A Touch of Evil

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 1:17pm by Edith Wharton

It's October again, the time to dust off copies of The Sixth Sense and Sleepy Hollow for an evening of seeing dead people and mistaking Johnny Depp for one of them. Just don’t forget there are many novels out there perfect for Halloween reading.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula tells the tale of a naive young Englishman’s travels to Transylvania to do business with a client, Count Dracula. A classic, and a surprisingly good read. For those who want big screen chills, check out the library presentation of the silent film Nosferatu with live musical accompaniment by Blue Dahlia.

More horror after the jump.

If you find the idea of carnivals more than a little unsettling, you will find Neal Shusterman’s Full Tilt just your speed. Don’t forget the gruesome Cirque du Freak series for those with a taste for the bloody.

Speaking of bloody, Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause deals with the startling social life of a teenage werewolf. Our fanged heroine is just beginning to realize that when your boyfriend is a human, love could have dire consequences.

For Neil Gaiman fans, one can’t forget Coraline, the twisted story by Gaimon and his Sandman collaborator Dave McKean. Coraline’s family moves to a new house with thirteen doors that open—and one that doesn’t.

If you’ve read the various adventures of Alex Rider, I don’t think it will be hard for you to believe that Ravens Gate, the first book in a new series by Anthony Horowitz will be excellent. When Matt is sent to live with a foster family in rural Britain, bodies start piling up and the locals may have something to do with it.

For my final book recommendation, I will leave you with another vintage book that just keeps freaking people out. Stranger with My Face by Lois Duncan is about Michelle, a girl with a doppelganger. Do I need to even mention there’s going to be murder afoot?

Feel free to add titles you would recommend.