If Halloween is your favorite holiday, you likely relish every Friday the 13th. It’s a day where the ordinary can seem strange—even something like a cat crossing your path can seem like an omen. But how did this day get the its reputation? The fear of this day traces all the way back to 1307, to a raid on the Knights of Templar. They were brutally tortured until they confessed to false charges, such as hearsay, homosexuality, and fraud. Dozens were burned at the stake for their confessions. (source)

In honor of this day of superstition, we’ve got some thrilling reads for you to dive into.

Enemy Queen* by Robert Steven Goldstein

Stanley Berman and Thomas McClellen, friends and housemates, are well-educated middle-aged men in positions of prestige. When they invite a young woman to live with them, it is largely because they think she will find them alluring. While she does initiate sexual relationships with both men, her demands in return become untenable—and when she goes missing, the county sheriff opens a murder investigation.

Firewall by Eugenia Lovett West

When Emma’s rich, feisty godmother is blackmailed, she immediately turns to Emma. She is soon thrust into the world of cybercrime, and as obstacles mount, she and her godmother find themselves rubbing elbows with the elite in the financial and art worlds. She eventually becomes the target of a cybercrime network. It is only by her resilience, wit, and connections that she manages to survive and bring the criminal to justice.

The Hairbrush and the Shoe* by Jeanne D. Stanton

If you’re looking for something a little more real to give you the chills, this is the read for you. In this real-life ghost story, Stanton recounts her various interactions with the paranormal in her home. She recounts her research into the lore of ghosts, attempting to prove or disprove their existence and the powers of psychics and mediums. This book will have you questioning your beliefs about the afterlife, no matter what they are.

Pursuits Unknown by Ellen Clary

In this sci-fi thriller, Amy and her dog Lars work on a search team that rescues people. But when they find a missing scientist suffering from Disorientation, an Alzheimer’s-like disorder, Amy realizes that this is not their typical case. It appears that someone has attempted to steal his highly sensitive research. Before she knows it, Amy is asked to go undercover to gain the trust of a high-ranking cult member that may try to use the research for evil.

Resistant by Rachael Sparks

The antibiotic crisis wiped out millions, but Rory and her father are still standing. When a young military man enters their quiet corner of the world, he exposes secrets kept from Rory by her parents. Her blood may hold the key to the cure, which makes her a target for groups trying to reach it first. This novel follows her thrilling journey on the run, trying to create a cure for all—not just one sold to the highest bidder.

Watermark* by Elise Schiller

Angel Ferrante is the center of stability in her household. Her mother, Pic, uses alcohol and drugs to self-medicate, her father left, and her stepfather is an asshole. Angel is raising her three little sisters herself while pursuing her goal of going to college on a swimming scholarship. After a fight with Pic on New Year’s Eve, Angel sneaks out to a swim team party and doesn’t return. Her disappearance sends her family and teammates into a thrilling search.

*not out yet, but available for preorder now