Hands gripping a book, entranced in plot, sat beside a bowl of shiny candy wrappers, ready for the fateful revelation when–
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP echoes from the other side of the door.
If you get your frights from titilating novels, horrifying nonfiction, or haunted poetry choose your Hallows Eve read below.
If you have little ones you want to read to, inbetweeners interested in getting off their phones, you’re in luck. We’ve curated stories on Halloween, horror, and mystery in a range of reading levels for kids and YA readers to intrigue both experienced readers and those who claim “they don’t like to read”
Waiting for the door to knock
A Refined Cruelty: The Nine Deaths of Robert Sproule by Chad Reimer (Caitlin Press)
A fateful tale of justice and injustice on an early morning of 1885. A Refined Cruelty brings the fateful tale of Thomas Hammill and Robert Sproule’s lethal contact to life.
Brand new release
A Child’s Seance by Weyman Chan (Talon Books)
A poetry collection that starts with a pair of siblings attempting to contact their dead mother with a Ouija board and expands into an astral travelogue that reflects on grief.
Brand new release
The Fort George Murders of 1823 by Geoff Mynett (Caitlin Press)
With the murder of two HBC workers following a situation rooted in personal relationships and complicated by tensions between the Indigenous and the settler communities, the future of New Caledonia’s trading district was thrown into crisis.
Out now
Guns Across the River: A Wakeland Novel by Sam Wiebe (Harbour Publishing)
Sam Wiebe’s gripping sixth Wakeland novel delivers a taut, atmospheric mystery that dives into corruption, crime and family secrets deeply rooted in Vancouver’s underworld.
Out now
For trick or treaters
My Great Great Grandmother by Joaquín Camp, translated by Lawrence Schimel (Orca Book Publishers)
When a boy searches for treasure in his backyard, he’s shocked to find the skeleton of his great-great-grandmother, who is ready for an adventure. Full of unexpected fun, friends, lemonade and an ABBA T-shirt, the boy’s day with his great-great-grandmother is one he’ll remember forever.
Brand new release
How to Comfort a Monster by Jesper Cederstrand, illustrated by Clara Dackenberg, translated by B.J. Woodstein (Orca Book Publishers)
A child attempts the impossible task of comforting a very big, very sad monster. He tries giving the monster a hug, holding its hand and drying its tears, but in the end the child’s presence is comfort enough.
Out now
Werewolves Don’t Need Babysitters by Suzanne Sutherland, illustrated by Dharmali Patel (Orca Book Publishers)
When Lou’s parents go away unexpectedly and leave his older brothers in charge, Lou must fend for himself against their pranks. It’s not until Honeybunch the vampire returns to cause trouble that Lou and his brothers realize the pranks might be the perfect solution to their vampire problem.
New release
A Dangerous Game by Sigmund Brouwer (Orca Book Publishers)
After falling overboard on a boat trip with his parents, Rain finds himself being hunted by a crazed billionaire on his private island in this modern retelling of “”The Most Dangerous Game”” by Richard Connell.
New release
Not Myself Today by Mahtab Narsimhan (Orca Book Publishers)
When a magical museum artifact makes wealthy, spoiled Riya swap bodies with her classmate Saanvi, Riya learns that money doesn’t buy happiness. Saanvi’s warm working-class family, the satisfaction of helping out in their store and a new perspective on her mean-girl friends makes Riya question her previous actions. But can she work with Saanvi to find a way to switch back?
New release
Escape from Hillcrest House by Sandra Dussault, illustrated by Martin Côté, translated by David Warriner (Orca Book Publishers)
In this short thriller novel for middle-grade readers, fourteen-year-old Finnigan discovers that his post-apocalyptic life secluded inside Hillcrest House isn’t what it seems, and he sets out to discover the truth.
Out now
Vinh Tran Is Cursed by Hai G.M. Doan (Orca Book Publishers)
Twelve-year-old Vinh is having a hard time adjusting to middle school and his grades aren’t good enough to convince his parents to let him compete in a culinary competition—until his grandmother gives him a magic jade pen that comes with a curse.
New release
The Curse of Heartwood Academy by Marty Chan (Orca Book Publishers)
When Allie is sent away to boarding school at Heartwood Academy, the last thing she expects is to be forced into spending the night in a haunted forest as an initiation ritual. And she definitely doesn’t expect to be chased by the reanimated corpse of the school’s founder.
Out now
The Bottle Witch of Brimley by Linda DeMeulemeester, illustrated by Meaghan Carter (Orca Book Publishers)
In this short novel for middle-grade readers, twelve-year-old Dory accidentally releases an evil night witch and her whole town of Brimley falls under a bizarre curse. With pets, plants and people disappearing, Dory must uncover a way to undo the witch’s power before it’s too late.
Out now
Do Not Go Out at Night by François Gravel, illustrated by Martine Latulippe, translated by David Warriner (Orca Book Publishers)
Told in collage format with journal entries, transcripts, newspaper articles and other artifacts, this short thriller for middle-grade readers recounts a terrifying encounter between two teens, Oliver and Maddy, and the murderer whose six-year-old crime they inadvertently uncover.
Out now