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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 1d

If you're planning on watching HBO's new King-verse series 'Welcome to Derry,' getting some mixed reviews so far, here's what you might need to know.

What To Know Before You Watch IT: Welcome to Derry - Reactor

Release date, cast, and roughly how scared you should be.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 2d

Book Riot has 7 short horror books to read while you wait for the doorbell to ring between trick-or-treaters. WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE is a personal fave and oft recommended one for me.

7 Short Horror Books to Read Start to Finish on Halloween Night

From novellas to graphic novels, these short horror reads are the perfect choice for reading cover to cover on Halloween...if you dare!

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 3d

The Seattle Public library has a good "vibe" reading list of horror books by women authors.

8 dark and disturbing books written by women

Local award-winning author Sadie Hartmann and SPL Reader Services librarian Genesee Rickel share two lists featuring chilling tales written by women.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 4d

In a bit of counterprogramming the NYTs Book Review pod looks at Stephen King's non-horror works. Fans already know this this but a good list nonetheless if you have a reluctant friend. Or one that's only watched the movies.

Let’s Remember, Stephen King Isn’t Always Scary

It’s October, which means it’s time for the master of horror to shine. Yet he’s become equally famous for several works of non-horror.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 4d

Obv still a few months left, but B&N is out of the gate with their Best of '25 books. A little early for my taste, but in honor of Halloween, let's look at the horror cateogry. A mix of heavyweights (King, Hill), genre best-sellers (SGJ, Hendix) and some new names.

The Best Horror Books of 2025 - B&N Reads

These are the 2025 horror novels that spooked, scared and haunted us throughout the year.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 5d

I sometimes find the most interesting thing about these Libby Top 10 lists the books that fall into the category, but this thriller lists seems to be all legit thrillers (pity).

The 10 Most Popular Thrillers on Libby

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 5d

Good eclectic list of the books horror writers find the most scary

‘It’s insanely sinister’: horror writers on the scariest stories they’ve ever read

Bloodthirsty ghosts, sadistic supercomputers, creepy childhood games ... Mariana Enríquez, Paul Tremblay, Daisy Johnson and others on the tales that kept them up at night

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 6d

You probably won't finish by Halloween given the length, but the NYT finds a lot to like (and a few quibbles with alt POVs) in Joe Hill's latest genre-blending tome, KING SORROW

They Thought It Would Be Fun to Summon a Dragon. They Were Very Wrong.

Joe Hill’s wild horror novel follows a group of friends and the mythic demon that haunts them for the rest of their lives.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 6d

If you're confident you've hit most of the classics from the typical lists, here are 8 horror books from 2025 that you can grab before spooky season runs out.

Outstanding Horror Reads from 2025 You May Have Missed

Whether you like lighter horror with a side of mythology, haunted houses, dark academia, or ghost stories — there's something for you here

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 13d

B&N's best audiobooks of October includes the 20th Gamache, THE BLACK WOLF. Gotta admit, might take me a few more books to adjust to Brassard as the narrator. I still sort of miss Ralph Cosham.

The Best Audiobooks of October - B&N Reads

October is the month of the Harvest Moon, which is a perfect metaphor for the audiobooks we’ve picked and gathered to shine some extra light on this autumn.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 14d

The B&N Poured Over podcast talks to Elizabeth George about characters, outlining, and researching the 22 Lynley book A SLOWLY DYING CAUSE.

Poured Over: Elizabeth George on A Slowly Dying Cause - B&N Reads

A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George is the gripping 22nd installment of the bestselling Inspector Lynley series that takes our detectives back to Cornwall. Elizabeth joins us to talk about…

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 15d

Book bikes are pedaling into more American neighborhoods battling book deserts. I like the idea of libraries on wheels or romance dealers at farmers markets. Contemplating starting a noir bike. Would a trench coat get caught in the chain?

America’s Burgeoning Fleet of Book Bikes

A growing group of booksellers, librarians, and literary citizens is distributing books to the American reading public by bicycle.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 15d

Because I'm excited that the status in the library request queue updated to 'In transit' for CLOWN TOWN. Here is the '22 New Yorker profile on Mick Herron. Oldie, but goodie.

Is Mick Herron the Best Spy Novelist of His Generation?

In his “Slough House” thrillers, the screwups save the day—and there’s a very fine line between comedy and catastrophe.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 16d

Sophie Hannah talks Christie, massive outlines, massive edits, sidekicks, and what is essential to Poirot story.

Sophie Hannah On How She Writes a Poirot Novel

Sophie Hannah was a poet and novelist, acclaimed for her work like the Simon Waterhouse and Charlie Zailer mysteries, until 2014 when she published The Monogram Murders. The first new Hercule Poiro…

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 16d

Lunch reads: Reactor mag has an excerpt from Darker Days which has a deliciously spooky season premise.

Read an Excerpt From Darker Days by Thomas Olde Heuvelt - Reactor

Sometimes you think you can see things behind the fence. Bad things. So it’s better not to look…

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 17d

Do you prefer your thrillers fast and claustrophobic (American style) or slow and atmospheric (European noir)? Latest episode explores the great crime fiction divide. Plus, book bikes, adaptation news, new releases & I hated Play Dirty.

Ep.#8 -> mikedonohuebooks.com/mystery-thri...

Mystery Thriller Podcast | Unreliable Sources by Mike Donohue

A mystery thriller podcast for crime fiction fans—book recs, news, interviews, features and adapatations in 15 minutes or less.

mikedonohuebooks.com

Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 17d

BookRiot has Libby's most popular books from September. Interesting list of newish and...other. I feel like it's a lagging indicator of something.

Libby's 20 Most Popular Books of September

There's a friendship with a giant octopus, a midwife mystery in 1789 Maine, Percival Everett's 2024 multi-award-winning satire, and more.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 18d

The LAT appears to like the Witherspoon/Coben literary partnership despite themselves. "The book’s plot mechanics hum along with great pace and verve, even if a few of its particulars are too far-fetched to swallow.

Review: Reese Witherspoon’s debut novel with Harlan Coben is a fun ride about the super-rich

Oscar winner and literary champion Reese Witherspoon co-wrote her first novel, ‘Gone Before Goodbye,’ with bestselling thriller writer Harlan Coben. It plunges readers into the amoral world of the…

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 19d

The Guardian's latest scifi, fantas,y and horror roundup includes Heuvelt's Darker Days right next to Sparks/Shyamalan's Remain. Sort of hurt my head.

The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup

All That We See Or Seem by Ken Liu; When There Are Wolves Again by EJ Swift; The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell; Darker Days by Thomas Olde Heuvelt; Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M Night…

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 20d

Ghosts don't just pop up in my beloved thrillers and mysteries. MMD has 15 ghost novels for all your genre and reading moods.

15 ghost novels for every reading mood

I am a certified scaredy-cat when it comes to literary anything. My credentials as a fear-averse reader go way back: I can still recall the horrible days

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 21d

B&N's best audiobooks of October include a few genre picks like Penny's 20th Gamache, the unexpected partnership between Nicholas Sparks & M.Night Shyamalan, Grisham's THE WIDOW, and Sutton Foster's narration of Garber's ALCHEMY OF SECRETS

The Best Audiobooks of October - B&N Reads

October is the month of the Harvest Moon, which is a perfect metaphor for the audiobooks we’ve picked and gathered to shine some extra light on this autumn.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 22d

In the Guardian, Stephen King on what makes du Maurier's horror work: she leaves the unsettling bits unresolved. Makes readers sit with the dread. Fills in their own terrifying blanks. "Du Maurier's horrors are described with calm rationality that makes them true nightmare fuel."

‘She wrote the best first line – and the most chilling stories’: Stephen King on the dark brilliance of Daphne du Maurier

From Rebecca to The Birds and scores more creepy short stories, Du Maurier was queen of the uncanny, writes the US horror maestro

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 22d

Solid list of some of the "big" mystery and thrillers arriving in the next couple months. Not too many surprises. They are 'most anticipated' for a reason I suppose. But a good reminder. Top of my list is Penny's 20th Gamache, a sequeal to The Gray Wolf.

The 11 most anticipated mysteries and thrillers of fall

Sherry Thomas pens a library-set murder mystery, M.L. Rio hits the road for her sophomore thriller and Richard Osman finally returns to the Thursday Murder Club.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 23d

Somehow missed this initial news (so much TV, so many adaptations) But John Malkovich will join as the big bad for S2 of Bad Money. Really enjoyed the first season of Lawrence/Vaughn adaptation of Hiassen's work. Perfect summer show.

John Malkovich Joins ‘Bad Monkey’ Season 2

The actor is set to appear as a series regular in Bill Lawrence's Apple TV+ show that stars Vince Vaughn.

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Mike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 24d

If you are looking for horror books to add to your TBR for the official start of Spooky Month, Libby has shared with us the most popular horror books checked out last month. Not sure I'd say Riley Sager was horror but a couple other interesting reads here.

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