Boo! As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s the perfect time of year to cozy up with a good horror book. What’s more, longer nights are the perfect time to crack open a spooky ghost book series.
If you’re looking for a new, creepy world to get lost in, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve made a list of our favorite ghost book series to send a chill down your spine this Halloween season.
This list has it all: from heartwarming romance to head-scratching mystery to horrifying crime, these ghost book series are sure to keep you coming back for more. Here are our top ten ghostbook series for your TBR.
10. The Mediator series by Meg Cabot
Books in the series:
- Shadowland
- Ninth Key
- Reunion
- Darkest Hour
- Haunted
- Twilight
- Remembrance
Chances are, you know Meg Cabot as the author of the cultural touchstone The Princess Diaries. (Part three of the film adaptation is officially confirmed, and our millennial hearts are full.)
But what you may not know is that she also authored a YA ghost book series about a teenage girl who helps ghosts move on to the afterlife. For fans of romance, humor, and a good old-fashioned ghost story, this series is for you.
Why we recommend it: I loved the lighthearted tone of this surprisingly upbeat ghostbook series.
9. The Charlie Parker series by John Connolly
Selected books in the series:
- Every Dead Thing
- Dark Hollow
- The Unquiet
This long-running ghost book series features twenty books which skillfully mix elements of detective fiction, horror, and ghost stories. Focusing on a former police detective-turned-private eye, the Charlie Parker novels are the perfect ghost book series for armchair detectives.
Why we recommend it: I love how expansive Connolly’s world is. These books are a great choice to get lost in.
RelatedThis Is Why We Can’t Stop Reading Haunted House Stories
8. Ghost Stories by M.R. James
While not a conventional ghost book series per se, M.R. James’ stories have been anthologized countless times, and are the blueprint for many modern ghost story tropes. Featuring cursed objects, haunted houses, and malevolent spirits, James’ ghost books are an absolute must-read.
Why we recommend it: I love the atmosphere and pacing of James’ stories.
7. The Graveyard Queen by Amanda Stevens
Books in the series:
- The Restorer
- The Kingdom
- The Prophet
- The Visitor
- The Sinner
- The Awakening
In this ghost book series, Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer who can see ghosts. As she works through graveyards in the southern US, she encounters spirits with unfinished business, and a lot worse…
Why we recommend it: I love the romantic subplot in these books.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter6. The Ghost Hunter series by Victoria Laurie
Select books in the series:
- What’s A Ghoul to Do?
- Demons are a Ghoul’s Best Friend
- Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun
- Ghouls Gone Wild
- A Ghoul’s Gotta Do
This fun ghost book series is a compelling blend of the paranormal and cozy mystery. Following a psychic named M.J. who solves ghostly cases, each novel is its own charming and unique tale.
Why we recommend it: I love the humorous and creative tone of this ghostbook series.
5. The Anna Dressed in Blood duology by Kendare Blake
Books in the series:
- Anna Dressed in Blood
- Girl of Nightmares
A master of YA thrillers, Kendare Blake knocks us out again with this paranormal YA ghost book series. Cas is a ghost hunter who encounters the spirit of a girl named Anna.
As he tries to help her find peace, sparks begin to fly between the two.
Why we recommend it: I liked that this ghost book series was short and sweet. Perfect for a long weekend.
RelatedBeyond the Grave: 10 Legendary Ghost Stories You Can’t Read Alone
4. The Haunting of Sunshine Girl series by Paige McKenzie
Books in the series:
- The Haunting of Sunshine Girl
- The Awakening of Sunshine Girl
- The Sacrifice of Sunshine Girl
We love a good haunted house story, fiction or otherwise. And this ghost book series delivers.
When teenager Sunshine learns she has the ability to interact with spirits, she slowly encounters increasingly powerful and dangerous ghosts.
Why we recommend it: I enjoyed how this ghost book series combined mystery with horror.
3. Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud
Books in the series:
- The Screaming Staircase
- The Whispering Skull
- The Hollow Boy
- The Creeping Shadow
- The Empty Grave
Set in a fictional haunted London, this ghost book series tells the story of a ghost-hunting agency filled with teenage investigators.
Why we recommend it: I loved the dark humor and detailed settings in this ghostbook series.
RelatedA History of the Horror Fiction Genre: Spooky Tales Throughout the Centuries
2. The Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones
Books in the series:
- My Heart Is A Chainsaw
- Don’t Fear the Reaper
- The Angel of Indian Lake
This dark and suspenseful ghost book series focuses on the heavily haunted Indian Lake, where ghostly occurrences are far from abnormal.
Why we recommend it: I was truly scared by these books and floored by the writing style. I only wish there were more!
1. The Messy Man series by Chris Sorenson
Books in the series:
- The Nightmare Room
- The Hungry Ones
- The Messy Man
When a big-city couple moves to the small-town Midwest, they are soon confronted with the horrors that lurk in their new home in this addictive ghost book series. Can they confront the spirits that haunt their old farmhouse before it’s too late?
Why we recommend it: I loved the twists and turns in this ghostbook series.
Regardless of your taste, we hope that this list of the ten best ghostbook series has something for you. From YA romance to cozy romance to paranormal investigations, the world of ghost book series is a diverse and endless one indeed.
Happy spooky season!