At last, my final book recs list for Spooktober 2025. This one is all about the creepy, the eerie, the horrifying, and the unsettling. Making these lists has been so much fun, but I can’t lie – I will be happy to go back to my four posts a week schedule in November. I have fewer recommendations in this one it seems, so that’s less reading required of you. Remember to check in with my Witchy Book Recs, Haunting Book Recs, Dangerous Book Recs, and these Creepy Book Recs whenever you are looking for something different to pick up!

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

A recent read that I enjoyed immensely, Hidden Pictures has that perfect amount of creepy to really stand out and make you feel concerned while having you deeply invested in the novel. It is such. fantastic read, one I can see so many people loving, so I hope this makes it onto your tbr lists.

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

The Collector series is becoming a fast favourite for my mum and I, and The Butterfly Garden really started it off strong. The tone and atmosphere are dark and oppressive, with an undeniable creep factor applied across the storytelling. I cannot wait to get into the second novel The Roses of May, and I highly recommend this series to those wanting a crime mystery thriller that will set your teeth on edge.

Misery by Stephen King

A lot of Stephen King novels could fit into this list, but Misery is one that I read and count not deny belonged in this category. A crazed fan kidnapping her favourite author is all sorts of scary, creepy, and messed up, and that isn’t even the half of this novel. My generation could certainly learn more than a handful of things from Stephen King’s works, and I hope there is a resurgence of his long list of titles over the autumn/winter seasons.

Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio

I know this is a polarising novel as this is the one that came out after the hype and intense admiration for her dark academia sensation If We Were Villains, but I think Graveyard Shift is a little read full of creepy detail and atmospheric word choice. The ‘liminal space’ feel of the novel can be a little weird and empty for some, but I think it works fine in this instance. If you want creepy and spine-tingling, Graveyard Shift will be a quick one to accomplish in an afternoon or weekend.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

This dystopian sci-fi short story collection has its horrifying, its creepy, and its gory, making it a perfect addition to this list. With its blend of genres and moody feel, Her Body and Other Parties is something readers across many genres can enjoy, and it is a pleasant step back from the full-on horror this category can encourage.

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

I don’t remember everything about this novel, but I remember a near-constant state of tension and discomfort throughout the read. So many elements of this read align in a way that makes it feel creepy and unsettling, and while I wasn’t a big fan of this one I can say that it works. What terrifies me the most with The Maidens are the characters, and I remember hitting a stage in this book where things just got creepy, so surely that’s a good reason to add it to the list.

We Have Always Lives in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

This eerie, moody, atmospheric read is rife with tension, a unique tone, and sharp word choice, making it both an absolute joy to read and an exhilarating wait for the other show to drop. Shirley Jackson’s novels are incredible, addictive, and revolutionary, and I know I will be digging into more of her works in the months to come. This is your sign to do the same.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

This novel is creepy in a different way than most of the others. The setting for I Who Have Never Known Men is chilling, creepy, and weird, and the wider circumstances and unknown makes it even more creepy as it creates so many more questions. Out of these recs, though, this is one of the milder ones. I Who Have Never Known Men will make you think, and leave you wondering as the meaning of it all keeps you occupied for days.

Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko

Vita Nostra is full of eerie, creepy, and unsettling detail, making it stand alone in the field of dark academia. This read is for those who are familiar with the aforementioned genre and are looking for more, something darker, more dire, and delivering a different hit than seen before. This speculative fiction rides the line of mild horror to an extent with its magical realism and the circumstances the main character faces, and it is well worth a go if that is something that interests you.