In my humble opinion, there are few things better at this time of year than curling up with a cup of tea and a good book, more specifically, a book from the genres that most reflect the eerie gloom of a rainy Edinburgh afternoon. Whether it’s a horror, thriller, or mystery you’re looking for, here are some of my favourite books as we fully immerse ourselves in spooky season.
Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney
I could write an entire essay about my love for Alice Feeney and her books; if you’re looking for some of the tensest thrillers and suspense novels on the market at the moment, look no further. Rock, Paper, Scissors was the first book I read by her, and it is still my favourite. Husband and wife Adam and Amelia win a weekend away in rural Scotland, a weekend that will either make or break their marriage. Filled with lies, secrets, and revenge, it has what is to this day the best plot twist I have ever read — it left me gasping in shock and having to take a minute to comprehend what I had just read.
The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
If you’re more interested in folklore and fantasy horror, I can highly recommend C.J. Cooke’s The Lighthouse Witches. A single mother Liv and her three daughters move to a remote Scottish island where she has been commissioned to paint a mural. When two of her daughters going missing however, she begins to uncover the twisted history of the island, full of witchcraft and the supernatural. Over two decades later, the remaining sister Luna finally finds one of her sisters, only to find she has not aged at all. C. J. Cooke’s novel is more than just your typical eerie mystery; it explores a world teeming with rich history and bring important discussions about how women have been (mis)treated throughout history to light.
Perfume by Patrick Süskind
An absolute classic that fits right into the spooky season of the year is Perfume by Patrick Süskind. We follow the story of Grenouille, born with an acute scent of smell, as he navigates the perfume industry of Paris, where an obsession with smell leads to a gruesome ending. The descriptions of scent in this novel are astounding, as are the ways Süskind alienates Grenouille from his world, leaving the reader feeling disturbed in the best way.
Whatever your preferences, I wish you a happy season of book reading!
Illustration via Erika Bunjevac for The Student