#SpookyReads

[kaiespace]

Not done talking about #halloweenreads tbh and this series is perfect. Like Supernatural meets American Gods meets American Horror Story. An urban legend ghost (hitchhiking dead prom date from the 50s) and her adventures through small town America and its underworld layers. Creepy, unexpected, anthology-ish but trending toward a larger narrative arc (great for bite-size reading if you only have time for a chapter!) and sits nicely in that “horror aesthetic but not too scared to walk to the bathroom at night” zone for me 😂👻🎃🖤 #horrorbooks #spookyreads #seananmcguire #ghostroads https://www.instagram.com/p/CkjUzjyyMsD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[leannareneehieber]

Getting ready for the first convention of 2023! Excited to join everyone at the 8th annual Stupid Cupid Ball in Cromwell, CT, now a 3-day celebration of #Steampunk! See @oddball_newt for tickets! I'm honored to be a Featured Guest alongside amazing talents in the genre! I'll be giving lots of talks on Ghosts, Victorian customs & Spiritualism, eager to sign copies of our acclaimed & bestselling A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS! -- #booklife #booksigning #ctevents #History #VictorianGoth #Victorian #womenshistory #ghoststories #authorsofinstagram #ahauntedhistoryofinvisiblewomen #hauntedhistory #haunted #Ghosts #spiritualism #spookyreads https://www.instagram.com/p/CoK_ldxvOas/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jonathanstroud]

Posted @withrepost • @dhachildrens Are you ready for a spooktacular Book-mas recommendation? Today's Christmas read comes from the brilliant @jonathan.stroud 🎄☠️ JS: Ghosts enjoy Christmas like everybody else, and a good spooky tale is a fine corrective to all the enforced jollity and turkey-fuelled good cheer. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol fuses darkness and redemption to create obviously the greatest festive book of all. It should be required yearly reading (just as The Muppets’ Christmas Carol is THE essential family watch). But I’m going to go out on a limb here, and recommend M R James’s Ghost Stories as my Xmas pick. These aren’t stories about Christmas, but many of them were written for Christmas. James was Provost at Eton, and he wrote his stories specifically for reading out to friends and pupils on Christmas Eve. You’ve got vengeful spirits, demonic guardians, nasty things hiding in ash trees, white flappy shapes hunting you along deserted beaches, and many other horrors, all hinted at with impeccable Edwardian restraint. In short, they’re the best creepy stories in English and perfect for the season, so take a peek into the midwinter dark and see what’s wandering there. Happy Reading! #christmasreading #christmasbooks #christmasadvent #festiveseason #festivereading #ghoststories #spookyreads #christmasghoststories #kidslit #kidsbooksofinstagram #kidsbookstagram #childrenschristmasbooks #childrensbooks #lockwood #lockwoodandco https://www.instagram.com/p/CmJuwigrbkv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬 Happy Friday! What are you reading this weekend? 📖☕️ I’m reading The Ex by @fizzziatrist, and when I finish that I think I’ll be starting this one! Spells for Lost Things by @jennaevanswelch feels like the perfect book to dive into this weekend! 🤎🍂 Thank you to @simonteen for gifting me this copy! . . . h a s h t a g s : #spellsforlostthings #jennaevanswelch #salemmassachusetts #spookyreads #romancebooks #romancereader #booksandbeans #coffeeandseasons #romancereadersofinstagram #cozyvibes #fallfeels #fallcolors #neutralaesthetic #bookish #mybookfeatures #flatlaystyle https://www.instagram.com/p/CjssZDpuwd3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[supersteviegeekout]

Fear doesn't help us achieve a state of grace; it deafens the heart. - Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ ☆Do you like zombie or necromancer stories?☆ This series has been a weird one for me so far. I loved Gideon. I absolutely adored her sass and insanity, the way she dealt with the world around her. Harrow left me confused. That book didn't make sense to me until almost halfway through. Nona had confusing bits, but I loved her for how sweet and innocent she was. Even knowing what happened, what made her that way, I loved her. Thankful that @pieraforde recommended this series to me! Now the wait for Alecto begins. ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookswelove #bookaholic #booklover #booklife #bookaddict #gideontheninth #harrowtheninth #nonatheninth #tamsynmuir #necromancers #bookrecommendations #spookyreads https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj-9n2SLUUO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cupofteajones]

Spending your Halloween night at home? Spend closing out this Halloween with these #SpookyReads! Don't worry you can visit bit.ly/SpookyReadsforHalloween to discover more haunting reads for this evening! 🎃👻💀 #books #bookblogger #books2022 #halloween #halloween2022 #ukyabooks #yabooks #thrillers #irishmysteries #irishyabooks #irisbooks #mangalovers #junjiito #horrorcomics #horror #halloweenreads https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZXck-L8Aj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Cursed Locket Shaina Tranquilino September 7, 2024

James Cartwright was an antique dealer of some repute, known throughout London for his discerning eye and the uncanny ability to procure rare and valuable artifacts. His shop, tucked away in a narrow alley of Covent Garden, was a treasure trove of history. Shelves groaned under the weight of dusty books, ornate candelabras, and delicate porcelain figurines. But it was the jewelry section that held James' true passion—rows of rings, brooches, and necklaces, each with a story waiting to be uncovered.

One rainy afternoon, a man in a worn trench coat entered the shop, carrying a small, velvet-lined box. His eyes darted around nervously as he approached the counter, his hands trembling slightly as he placed the box in front of James.

"Interested in buying?" the man asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

James' curiosity was piqued. He opened the box to reveal a gold locket, intricate and old, with an ornate filigree design. The locket was heavy in his hand, and as he examined it closely, he noticed a small inscription on the back: "To E., Forever Yours. 1889."

"Beautiful craftsmanship," James remarked, though his mind was racing. The inscription rang a bell, something he had read long ago. "Where did you find this?"

The man shifted uncomfortably. "It belonged to my grandmother," he lied. "She passed away recently, and I need the money."

James nodded, sensing there was more to the story, but not pressing further. He offered a fair price, and the man accepted with a relieved sigh before hurrying out into the rain. As James watched him disappear into the mist, a nagging feeling tugged at the back of his mind. There was something familiar about that locket.

Later that evening, after closing the shop, James retired to his study. He poured himself a glass of brandy and settled into his leather armchair, the locket resting on the table beside him. He reached for an old book of unsolved mysteries, a collection he had inherited from his father. Thumbing through the pages, he stopped at a passage that made his heart skip a beat.

The Disappearance of Elodie Blackwood, 1889.

Elodie Blackwood had been a celebrated socialite, known for her beauty and charm. She vanished without a trace one autumn evening, leaving behind a scandal and a mystery that had never been solved. The last known item she was seen wearing was a gold locket, a gift from her secret lover. The inscription in the book matched the one on the locket now sitting on James' table.

The coincidence was too strong to ignore. He picked up the locket, and as he did, a sudden chill ran through the room, causing the candle flames to flicker. The locket felt cold in his hand, unnaturally so. He tried to open it, but the clasp was stuck fast.

Undeterred, James decided to investigate further. The next morning, he visited the local archives, where he spent hours poring over old newspapers and records. Every detail about Elodie Blackwood's life and disappearance pointed to the locket as the key to the mystery, but nothing explained what had happened to her. The locket had never been found—until now.

That night, James was awakened by a strange noise, like the whisper of fabric brushing against the floor. He sat up in bed, straining to listen. The noise grew louder, and then he saw it—a shadowy figure standing at the foot of his bed, the outline of a woman in a flowing dress.

"Elodie?" he whispered, though he wasn't sure why.

The figure did not move or speak, but the air around him grew colder. James' eyes darted to the nightstand, where the locket now lay open, though he hadn't been able to pry it apart earlier. Inside was a small, faded photograph of a woman, her face hauntingly beautiful, her eyes filled with sadness.

The figure raised an arm and pointed toward the locket. James felt an overwhelming compulsion to touch it again, to delve deeper into its past. As his fingers brushed the photo, a searing pain shot through his hand, and the room spun wildly. When the dizziness subsided, he found himself no longer in his bedroom, but in a grand ballroom, filled with people dressed in Victorian attire.

He recognized the scene from descriptions he had read—this was the night Elodie Blackwood had disappeared. The locket was warm now, pulsing with a life of its own as it guided him through the crowd. He saw Elodie, her eyes wide with fear as she clutched the locket around her neck. A man approached her, his face obscured by shadows, and whispered something in her ear. Elodie's face went pale, and she fled the room, the man following close behind.

James felt himself being pulled along as if tethered to Elodie by an invisible thread. He followed her through the darkened halls of the mansion, down a spiral staircase, and into the cellar. The man caught up with her there, his voice low and menacing.

"You know too much, Elodie," he hissed. "The locket—it's cursed. It binds you to the truth, but it will also be your undoing."

Elodie backed away, but there was nowhere to run. The man lunged, and there was a brief struggle before he pushed her. She stumbled, her scream echoing off the stone walls as she fell into an open well in the centre of the cellar. The locket slipped from her neck, landing with a clatter on the floor.

James awoke with a start, drenched in sweat. The vision had been so vivid, so real. He knew now what had happened to Elodie, but the locket still held its curse. It had bound her to that moment of betrayal and death, trapping her spirit in a loop of endless torment.

Realizing what he had to do, James took the locket to the site of the old Blackwood estate, now a crumbling ruin outside the city. The well was still there, hidden beneath overgrown vines and debris. With a heavy heart, he tossed the locket into the well, hearing the faint splash as it disappeared into the darkness.

For a moment, the air was still, and then a breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it a sense of peace. The curse had been lifted; Elodie's spirit was finally free.

James returned to his shop, feeling lighter than he had in days. But as he unlocked the door and stepped inside, a small velvet-lined box on the counter caught his eye. His blood ran cold. The locket was back, sitting there as if it had never left.

It seemed that some mysteries were never meant to be solved.

[current-words-publishing]

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[leannareneehieber]

Darlings! Freshly signed copies of A HAUNTED HISTORY OF INVISIBLE WOMEN: TRUE STORIES OF AMERICA'S GHOSTS are available via the fine folks @bnunionsqnyc! Huge thanks to their amazing staff for being so lovely! Reminder, this book is on the preliminary ballot of the Bram Stoker Awards for "Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction so if you are a HWA voting member, be sure to check us out! Happy Haunting! -- #ghoststories #womensstudies #womenshistory #spookyreads #ghosts #haunted #hauntedhistory #gothsofinstagram #gothstagram #ahauntedhistoryofinvisiblewomen (at Barnes and Noble, Union Square, Manhattan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Coftzu2v2Z_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mashawrites]

Qotd: what do you consider to be cheating on your partner? ... Beneath the Door-Book1 of the Chrysals Saga is an exceptionally written suspense. I enjoyed guessing throughout the book. It has a slow pace though but nonetheless It was a good read. I like the characters and the dialogues that went on between them. Most of all, the book has a lot of suspense! You can guess all you want like I did but at the end i realised I was terribly wrong. Totally recommend to mystery and suspense lovers. Que consideras que engana a tu pareja? ..... #antiqueacademia #spookyreads #bookishbeennaija #bookstaly #darkacademia #forthethrillofit #spookybooks #bookstababesx3 #bookishbuddyread #bookishladiesclub #bookblog #bookwyrm #hyggebookstyle ⁣⁣ #booworm #bibliotecas #bookobsessed #reading  #yalit  #booksandchocolate #booksandcoffee ⁣⁣ #kanuribookworm  #alagowriter #libraryofinstagram #inquisitivefulanichica #bookstagramafrica  #simpleandstill #cozyvibes #booksoverboys #thehausagirlthatreads https://www.instagram.com/p/CpH4g1nL5xK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬 Happy Sunday! What are you reading? How are you spending your day? Tell me all the things!! 🤎📖 I’m spending my day running a few errands, doing housework, and hanging with family. Hoping to finish up my book tonight too! 🤎📖 Have you heard of Ghost 19 yet? This is a short story from one or my favorite spooky authors, @simonestjames! I can’t wait to read this one. It releases January 3rd, so be sure to check it out! . . . h a s h t a g s : #ghost19 #simonestjames #ghoststories #spookyseason #spookyreads #mybookfeatures #bookish #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #alwaysreading #bookphotography #bedroomdecor #hygge #hyggehome #neutraldecor #mybeigelife #weekendvibes #cosy #cozyhome #cozyaesthetic https://www.instagram.com/p/CkV73k6Oa7n/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[supersteviegeekout]

Show me why they call you the Wicked. - Kingdom of the Feared by @kerrimaniscalco ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ ☆Are you reading anything spooky this month?☆ I just finished Kingdom of the Feared and wow, just wow. I adored the Stalking Jack the Ripper books. They were sweet, with a dark edge, and Thomas Cresswell can't be oversold. Meanwhile in her new trilogy, we have Wrath, a literal Prince of Hell, and I would love one of my own please. Emilia is an excellent heroine, a witch content to work in her family restaurant, until her world falls apart. I thought this would be another YA series, but this is definitely more NA or even adult. Kingdom of the Cursed is definitely spicy. Kingdom of the Feared is completely filthy and I loved it! This is an excellent reading choice for the month of October! ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookswelove #bookaholic #booklover #booklife #bookaddict #kingdomofthewicked #kingdomofthecursed #kingdomofthefeared #kerrimaniscalco #spookyreads #adultreads #bookrecommendations https://www.instagram.com/p/CjdqWEArSBZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[keepittoyourshelf]

My Heart Is A Chainsaw - Review

My Heart Is A Chainsaw – Review

I picked this book up over the summer while at a comic convention – I’m not one for gore in movies at all, but the premise certainly intrigued me and gore in books is a little more…palatable, I guess.  Though, note to self, I need to get better about checking didthedogdie.com before buying books.  If I had known this site existed, I’d have saved myself endless trauma (mostly at the hands of…

[thebookshelfmonster]

“You murder people,” Avery said. “You bolster your own lifespan with innocent blood.” “You work for the Foreign Office of the British Empire.” Shane Carrow's Vampire on the Orient Express has an exciting premise, and the author delivers the plot expertly. A motley crew of strangers of various nationalities are traveling in the Orient Express headed to Constantinople at the turn of the 20th century, among which are our dual POV heroes, English diplomat Lucas Avery and American ex-soldier Sam Carter, while a deadly and seemingly supernatural force begins to make its presence known, preying upon the innocent and most vulnerable aboard the train. The story is awash with early 20th century literary nostalgia, evoking the suspense of the famous Agatha Christie mystery the book clearly takes inspiration from, as well as presenting a fearsome and relentless antagonist of the tenor of Bram Stoker's Dracula in the figure of the titular vampire. However, for a book published in 2019, it seemed far less willing to discuss the problems of the context in which the story is set up that I would have expected. The author is aware of the backdrop of the heyday of European colonial empires against which the literature he drew inspiration from as well as his own book is set. And yet, his acknowledgment of the problem of this nostalgia feels little more than lip service. This becomes particularly problematic when it is the story's villain who is made to be the mouthpiece of every critical piece of dialogue about British imperialism or American settler-colonialism (as evident from the quotes above). 3/5 🌟 and full review on #goodreads #bookreview #vampireontheorientexpress #vampirebooks #murdermystery #horrorthriller #murderontheorientexpress #agathachristie #dracula #bramstoker #britishempire #spookyreads #bookblogger #spooktober https://www.instagram.com/p/ClEO4cvrjhl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=