issues with this book, but the setting of the secluded ranchero with the mysterious pyramid in the background gave it a pleasantly creepy vibe.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I listened to a full cast audiobook of this novella and I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder. You can just feel the evil – or is it madness? – lurking off in the shadows.
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. I have an audio version of this that I return to every October because it’s just so creepy. An old mansion, sitting empty after its owner died, located in a difficult to reach place. What could go wrong, right? If you’re like me and enjoy creepy movies, both the 1989 and 2012 movie versions of this are great. I prefer the 1989 version simply because it’s less refined and more spooky.
The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher. How creepy is it to know that someone could be living in the crawl space of your house without your knowledge? I try not to read books like this simply because I might not ever sleep again if I do.
House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama. Set in a creepy forest in an even creepier mansion in the wilds of 1986 Philippines, this book just drips tension and anxiety. Just beware – there are a lot of bugs in this book.
The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox. Fleeing scandal, Lydia and her family retreat to Willow Hall, a country estate with secrets and a dark history. Set in the early 1800’s, it’s very gothic and creepy.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay. A young girl stumbles into a shop looking for work and discovers a whole new world, one where witches are real. Beatrice discovers the magic within her and, in 1880’s New York City, uses it to the best of her ability. Beautifully written and very engrossing.
And to end this post with a couple of less creepy, but still Halloween adjacent books, I give you two of the cutest books I’ve read this year.
Bob the Vampire Snail by Andrea Zuill. Adorable picture book about a snail who is bitten and turns into a vampire. This made me wish my kids were still small so I could share it with them.
Garlic and the Vampire and Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen. A duology of cute and at times intense graphic novels involving anthropomorphic vegetables, including a very daring head of garlic.
Some of these sound fun.
Here’s a link to my TTT post
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/%f0%9f%93%9atoptentuesday-10-cosy-atmospheric-books-tuesdaybookblog-booktwitter-bookx/
Thanks! Hope you find something you like. 🙂
The Wrong Family sounds absolutely terrifying!!!
It was seriously creepy!
I was speaking with a new resident in my area (Central Alabama) yesterday, and he said “I’m glad it’s FINALLY starting to get cool!”. I don’t think he liked me telling him that the temperature would keep see-sawing until January when it finally got cold and stayed that way!
Hahaha. That sounds about like how it is here in the desert southwest. Transplants have no idea what they’re in for.
I love The Woman in Black – he movies, the play, and the book!
I had no idea there was a play! But I agree. I want to add the audiobook to this because the sound effects they added only heighten the creepiness of the story.
I always find it funny what some people like and don’t like. I read Woman in Black, Haunting of Hill House, and the Hacienda and I hated every single one of them. I love the Woman in Black movie and Haunting of Hill House show though!
It’s always nice to have those go to books!
My TTT: https://essentiallyash.blogspot.com/2025/10/top-ten-tuesday-coziest.html
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It really is amazing how we can all have different tastes. I did love the Haunting of Hill House series, I think they did a great job of adapting it to be more modern.
Hope you enjoy any of these you haven’t read. Some of them sure DO sound creepy, which may mean they wouldn’t suit me since I don’t like creepy stories. 😉 Thanks so much for visiting my list.
Yeah, you might want to avoid a lot of what’s on my list then. Although, Bob the Vampire Snail was adorable and funny.
I’m so intrigued by House of Monstrous Women!
It was kind of gross as times, but I really enjoyed the story. As well as the setting – the Philippines isn’t somewhere I’ve found may books set.
I’ve not heard of any of these books, but I’ll be looking them up.
Wonderful! I hope you find something you love.
I haven’t read any of these books, but they all sound very cozy and intriguing. Happy Tuesday!
I enjoyed them all! Hope you like them, too, if you choose to read any.
The Haunting of Hill House is certainly a classic for a reason – audiobook sounds like such a creepy way to consume this book
It really is. I loved the audio, it really added to the air of despair and confusion.
Nice post. Have a great week.
Thanks, you too!
I’ve been meaning to try Isabel Cañas for a long time now. I really must read the ones of hers I’ve heard people rave about.
I hope you do! Vampires of El Norte has been my favorite of the three (just finished her new one over the weekend), but The Hacienda was fantastic as well.
A cr4eepy sounding selection for sure!
Thanks! I like a good creepy story now and again.
That was a brilliant list for a Top Ten Tuesday! I really enjoyed seeing your picks for ‘creepy and atmospheric’ reads, *The Haunting of Hill House* is a classic that I should definitely get around to reading again soon, and I’m adding a reread of *The Woman in Black* to my list. I was lucky enough to see this on stage a few years ago but must look out for the films as the movie adaptations sound fascinating!
I wish I’d known it was a play, I bet that was so good! I definitely prefer the older movie version, but the newer one with Daniel Radcliffe wasn’t too bad.
I might have to sneak in a re-listen of The Haunting of Hill House now!
These sound good, but scary 😂
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/22/www-wednesday-currently-reading-finished-reading-reading-next-159/
I do tend to gravitate towards scary stuff this time of year!
It is in the 40s where I live today, but with the wind it feels even colder.
Yuck, no thank you – I hate being cold! Hope the wind knocks it off soon.
These sound like great reads, but I’m such a chicken!! haha.
Aw, nothing wrong with that! Read what makes you happy!
It is still in the 80s where I live. I hate it. I cannot wait for the weather to cool. Isabel Cañas is perfect for this time of year. I just read her latest and loved it.
I hope you enjoy the cooler weather, I don’t like being cold, so I’m content with what I have right now. 😀 She really is, and I finished her new one over the weekend, too!
Very appropriate choices for the spookiest time of year! I really don’t get in the Halloween-y spirit myself but I do love a good autumnal hauntedness.
Thank you! Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays – mostly because it’s a holiday in my state (Admission’s Day), so having it off school as a kid made it even better. 😀
This is a great list! I read The Wrong Family and still have trouble falling asleep sometimes, so I know what you mean. I still find myself checking the vents.
Right? It’s one of those things that’s just on the edge of believable!
Great list. I can’t believe I still haven’t read The Haunting of Hill House. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.
Now is the perfect time to read it, too!
Garlic and the Vampire and Garlic and the Witch are so cute! 🙂
They really are and the artwork is fabulous.
I’m a big scaredy cat, so honestly I’m probably most drawn to Bob the Vampire Snail, haha it sounds so adorable!