Browsing at my hometown indie bookstore, The Next Chapter Bookshop, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (a regular bookish outing for me!), I came upon their October “Spooky Reads” recommendations.
I found “The Whispering House” by Elizabeth Brooks. It is a haunting gothic novel set in the eerie Cliffside mansion of Byrne Hall. When Freya Lyell, still grieving her sister’s death, stumbles upon the house, she becomes drawn to its dark beauty and the secrets it holds. The mysterious relationship between the reclusive artist, Cory, and his housekeeper begins to unravel, leaving Freya to question the house’s true history and her sister’s connection to it. With its unsettling atmosphere and slow-burning suspense, the novel explores themes of grief, obsession, and the sinister pull of the past.
The Spooky Reads collection at The Next Chapter Bookshop also includes Smoky Mountain local author, Pete Nunweiler, who has written a suspense thriller trilogy that includes “The Ghost Between Us,” “The Ghost Beside Us,” and “The Ghost Within Us.”
The spooky collection also included “Zero Days” by Ruth Ware. This is a fast-paced thriller that follows Jack, a skilled security expert, whose life takes a deadly turn when she discovers her husband, Gabe, brutally murdered in their home. As the prime suspect in the crime, Jack must go on he run, using her expertise in hacking and surveillance to evade the police and uncover the real killer. Racing against time, she dives deep into the mystery of her husband’s secretive work and the web of deception surrounding his death. Filled with suspense, betrayal, and twists, “Zero Days” keeps readers on edge as Jack fights to clear her name and find the truth.
I also found a Spooky puzzle! The Next Chapter Bookshop in Gatlinburg, TN has an amazing collection of puzzles for all ages. This one could be fun for October while drinking cozy hot cider!