of super-scary and frighteningly funny books
Age 12 plus
Tales of the Damned:
A Collection of Classic Horror Stories
Matt Ralphs and Taylor Dolan
MONSTERS, ghosts, murder, lots of blood and gore, vampires,
zombies, ghosts, demons, monsters, werewolves and witches... If you’re looking for a book that contains every type of
horror trope, then here’s your chance to step into the darkness and face your
deepest fears! Tales of ghosts, monsters and murderers have terrified and
delighted readers for thousands of years, and this super-scary, spine-chilling
collection features eight classic horror stories including retellings of gruesome
folk tales and gothic classics. Digging up the bones of some of the most terrifying stories
ever written is editor and author Matt Ralphs, with visual help from his
accomplice in horror, American artist Taylor Dolan who specialises in
re-illustrating classic tales. From the famously disturbing short stories of
Edgar Allan Poe, to gothic favourites like Dracula and Frankenstein, chilling
ghost stories, and dark fairy tales, like the early versions of Red Riding Hood
and Snow White, this striking anthology is packed with horror of every kind.
Discover The Masque of the Red Death, Bluebeard, The Monkey’s Paw, and shiver
at the author’s take on the classic Pagan Horror film The Wicker Man. Each of the stories is broken up by a series of ‘theme’
spreads which add an element of fascinating non-fiction and cover everything
from the rise of the horror genre to famous monsters and vampire mass hysteria.
Brought to vivid, visceral life by Dolan’s nightmarish illustrations, Tales of
the Damned is a great gift for Halloween... and the perfect introduction to the
world of horror.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £20)
Bad Magic: A Skulduggery Pleasant Graphic Novel
Derek Landy, P.J. Holden, Matt Soffe,
Rob Jones and Pye Parr
HORROR and mystery collide in the highly anticipated and
first ever, full-colour graphic novel in Irish author Derek Landy’s
award-winning fantasy detective series which has become a global phenomenon. Bad
Magic is a totally new story, set in the universe of Skulduggery Pleasant, a
place which has featured in a 15-book series, two World Book Day books, a
novella, a short story collection, a prequel and The Skulduggery Pleasant
Grimoire. Here we are swept away to a small town in the middle of Ireland, a
string of unexplained deaths and a monster on the loose. Better call in the
experts! When Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain drive into Termoncara,
they discover a town with a dark past and a people haunted by their own
secrets. There is a creature stalking the streets... a creature who delights in
cruelty, who feeds off the little hatreds, and who grows stronger with every
drop of blood spilled. An unmissable treat for Skulduggery Pleasant’s army of
fans... and an ideal introduction to the cult series for new readers.
(HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, paperback, £14.99)
Welcome to Camp Killer
Cynthia Murphy
WHEN an author confesses to having a long-standing love
affair with all things scary, then readers beware... you’re in for a terrifying
treat! And Welcome to Camp Killer – a gripping slasher-style whodunit featuring
the deadly consequences of a series of unfortunate incidents at a summer camp
gone wrong – certainly fits the bill for a truly haunting Halloween read. This
cracking horror tale comes from the pen of TikTok sensation and North-West
author Cynthia Murphy whose debut novel, The Last One to Die, won both the
Redhill Trust Book Award and Lancashire Book of the Year 2022. When an
American-style residential camp is set up in the grounds of an English stately
home, the teenage camp counsellors are looking forward to a fun summer of
activities. But right from the outset, things don’t feel quite right at Camp
Miller. Rumours circulate of a tragedy that took place in the grounds and there
are unexplained sightings of a ghostly presence. Then the incidents begin... a
near-drowning out on the lake, a fatal fall from a cliff-face. Are these tragic
accidents, or is there something more sinister going on at Camp Killer? With an
addictive plotline that keeps the pages turning at a fast and furious pace,
lots of devilish twists and turns, an impish sense of fun, and a cast of
fascinating characters, this is a thriller-chiller to die for!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Age 12 plus
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The
Official Novelisation
Megan Shepherd
(Studio Press, paperback, £7.99)
The Witchstone Ghosts
Emily Randall-Jones
IF gothic vibes float your boat, then sail off to a
storm-soaked island for a thrilling spin on the traditional ghost story genre.
Debut author Emily Randall-Jones, winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s
Fiction Competition 2021, works her special brand of black magic on the
super-spooky tale of The Witchstone Ghosts. Autumn Albert can see the dead...
much to her annoyance. But when her dad dies in mysterious circumstances, he’s
the one ghost who doesn’t appear. A curious instruction in his will sends
Autumn to Imber, the storm-soaked island of his childhood and a place marked by
tight-lipped locals, strange stacks of witchstones... and even fewer ghosts.
Soon Autumn is ensnared in a dark and twisty mystery which must be unravelled
before the sea rises up and history is doomed to repeat itself... Full of
originality and imagination, but also with a cosy warmth and charm to temper
all the chills and thrills, this breathtaking tale is guaranteed to delight
young readers who enjoy both heart and hauntings.
(Chicken House Books, paperback, £7.99)
Shiver Point: It Came From The Woods
Gabriel Dylan
HALLOWEEN is the perfect time to enter (if you dare!) Shiver
Point, a thrilling, chilling new horror series for all those who love having
their spines tingled and their goosebumps raised! They’d have you believe that Shiver
Point is boring, that nothing interesting ever happens there and there’s never
anything fun to do. That’s what Alex had always thought until one night, in the
dead dark, he spots what looks like a meteorite plummeting into Howlmoor
Forest. Intrigued, Alex goes to investigate but little does he know, four other
kids have also spotted the strange streak in the sky... ‘troublemaker’ Oli,
studious Sophia, curious Mo and budding engineer Riley. What they discover is
far beyond their wildest dreams... in fact it belongs in their nightmares. Can
the gang work together to save the town from the bloodthirsty bodysnatcher that’s
arrived with the meteorite, or is it too late? One thing’s for sure, Shiver
Point will never be the same again. Expect spooks, screams and small-town
horror... don’t say you weren’t warned!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
The Double Trouble Society
and the Worst Curse
Carrie Hope Fletcher and Davide Ortu
WHAT'S your fancy for Halloween this year... witches,
vampires, werewolves or ghosts? If all those spooky stars fit the bill, then
join the Double Trouble Society who are ready to launch into a super-spooky new adventure! Following on from the
first book of this magical mystery series, acclaimed performer and author Carrie
Hope Fletcher returns to bewitch readers with another spellbinding mystery
starring a bunch of doggedly determined young detectives. Stars of the show are
Ivy and Maggie of the Double Trouble Society who have been best friends ever
since they were born at exactly the same minute on Friday 13th twelve years
ago. And after defeating the Crowood Witch and saving the day in their first outing,
Ivy, Maggie and the rest of the sleuthing Double Trouble Society are on the
look-out for their next big adventure. Fortunately, they won’t have to wait
long because there are three new kids in town and they are all behaving very
mysteriously .The Double Trouble Society know how to handle witches but can
they manage vampires, werewolves and ghosts as well? With its eye-catching
foiled cover, lashings of mystery, magic, mischief and mayhem, and the gorgeous
chapter illustrations of Davide Ortu, this witchy and wonderfully entertaining
romp is an ideal gift for all young Halloween fans!
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)
The Spirit Snatcher
Cat Gray
ESCAPE into the fun and magic of a gorgeously ghostly
adventure from Irish-born author Cat Gray whose writing is inspired by the
magical moments of her own childhood. The Spirit Snatcher – an atmospheric and
thrilling tale which explores the irresistible idea of secret pockets of magic
hiding in the real world – sweeps us away to Elbow Alley, home of the most
monstrous mystery. Here we find Pip who was not expecting his new neighbours to
be vampires, banshees and ghosts. But worst of all for Pip is the mysterious
spirit snatcher, which appears out of nowhere and sucks away people’s
personalities. When it attacks Pip’s parents, the only way to save them is to
find and destroy it. But, unfortunately, no one knows who it is. Along with his
new friend Fliss and her dog Splodge, Pip sets out to investigate, facing
murderous ghouls, werewolf attacks and a dangerously mouldy cheese. And if he
and Fliss can’t stop the creature by their thirteenth birthdays, they will be
spirit-snatched too. Written with all the fantasy, wonder and spooky
ingredients that seduce young readers, Gray’s fast-paced, all-action, twisting
and turning adventure is brimming with spine-tingling detail and colourful
characters. A truly spellbinding read for all middle-graders!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
The Midnight Switch
Samuel J. Halpin
SPOOKY chills and thrills are around every corner (and every
page!) of a quirky adventure from Tasmania-born author Samuel J. Halpin who now
lives in London and works in comedy TV production. Expect curses, magic,
witches and danger as a boy sets out to discover why an unusually large bird
has started perching on his bedroom windowsill at the stroke of midnight. When
Lewis’s family moves to a spooky, faraway town called Barrow in the Snoring
Broads, he can't quite put his finger on what feels so strange about his new
home. Everyone is obsessed with superstition, and an old story about terrible floods
and a curse by the infamous Barrow Bogwitch... and all the while, a mysterious
bird watches his every move. When his family friend Moira arrives to stay,
there’s something peculiar about Moira too. She doesn’t know where she’s from and
strange things happen around her. Lewis and Moira are determined to figure out
what’s going on in Barrow, but as they unravel secret symbols, riddles and
stories of a midnight curse, they find that there might be some truth in the
old town tales. The reality is that Bogwitch is stirring again and she has eyes
everywhere... they are in grave danger and time is running out. Youngsters will
love this addictive spook-fest story in which two intrepid youngsters must solve
a perilous mystery in a race against the clock. Brimming with darkness,
witchcraft and scary birds, this is an adventure that readers will love getting
their claws into!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters
Ciannon Smart
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Kevin the Vampire: A Most Mysterious Monster
Matt Brown and Flavia Sorrentino
IF you thought vampires only made an appearance at
Halloween, then author Matt Brown and illustrator Flavia Sorrentino are here to
prove you wrong with the first book in their frightfully funny new series!
Youngsters will love getting their teeth into Kevin the Vampire, a reassuring
new hero who brings with him important messages about not judging others and
celebrating our differences. Kevin Aurelius is just like any other almost
eleven-year-old. Well, apart from his fangs obviously, and that he’s immortal.
Oh and he is also, of course, a vampire! Together with his vampire parents and
annoying older siblings, Kevin is on his way to Monstros City when, due to
dodgy batnav, they get stranded in a strange, quiet place called Lower Drudging,
full of humans. With empty coffers in need of filling, their only choice is to
put on an impromptu carnival to earn the gold they need to get back on their
way. But Lower Drudging has a monstrous secret of its own... a secret that is
old, very hungry and has just woken up! It’s up to Kevin and his new best
friend Susie to save the town... or else! Packed to the fangs with fabulous
fantasy and monstrous fun, and brought to life by Sorrentino’s hilarious
illustrations, Kevin’s adventures ensure youngsters will have the last laugh.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
Ghost Scouts: Mayhem at Camp Croak!
Taylor Dolan
IF you’re looking for some wicked Halloween fun, head off to
Camp Croak and meet zombies, werewolves and a fierce skeleton! Mayhem at Camp
Croak! is exciting American author and illustrator Taylor Dolan’s fourth
hilarious and hair-raising book in her illustrated Ghost Scouts series which
cleverly tackles difficult topics like difference, bullying and mental health. Lexie
Wild is having a rollicking time at Camp Croak with her ghoulish pals... until
the smarmy scouts from Happy Hollow issue a deadly ancient challenge. If the
Ghost Scouts lose, their beloved camp will be destroyed. Lexie must summon up all
her courage if the Ghost Scouts are to defeat the wicked Euphemia Vile and her
crew. But watch out... the malicious whispering snakes are loose! Maybe working
together is the answer. With its cast of ghoulish but gorgeous characters, a
feisty feminist heroine, an inclusive cast of characters, a story steeped in
friendship, fun, kindness and daring to be different, and Dolan’s all-action,
two-tone illustrations throughout, this is the perfect read for all young
mischief-makers.
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99)
I'm Not Scared, You Are!
Patricia Hegarty and Thomas Elliott
SPOOK yourself silly this Halloween with a rib-tickling,
spine-tingling sounds book! ‘The wild wind is howling, there’s a creak on the
stair. Are you feeling brave? Follow me if you dare!’ Join a cast of creepy
creatures in this hair-raising journey through a night packed with ghosts and
ghouls, toads and trolls, and bats and black cats. Listen out for a haunting
wolf howl, the clinking of a ghoul’s chain, a witch’s scary cackle, the
rattling of bones, and the clackety clack of the ghost train. There are twenty-four
sensationally spooky sounds to make your hair stand on end... are you brave
enough to listen to them all? With Patricia Hegarty’s fun rhyming text, Thomas
Elliott’s ghostly gallery of illustrations, and ghoulish sounds galore, this is
a spooktacular adventure for all young Halloween fans!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)
Five Little Ghosts
Lily Murray and Holly Surplice
HALLOWEEN must be in the air if these little ghosts are
causing a flap! Author Lily Murray and illustrator Holly Surplice team up for
the third title in their enchanting and wonderfully colourful lift-the-flaps
picture books based on the nursery rhyme Five Little Ducks. ‘Five little ghosts
floated off one day Over the hills and far away. Mamma Ghost said, “Fly back to
me!” How many ghostlings can you see?’ Join the adorable ghostlings on their
lift-the-flap adventure through a spooky forest. There’s so much to see as
Mamma Ghost and her ghostlings float through a pumpkin patch, play peek-a-boo
in a misty wood and explore a haunted house. Along the way, they meet all kinds
of friendly animals. But wait... the ghostlings are disappearing one by one.
Whatever are they up to? Lift a host of intriguing flaps to find the ghostlings
and discover a fantastic surprise ending. The picture perfect book to celebrate
Halloween and all the fun of the autumn season!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Flip Flap Halloween
Becky Davies and Mike Moran
IF it’s Halloween fun you’re after, dive into this spooky
season special which stars a cast of pointy pokey, blinky winky, naughty warty,
and howly yowly characters! Flip Flap
Halloween – written by Becky Davies and illustrated in bold colours by Mike Moran
– is the perfect chunky board book to introduce little ones to all the famous
names of Halloween. Flip flap, who is that? Let toddlers turn the shaped split
pages to lift the lid of Dracula’s coffin, look behind the cobwebs, peek inside
Witch’s cauldron and reveal well-known faces, feature by feature. Little ones
will love to guess who is hiding as they uncover a howling yowling werewolf, a
blinking winking monster, and other crafty creatures. Simply open the page
segments in any order... and delight in the text that transforms for read-aloud,
flip-flapping fun!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £8.99)
What's Scarier than a Spider?
Becky Davies and Amelia Best
WHICH creature is the biggest and the baddest? The answers
are not what they may seem to be in a quirky and clever lift-the-flap book from
author Becky Davies and illustrator Amelia Best. Little ones will hoot with
laughter as they transform seemingly sweet creatures into some truly terrific
terrors. A lot of people think that spiders, scorpions, wasps and mosquitoes
are scary but they may just have met their match in this entertaining game of
peekaboo! Simply lift the transformative flaps to reveal a bunch of ever bigger
and badder characters. With a series of comical showdowns, Best’s bold, offbeat
artwork, and a giant fold-out flap for the finale, this is the perfect book to
make little ones think again about being scared of the humble spider!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)
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