Sinister Sounds: Halloween Audiobook Recommendations
I’ll assume that if you’ve somehow found your way to this list, you’re looking for an audiobook that’s truly petrifying. As an audiobook guru, I consider it my sacred duty to offer you the best listens for this ghastly season. I want you to feel every ounce of emotional dread after listening to these recommendations. Of course I’d love for you to be pleasantly entertained, but I also want you on edge, questioning your sanity by the time you’re through with these spine-chilling stories. No tricks here, I promise! Just a few good old-fashioned fear inducers to help ease you into this spooky season. So, grab a good pair of headphones and let’s jump right in.
1. I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, read by Lucy Paterson
You’ll be unsettled by the feeling that someone’s watching you after listening to this eerie Icelandic Noir. The story follows a group of friends who plan to renovate a broken-down house in the middle of nowhere. They find that not only are they not alone in this house, there’s a presence that wants them gone. The story also follows a doctor set on investigating the death of an elderly woman who may have had a few disturbing secrets to hide. With two seemingly unrelated storylines, I Remember You will take you on a meandering trip of ghosts, suspense and mystery. Lucy Paterson completely takes charge of this story’s pacing, with her vocal performance complementing the atmospheric elements of this tale. She subtly adjusts her cadence, indicating shifts in tone within the story. This is the kind of audiobook that will leave you so impressed by Sigurdardottir’s dark and twisted imagination, you’ll start to worry about the author’s well-being!
2. ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King, read by Ron McLarty
Grab your garlic cloves and crosses, because this novel will drag you straight into the vampiric village of Salem’s Lot. Ben Mears, a somewhat successful author, returns to his abnormal hometown where he must confront his traumatic past. But as he settles in, strange things begin to occur, and the cause is far more unusual than anyone could imagine. King’s ability to paint a detailed image of the characters’ surroundings is prominent in this story. He has a way of distorting the mundane, twisting it into webs of sheer horror. Warning: this audiobook is quite long. With a little over 17 listening hours, there’s no easy escape from this gripping, dark tale. No reason to worry though, as Ron McLarty’s strong narration skills will guide you through. McLarty has a rich understanding of King’s masterful weaving of narratives, as is evident through his leveled yet assured narration style. He moves seamlessly through the scenes, successfully ramping up the tension at opportune moments. ‘Salem’s Lot may be a little slower paced than you’re used to but stick with it; true horror takes its sweet time.
3. Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica, read by Joseph Balderrama
Now, if you’re squeamish, this one might not be for you. But if you take a certain pleasure from visceral descriptions of blood (I’m not judging), or you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of gore, then Tender is the Flesh is right up your alley. Yes, I do know this novella is more thriller than horror, but who says we have to play by the rules?
In this morbid world crafted by Augustina Bazterrica, animals have been eradicated to stop the spread of a deadly virus, making the act of eating human flesh legal. Through the lens of
protagonist Marcos, we witness the systemic harvesting and farming of human meat, the same way animals once were. Bazterrica unabashedly loops madness into this story, but look deeper and you’ll find this story splattered with moral allegory. Joseph Balderrama effectively delivers on this audio edition, bringing this living nightmare of a novella to life. Although his style is slightly detached, his vocal presence is unnervingly calm. The minute you press play on this audiobook, you’ll be sucked right in.
I will say that this particular recommendation is quite gruesome, so maybe don’t approach it too lightly. I can’t even begin to imagine what Bazterrica’s search history looked like during the development of this novella.
4. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, read by Cynthia Erivo
This is a very short American classic, but I believe it’s largely impactful. The Yellow Wallpaper delves into the psychological tug of war of a wife and her controlling physician husband. After the birth of her child, the woman is pressured to spend the duration of the summer in an old mansion. She is confined to a room of yellow wallpaper and obstructed windows, in the hopes that such treatment cures her of her psychological afflictions. Gradually, she is consumed by the eccentric patterns on the wallpaper. This begins her fall into insanity. There are a few different versions of this audiobook out there, but I personally recommend Cynthia Erivo’s contemporary take. With a frail tone, she intimately captures the downward spiral of the protagonist, adding to the claustrophobic atmosphere found in this short story. You might find yourself thinking twice about your choice of wallpaper after this one.
From grit and terror to gloom and fright, I’m sure you’ll find something that suits you in this list. If these audiobook recommendations don’t have you throwing your headphones across the room in pure fear, then I’ve failed you miserably. Do feel free to stop listening if things get a bit too spooky for you. It’s not like I’ll make any snap judgements about your entire character or anything.
Mide Oluwayemi works in the audiobooks team at a publishing house and has always been inspired by writers who challenge and reshape the rules of storytelling. She’s passionate about the writing community and the connections words can foster.