IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Suspense, Mystery, and Horror | The Indianapolis Public Library

by Cosby, S. A.

Book - 2023

"Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia. Then a year to the day after Titus’s election, a school teacher is...Show more "Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia. Then a year to the day after Titus’s election, a school teacher is killed by a former student and the student is fatally shot by Titus’s deputies. Festering secrets are now out in the open and ready to tear the town apart." Very well written and great characters. - Cathy H Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Our Share of Night

A Novel

by Enriquez, Mariana

Book - 2023

"Spanning through the 1960's - 90's during political unrest and dictatorship in Argentina, Our Share of Night follows the history of a wealthy family...Show more "Spanning through the 1960's - 90's during political unrest and dictatorship in Argentina, Our Share of Night follows the history of a wealthy family involved with a cult that helped them achieve wealth and power. The novel is a difficult, but atmospheric and engrossing read." - IndyPL_AllyM Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

House of Cotton

by Brashears, Monica

Book - 2023

"One of my favorite books of the last several years, House of Cotton is described as a "Black Southern Gothic" novel. It lives up to this d...Show more "One of my favorite books of the last several years, House of Cotton is described as a "Black Southern Gothic" novel. It lives up to this description perfectly. Magnolia's grandmother, the only person she could rely on, has recently passed, leaving her with nothing but ghosts and a house with a predatory landlord. While working the overnight shift at a sketchy gas station, Magnolia meets a man who seems out place in her Appalachian town. Almost immediately, he offers her a "modeling" job at his funeral home. And if it sounds like there's something off about that, it's because there most definitely is. Driven by her empty bank account, Magnolia accepts. While the pay is great, the job keeps getting weirder and weirder, and soon Magnolia finds herself tangled up in death, desire, and the troubling family that runs Cotton Funeral Home. This book is sharp, ensnaring, poignant and impossible to put down." - IndyPL_EmilyTh Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

How to Sell A Haunted House

by Hendrix, Grady

Book - 2023

"A horror story that has all the elements of a spine-tingler: haunted houses, creepy puppets, and demonic possessions encompassed with a complicated ...Show more "A horror story that has all the elements of a spine-tingler: haunted houses, creepy puppets, and demonic possessions encompassed with a complicated family dynamic. Set in Charleston, South Carolina, Louise has to confront a strained relationship with her brother after the unexpected death of their parents. As they take an assessment of the house left behind, the rooms full of puppets and dolls their mother kept reveal a sinister past and place them in imminent danger." - IndyPL_NickT Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

None of This Is True

A Novel

by Jewell, Lisa

Book - 2023

After meeting an engrossing and unsettling woman at a local bar, Alix Summers finds herself the subject of her own true crime podcast. As an anonymous sta...Show more After meeting an engrossing and unsettling woman at a local bar, Alix Summers finds herself the subject of her own true crime podcast. As an anonymous staff member said, "the audiobook was one of the best produced I've ever heard. It immerses you in an engaging and memorable story." Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Don't Fear the Reaper

by Jones, Stephen Graham

Book - 2023

"A perfect mix of horror tropes, social commentary, and levity, Don't Fear the Reaper is a slasher that is bold and entertaining. This sequel to My H...Show more "A perfect mix of horror tropes, social commentary, and levity, Don't Fear the Reaper is a slasher that is bold and entertaining. This sequel to My Heart is Chainsaw further explores the nature of trauma and PTSD, especially since the citizens of Proofrock are still recovering from the lingering effects of the Independence Day Massacre—during which many members of the community where slaughtered on Indian Lake during the annual Fourth of July viewing of Jaws (which takes place in the first novel). In Don't Fear the Reaper, Jade returns to Proofrock as a new slasher cycle commences and she reluctantly gets drawn into the violence. A serial killer named Dark Mill South has escaped from custody near town right as the worst snowstorm in decades is about to hit and is out on the prowl with a hook hand and vengeance in his veins. And Jade finds herself in the middle of the violence, attempting to keep everyone she loves safe with her slasher knowledge. The only problem, as she deduces from the killer’s unstoppable onslaught, is that “he knows all the same movies we do.” Jones - in typical Slasher fashion - creates a bloodier, even more thoughtful sequel that ups the ante. And there are twist and turns! And Jones has created a final girl to stand beside the best of them (Laurie and Sidney) in Jade. The ending is just, wow. WOW. It's just perfect. Recommended for fans of slashers, literary fiction, and great writing" - IndyPL_RyanL Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Dark Corners

by Goldin, Megan

Book - 2023

"Another Rachel Krall mystery, following a murder case in the middle of the world of social media influencers." - IndyPL_TheresaC "Another Rachel Krall mystery, following a murder case in the middle of the world of social media influencers." - IndyPL_TheresaC Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!

by Andrews, Donna

Book - 2023

"This is the 34th book in the Meg Langslow series. This book focuses more on Meg and less on her extended family than the other books in the series, ...Show more "This is the 34th book in the Meg Langslow series. This book focuses more on Meg and less on her extended family than the other books in the series, to the extent that the reader does not really need to be familiar with the books that came before. For fans of the series, this book isn’t quite as full of funny bits as most of her books, but the story is very good. And we finally get to see Meg shine as a professional blacksmith. Meg has been roped into participating in a blacksmithing competition, a kind of Forged in Fire reality show wannabe organized by a blacksmith friend. Meg originally turned down his invitation to participate, but when Faulk, her blacksmithing mentor, is attacked, breaking his arm the night before filming begins, Meg agrees to step in as his replacement to keep the project from failing." - Anonymous Staff Member Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Everyone Here Is Lying

by Lapena, Shari

Book - 2023

9 year old Avery Wooler disappears in the wake of her father's messy affair. "This book kept you guessing the whole time"- Kera R. 9 year old Avery Wooler disappears in the wake of her father's messy affair. "This book kept you guessing the whole time"- Kera R. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Salt Grows Heavy

by Khaw, Cassandra

Book - 2023

A mermaid faerie tale reimagined that is as lovely as it is visceral. I love Khaw's way with words, the net they weave roping me happily into the bowels of their darkly dripping world. I loved the ending, so much." - IndyPL_ShainaS A mermaid faerie tale reimagined that is as lovely as it is visceral. I love Khaw's way with words, the net they weave roping me happily into the bowels of their darkly dripping world. I loved the ending, so much." - IndyPL_ShainaS Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The September House

by Orlando, Carissa

Book - 2023

"The narrator of The September House, Margaret Hartman, is so different, and strange, and relatable, and confusing. I loved reading about her, and sl...Show more "The narrator of The September House, Margaret Hartman, is so different, and strange, and relatable, and confusing. I loved reading about her, and slowly allowing the narrative to peal back layers of her life and mindset. The pacing towards the end felt a bit rushed, but also the escalation was impossible for me to tear myself away from." - IndyPL_ShainaS Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 9 on 0 copies

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Mrs. Plansky's Revenge

by Quinn, Spencer

Book - 2023

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book and keep telling colleagues and friends to check it out. Seniors are often victims of phone scams, and Mrs. Plansky, ...Show more "I thoroughly enjoyed this book and keep telling colleagues and friends to check it out. Seniors are often victims of phone scams, and Mrs. Plansky, at a vulnerable moment, falls for just this sort of scheme. But the scammers have messed with the wrong woman! This book is a hoot! It has humor, international travel, suspense, high speed chases and even romance. Hoping this is the beginning of a new series by Quinn and we can look forward to further adventures with Mrs. Plansky!" - IndyPL_JeanineF Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Camp Damascus

by Tingle, Chuck

Book - 2023

"I went into this only knowing that it was written by Chuck Tingle. Aside from being the best technically written book by this author, this is an ama...Show more "I went into this only knowing that it was written by Chuck Tingle. Aside from being the best technically written book by this author, this is an amazing tale of horror. Horrifying themes, grotesque creatures, and plenty of flame throwers" - IndyPL_MarianneK Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

A Guest in the House

by Carroll, Emily

Graphic Novel - 2023

"Emily Carroll is one of the best horror graphic novel storytellers ever. I am always drawn deliciously in to her colorful, darkly dreamy and atmosph...Show more "Emily Carroll is one of the best horror graphic novel storytellers ever. I am always drawn deliciously in to her colorful, darkly dreamy and atmospheric tales. This one, with its conflicting narrator, queer fairytale theme, and ambiguous ending, still has me reeling." - IndyPL_ShainaS Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf