Do not say: “I’ll be right back.” “Hello?” or “Who’s there?” Never do drugs or drink alcohol. Do not assume, under any circumstances, the killer is dead. Never go alone. Avoid stairs. These are some simple rules that everybody should know on how to survive a thriller/horror movie. But do these apply to books as well? Put these five books to the test on Halloween night to keep you awake.

“Ten” by Gretchen McNeil                                                                The weekend of their lives — an exclusive party on a house at Henry Island. Meg and Minnie, best friends, each had their own reasons to be at the party. The school’s most eligible bachelor, T.J., is just a part of three glory days of booze, boys and luxury. A video begins the whirlwind of terror with three simple words: Vengeance is mine. People suddenly dying inside, a storm is raging outside, and nothing working for the teens is the perfect formula for this horror story.  Read more in Satellite‘s review here. 

“The Escape” by Hannah Jayn                                                          It is like a horrible riddle: Two boys walk into the woods, one comes out covered in blood, what happened? Fletcher and Adam went for an afternoon hike, but as the day turns into night and neither of them return, their town is thrown into chaos. Avery, the detective’s daughter, finds Fletcher, lost, disheveled, and covered in blood. With Fletcher having no memory of what happened, Avery cannot shake off the feeling that something is not matching up. When Adam’s body is finally discovered, Avery is determined to find out the truth. If she stands by her gut, and Fletcher, is she standing by a murderer, or a friend? Learning the answer might cost her life.

“I Am Her Revenge” by Meredith Moore                                   Vivian, a girl raised with one purpose in life: to exact revenge on behalf of her mother. Manipulative and cruel, Mother has deprived Vivian of a childhood, and an original identity. As the time to strike nears, Vivian is enrolled in a boarding school on the English moors, where she will zero in on her target: unsuspecting Ben, son of the man who broke Mother’s heart twenty years ago.  As the secrets are uncovered, Vivian comes steps closer to learning who Mother, and herself, really are. The more Vivian reveals about herself the higher the stakes become. Mother will stop at nothing to make sure the truth about Vivian dies with her.

“Black Ice” by Becca Fitzpatrick                                                           Britt Pheiffer is not prepared when her ex-boyfriend, and friend’s brother, who still is at the forefront of her mind, wants to join the duo. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unanticipated blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin with two extremely handsome occupants. The catch- these men are fugitives, and they take her and her friend hostage. The wild hike to escape escalates as Britt uncovers a series of murder clues left behind on the mountain. Even more frightening:  when one of her hostages begins helping her escape. But everyone is keeping secrets, and the twists and turns and clues in this book will keep everybody guessing until the end.

“Twisted Summer” by Willo Davis Roberts                                     An easy summer breeze, the lake shimmering at your toes, and the sun nicely warming your body. Each summer Cici and her family enjoy days like this along with other family and friends at Crystal Lake. This year, though, something is different. Brody, her friend Jack’s older brother, is convicted for murder. Cici is sure that Brody is innocent. As she searches for the real killer she uncovers a complicated web of lies and cover-ups that place in her jeopardy as well.