The Rabbit Back Literature Society – Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen

Young teacher Ella is the newest member of the exclusive writing group of Rabbit Back, run by famous children’s author Laura White. But why are the words in Ella’s library books rearranging themselves? And has Laura really disappeared in a whirlwind of snow? This clever mystery mixes the small-town surrealism of Twin Peaks with the clandestine-society theme of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.

Rustication – Charles Palliser

It’s Christmas 1863, and teenage opium addict Richard has been sent down to the crumbling family pile where his mother and sister live in impoverished glamour. As threatening letters from the nearby village pile up, the family’s behaviour becomes increasingly bizarre.

The Vampyre Family – Andrew McConnell Stott

Love, sex, fame: Byron and Shelley certainly knew about drama. This non-fiction tale explores the origins of the classic horror stories Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Vampyre by John Polidori.

The Abominable – Dan Simmons

The summit of Everest must be an unnerving place at the best of times – but imagine it’s 1925 and you’re only there to discover the corpses of the last people who attempted the trip. Mingling fact and fiction, and clocking in at almost 700 pages, this novel will certainly keep you busy (and terrified) through the winter months.

Sad Monsters: Growling on the Outside, Crying on the Inside – Frank Lesser

Freaked yourself out too much? Banish the spooks with this funny take on classic monsters.