This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend the products I love and trust.
10 Atmospheric and Creepy Classic Books to Cozy Up With This Fall
There are plenty of new fall releases coming this year, filled with fall-themed romances and cozy mysteries perfect for the season. But if you’re looking for something truly spine-chilling, I’ve got some creepy, gothic classics that will definitely keep you up at night. Whether you love mysteries, ghost stories, or just something suspenseful, these books are perfect for this time of year.
It includes everything from haunted house stories to witchy tales and even some really, really scary books. These novels are perfect if you’re in the mood for something a bit darker than your average Halloween romance. So prepare to be creeped out with these spooky fall classics! (And no Stephen King books here!)
Best Classic Books For Autumn
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
If you’re looking for a light and fun ghost story with a bit of wit, The Canterville Ghost is your perfect autumn read. The story revolves around an American family moving into an old English mansion, much to the annoyance of the resident ghost, Sir Simon. Instead of fearing him, the modern, no-nonsense family frustrates the ghost, flipping the typical haunted house story on its head. If you love quirky, less-scary ghost stories with just enough gothic vibes, get this one.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
If you want to read something truly creepy and ambiguous, The Turn of the Screw is a must-read. This novella is all about suspense and psychological terror. The story follows a young governess who takes care of two children at an eerie, isolated estate. Slowly, she starts seeing mysterious figures lurking around—and things get unsettling fast. If you love haunted houses novels with spooky and atmospheric settings, this one’s for you.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
The Witches of Eastwick is a fun and darkly magical read, set in a quaint Rhode Island town where three divorced women discover their witchy powers. Things get real when a mysterious stranger named Darryl Van Horne moves into town and shakes everything up. Updike creates an atmosphere that’s both charming and unsettling, blending small-town life with the supernatural. If you are looking for witch books with funny and lighthearted vibes, this is for you.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a short, spooky classic perfect for Halloween. It’s set in a sleepy little village (literally called Sleepy Hollow), and the main character, Ichabod Crane, is a superstitious schoolteacher who’s afraid of his own shadow. The real creepiness starts when he encounters the legendary Headless Horseman—an eerie, ghostly figure who may or may not be real.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
In a Glass Darkly by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
If you’re into old-school gothic horror, In a Glass Darkly is a hidden gem. This collection of stories includes everything from ghosts to vampires and Le Fanu’s writing is all about creating that eerie, creeping atmosphere. It’s perfect for a chilly evening when you want something mysterious and otherworldly.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Harriet by Elizabeth Jenkins
Harriet is one of those books that creeps up on you. It’s based on a true story from Victorian England, which makes it even more unsettling. The plot revolves around Harriet, a wealthy but intellectually disabled young woman who is cruelly manipulated by a fortune-hunting couple. The horror here isn’t supernatural—it’s the cold, calculated evil of people exploiting someone vulnerable.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim
Vera is a psychological thriller wrapped in a gothic romance, and it’s absolutely perfect for a moody fall read. The story follows Lucy, a young woman who marries a man named Everard, only to find out he’s not the perfect husband she imagined. His first wife, Vera, looms large over their lives—even though she’s dead. The mystery of what really happened to Vera is the heart of this novel, and it’s full of that unsettling, claustrophobic feeling as Lucy begins to realize she’s trapped in a nightmare. If you are looking for gothic novels like Rebecca or Jane Eyre, this one is for you.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Yellow Wall-Paper is about a woman who is confined to a room by her husband after being diagnosed with “nervous depression.” Left alone with nothing but her thoughts and the ugly, peeling yellow wallpaper on the walls, she begins to spiral into madness. This is a perfect classic for Halloween.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
The Thirteenth Tale centers around Margaret, a young biographer, and Vida Winter, an aging, reclusive author who’s ready to tell the true story of her life. The atmosphere in this book is rich and gothic, with an old crumbling mansion, long-buried family secrets, and a haunting mystery. If you love an atmospheric classic that aren’t too terrifying but still full of mystery, get this one.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite
If you want something darker and edgier, Drawing Blood is a must-read for fall. It’s a mix of psychological horror and supernatural vibes. The story follows Trevor McGee, who returns to the house where his father killed their family and then himself. Haunted by his past—and maybe actual ghosts—Trevor is looking for answers, but what he finds is much more terrifying.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON | LISTEN FREE ON AUDIBLE
More Autumn Books
10 Scary Books About Haunted Houses That Will Give You Goosebumps
15 Spooky Halloween Romance Books To Read
Stephy George
