Halloween is getting closer and closer. As people start making plans and talking about costumes, a surge of creepy media starts to resurface and become popular. Although it might be a rite of passage to watch a classic horror movie or a thriller with friends, there is something special about an intense novel that can keep you hooked. This season happens to fall during a heavy exam period for a lot of students, so if you want to pry yourself away from screens while still enjoying the spooky culture of October, here are a few of my favorite novels that you won’t be able to put down.
The Maid by Nita Prose
This story follows Molly Gray, a maid for a high-end hotel. In the introduction, Molly finds a body in one of the hotel rooms… And subsequently becomes the number one suspect in the crime. She is introduced as someone who struggles with social cues and is neurodivergent-coded, although never directly stated. She starts as a relatively unaware protagonist, with her intelligence being highlighted as she unravels the mystery of what happened and fights to clear her name in time. This novel is not particularly frightening, but it will leave you thinking after every chapter.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
In contrast to the first novel, this book is much creepier, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. The reader takes the perspective of Theo Faber, a psychotherapist who is drawn to the case of Alicia Berenson. Originally a famous artist, Alicia had a seemingly happy marriage- until her husband was found dead by her hand. Left silent, she was taken to a forensic unit, unable to tell her story. Theo believes that he can get the story from her by earning her trust in therapy sessions, but he crosses a few boundaries along the way to get more information. As Theo learns new information, the reader is given pieces of her story and has to try to piece it together before it all clicks at the end.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
This book is part of a duology, but takes place in the same universe as a number of other books. However, Six of Crows is a great standalone book. It’s not exactly a mystery, but it’s an adventure fantasy heavily focused on heists, near-death experiences, and how far you’ll go for kruge (money). It focuses on a group of six criminals who call themselves the Crows, all with varying reasons for being roped into a heist that could make them rich or lead to their deaths. This novel has a varied crew, including a thief with a dark reputation, a silent spy called the Wraith, a sharpshooter with a gambling addiction, a runaway turned into a demolitions expert, a Heartrender, and a convict. With disabled and LGBTQ+ main characters, you’ll finish this read fast and be reaching for the second one.
While these books are very different, they all have gripping plots and complex main characters. If you are looking for a new favorite or a conversation starter, these books are sure to grab your attention. Grab a bookmark and relax as the story unfolds.