Ghosts, Graveyards, and Dive Bars

Welcome all! We are at the very beginning of the spookiest month of the year. As you guys know, I am constantly adding books to my never-ending book list on Goodreads and StoryGraph. It is fun finding out what books are coming out soon. I want to share which ones in October look promising for a thrill, and the book I am most excited for.  

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham

A group of friends discovers that not only is their favorite book real, but it is a more dangerous and sinister place than they could ever imagine.

Release Date: October 6 

Why I’m Interested: I think that most people want to believe the characters in the books they love are good people. No one wants to view that imaginative world as evil. I am interested in seeing how they come to terms with the fact that living in their favorite book is not as much fun as they imagined.

House Haunters by KC Jones

A skeptical reality producer is terrified to learn that not only is the ghost hunter she is filming the real deal, but that ghosts are quite real and want to destroy everything in their path, including her. 

Release Date: October 6

Why I’m Interested: Haunted houses are my jam, especially when a skeptic is forced to believe in the supernatural. Not sure if this will be straight-up horror or a horror comedy, but I can’t wait to find out.

Morsels by Abe Moss

A woman goes to her boyfriend’s childhood home to meet his parents. However, she finds something unsettling awaiting them when they get there.  

Release Date: October 6

Why I’m Interested: I want to know what horror awaits them. Is it a demon, ghost, body snatchers, aliens, etc.? The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what the woman and her boyfriend discover about his old home.

Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong

A series of car accidents leave a group of strangers stranded at a dive bar where supernatural forces are at work. 

Release Date: October 6

Why I’m Interested: I love supernatural stories with a group of strangers. It forces them to learn how to work together quickly if they don’t want to be taken out by the evil forces waiting for them.

What Happens at Nightfall by Lauren Willig

Two people discover that there is a haunting afoot in the local cemetery. 

Release Date: October 6

Why I’m Interested: I am always up for a good haunting or ghost story, especially when it involves a graveyard. It makes you wonder if graves are for the dead to rest, or if their tenants have unresolved business to attend to.

Once in a Timeline by Iman Hariri-Kia

A female influencer is trapped inside of a time loop. She finds a man who is also trapped, and they work together to try to break out. 

Release Date: October 13

Why I’m Interested: The premise is promising. How can a relationship progress if time keeps repeating itself? It is an interesting conundrum, and one that I wish to explore.

Look What the Cat Dragged In by Jason Rekulak

A female pet sitter is wondering if the cat she is watching is more sinister than it appears.

Release Date: October 13

Why I’m Interested: I tend to stop every time I see a cat on a book cover, especially if the cat has supernatural qualities. I am looking forward to seeing how the pet-sitter’s life spirals as the horror elements get worse.

An American Girl by Amanda FitzSimons

A closer look into the famous American Girl franchise. 

Release Date: October 13

Why I’m Interested: I know this is an odd choice since it is non-fiction and has no horror components. However, my younger sister and I were obsessed with this franchise. I remember fondly reading about Addy and her struggles and triumphs during her period in history. The schools that I went to didn’t really cover Black history, and I was glad to learn more about that particular part of history through Addy’s point of view. As much as I tend to avoid non-fiction, I think I will check this out. It would be amazing to see how American Girl got started and became a permanent fixture in so many young girls’ lives like my sister and me.

Dead Batteries by Kate Maupin

A single mom and her neurodivergent son try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. 

Release Date: October 27

Why I’m Interested: I often wonder how a character with a disability survives in the apocalypse. Usually, the focus is on the strongest people in a dystopian society. As a person with a disability, these books make me wonder if I could survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Hoping this book gives me a fresh perspective on that scenario.

I think the book that I am most curious about is Dive Bar at the End of the Road. It is giving me Lost and From vibes. I can’t wait to see what supernatural forces have in store for the unlucky strangers. 

That’s all the books that I have to discuss for the day. I am hoping that some will provide the horror vibes I am looking for this Halloween season. Now that you guys have seen my list, which October releases are on your TBR?