6 Horror Books to Help You Plan the Perfect Halloween Look

Olivia is only one character in a story about a serial killer, a stolen child, and a man who lives in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street, but she absolutely steals the show. It’s no surprise, that’s what cats do. But in a book filled with just as many truths as lies, Olivia is likely both the most honest and the biggest liar of them all. If you’re looking for a dark twist on your typical cat costumes, Olivia won’t lead you astray. 

Willow’s worst nightmare happened: she was cancelled. The only option is to check herself into a secluded retreat to regroup. And the best part? No phones, no social media, no way for anyone to find out who she is or what she did. Of course, when some of her fellow campers start to lose their heads, there’s no way to call for help either. There are a ton of costume ideas in this book. An axe murderer, a cancelled star, multiple murder victims! They even have a costume contest to recreate. Happy hunting.

Put away your fangs and your cape, and lean into the brooding, sexy, demented vampire. Louis de Pointe du Lac was once a plantation owner. Until the vampire Lestat turned him. Now, he’s ready to tell his life story to a journalist. These are his confessions, but it’s not only his story. Whether you pick Louis or Lestat, your costume will have flair, style, and the most important element, plenty of gothic flair. The perfect Halloween combination.

Want to draw a spirit? The salt in your blood or tears will do. Roos Beckman knows spirits. Her spirit companion, Ruth, has been with her for as long as she can remember. When she meets a wealthy young widow Agnes at a backroom séance, Agnes insists on bringing her back to her estate. But when someone is murdered, Roos is the most likely culprit.

If I were to pick, I’d dress as the corpse-like Ruth and linger at the edge of the party. Then again, rich widow and naïve seer might also be fun. Pick your poison and slay.

The Creature is one of the most misunderstood figures in all of horror. Created by a monster, forced into a painful existence. He only wants to live in peace. But that doesn’t mean he won’t fight for what he believes he deserves. Need inspiration for this one? Take a peek at the teaser photos for Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein. I can’t help but think Mary Shelley herself would swoon. A sexy doctor, a monstrously sexy Creature. You can’t go wrong with either this Halloween.

Megan’s mother stranded them in China thanks to her bad life decisions. At least she found them a home at the Huihuang Opera house. There, Megan befriends the star of the show. At first, she thinks the opera is nothing more than a retelling of a Chinese folk story. Then she learned the truth. Want to be a star? Take one headdress made of bones and skulls, paint your face white, drip red around your mouth, and sing your most haunting song. Oh, and don’t forget the knife.