10 New Scary Books for Fall, From Thrillers to Horror
As the nights stretch longer and the air turns cool, there are plenty of scary books in 2025 worth curling up with.
The new thriller books in fall 2025 cover everything from witchy young adult stories, to dark space tales, haunted houses, and even a vampire roommate romance.
Whether you’re after some goosebumps or just a cozy chill, these ten new reads are worth adding to your October list.
Say My Name! Say My Name! by R.L. Stine
R.L. Stine returns with the latest installment in his Goosebumps House of Shivers series, Say My Name! Say My Name!. It’s the perfect spooky entry for younger readers who love jump scares without the nightmares.
This time, a cursed phrase sparks chaos in a quiet suburban town, proving that even saying the wrong thing can have horrifying consequences. It’s classic Stine: fast, funny, and just creepy enough for fall.
Halloween on the Butterfield Trail by Patrick Dearen
This new middle-grade release from Patrick Dearen blends Western adventure with Halloween mystery. When a group of kids sets out to uncover the truth behind a haunted trail, they find more history than they bargained for.
It’s a wholesome, lightly spooky story that captures the spirit of campfire ghost tales and small-town autumn charm – perfect if you’re looking for something eerie, but still family-friendly.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
Set in the 1970s, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls mixes teenage rebellion, supernatural discovery, and feminist horror. When a group of girls at a maternity home discovers occult powers, they soon learn that magic always comes with a cost.
Grady Hendrix delivers another sharp, unsettling tale that’s both nostalgic and unnervingly current. Fans of My Best Friend’s Exorcism will find this one impossible to put down.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
The author of Bird Box is back with one of the best horror novels of 2025 that readers can’t stop talking about. Incidents Around the House traps readers inside a psychological nightmare as an ordinary home becomes the setting for extraordinary fear.
Shortlisted for the 2025 Bram Stoker Awards, this one’s less about what lurks in the dark and more about what it means to lose your sense of safety.
Ghost Virus by Graham Masterton
In Ghost Virus, a strange contagion begins spreading through a London suburb, but it’s not just attacking the body. Victims seem to lose their grip on reality, haunted by violent hallucinations that feel disturbingly real.
Masterton blends medical thriller with supernatural horror, creating a story that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. It’s eerie, thought-provoking, and the kind of book that will make you look twice at your reflection before going to bed.
Overgrowth by Mira Grant
In Overgrowth, a seed pod hidden in a comet crashes to the earth and releases alien plant life that begins spreading silently. When a child disappears into the forest and returns changed, a family fights to understand what was replaced, and whether there’s any going back.
This sci-fi horror novel blends planetary dread with intimate emotional stakes. Think biological invasion meets personal identity, and you’ve got an unsettling story that will stay with you long after the last page.
My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
For readers who like their horror with a little heart, My Roommate Is a Vampire is equal parts spooky and sweet. When a broke artist takes a mysterious new roommate, she discovers he might be centuries older than he looks.
This romantic comedy balances gothic charm with cozy fall vibes, making it the perfect not-too-scary pick for readers easing into the season.
The Bewitching by Jill Dawson
History meets horror in The Bewitching, which reimagines the famous 17th-century witch trials of England. Dawson’s atmospheric prose captures the paranoia, superstition, and power struggles that fueled real-life witch hunts.
Blending historical detail with ghostly unease, this novel blurs the line between faith and fear. It’s a haunting read if you’re a fan of literary or historical fiction.
King Sorrow by Joe Hill
King Sorrow promises a return to Joe Hill’s dark, richly layered storytelling. When a family tragedy collides with ancient supernatural forces, grief becomes a battleground, and the dead may not stay dead.
Known for combining horror, fantasy, and deep emotional stakes, Hill brings tension and heart in equal measure. King Sorrow is poised to become one of the most popular horror books to read this fall.
Of the Flesh: 18 Stories of Modern Horror
This anthology gathers some of the most exciting voices in contemporary horror. Each story in Of the Flesh explores the body as a source of both wonder and dread, offering quick scares and lasting chills.
From viral nightmares to eerie domestic tales, this collection proves that horror still has plenty of ways to get under our skin.
Why Fall 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Get Scared
The best horror stories are about more than monsters. The fall book releases of 2025 dig into loneliness, obsession, and what it means to face the dark parts of ourselves. Each one brings something new to the genre, whether it’s heart-pounding suspense or quiet, creeping unease.
There’s comfort in these chills, too. As the nights get longer and the air turns cold, a good scare feels like the perfect companion.
What do you say we head on over to our nooks, pour something warm, and let these books keep us company until morning light?
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