Canelo's Halloween Reads
October 31, 2017
Halloween is not a day but a season in publishing. From the beginning of October we begin picking up the scariest books from our bookshelves and sharing all of our favourite Halloween reads wherever we can.
In the office we’ve been swapping our reading recommendations and thought we’d share them on our blog.
Ellie’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
Whenever Halloween rolls around Ellie always recommends the graphic novel Through the Woods by Emily Carroll. It’s a stunning book with petrifying images and deeply creepy stories, which are perfect for Halloween. For best results read in dimmed lighting and near a window. You’ll quickly have to turn the lights back on though.
Canelo Read: The Secrets You Keep by Kate White
Ellie’s Canelo recommendation is the psychological thriller The Secrets You Keep by Kate White. Kate White is a new addition to the Canelo list. Her novels are mysterious, superbly twisty and perfect for those readers who aren’t hugely fond of horror but like a scary read nonetheless.
Hannah’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
A classic Halloween read from our new Assistant Editor. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is high on Halloween reading lists. The classic first sci-fi novel tells the tragic tale of Victor Frankenstein and his effort to recreate life. First devised in a competition between Byron and Shelley in an attempt to write the scariest ghost story possible, this book has stood the test of time.
Canelo Read: The Blue Pool by Siobhan MacDonald
Hannah’s Canelo recommendation is the tantalising *The Blue Pool *by Siobhan MacDonald. When four university friends go to a cabin in the woods only three return. The mystery of the missing girl spans a quarter of a century until a man suddenly walks into a police station claiming to have knowledge of the events of that night.
Louise’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: Needful Things by Stephen King
Stephen King is everywhere at the moment. There are countless adaptations of his dark, sinister books and Louise is adamant that if you want to be scared when reading a book, read Stephen King. Needful Things is the classic ‘buy now, pay later’ story. Anyone who walks into the titular shop will find whatever their heart desires and always at a price they can afford. But when the true cost of buying these items is later revealed it’s the stuff of nightmares…
Canelo Read: Ask No Questions by Lisa Hartley
An exciting addition to the Canelo list is Lisa Hatley. Her latest novel, Ask No Questions, is a brilliant police procedural in which Detective Caelan Small is drawn into a dangerous investigation. Before long, even those closest to her are under suspicion. As Caelan uncovers the extent of the crimes she can trust no one, and will risk everything for the truth.
Nick’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book is The Jungle Book meets classic ghost story. When the protagonist, Bod, escapes a murderer as a child he takes refuge in a graveyard and grows up amongst ghosts, ghouls and spectres. A fantastically spooky children’s read perfect for readers who don’t like being scared out of their wits but want to enjoy the holiday.
Canelo Read: Winter Raven by Adam Baker
A gory, historical fiction novel all about samurais! Not for the faint-hearted but a fantastic read if you’re looking for something different this holiday.
Michael’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman
If you’re not reading The Book of Dust this Halloween…? The prequel to the amazing His Dark Material’s series has been widely anticipated and Michael has been itching to read it since it came out. He is very glad to be picking it up this weekend and would highly recommend that others do so too.
Canelo Read: Relics by R. D. Shah
An amazing crypto-thriller, which will have you gripped this Halloween. Full of twists and mystery it’s packed with action to keep you hooked. When a Catholic priest hangs himself at the Pope’s inauguration his friend, Professor Alex Harker, is drawn into a secret war, which has been playing out since the birth of Christ. Gripping and mysterious, this first in a new series is a brilliant introduction to the crypto-thriller genre.
Fran’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Possibly the scariest read ever, at least two of our team have claimed. This terrifying spooky ghost story is about a woman in black who haunts all those who see her. It is the perfect read to creep you out over Halloween. With countless adaptations on stage and screen, the book is still as gripping as it ever was. Be prepared to jump at everything once you’ve read it though.
Canelo Read: I Know Where She Is by S. B. Caves
A gut-wrenching thriller about a mother who receives a note through her door about her long-lost daughter with the words I Know Where She Is. This is a dark and chilling novel that readers have been unable to put down. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed horror story you have to pick up S. B. Caves’s explosive debut!
Iain’s Halloween Picks
Non-Canelo Read: Ten Little Monsters by Michael Brownlow (illustrated by Simon Rickerty)
This is a massive favourite in Iain’s house, read alongside Ten Little Pirates and Ten Little Dinosaurs all year round. But for Halloween nothing can beat this rhyming learn-to-count toddler story. The words flow wonderfully and the illustrations are quirky and fun. Together they provide a brilliantly educational, escapist, onomatopoeic delight. Were they very scary? Did they frighten you? Ten little monsters all shout, “BOO!”
Canelo Read: The 5th Witch by Graham Masterton
Peter James called Masterton ‘one of the most original and frightening storytellers of our time’. Who are we to disagree? In The 5th Witch, a crime syndicate holds L.A. in a grip of terror – anyone who crosses them must face the mobsters’ keenest allies, a group of gruesome witches. It’s an intense but utterly enthralling read, which crescendos toward a dramatic and startling conclusion.
Happy Halloween!