This 'n That Thursdays: A Few Good Reads for Halloween

 

For me, the colder and shorter days of fall and winter are the best days to start reading spooky tales.  I have four recommendations that would be perfect for Halloween, starting with The Bone Key: The Necromantic Mysteries of Kyle Murchison Booth by Sarah Monette.  Sarah Monette is an excellent writer, Kyle Murchison Booth is an unlikely but endearing protagonist, and it is refreshing to read supernatural tales written in the traditional style but from a contemporary woman's point of view.  This is the best supernatural short story collection I have read in a long time, and I highly recommend it.

Next up is A Theory of Haunting also by Sarah Monette, a short novel which marks the return of Kyle Murchison Booth, the protagonist of the impressive previously mentioned collection of short stories.  Monette continues Booth's saga in this book, and it does not disappoint.  It is short enough to read in one day, but I would suggest reading the short story collection first to become familiar with Booth's back story.  That said, you can still enjoy the book even if you read it first.

Another short story anthology recommendation is Horror Stories for Halloween by Tony Walker.  Tony Walker is the narrator of the Classic Ghost Stories Podcast as well as the author of a number of supernatual-themed books.  This collection covers a variety of supernatural themes.  If you are looking for a read that will get you into the mood for spooky season, give this book a try.

My last recommendation is Ghosts from the Library: Lost Tales of Terror and the Supernatural (A Bodies from the Library special) edited by Tony Medawar.  I have just started reading this one so cannot yet give an opinion, but this is a collection of lesser-known works by familiar mystery authors, so I have a feeling I am really going to enjoy this one.  This anthology of supernatural tales is a slight departure for the Bodies from the Library series, which usually focuses on mystery stories by authors from the Golden Age of detective fiction.

Happy Halloween reading to all who enjoy these types of tales! 👻🎃💀🐍👽