6 spooky reads
by Metropol | October 28, 2026 8:33 am
From haunted houses to ghostly visitations, six books to get you in the spooky season mood.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Widely regarded as one of the greatest haunted-house novels ever written, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is a masterclass in psychological horror. When occult scholar Dr Montague invites three guests to investigate a mysterious old mansion, he hopes to find evidence of supernatural activity. His companions are Theodora, his lively assistant; Luke, the estate’s future heir; and Eleanor, a vulnerable young woman haunted by her past. As inexplicable events unfold, the house begins to exert an increasingly disturbing influence over its visitors. Blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, Jackson’s atmospheric masterpiece explores fear, isolation and the unsettling possibility that some places choose their victims.
A Grave Mistake by Steffanie Holmes
Revenge, romance and a generous helping of supernatural mischief collide in A Grave Mistake, a cosy paranormal romance from bestselling New Zealand author Steffanie Holmes. Once the notorious star of Paris’ underground vampire cabaret, Arabella Lestrange had her heart broken by the charming human Gideon Blake. After fleeing Paris and reinventing herself as a vampire socialite, she believes she has left him firmly in the past. But 150 years later, Gideon reappears as a vampire himself, reigniting Arabella’s thirst for revenge. With meddling book-club friends determined to play matchmaker, a murder mystery to unravel and old feelings resurfacing, Arabella must decide whether love deserves another chance.
Ghosts of the British Museum: A True Story of Colonial Loot and Restless Objects by Noah Angell
What if the British Museum is a haunted monument to colonial plunder? In Ghosts of the British Museum, Noah Angell investigates reports of supernatural encounters within this world-famous building. Drawing on testimonies from security staff, curators and other museum workers, he explores stories of restless spirits, sacred objects and human remains held far from their places of origin. Blending folklore, paranormal encounters and historical investigation, this eerie account asks whether the objects within its walls have their own story to tell.
Haunted Aotearoa by Paul Stiling
Discover the darker side of our past in this chilling exploration of 30 reportedly haunted locations across the country. From the ruins of Seacliff Lunatic Asylum to the grim corridors of Napier Prison and the tragic Kingseat Hospital, Paul Stiling uncovers the human stories behind the hauntings. Using eyewitness accounts, historical records, oral traditions and paranormal investigations, he explores the connections between place, memory and the supernatural. Respecting Māori spiritual traditions alongside ghost stories, this guide also offers travel tips and paranormal activity ratings.
Ghost Month by Simon Wroe
Perhaps you’ve already noticed little things, strange details. A shadow not attached to anything. A face in a window which might be a trick of the light. They come at dusk. Every September, the spirits of the dead return before vanishing four weeks later in a puff of green ash. This year, four strangers prepare for a visit from their dearly departed, forcing them to confront all the things that haunt them, not just their dead. As suppressed truths emerge from the shadows, each of them will end Ghost Month changed in ways they never imagined.
The Dead Speak: My Life in Forensics by Thomas Coyle
Step beyond the police tape and into the extraordinary world of forensic investigation with Thomas Coyle, one of New Zealand’s most experienced forensic experts. In The Dead Speak, he reveals how seemingly insignificant clues can unlock complex criminal cases and identify the dead. From meticulous New Scotland Yard investigations to the Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, he shares stories of science, tragedy and human resilience. Both darkly funny and deeply compassionate, this compelling memoir is a rare insight into the work of solving crimes and bringing answers to grieving families.
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