by Thomas Rutigliano- Senior Circulation Librarian
Spooky Reads for Every Age
As the nights grow longer and the leaves start to fall, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good spooky story! Whether you love haunted houses, eerie mysteries, or ghostly adventures, the Lynnfield Library has a chilling pick for everyone from kids to adults.
For Adults
1. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
A suspenseful thriller with Hitchcockian twists — perfect for fans of psychological chills.
2. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Creepy atmosphere, decaying mansions, and unsettling family secrets.
3. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
A haunting tale that blends horror and social commentary with unforgettable characters.
4. Novels and stories : The lottery, The haunting of Hill House, We have always lived in the castle, other stories and sketches by Shirley Jackson
A classic of gothic horror — eerie, psychological, and timelessly chilling.
For Teens
1. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Ghosts, magic, and identity collide in this heartwarming yet spooky YA fantasy.
2. Small Town Monsters by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
An eerie paranormal mystery perfect for fans of Stranger Things.
3. The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
Murder, secrets, and high school drama — think Nancy Drew meets Pretty Little Liars.
4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Vintage photos, strange powers, and a haunting adventure.
For Kids
1. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
A fun and spooky middle-grade story about a girl who can see ghosts.
2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A creepy but empowering classic where bravery meets the uncanny.
3. The Witches by Roald Dahl
Witty, scary, and a little bit weird but perfect Halloween reading for kids who love a thrill!
4. Scary stories to tell in the dark: three books to chill your bones by Alvin Schwartz
Contains some of the most alarming tales of horror, dark revenge, and supernatural events of all time. Walking corpses, dancing bones, knife-wielding madmen, and narrow escapes from death—they’re all here in this chilling collection of ghost stories. Make sure you read these books with the light ON!