13 Spooky Reads by Black Authors to Haunt Your October Nights
As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter, there’s no better time to curl up with a spine-tingling book. October is the perfect month to indulge in stories that will send chills down your spine and keep you awake long after you turn the final page. And what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a lineup of horror, thrillers, and supernatural tales by incredible Black authors? From psychological suspense to ghostly apparitions, this list has something for every spooky-season enthusiast.
Here are 13 must-read books by Black authors that are perfect for an eerie October night:
1. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
Cosby has a gift for weaving intense, gritty tales, and All the Sinners Bleed is no exception. In this Southern Gothic thriller, we follow a sheriff as he hunts a serial killer who uses religion as a shield for his gruesome acts. Tension-filled and morally complex, this book will take you to the dark heart of a small town with secrets.
2. When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
Alyssa Cole’s When No One is Watching masterfully blends psychological suspense with social commentary. Set in a rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood, this thriller will keep you guessing as strange disappearances occur, and the true horror of urban renewal is revealed.
3. Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele, the mastermind behind films like Get Out and Us, brings his genius to the literary world with Out There Screaming. This collection of short stories is packed with unsettling tales that explore race, fear, and the supernatural. Peele’s signature mix of horror and social critique will surely leave you haunted.
4. The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
If you’re a fan of chilling historical fiction, The Reformatory is a must-read. Tananarive Due sets her supernatural tale in a Jim Crow-era reform school where the past refuses to rest. The haunting spirits within these walls bring terror and justice in equal measure, making this novel a perfect read for those who enjoy ghosts with purpose.
5. House Woman by Adorah Nworah
This novel tackles domestic horror with a touch of the supernatural. House Woman explores cultural identity, marital strife, and eerie happenings within a household that feels more like a prison than a home. Nworah blends psychological terror with real-world themes that will leave readers both captivated and unnerved.
6. The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle
Victor LaValle’s The Devil in Silver takes place in a mental institution where the real horrors lurk not just in the minds of the patients but in the dark corners of the hospital itself. Mixing satire with supernatural horror, LaValle crafts a haunting narrative that questions the line between madness and reality.
7. The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
A twist on the classic mystery genre, The Black Queen centers around the murder of a high school’s first Black homecoming queen. With sharp social commentary and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this book is a must-read for fans of teen dramas with a dark, sinister twist.
8. The Getaway by Lamar Giles
In The Getaway, what begins as a seemingly perfect vacation at a luxurious resort quickly spirals into a dystopian nightmare. Giles weaves a fast-paced, gripping narrative that explores class, privilege, and survival in a world that seems too real for comfort.
9. There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer
Lisa Springer taps into the slasher genre with a fun, fast-paced horror story about a girl determined not to be the first victim. There’s No Way I’d Die First plays with the classic horror movie trope, but with sharp commentary on race and survival that adds layers to the thrills.
10. Nana by Brandon Massey
Brandon Massey’s Nana brings family drama and supernatural horror together in a deeply unsettling tale. When a long-lost relative shows up, all hell breaks loose—quite literally. This novel will have you questioning how well you know your own family, making it an excellent Halloween read.
11. Monstrous by Jessica Lewis
In Monstrous, a young woman with terrifying magical abilities must protect herself from a sinister cult bent on controlling her. Jessica Lewis combines elements of fantasy and horror to create a compelling tale of power, identity, and the monsters within us all.
12. Jackal by Erin E. Adams
Jackal is a mystery-thriller with a supernatural twist. When a young Black girl goes missing in a predominantly white town, old wounds and dark secrets come to the surface. Erin E. Adams’ chilling debut will leave you breathless and questioning the true cost of justice.
13. Not So Perfect Strangers by L.S. Stratton
In this suspenseful thriller, two women’s lives collide in a deadly encounter that unravels more than either of them could have anticipated. Not So Perfect Strangers is a gripping psychological tale that explores betrayal, revenge, and the lengths we go to for survival.
Bonus: Zone One by Colson Whitehead
If you’re in the mood for a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller, look no further than Zone One. Whitehead’s literary prowess shines through as he weaves a story about survival, civilization, and the eerie calm after the storm. With his sharp prose and compelling characters, this book is a standout in the zombie genre.
Get into the Halloween Spirit with Black Authors
Whether you’re a fan of thrillers, supernatural horrors, or psychological suspense, these books will offer a chilling escape into the eerie, the unknown, and the terrifyingly real. This Halloween, celebrate Black authors who are pushing the boundaries of horror and suspense. Curl up with one of these reads, but be warned—you might not sleep until you finish!
Let these stories haunt your October nights, and remember—sometimes, the scariest things are lurking in the places you least expect. Happy Halloween, and happy reading!
