 When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is one of those stories that sneaks up behind you, taps you on the shoulder, and then proceeds to tear open your ribcage, not just for the horror, but for the feelings hiding underneath it.
It starts with Jess, a down-on-her-luck actress working nights at a diner, who finds a terrified little boy outside her apartment. Then his father shows up. Then a monstrous, snarling something follows them, then before you can even take a breath, you’re neck-deep in blood, grief, and metaphor. Cassidy writes like he’s exorcising trauma of his own. The book has that raw, desperate energy where you can tell the author is saying something real under all the gore. I mean, yeah. It's a horror novel. There are claws, there’s a wolf-thing, there are moments you’ll physically cringe, but it’s also about broken people trying to do the right thing when they don’t even know what that is anymore. Jess isn’t a perfect protagonist by a long shot. She makes choices that make you want to scream at the page. But she feels real. Exhausted. Angry. Trying to hold it together while the universe kicks her. And that’s what makes the whole thing even better. The monsters are terrifying, sure, but the human parts hurt more. There’s a stretch in the middle that feels like running downhill too fast, you’re not sure if you’re still in control, but you can’t stop. By the end, I was overcome with with dread and weird compassion for everyone involved. It’s bloody, it’s tender, it’s messed up. And I loved it. If you like horror that feels personal and uncomfortably human, if you want to be wrecked a little, When the Wolf Comes Home delivers. Maybe don’t read it right before bed unless you want to dream in teeth and regret. 5 out of 5 existential howls. Check out the book at the library or download the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 Grady Hendrix is one of those writers who can have you laughing out loud one minute and then staring at the ceiling wondering why your eyes are leaking the next. How to Sell a Haunted House nails that weird, wonderful balance. On the surface, it’s a story about a brother and sister stuck cleaning up their parents’ house after a loss, except the house is crammed with creepy puppets and dolls that may or may not be alive. Sounds ridiculous, right? And it is. Hendrix leans all the way into the absurd, and you’ll find yourself laughing at how over-the-top some of it gets.
But then, right when you’re laughing, he sucker-punches you with something hard: grief, regret, the way siblings wound each other and carry those scars into adulthood. The haunted house is really just a stand-in for all the baggage that gets passed down in families, the secrets, the grudges, the unspoken hurt. It’s generational trauma wrapped up in a horror-comedy package, which makes it hit that much harder. I think that’s what makes Hendrix so good. You go in for the campy horror, some killer puppets, spooky house vibes, but you leave with your heart a little bruised. This book is hilarious, creepy, and surprisingly moving all at once. Check out the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer completely caught me off guard. On the surface, it starts with a young couple showing their house to potential buyers, but then a family shows up at the door claiming they used to live there. From that simple setup, things spiral into something much stranger, darker, and more unsettling than I ever expected. I had no idea which direction it was going to go, and that unpredictability made it a delight to read.
I’m nearly impossible to scare, but this one actually managed it. I read parts late at night, in the dark, after everyone had gone to bed. Normally that doesn’t faze me at all, but here I found myself pausing, uneasy, and hyper-aware of the pitch-black silence around me. It truly got under my skin and that’s rare. If you want something twisty, eerie, and impossible to pin down, We Used to Live Here is well worth the read. Get the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  If you’re looking for a horror novel that genuinely gets under your skin and stays there, This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno might just be the book to ruin your week in the best way possible.
The story follows Thiago, a guy reeling after the sudden death of his wife, Vera. He starts talking to her in the second person, so the whole book feels like a letter to someone who’s gone. And it’s not just sad (though it’s definitely sad). It’s weird, and unsettling, and at times downright terrifying. At first, the horror starts small. Strange noises, lights flickering, their smart speaker (Itza) acting possessed. You think, "Okay, haunted Alexa, that’s fun." But then it keeps escalating, and it becomes clear this isn’t just a haunted house or glitchy tech. There’s something bigger and stranger going on. Something that doesn't care about logic or closure. It’s like the horror version of grief itself. What really stuck with me, though, is how much heart is in this book. Thiago’s grief feels so real and so unfiltered. It’s messy. He’s angry, scared, numb, all of it at once. Moreno also weaves in subtle commentary on immigration, identity, and the alienation that comes with being a person of color in a country that treats you like an outsider even when you’re mourning. I will say, the book shifts gears pretty hard about two-thirds in. We move from haunted apartment to isolated cabin, and from domestic terror into full cosmic horror. Some people might find that jarring. I didn’t mind it. It felt like falling into the abyss alongside Thiago, but if you're someone who likes a neat resolution or grounded plot, the ending might leave you scratching your head. Still, for me, this book worked. It’s creepy. It’s sad. It’s strange in the best way. And it made me feel something deep in my gut. If you liked The Only Good Indians, or you want a horror novel that actually says something about what it means to lose someone, and to lose yourself in the process, pick this one up. Just… maybe don’t read it alone at night with a smart speaker nearby. Download the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  The September House by Carissa Orlando is a haunting in every sense of the word. Margaret buys a beautiful old home with her husband, only to discover it’s filled with screaming ghosts, blood that seeps from the walls each September, and something terrifying in the basement. But instead of running, she stays. She cleans up the blood. She pretends nothing is wrong. When her daughter comes back into the picture, the cracks in Margaret’s carefully managed world start to widen, and the story spirals into something both emotionally raw and deeply unsettling.
Orlando blends supernatural horror with real-world trauma, using ghosts as a metaphor for the things we live with, bury, and pretend not to see. It’s dark, eerie, sometimes funny, and emotionally sharp. If you like horror that lingers and means something, this one’s for you. Get the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  I Was a Teenage Slasher is an entertaining, clever, and surprisingly funny read. It plays with all your favorite classic horror tropes like teens making questionable choices, creepy villains lurking around every corner, and plenty of suspenseful scares, but still manages to feel fresh, never taking itself too seriously. Told from the unique perspective of the sympathetic slasher himself, the narrative is packed with humor, relatable characters, and even some intriguing mystery-solving elements that keep you turning the pages. Fast-paced and genuinely fun, this book is perfect for a late-night read, especially if you're into horror novels that wink knowingly at the reader while still delivering plenty of thrills. Highly recommended!
Get the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card! Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is one of those rare books that's genuinely unlike anything you've read before. It's creepy, mind-bending, and totally unique, mixing psychological horror with an experimental approach to storytelling that keeps you guessing from start to finish.
On the surface, the story is about a family whose new home turns out to be mysteriously larger on the inside than on the outside, strange rooms and hallways appear, leading into darkness. But that's only the beginning. Danielewski tells the story through multiple layers: footnotes upon footnotes, scattered fragments, and pages that twist and turn physically as much as the narrative itself. The complexity of the print and layout is actually one of the book's biggest strengths. Weird formatting, sideways text, pages with only a few words, and chaotic notes all mimic the confusion and anxiety experienced by the characters. It’s not just a style choice, it's a clever way to pull you deeper into the weirdness, making reading feel like you're actually exploring a dark, unpredictable maze. Sure, the unusual style might throw off readers looking for something more straightforward, but if you're open to something different, that complexity pays off big time. It makes the experience feel fresh, immersive, and unforgettable. Overall, House of Leaves is creepy, fascinating, and creatively daring. It sticks with you long after you've finished, making you question what's real and what isn't. If you like books that challenge you and keep you on your toes, definitely give this one a try. This is a book you definitely need a physical copy to read. Reserve it at the library here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Wow. This book is a trip. If you’re looking for a straightforward horror story, this isn’t it. But if you love psychological horror that keeps you second-guessing everything, The Last House on Needless Street is an absolute must-read.
The story centers around Ted, a recluse who lives in a boarded-up house near the woods with his cat, Olivia (who has her own chapters... yes, really), and his daughter, Lauren, who sometimes just… disappears. Then there’s Dee, a woman determined to figure out what happened to her missing little sister, who vanished years ago. The way these threads come together is nothing short of mind-blowing. The writing is unsettling in the best way. It messes with your head, making you question every character and every detail. And when the truth starts to unfold? It’s equal parts shocking, heartbreaking, and completely brilliant. Ward does an incredible job exploring trauma and survival in a way that sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading. That said, this book isn’t for everyone. It’s slow at times, and the multiple perspectives (especially the cat’s) can feel disorienting. But if you stick with it, the payoff is so worth it. Final thoughts? This is one of those books that lingers in your brain, making you want to reread it just to catch all the clues you missed. Creepy, emotional, and totally unique, I highly recommend it. Get the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  It's 1348, and the Black Plague is decimating Europe. In France, a disgraced knight rescues a girl from a grim fate among the dead. She claims the plague is just the beginning; Lucifer and his fallen angels are preparing to wage war on Earth. She's headed to Avignon (where the Pope resided at the time) because destiny calls. The knight is intrigued. Will he join her and act as her protector? They also pick up a drunken priest along the way. The girl herself… is she delusional, or is she truly a voice of God?
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman is fantastic. It's a rich blend of fantasy, heavy on religious symbolism, with a touch of horror and historical fiction. It crosses genres so effectively, and I highly recommend it. Click here to reserve the audiobook for download with your library card. Prefer a physical copy? Ask us to interlibrary loan one! Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  As always, Paul Tremblay delivers with his latest book, Horror Movie.
The story shifts between timelines: thirty years ago, a group of young filmmakers set out to create an arthouse horror film that was tragically never completed. The narrator, known only as The Thin Kid (we never learn his real name), was part of the cast and is now the sole survivor of the ill-fated production, which has since become a legend among online cult horror fans. In the present day, a reboot is underway, and the narrative alternates between past and present as we unravel what really happened. Was it real? Supernatural? Madness? I never knew what to expect, and even now, I’m not entirely sure how I feel. But, wow. What a ride. Tremblay never disappoints. Reserve the book from the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  The Fletchers, Step, DeAnne, and their kids, just moved to Steuben, North Carolina. It's the early '80s, and this small town has a big problem: kids are vanishing. Step's a software developer (who, hilariously, thinks PCs are a fad), and they're a devout Mormon family (as is the author), so you get a real feel for their life. They're dealing with their own stuff, too, so they're kind of distracted when their eight-year-old, Stevie, starts spending all his time with his imaginary friends, which was not a great choice. Turns out, those "friends" know way more than anyone realizes. It's a slow burn, but things get creepy. And get ready to cry,this book will destroy you. Have tissues ready, preferably the whole box. I think about this book years later.
Reserve the audiobook online with your library card. If you prefer a physical copy, contact us about getting one through interlibrary loan. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Ever wished your favorite book could be real? Dreamed of meeting the characters? Be careful what you wish for, because on Addington Isle, fiction is far less deadly than reality.
In Winterset Hollow, a group of friends visits the setting of their favorite childhood book, a whimsical tale of talking animals and their end-of-summer festival. Think The Wind in the Willows or Winnie-the Pooh. But the truth behind the story is far darker than they ever imagined. Barley Day isn't just a celebration, it's a hunt. And they're the prey. Thrilling, terrifying, and full of surprises, Winterset Hollow delivers unforgettable and sympathetic characters on both sides, shocking twists, and a climax that will leave you gasping. On Barley Day, there’s only one rule: run. Maybe you've never heard of this book, but if you spend any time on social media, you've seen the author's quotes. He's become quite famous for his wit. You should read his book, it's one of my favorites. Reserve it here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias is a raw, gut-punch of a story that’s equal parts crime thriller, horror, and heartbreaking drama. It follows Mario, a grieving father drowning in debt after his daughter's illness. Desperate to make things right, he takes a job with a cartel, and things spiral into a brutal nightmare. Think Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul with a sprinkle of supernatural.
The writing is sharp and vivid, pulling no punches as it dives into grief, faith, classism, racism, and the ugly choices people make when life leaves them no way out. It’s dark, gripping, and totally unforgettable, perfect if you’re into gritty, no-holds-barred fiction that keeps space in your brain forever. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian Interested? Click here to reserve! An audiobook version is available to reserve with your SPL card as well.  Misha Byrne is a rising star. He's nominated for an Oscar. His TV show is a hit. Now the studio wants him to kill off the gay stars of his show on the season finale. He's not down with the idea, and suddenly he's being stalked by the monsters of his previous films. It's a delightfully inclusive story where love wins, but we still get blood, guts, and evil lambs.
This was everything you’d hope for from the legendary author. It takes the classic horror trope and gives it a twist, delivering a story that’s as funny and weird as it is touching and empowering. The blend of campy horror, sharp social commentary, and genuine emotion makes it a standout. If you’re a fan of Chuck Tingle or just want a unique and entertaining read with a ton of feels. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! Or if you prefer, eBook and audiobook.  In Mean Spirited by Nick Roberts, the spooky twist isn’t a haunted house or a possessed person, it’s a possessed dog.
The main character, Matt, is a high school English teacher who’s also a heavy drinker and not over his ex-wife, now a successful vet. They co-parent their young son, who’s been begging for a dog. One day, Matt spots an obituary for one of his former students, a kid he really liked. Tragically, she took her own life, and her mother passed away on the scene from a heart attack. Remembering he still has one of her poems buried in his attic junk, Matt thinks her family might appreciate it, so he frames it and heads over to her memorial. Just as he’s about to leave, a starving, thirsty dog wanders up with her address on its tag. It’s her dog. Knowing his son wants a dog, Matt decides to take it home. That’s when things start going south for him, his family, and even some other folks. Fair warning: there’s violence, some animal harm, and Matt’s struggles with alcoholism are front and center as he starts to see the damage it’s doing to his life, beyond just dealing with a haunted dog. Nick Roberts’ books always have enough creep factor to make me think twice about turning off the lights, even though I’m pretty hard to scare. They also usually hit you with some real emotional depth. I know whenever I pick up one of his books, I’m in for a good read. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! |
The SPL StaffWe work here at the library, and we’re into all kinds of books! How Do I Get These Books?See our Quickstart Guides page for information on how to use the online catalog and how to get eBooks and audiobooks for your specific device. You can also contact us there if you need more help!
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