It is October, and that makes it the time of year where we all get a little obsessed with getting scared, telling ghost stories, and being a little bit spooky. With that in mind here are some new horror stories that are definitely worth giving a chance, ranging from haunted houses, to evil boarding schools, monsters in the forest and Elder Gods, there is certainly something in here for you.

Imaginary Friend
By Stephen Chbosky
Grand Central, $30.00, 720 pages

From Stephen Chobsky, the author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, comes a new story about a young mom named Kate, her son Christopher, and a voice in his head. After they move to a small town with only one highway in or out to escape an abusive relationship, Christopher goes missing without a trace, and after 6 long days he returns, but with an imaginary friend who is telling him that he must build a treehouse before Christmas or else everyone in town will suffer.

The New Annotated H.P. Lovecraft: Beyond Arkham
Edited by Leslie S. Klinger
Liveright Publishing, $39.95, 312 pages

H.P. Lovecraft is well known in the literary world for pioneering eldritch abomination/elder gods, and the use of gothic imagery. In this collection, Leslie S. Klinger brings us 25 of Lovecraft’s stories, as well as delving into his history of racism and xenophobia. What we get is a book that celebrates the stories of the author and shows the creation of works that have influenced many after him. Featuring notes from Klinger and photos to help support, this book is a piece of gothic literature for any fan of the dark and twisted.

The Twisted Ones
By T. Kingfisher
Gallery / Saga Press, $16.99, 400 pages

The Twisted Ones is a found manuscript style horror novel from T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon), following the story of Mouse, a girl who is asked by her father to help clear out her deceased grandmother’s house. As she gets there she discovers that she was a hoarder and must pick through everything, but the real horror picks up after she discovers a book written by her step-grandfather, ranting about strange things. With a slow buildup and realistic characters, this is definitely a great read for those seeking some horror for October.

Diabhal: A Novel
By Kathleen Kaufman
Turner, $16.99, 320 pages

Kathleen Kaufman brings us the story of Ciet Robertson, a part of a cult scene in 1980s Los Angeles, after a failed exorcism she is taken from her family and forced into a foster home for troubled and abandoned children. Having to live in MacLaren Hall, she discovers the true nature of evil and that maybe the devil inside her isn’t really evil at all.

The Mansion: A Novel
By Ezekiel Boone
Atria/Emily Bestler Books, $17.00, 432 pages

Billy Stafford is a recovering user and broke after his friend and former business partner Shawn screwed him out of his intellectual property. 10 years after the fact he is asking for assistance with a failed project, an artificial intelligence named Nellie that is hardwired into his family’s mansion and has a few glitches in her code, glitches that make her a little murderous. Ezekiel Boone brings us this riveting story about haunted houses, evil A.I., and a great cast of characters.