(“Minor Flood,” photo by Nancy Ellen Row Rawley/use with permission only, please)

Once upon a time, I was not too scared to read/review scary books aimed at teenagers. Some of my favorites growing up included Stephen King’s classics, “The Stand,” “Carrie” and “Christine.” I also read the “Flowers in the Attic” books which were terrifying and creepy, “Go Ask Alice” (which claimed to be a legit “real” story, but was actually a cautionary tale from a religious zealot/writer?), “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Exorcist,” “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” and oh my heck. So many nights spent freaking myself out and then hearing everything go bump in the night. Watched the movies for bonus points. Yeah, buddy.

Now, though… Forget it. I just can’t, and I’m a softy. So here are some new, righteous, horrifying and slightly intimidating reads. Have at it. Bon appetit! Disclaimer over here.

WM

“You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This,” by Aaron Starmer, is a great read, but I couldn’t get past page 27 because that is just the world I live in now. Roman’s grandpa is a little quirky, and has always scared/entertained his grandkids with his story about the Toe Beast who is responsible for his missing pinkie toe. When grandpa passes away, Roman is put in charge of tidying up his possessions… and finds some creepy stuff. This is where I quietly closed the book and left the room. (No, I’m not going to attempt to explain how/why I love the shows “Supernatural” and “The Walking Dead,” and am happy to eat popcorn and marathon them for hours. Go figure.) (Penguin Workshop, 2026, 281 pages, $18.99.)

“Killing Sadie” is the debut novel from author Rachel Peterson (Simon Pulse; scheduled for release Aug. 4, 2026; 292 pages; $19.99). It’s being described as “Scream” meets “Two Sides to Every Murder” and “One of Us is Lying.”

In the new YA thriller, “Drop Dead Famous,” author Jennifer Pearson weaves a story about two sisters, fame, deception and murder. (Sarah Barley Books, 2026, 454 pages, $22.99.)

Katie Bernet’s scary/scary/scary! new novel is called “Beth is Dead,” and… OK. It’s a murder story. The author murders Beth March, aka my Beth from the Louisa May Alcott epic, “Little Women.” And now, I must go. (Sara Barley Books, 2026, 390 pages, $19.99.)