​The Devil in the White City surprised me in the best way. I picked it up for the serial killer. Let’s be real here: H.H. Holmes is what drew me in. The whole idea of a charming murderer building a hotel of horrors during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair? Creepy and fascinating. I was ready for the true crime vibes.

But then, unexpectedly, I got completely sucked into the other half of the book—the part about the actual building of the fair. I didn’t think I’d care much about architecture or city planning or a bunch of guys arguing over blueprints, but Erik Larson somehow made it all feel epic. The stakes were weirdly high, and you start rooting for these stressed-out designers like they're action heroes in a race against time.

The pacing flips between Holmes’s sinister antics and the overwhelming, awe-inspiring task of creating the fair from scratch and the contrast makes both parts even better. By the end, I was just as obsessed with the Ferris wheel as I was with the murder castle. Who knew?

Definitely recommend it if you like your history with a side of murder and unexpected emotional investment in urban landscaping.

Erik Larson has this wild talent for taking what should be a dry history lesson and turning it into something you tear through like a thriller. The Devil in the White City isn’t just a book about a fair and a murderer, it’s a masterclass in how to make nonfiction feel downright cinematic. When is Leo's movie coming? Never? Argh!!!

Larson doesn’t just dump facts on you, he builds them, scene by scene, with so much tension and atmosphere that you forget you’re technically learning. He writes like a novelist but sticks to the historical record, which somehow makes it even more gripping. He’ll set a scene with the creak of wood, the stink of mud, the overwhelming pressure of deadlines, and then cut to Holmes luring another victim with eerie calm. The contrast is genius. One side is a mad dash to build a utopia; the other is slow, calculated evil unfolding behind closed doors.

What makes it obscenely entertaining is how he casts real people like characters in a prestige drama. Daniel Burnham, the architect trying to hold the fair together, becomes this tortured, ambitious protagonist. Holmes, of course, is chilling, but never a cartoonish villain. Larson lets the creepiness unfold subtly, which makes it even worse (in a good way). Even side characters feel alive and distinct. It’s like history woke up, got dressed, and said, “Let me tell you a wild story.” This was easily as entertaining as any crime novel.

Give his books a try, this is a great one to start with. Larson doesn’t just recount events, he resurrects them. And somehow, he makes the bureaucratic nightmare of planning a world’s fair feel just as suspenseful as tracking a serial killer. That’s a magic trick not many writers can pull off.

Check the book out at the library, or we have the audiobook on CDs. You can also download the eBook or audiobook directly to your device with the Libby app 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

This book goes hard. Really hard. S.A. Cosby takes us to a small Southern town with big secrets, and the result is a gritty, emotional rollercoaster that’s part murder mystery, part social commentary, and completely impossible to put down.

The story follows Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff in a deeply divided Virginia county, as he investigates a horrifically disturbing crime. What starts as one murder quickly unravels into something much darker, and Titus ends up confronting not just a killer, but the deep-rooted racism and hypocrisy baked into the town's history.

Cosby's writing is sharp, raw, and real. He’s got a way with words that hits you right in the gut. One minute you’re caught in a tense shootout, the next you’re reflecting on trauma, justice, and what it means to do the right thing in a messed-up world.

Titus is a total standout, flawed, principled, tired, but relentless. He’s the kind of character you root for because he’s trying so hard in a place that’s actively working against him.
​
If you’re into crime thrillers with depth, soul, and a little blood on the page, All the Sinners Bleed is your book. S.A. Cosby is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Get it at the library or download the audiobook or eBook.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

After his wife is killed in a mass shooting, Aaron discovers a mysterious hotel receipt, sending him on a desperate quest for answers in Ronald Malfi's Come With Me. His search unravels Allison's secrets and exposes a terrifying truth. Malfi is the master of creating chilling atmosphere where the familiar becomes sinister, and the setting itself amplifies the dread. The novel delves deep into the characters' heads, exploring their vulnerabilities and hidden darkness. The pacing builds suspense to a fever pitch, delivering unexpected and impactful scares. While touching on genre tropes, Malfi's unique voice and fresh twists keep readers guessing. He has easily become one of my favorite authors. Come With Me is a captivating and thought-provoking read for those that like a spooky thriller, tapping into our deepest fears.

Want to read it? Reserve the book at the library, or the eBook with your SPL card.

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