3 Classic Spooky Books to Read for Free this Halloween

With October finally upon us, there is no better time to dive into scary stories from years past to truly embrace that autumnal atmosphere. The good news is you don’t have to root through dusty library shelves or try to find a PDF copy online to read some of the best classic horror novels – not when you can read them right here on OpenLeaf for free.

These spine-tingling tales are the type to simultaneously keep you up at night while also having you contemplate the undeniable cultural impact they have had on fiction throughout the years. From a sci-fi horror written during a dark and stormy night (yes, really) to a novella that showcases the good and evil present in every human being, here are three classic horror novels to enjoy this spooky season.

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Published: 1818
The year is 1816. Mary Shelley, along with Percy Shelley, Claire Clairmont, and Lord Byron, gathered at the Villa Diodati on a famously stormy night, where their isolation led to sparks of creativity that would echo for centuries. To pass the time, the group decided to each write their own horrific tale to share with the group, and it was here that Mary was inspired to write a story about corpse reanimation through galvanism, a vision that would later turn into the iconic work of Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus.

What blossomed that night is what many consider a genuine masterpiece. The main narrative focuses on a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who manages to create The Creature (often mistaken for or referred to as “Frankenstein”) out of dismembered body parts from corpses. The Creature’s life is a simultaneously sad and horrifying tale, with his naturally benevolent nature turning to violent acts due to his rejection from society. It explores themes of isolation, nature vs. nurture, and scientific ethics that are still as relevant today as they were back then. If it’s still on your virtual “to-read” shelf, it’s definitely one you should dive into – preferably on a dark and stormy night of your own!

2. Dracula by Bram Stoker

Published: 1897
Another classic novel that had an enormous impact on genre and fiction as a whole is Dracula, the much-loved work by Bram Stoker that popularised the modern vampire. Its cultural impact knows no bounds: Dracula now makes the definitive vampire archetype, with his aristocratic nature, unique charm, and weakness to sunlight seeping into more modern character creations like Lestat de Lioncourt (from Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles) and Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

But away from all that, there’s this beautifully-written, page-turning book that genuinely stands the test of time. You’ll be taken on a journey through Transylvania and England; you’ll step into the iconic gothic castle, meet sympathetic characters you’ll genuinely root for, and be taken in by Dracula’s undeniably alluring nature – all while being chilled to the bone by his seemingly unstoppable power. It’s a book that showcases the timelessness of contagion fears, while giving you a complex, intelligent villain that has inspired so many fictional vampires who have followed in his shadowed footsteps.

3. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Published: 1886
If you’re looking for a slightly shorter read this spooky season (albeit one still filled with plenty of mystery and tension), try the classic novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. This one’s an investigative crime horror that puts the themes of good and evil on centre stage, with the respectable Dr. Jekyll’s good nature mirrored by the depraved and physically repugnant Mr Hyde, whose actions will make even modern horror lovers' hair stand on end. Set in Victorian London, you will be plunged into a world of facades, secrecy, and dingy backstreets – a perfect setting for a novella that dives into morality and the duality of human nature. Plus, at only around 25,000 words, it’s one you can read in a single candle-lit October evening!