Friday Favorites: Horror with a Dash of Humor

For Friday Favorites, I will be sharing some books or authors or genres that I find interesting and enjoy. Please feel free to leave a book/blog related comment.

This week's subject is Horror with a dash of Humor. 

It seems from time to time that many people like to read a little horror while others prefer a steady diet of it. I  like it now and then, but don't read it constantly. And I prefer my horror to come with the occasional comic relief. It breaks some of the tension and sometimes sets you up for the next scare. 

Why do people like to read horror at all? There are many reasons. The one I found most interesting was that it gives people control. If it's getting too scary, you can close the book for a while. You can decide how scary the book you pick is. And sometimes this is the best thing we can do when the world around us is crazy. 

Some of my favorite horror/humor authors are: Lindy Ryan, Maureen Kilmer, Grady Hendrix, and Christopher Moore. Although Christopher Moore's books I think are more humor than horror. And full disclosure I haven't read Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines yet nor Anima Rising by Christopher Moore. And I have just dipped into the anthology Blood Lite from time to time.

I'm looking forward to Slayers of Old. Here's a quotation I found on Amazon from it. "As a Hunter, my body reacted to the presence of unnatural threats: monsters and demons and people who hung the toilet paper roll "under" instead of "over." My duty was to track down and end these threats." 

Lindy Ryan's stories of the Evans women - Bless Your Heart and Another Fine Mess were joined by Dollface this year in the horror with a dash of humor category. Dollface is not one of the Evans women, but it is a story about a serial killer killing off people in the PTA of an elementary school.

Christopher Moore's book, A Dirty Job, asks the question what would happen if you had to raise a toddler while perhaps being the personification of death. The Stupidest Angel - "a heart warming tale of Christmas terror" cautions be careful what you wish for and combines the undead with the holiday season.

If you haven't already, do also check out Maureen Kilmer and Grady Hendrix. For more on horror and humor suggestions, my post from this past October is still available to read, Spooky Season Recommendations. 

Do you like to read horror with or without humor? What are some of your favorite authors or books? Drop a line in the comments. Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #600: I Think We Should Kill Other People by L.M. Chilton

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: The new laugh-out-loud serial killer thriller from L.M. Chilton, author of Don't Swipe Right and Everyone in the Group Chat Dies.

The nation watched them fall in love. Now someone's watching them die.

Hazel and Marc were paired together on a revolutionary new reality TV show Love Synced, in which sophisticated AI matches hopeful lovers based on its perceptive algorithms.

But when it came time to say “I Do” on camera, Hazel couldn't go through with it, leaving her perfect match at the altar, his family furious and the whole TV production in jeopardy.

Now all she wants to do is fly home. Instead, she's trapped in a tiny, isolated airport that's been ground to a halt amidst a massive snowstorm…with her ex and his obnoxiously rich family sitting at the gate with her. But when they start turning up dead, a jilted lover is the least of Hazel's worries—there's a serial killer to catch first.

The heart's a fickle thing, so it's no surprise that AI couldn't predict true love for Hazel…but could it help crack the case when a murderer is picking off her almost-in-laws one by one?

I Think We Should Kill Other People by L.M. Chilton is expected out September 29, 2026 from Gallery Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like that it is billed as a "laugh-out-loud serial killer thriller." These days, laugh-out-loud is precious and a much needed escape. 

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay by Jenny Lawson

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

 They are so much more than how they appear at first glance. We just don't necessarily see it because hippos are baddies who have nothing to prove. 

And--let me remind us both--neither do we.

In a world full of wannabe lions, don't be afraid to love your inner hippo.

7% through on my Kindle from a chapter entitled "Murder Potatoes."

How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson was released March 31st, 2026 from Penguin Life.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #599: My Dog is Better at This Than Me by B.K. Larrikin

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

You have spent the last decade trying to learn presence, calm, and joy. Your dog was born with all three and has been napping through your efforts.

Rosie is a sixty-pound rescue mutt who has never read a self-help book, never set an intention for her afternoon, and never once questioned whether she belongs on the couch. She greets every morning like it’s the best news she’s ever received. She naps without guilt, plays without purpose, and forgives without being asked. She has figured out everything you’re still Googling — and she did it without Wi-Fi.

Her human is... working on it.

My Dog Is Better at This Than Me is what happens when a stressed, scrolling, over-caffeinated human stops reading about mindfulness and starts watching it — in the form of a creature who practices it every waking moment (and, if the dream-twitching is any indication, several sleeping ones too).

Across ten chapters, B.K. Larrikin chronicles the lessons Rosie teaches without trying: how zoomies are a masterclass in presence, how a squeaky hedgehog is always the right prescription, how a frisbee faceplant can teach you more about letting go than a decade of therapy, and how a fire hydrant — examined properly — is an art gallery.

Each chapter pairs a true (and frequently humiliating) personal story with real psychology and neuroscience, delivered in a voice that is warm, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny. Each chapter ends with a short practical exercise that takes three minutes, costs nothing, and requires no app, no cushion, and absolutely no sitting cross-legged until your foot falls asleep.

The lessons are simple. The exercises are simpler. The dog is smarter than all of us.

But this book goes deeper than you expect. Beneath the comedy is a story about depression and recovery, about the specific loneliness of a Saturday afternoon with no one expecting you, and about a rescue dog who showed up at the exact moment a human needed a reason to get out of bed. Chapter Five will make you laugh for four pages and then land somewhere so honest it changes the temperature of the room. The epilogue — about the math we try not to do when we love something that won’t outlive us — will stay with you long after you close the book.

Part memoir. Part self-help. Part love letter to a dog who ate a sock and showed zero remorse.

Featuring charming original illustrations of Rosie the Couch Cushion Philosopher, a book club discussion guide, practical cheat sheet, and curated reading list — plus a sneak peek at Book Two in the series.

Perfect for dog lovers, recovering over-achievers, anyone who’s been told to “just meditate,” gift-givers who want to be remembered, and every human who suspects their pet has life figured out better than they do.

Sit. Stay. Read.

My Dog Is Better at This Than Me by B.K. Larrikin is out as of yesterday, April 14, 2026.

Why was I waiting on this book? I didn't realize that this book came out yesterday. I've been waiting for it because I can relate to some of what it mentions in the blurb. People will tell me things like you need to meditate more. And I see people struggling to be present and not care what other people think. I'm hoping the comparisons to dog behavior help the "lessons" to stick.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Reading!

 

Audiobook Review: Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano

 From the publisher:

Life hasn’t been easy for Finlay Donovan lately, but it just got a whole lot harder. Her nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, has been extradited from Virginia to Maryland, where she’s facing criminal charges for a theft she swears she didn’t commit. A prisoner to an ankle bracelet as she awaits her trial, Vero is forced to live with her overbearing mother and nosy aunt. Threatening messages keep arriving on her mother’s door, demanding Vero “turn over the money . . . or else.” And if she doesn’t figure out who really stole her former sorority’s treasury funds, her next home might be a prison cell.

But proving her innocence might be an impossible feat. Vero was the treasurer of her sorority when the money went missing—one of the only people who had access to the cash. And her alibi is a date who ghosted her. With her court date quickly approaching, and her mysterious stalker on her tail, Vero needs to clear her name fast.

Finlay decides a trip to Maryland is in order. After all, Vero stood by her through her darkest moments, and Finlay will be damned if she lets her best friend and children’s nanny be convicted for something she didn’t do. She sets off on a mission to suss out the real thief and bring Vero home.

Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano was released March 17, 2026 from Macmillan.

My Thoughts: 

Elle Cosimano brings us to a point to find out what happened to Vero that she got arrested and shipped to Maryland from Virginia. If you've been reading the series, then you know why already. But, it is brought up early in the book, so that part of the plot is easy enough to follow.

As usual, Vero and Finlay get up to shenanigans trying to solve the mystery and keep Vero out of jail. Meanwhile back at the ranch, Nick is babysitting the kids. No doubt this will lead to shenanigans as well. Taking care of young kids pretty much guarantees that.

I was listening to the 12 chapter sampler. It's well done. The narrator is clear and enjoyable to listen to. Now, I am going to get a copy of the book ASAP to find out what happens next.

I gave this book 5/5 stars. You really should read the books in order to see the relationships and attitudes toward each other develop. Vero has helped Finlay out many times. This time, it's Finlay to the rescue. If you enjoy your mysteries with a helping of humor, then you will enjoy this series.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Book Review: I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

 

From the publisher:

After a decades-long stint in prison, former serial killer Carol is looking to kick back and relax in her new retirement home...until a fellow resident drops dead and Carol has to prove she actually didn't do it this time....

Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident—who happens to be a former police commissioner—drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked—making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks—it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers, and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer, but she is ready to prove them dead wrong...without killing anyone, for once.

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig was released February 17, 2026 from Berkley.

My Thoughts: I thought the whole premise was interesting from a retirement home filled with law enforcement and government officials to a main character who was formerly a serial killer.

Carol, the retired serial killer, has to prove her innocence if she has any hope of staying out of jail and staying in her nice new digs. She uses her history and personal experience as a killer to suss out who it might be. Her new friends help her reluctantly. Simply put, they are wary of her, but want to solve the mystery. With their backgrounds as a cop, forensic pathologist, and barrister/government official, the group is well equipped with Carol to solve the mysteries surrounding the death she witnesses from her balcony. I especially like that while the characters are older, none of them fit the doddering old pensioner stereotype, but are instead forces to be reckoned with.

The plot moved along at a good pace and maintained my interest. My only complaint was that there was evidence the reader is not privy to as they try and solve along with the group. There were many suspects, but in the end it was down to one. 

I enjoyed the mystery and the characters and gave it 4 out of 5 stars. If you have enjoyed mysteries like The Thursday Murder Club mysteries and Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, then you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #594: The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

This week I'm waiting on The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore.

From the publisher: "Quirky and hilarious but also with depth and heart, The Henchperson’s Guide To Unionizing is an unforgettable and fantastic story about being human. I loved it!"

—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

As the laboratory assistant to the brilliant but demanding Doctor, Igor spends his nights robbing graves, stitching together body parts, and ensuring that his master doesn’t electrocute himself (too badly).

When a mob of peasants wielding torches and pitchforks drives them out of town (again), Igor and the Doctor relocate to the isolated Ravenwald Manor to resume their experiments creating new life from dead flesh. But Igor and the Doctor are not the only ones seeking refuge within the walls of Ravenwald. The manor is already home to a vampiric Count and his highly dissatisfied bride, Cornelia—and an enigmatic witch and her feline familiar, Grimalkin, intend to use it as the site of a magical ritual.

At Igor’s suggestion, the three pairs come to an uneasy agreement to cohabitate in Ravenwald, lest they attract the suspicion of the nearby village. In the wake of this truce, Igor, Cornelia, and Grimalkin soon begin to realize that they might have more common with one another than their respective masters. When the trio discovers that they've been unwitting participants in a horrible plan to destroy the world as they know it, they must work together to stop their masters from bringing on armageddon... and stop the increasingly suspicious villagers from reaching for their pitchforks and torches. 

Igor, Grim, and Cornelia must unite to cast off the chains of their masters and embrace life on their own terms in the hilarious, heartwarming, and just-scary-enough The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing.

The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore is expected out September 22, 2026 from Bantam. The stunning first edition paperback of The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing features stenciled edges depicting a character from the book—order while supplies last!

Why am I waiting on this book? I like a blend of horror and humor and this promises to deliver. And the plot sounds unique. Supervillains cohabitating in a space where the henchpersons finally understand just what is at stake in their masters' works isn't something I've run up against before.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #590: Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

This week I'm waiting on Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters.

From the publisher: They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters is expected out May 19, 2026 from Thomas Nelson.

Why am I waiting on this book? It sounds like it will be both fast paced and funny. And we all could use a dose of funny these days. 

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #584:Gabby Greene Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: In this fast-paced and deliciously witty spy romcom, a single mom finds herself on a mission with the CIA as they attempt to uncover a cult—perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

Gabby Greene: Secret agent. Mother of two. Figuring it out as she goes along.

After her divorce, Gabby never expected that she’d be this close to having it all. Spying with a hot handler who’s an expert in after-hours under-the-covers work was not on her current bingo card. But balancing romance, espionage, and school lunches is a job for a magician, not a secret agent. Gabby will just have to keep dreamy Markus at arm's-length . . .

Easier said than done. Her next mission, should she choose to accept it: Pretend to be Markus’s fiancée so they can infiltrate a Power Couples Retreat to see whether the group is selling national security secrets (in addition to questionable beauty products).

To avert a national crisis, Gabby and Markus will need to look like they’re in love, planning their wedding—and enjoying the honeymoon cottage. Faking a relationship with the perfect man without actually falling for him? Piece of calorie-free cake, right?

Gabby Greene Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida is expected out January 20, 2026 from a division of Grand Central Publishing named Forever.

Why am I waiting on this book? The blurb says it's perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. The Finlay Donovan series is fun to read. I'm up for an interesting, fun read involving espionage and a little romance.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note about it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

She pulled into Brine's Bait, Tackle, and Fine Wines to pick up a six-pack of the dark bitter beer Theo liked and some milk for the morning. The little store was a miracle of eclectic supply, one of the few places on the planet where you could buy a fine Sonoma Merlot, a wedge of ripened French Brie, a can of 10W-30, and a carton of night crawlers. (p.74) 

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore was released November 1, 2005 by William Morrow. It is book three in the Pine Cove series. And it was an award winner - The Quill Award for Science Fiction/fantasy/Horror 2005. The other two books in the series are Practical Demonkeeping and The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove.

What have you been reading? Do you have favorite books that you reread this time of year? Do you have favorite holiday movies? Tell us in the comments. 

Teaser Tuesday: Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

Of course, one problem with playing dumb is that it seeps into your everyday life. But that has its advantages too. No one ever asks me to help with their taxes.

---From The Ungrateful Dead by Kelley Armstrong location 69

Blood Lite edited by Kevin J. Anderson was released October 21, 2008 by Gallery Books.

What are you reading?

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #580: Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies byJenny Elder Moke

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Juliette Winters is used to taking care of business alone. She has no time for petty things like romance, friendships, or emotional commitments. Love is for people who believe in reality TV dating and holding hands in public. She's too busy dominating the publishing world by single-handedly saving her company from financial ruin with the book deal of the century.

Business magnate Warren Ellingham has guaranteed Juliette exclusive rights to his explosive memoir that promises to expose the secrets of his ultra-exclusive country club, Pacific Pines. But when Warren drops dead of an apparent heart attack and the memoir is stolen, Juliette suspects that someone was willing to resort to murder to keep their secrets from being exposed.

Enlisting the help of Charlie Hawkins, a doctor with a heart of gold and abs of steel, Juliette dives into the glamorous and messy world of Pacific Pines Country Club. As the investigation heats up, so does the tension between Juliette and Charlie. But Juliette can't afford any distractions because the bodies keep dropping, and Juliette is tee-d up to take the blame. If she doesn't uncover Warren's killer soon, the thing that was supposed to secure her future might just be the thing that ends it.

Jenny Elder Moke's twisty mystery rom-com blend will delight readers with its outrageous characters, laugh-out-loud jokes, and opposites attract romance.

Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke is expected out January 20th, 2026 from Minotaur Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? It sounds like it will be a fun read. The mystery seems interesting. I am curious to see how the rom-com affects the investigation of the mystery. And I like that it sounds like it will have some humor to it.

What book are you waiting on? Share it and a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!

Book Review: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 

Have you ever shopped in Ikea? Did you get lost trying to find the exit or the bathroom or the people you came with? Getting lost like that is horrifying enough. Grady Hendrix  starts with that and runs with it in his low budget knock off of Ikea called Orsk. On top of being difficult to navigate at times, strange things are happening in the store overnight. Things are being broken or otherwise desecrated. As the book goes on, so does the strangeness.

Management is having fits. People from corporate are coming to see the store. 3 employees volunteer to stay overnight and try and puzzle out what's going on. But, will they make it through the night?

My Thoughts: Haunted building stories are interesting. Like a good haunted house story, they can be satisfying and perhaps make you a little more grateful for the mundane homes and businesses. 

The main character of the book is Amy Porter. Her point of view is crucial to the success of the story. The other 2 employees that stayed are Basil (management) and Ruth Anne. In some ways they are stereotypes. Amy is the employee that wants to get by by doing the least she can. Basil wants everyone to toe the line and follow corporate rules. Ruth Anne is that employee who is nice to everyone - customer and fellow employee alike. I wasn't expecting it, but each character reveals more about themselves as the book goes on. They go from stereotypes to real people. And they are not always what you would expect them to be. The other thing that surprised me about some of them was that their characters showed growth and change as the story progressed.

The plot moves along fairly quickly once night has come to this Orsk store. At first everything is pretty normal. Then stuff hits the fan. One event leads to another and it snowballs to the conclusion.

I could suspend my disbelief for most things in the book because I was expecting a haunted building story and it delivered. The only thing that I couldn't quite buy was the very end of the book. It was set up in such a way that the author could have written a sequel if he wanted to do so. Otherwise, I loved the character development, setting, and pace of the novel.

I gave this book 5 out of  5 stars. It has stayed with me even after more than a week's time since my reading it. And I have to admit I am currently a little less likely to go shop in Ikea until this works its way out of my system. If you like a good haunted house story, especially one with a little humor, then this could be a good match for you. I think it's definitely worth a read.

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix was published September 2014 by Quirk Books. I purchased my review copy.

Spooky Season Recommendations: Horror with Some Humor

 October is the perfect time to read books that give you a bit of a chill or a thrill. As far as I'm concerned, horror books are made better when they have some humor to them. One example released this past Tuesday would be, Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines. 

From the publisher: 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time

Three former Chosen Ones have joined together to spend their retirement in peace and quiet, running Second Life Books and Gifts in Salem, MA. A calm, peaceful, tourist-filled oasis, where they never have to worry about saving the world. Until some of the locals start summoning ancient creatures best left where they were . . . and they discover that their bookstore basement just may be the portal to the underworld. These ex-heroes may have thought they were done . . . but if they want to finish their retirement in peace, they’ll have to join together to save the world one last time.

Why leave saving the world to the young? Cozy mystery readers looking for an extra dash of magic will eat this story up: fun, funny, and heartwarming, it's a novel about community, second chances, and the healing power of scones.

While that is the most recent example, and one I am looking forward to reading, there are plenty others in the genre.

Suburban Hell and Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer are two such books. One asks the question of what would happen if evil is accidentally summoned in a suburban neighborhood by a group of friends looking to build a she-shed. And the other sees a group of friends from college that have been practicing witchcraft for decades losing control of their magic and needing to work hard to get it back under control. 

Bless Your Heart and  Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan also present a pair of horror stories that have humor as an element. While humor is definitely not the whole thing, it is present. The Evans women who run a funeral parlor in a small town have been keeping it safe for a long time from the undead. In these two books, they and the sheriff continue to do so.

For something heavier on the humor and lighter in tone while still asking some tough questions there are books by Christopher Moore. A Dirty Job and Secondhand Souls investigate what it might be like to be saddled with the job of Death unwittingly and unwillingly. Sophie, the daughter, is precious in the first book along with her hellhound companions. Her father is struggling with what it is like to be raising a precocious daughter while quite possibly being Death with a capital D. If this particular pair of novels is not quite for you, Moore has several others that are humorous while investigating other paranormal topics such as vampires, demons, and zombies.

These are just seven novels in the genre. There are many more where they come from: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero are just two more. Hopefully, you will find something you will enjoy this spooky season. Do you have a favorite Halloween time of year book? Or perhaps a favorite genre? Share it in the comments. Wishing you Happy Reading and a Happy Spooky Season!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #572: Your Behavior Will Be Monitored by Justin Feinstein

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

In an all-too-plausible near future, emotionally intelligent AI square off against emotionally stunted humans. This addictively hilarious satire deals with vital issues of our time: sentience, purpose, life, death—and how to make a really good commercial. 

Megacorporation UniView is poised to cement their reputation as “the most trusted name in AI.” After pioneering self-driving and HR bots, UniView is now barreling toward an audacious new launch. That is, if they can pull it off in time.

Enter Noah. A down-and-out copywriter reeling from a midlife crisis, he isn’t the typical hire for a groundbreaking tech company full of brilliant engineers and run by a cutthroat CEO. But Lex, UniView’s Head of HR and one of their greatest successes, makes no mistakes—her algorithm ensures it.

UniView’s latest venture—a bot named Quinn that creates revolutionary personalized advertising—needs expert training. Noah needs to teach Quinn—who is a much better student than he ever could have hoped for—the finer points of consumer motivation and the art of writing a catchy tagline.

But when corporate competitors force UniView to accelerate their timeline to market, guardrails around the AI loosen just as Quinn is learning a bit too much.

Told entirely through questionably obtained company emails, chat messages, TED Talks, bot trainings, and more, Your Behavior Will Be Monitored is a hilarious science fictional romp through the promise and perils of an AI-driven future that we probably deserve.

Your Behavior Will Be Monitored by Justin Feinstein is expected out April 7, 2026 from Tachyon Publications.

Why am I waiting on this book? It's a timely topic. And it sounds like it will be a fun read. I'm interested in the format too. I'm wondering how the author presents the TED Talks. And I am wondering how far off the rails Quinn will go and what it will mean for humans.

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