Dear Readers, today I’m delighted to welcome MMD team member Brigid Misselhorn to the blog! Brigid is indispensable around here, AND she’s one of my favorite people to talk books […] The post 21 spine-tingling but not TOO scary...
Dear Readers, today I’m delighted to welcome MMD team member Brigid Misselhorn to the blog! Brigid is indispensable around here, AND she’s one of my favorite people to talk books with. Some of my favorite 2023 reads have come at her recommendation, and perhaps soon you’ll be saying the same thing! I’m so excited she’s sharing this robust roundup of gently chilling and thrilling fall reads today. I enjoyed it so much and I think you will, too. Welcome, Brigid! -a
Even though I live in a perpetual summer in South Florida, fall and Halloween time have always been my favorite time of year. It all started when I was born a few days prior to October 31st and the hospital nurses dressed me in a small ghost outfit before heading home with my parents. And since I cannot rely on leaves falling, crisp air, and harvest bounties in my tropical home, I really look to books and media to create those seasonal feels for me! As an avid audiobook listener, I have enjoyed so many wonderfully spine-tingling but NOT too scary titles over the years that I am thrilled to share with y’all today.
It is very important to note here that I am a self-professed scaredy cat. Jump scares? No, thanks. Super descriptive gore and murders? Miss me with that. But bring on all the eerie, a bit creepy, and sometimes even humorous reads, please! Think Vincent Price, Beetlejuice, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video, The Addams Family, and Elvira (who I was determined to dress up as for Halloween at the age of 10. Bless my sweet mom for making me a more appropriate vampire in a black wig and dress instead!)
Today’s audiobook list features 21 fabulous titles in a whole range of genres—mystery, romance, memoir, fantasy, and everything in between. I have listened to every title on the list (some multiple times!) and can confirm that they were all spine-tingling—some more than others, but luckily not too scary for me.
Of course, scary is a relative term for all. I enjoy stories about ghosts and vampires while some readers find those too frightening; some readers can enjoy murderous true crime stories which I find completely horrifying. So know your taste and definitely check content warnings or ask questions about the audiobooks if you have any hesitations.
There are some phenomenal narrators on this list that many of our readers will recognize and may even be surprised to see listed, like Bahni Turpin, Jim Dale, and more. As a bonus, most of these books are backlist titles that shouldn’t have a long library hold wait before you jump into these chilling tales. Whether you are new to audiobooks or a longtime listener, I hope you find something fun on this list to enjoy.
You may have noticed we’re all about the gently chilling fall vibes right now: if you find suspenseful, eerie, and even frightening reads enticing right now, don’t miss our new episode of What Should I Read Next (#401): Exploring spine-tingling and scary reads.
If YOU have listened to any of these titles or have recommendations, please make sure to share all your favorite spine-tingling but not too scary audiobooks in the comments!
Spine-tingling audiobooks for fall
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A perfect read for Día de los Muertos,
Cemetery Boys is one of my favorite ghostly books! This YA fantasy follows Yadriel, who while trying to perform a brujo ritual accidentally summons the ghost of his “bad boy” classmate, Julian. Yadriel is lacking support from his family about his gender and wants to truly become a respected brujo in his community, so he agrees to help Julian find out who killed him. Make sure you don’t miss the fabulous interview with author Aiden Thomas and the narrator Avi Roque at the end of the audiobook. 13 hrs 47 mins
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I brought the delightful
Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts as one of my favorite books on
WSIRN Ep 275: How many book clubs is too many book clubs? And I still can't stop talking about this super entertaining, pop culture-filled scavenger hunt! Tuesday is so interesting and remains one of my favorite main characters ever. Plus it is set at Halloween in Boston! Narrator Lauren Fortgang brings Tuesday, the creepy Tillerman House, eccentric billionaire Vincent Pryce, and the rest of the ragtag cast of characters to life in this compelling audiobook. 14 hrs 6 mins
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Hats off to MMD team member Shannan for introducing me to Clark’s Dead Djinn Universe, a fantasy series set in an alternate 1912 Cario. When a tram car is reported to be haunted, Cairo’s Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities sends "odd couple" Senior Agent Hamed al-Nasr and his new partner Agent Onsi to investigate. The result is a paranormal procedural mystery that reminded me of
The Ghostbusters meets
Moon Knight. I really enjoyed the occasional humor and fun thrills that were enhanced by the narrator, Julian Thomas. Technically the third installment in the series,
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 is an eerie and interesting novella that can be read as a standalone. 3 hrs 22 mins
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After happening upon on a wonderful review written by
MMD team member Leigh, I finally read this beautiful and haunting historical romance that had been on my TBR for years! And although I had bought the paperback version to begin, the audiobook narrated by Samantha Desz is what finally drew me into this excellent story. Set in the Gilded Age of New York, widow Alva Webster purchases a long abandoned mansion to restore that many report to be haunted. Intrigued by the idea of studying ghosts and spending time with the lovely Alva, scientist Samuel Moore promises to help her get rid of the spirits that haunt the home and their lives. (Open Door.) 9 hrs 57 mins
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We picked this hair-raising classic children’s chapter book to read aloud around Halloween a couple of years ago and it was such a hit for all ages. Told from the perspective of Harold, the Monroe family’s clever and friendly dog, when the family arrives home one dark and stormy night with a frighteningly suspicious new creature—a vampire bunny! We found ourselves laughing at one moment and also anxious to find out what would happen next. Actor Victor Garber’s narration adds an entertaining and theatrical air to the audio collection of the
Bunnicula series. 6 hrs 43 mins
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When glamorous Noemí receives a letter from her recently married cousin pleading for help, she quickly travels to the remote and frighteningly isolated High Place mansion. I couldn’t put this book down and thoroughly enjoyed the lush descriptions of Noemí’s fabulous wardrobe and the areas in and around High Place. Frankie Corzo’s rich narration really brought the atmospheric and chilling details of
Mexican Gothic alive! The last third of the book flies by at a breakneck speed. At times a bit more scary than my usual fare, this novel will stick with you long after you turn the last page. 10 hrs 39 mins
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If you are looking for a wild ride that is on the more scary side and don’t mind some gory scenes, this campy and frightening vampire book is for you! When a group of women living in Charleston start a true crime book club, they are soon infiltrated by a mysterious and dangerous stranger who wants to do more than discuss books with them. I normally shy away from horror but luckily the amazing audiobook performed by one of my all-time favorite narrators, Bahni Turpin, sucked me right in! Vampire pun intended. Set in the 90’s, Hendrix’s writing reminded me of
The Lost Boys meets
Designing Women. Content warnings apply. 13 hrs and 49 mins
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With tones of
Rear Window and
Get Out, this suspenseful thriller from author Alyssa Cole is a departure from her work as a romance writer. When Brooklynite Sydney and her mysterious neighbor Theo notice homes being sold and residents going missing in her community, they decide to investigate the sinister forces behind the terrifying changes. The duel narration by Susan Dalian and Jay Aaseng is excellent on audio and creates a tense atmosphere! (Open Door.) 8 hrs 55 mins
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Watch out, Dexter. Murder has a new name—Maude! And she is on the loose in her hometown of Gothenburg and traveling the world, committing a few murders along the way. This collection of short stories translated from Swedish by Marlaine Delargy and narrated by Suzanne Toren is so entertainingly dark on audio! I enjoyed the length of this little book, Maude's many murderous misadventures, and all the descriptions of her delicious grocery hauls. Content warnings apply. 3 hrs 12 mins
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A sci-fi twist on the domestic thriller,
The Echo Wife centers on Evelyn Caldwell, a brilliant award-winning scientist, her obedient clone Martine, and Evelyn’s cheating husband. Gailey’s unique books vary so much in style and this one definitely stands out! The audiobook is expertly narrated in the most haunting and chiling way possible by Xe Sands. Perfect for fans of the movie
Ex Machina and “mad scientist” vibes. Content warnings apply. 8 hrs 26 mins
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A witchy rom-com that proves vodka, heartbreak, and spells cast with Bath & Body Works candles are a great recipe for laugh-out-loud reading. Modern day witch Vivienne and her warlock ex Rhys have to team up to save her hometown of Graves Glen, Georgia and may have a second chance at romance along the way. The amusing audiobook narrated by Caitlin Davies felt like
Hocus Pocus meets
The Witches of Eastwick. As a bonus, the descriptions of the town festival’s caramel apple hand pies made me want to bake right away. (Open Door.) 7 hrs 23 mins
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I am grateful this Gothic tale was the
Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club pick for August 2021, otherwise it would have slipped under my radar.
The Whispering House follows Freya, who is haunted by the untimely death of her sister, Stella. When Freya stumbles upon a striking portrait that reminds her of Stella in eerie Byrne Hall, she simply cannot stay away. The audiobook read by Elizabeth Klett has all the creepy, cozy reading vibes! 10 hrs 18 mins
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Set in Door County, Wisconsin at a uniquely strange book and artifacts store filled with skeletons, Edger Allen Poe novels, and Ouija boards,
A Death in Door County is the first in a new series of cozy mysteries. In addition to running her family’s store, Morgan Carter follows in her late parent’s footsteps as a part-time cryptozoologist who studies rumored and legendary animals like Bigfoot or Nessie. Soon Morgan is called in by the authorities as a consultant for a number of mysterious deaths in Lake Michigan, making this a perfect read for fans of
The X-Files. Narrator Susan Bennett’s unique voices create a memorable and entertaining audiobook! 10 hrs 20 mins
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I was hooked right away by
The Dead Romantics thanks to its fabulous premise. Florence Day, a ghostwriter for a hugely famous romance author, can actually see ghosts. It kept me hooked with the small town setting, moonlit graveyard strolls with crows all around, and ALL the
Ghost and
Casper movie vibes. Full of heart, depth, grief, love, humor, and family, I truly adored this wonderful contemporary romance performed by Eileen Stevens on audio. (Closed Door.) 10 hrs 24 mins
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There are a few titles in this list where the creepy house feels like a character and Manderley might just be the best example of that Gothic trope!
Rebecca is the perfect book to listen to on a blustery fall day, preferably with a cozy blanket and mug of tea. Anna Massey’s masterful narration adds richness and plenty of chills to this classic tale of obsession and secrets. 14 hrs 48 mins
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What’s a feisty young lady to do when an eligible bachelor is murdered at the local ball? If you’re Beatrice Steele, you use your secret true crime knowledge to investigate, of course! This hilarious debut cozy mystery-comedy set in the English countryside has it all: games of whist, a disgusting swamp, dashing gentleman, needlepoint, bioluminescent frogs, footnotes, a guest list of quirky characters, and scones. Imagine
What We Do in the Shadows meets Jane Austen with dashes of
The Addams Family. The dark and stormy weather, crumbling old estate, laugh-out loud moments, and fun twisty turns make the audiobook read by Fiona Hampton a fabulous pick for fall! 9 hrs 7 mins
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