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Looking for something spooky to read this Halloween 2026? Whether you enjoy supernatural mysteries, psychological horror or stories that venture into truly disturbing territory, there is no shortage of frightening books to keep you turning the pages.
With Halloween falling on Saturday, 31 October 2026, Rakuten Kobo has put together a selection of five horror books for Malaysian readers, ranging from ghost stories set in colonial Melaka to unsettling tales of sinister houses, dark campus rituals and gruesome fairy tales.
The recommendations include works by Malaysian authors alongside international horror favourites, making it easier to find a story that suits your preferred level of fright.
There is also a timely connection to the big screen. Other Mommy, the film adaptation of Josh Malerman's Incidents Around the House, opened in Malaysian cinemas on 8 October 2026, giving horror fans another reason to discover the original novel.
With Halloween falling on Saturday, 31 October 2026, Rakuten Kobo has put together a selection of five horror books for Malaysian readers, ranging from ghost stories set in colonial Melaka to unsettling tales of sinister houses, dark campus rituals and gruesome fairy tales.
The recommendations include works by Malaysian authors alongside international horror favourites, making it easier to find a story that suits your preferred level of fright.
There is also a timely connection to the big screen. Other Mommy, the film adaptation of Josh Malerman's Incidents Around the House, opened in Malaysian cinemas on 8 October 2026, giving horror fans another reason to discover the original novel.
1. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
eBook price: RM23.99
eBook price: RM23.99
Imagine receiving a marriage proposal, only to discover that your prospective husband is already dead.
Set in 1890s colonial Melaka, The Ghost Bride by Malaysian author Yangsze Choo follows Li Lan as she becomes entangled in a mysterious world of restless spirits, family secrets and unexpected romance.
Drawing inspiration from Chinese folklore and historical traditions, the novel combines supernatural storytelling with an atmospheric portrayal of old Melaka.
Rather than relying entirely on frightening encounters, the story gradually draws readers into its mysteries, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy ghost stories with emotional depth.
Reading mood: Haunting, romantic and mysterious.
Explore The Ghost Bride on Kobo
Set in 1890s colonial Melaka, The Ghost Bride by Malaysian author Yangsze Choo follows Li Lan as she becomes entangled in a mysterious world of restless spirits, family secrets and unexpected romance.
Drawing inspiration from Chinese folklore and historical traditions, the novel combines supernatural storytelling with an atmospheric portrayal of old Melaka.
Rather than relying entirely on frightening encounters, the story gradually draws readers into its mysteries, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy ghost stories with emotional depth.
Reading mood: Haunting, romantic and mysterious.
Explore The Ghost Bride on Kobo
2. Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef by Cassandra Khaw
eBook price: RM14.44
What happens when your job involves cooking for supernatural creatures and managing paperwork for the underworld?
In Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef, Malaysian author Cassandra Khaw introduces readers to a rather unusual side of Kuala Lumpur, where Rupert Wong prepares meals for ghouls while handling administrative responsibilities for the Ten Chinese Hells.
Blending supernatural fantasy with dark humour and gruesome culinary descriptions, the story offers an unconventional take on horror.
Its combination of familiar Malaysian surroundings and bizarre supernatural circumstances makes it particularly interesting for readers who appreciate horror that does not take itself too seriously.
Reading mood: Dark humour and supernatural fantasy.
Content note: Cannibalism and graphic violence.
Explore Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef on Kobo
eBook price: RM14.44
What happens when your job involves cooking for supernatural creatures and managing paperwork for the underworld?
In Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef, Malaysian author Cassandra Khaw introduces readers to a rather unusual side of Kuala Lumpur, where Rupert Wong prepares meals for ghouls while handling administrative responsibilities for the Ten Chinese Hells.
Blending supernatural fantasy with dark humour and gruesome culinary descriptions, the story offers an unconventional take on horror.
Its combination of familiar Malaysian surroundings and bizarre supernatural circumstances makes it particularly interesting for readers who appreciate horror that does not take itself too seriously.
Reading mood: Dark humour and supernatural fantasy.
Content note: Cannibalism and graphic violence.
Explore Rupert Wong, Cannibal Chef on Kobo
3. Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
eBook price: RM45.39
eBook price: RM45.39
For readers who believe that home should be the safest place in the world, Incidents Around the House may challenge that assumption.
Written by Josh Malerman, the novel centres on eight-year-old Bela, whose family life becomes increasingly terrifying because of a mysterious entity she calls Other Mommy.
Told from a child's perspective, the story brings supernatural horror into an ordinary household while exploring the emotional vulnerabilities and tensions within the family.
The unusual narrative perspective adds to the sense of unease, making readers experience the unfolding events through Bela's limited understanding of what is happening around her.
The book has also been adapted into the film Other Mommy, which opened in Malaysian cinemas on 8 October 2026.
Reading mood: Intense supernatural horror.
Content note: A child in peril and family distress.
Explore Incidents Around the House on Kobo
Written by Josh Malerman, the novel centres on eight-year-old Bela, whose family life becomes increasingly terrifying because of a mysterious entity she calls Other Mommy.
Told from a child's perspective, the story brings supernatural horror into an ordinary household while exploring the emotional vulnerabilities and tensions within the family.
The unusual narrative perspective adds to the sense of unease, making readers experience the unfolding events through Bela's limited understanding of what is happening around her.
The book has also been adapted into the film Other Mommy, which opened in Malaysian cinemas on 8 October 2026.
Reading mood: Intense supernatural horror.
Content note: A child in peril and family distress.
Explore Incidents Around the House on Kobo
4. Bunny by Mona Awad
eBook price: RM35.79
Not every frightening story needs ghosts or haunted houses. Sometimes, the most disturbing experiences begin with the people around us.
In Bunny by Mona Awad, an outsider attending an elite creative-writing programme receives an invitation to join a closely connected group of classmates.
What initially appears to be an opportunity for friendship and belonging soon develops into something increasingly strange and disturbing.
Combining campus satire, surreal horror and psychological unease, the novel explores social exclusion, identity and the unsettling desire to fit in.
For readers who enjoy stories that challenge their understanding of reality, Bunny offers a very different kind of Halloween reading experience.
Reading mood: Dark academia and surreal horror.
Content note: Violence and disturbing imagery.
Explore Bunny on Kobo
eBook price: RM35.79
Not every frightening story needs ghosts or haunted houses. Sometimes, the most disturbing experiences begin with the people around us.
In Bunny by Mona Awad, an outsider attending an elite creative-writing programme receives an invitation to join a closely connected group of classmates.
What initially appears to be an opportunity for friendship and belonging soon develops into something increasingly strange and disturbing.
Combining campus satire, surreal horror and psychological unease, the novel explores social exclusion, identity and the unsettling desire to fit in.
For readers who enjoy stories that challenge their understanding of reality, Bunny offers a very different kind of Halloween reading experience.
Reading mood: Dark academia and surreal horror.
Content note: Violence and disturbing imagery.
Explore Bunny on Kobo
5. The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
eBook price: RM40.29
For readers who prefer their horror darker, more graphic and considerably more unsettling, The Salt Grows Heavy offers a chilling interpretation of familiar fairy-tale elements.
Written by Malaysian author Cassandra Khaw, the story follows a mermaid and a plague doctor as they enter a mysterious forest inhabited by a nightmarish community.
The novel combines lyrical writing with disturbing imagery, transforming traditional fairy-tale concepts into a visceral horror experience.
Despite its relatively short length, the story is designed to leave a lasting impression, particularly on readers who appreciate atmospheric prose alongside more graphic horror.
Reading mood: Dark fairy tales and body horror.
Content note: Graphic gore, mutilation and violence involving children.
The book is also available through Kobo Plus, an all-you-can-read subscription service priced at RM27 per month.
Explore The Salt Grows Heavy on Kobo
eBook price: RM40.29
For readers who prefer their horror darker, more graphic and considerably more unsettling, The Salt Grows Heavy offers a chilling interpretation of familiar fairy-tale elements.
Written by Malaysian author Cassandra Khaw, the story follows a mermaid and a plague doctor as they enter a mysterious forest inhabited by a nightmarish community.
The novel combines lyrical writing with disturbing imagery, transforming traditional fairy-tale concepts into a visceral horror experience.
Despite its relatively short length, the story is designed to leave a lasting impression, particularly on readers who appreciate atmospheric prose alongside more graphic horror.
Reading mood: Dark fairy tales and body horror.
Content note: Graphic gore, mutilation and violence involving children.
The book is also available through Kobo Plus, an all-you-can-read subscription service priced at RM27 per month.
Explore The Salt Grows Heavy on Kobo
Enjoy Halloween Reading with Kobo eReaders
Once you have chosen your next horror book, Rakuten Kobo offers several eReaders designed to make reading more comfortable, whether at home or while travelling.
The Kobo Clara BW features a compact 6-inch black-and-white display, making it suitable for readers who prefer a straightforward digital reading experience.
For those who enjoy seeing book covers and highlights in colour, the Kobo Clara Colour provides a colour display in a similarly compact format.
Meanwhile, the Kobo Libra Colour offers a larger 7-inch colour display together with physical page-turn buttons.
All three devices feature ComfortLight PRO, allowing users to adjust brightness and colour temperature according to their reading environment.
Alternatively, readers can access their eBooks using the free Kobo Books app on compatible smartphones and tablets.
Once you have chosen your next horror book, Rakuten Kobo offers several eReaders designed to make reading more comfortable, whether at home or while travelling.
The Kobo Clara BW features a compact 6-inch black-and-white display, making it suitable for readers who prefer a straightforward digital reading experience.
For those who enjoy seeing book covers and highlights in colour, the Kobo Clara Colour provides a colour display in a similarly compact format.
Meanwhile, the Kobo Libra Colour offers a larger 7-inch colour display together with physical page-turn buttons.
All three devices feature ComfortLight PRO, allowing users to adjust brightness and colour temperature according to their reading environment.
Alternatively, readers can access their eBooks using the free Kobo Books app on compatible smartphones and tablets.
Rakuten Kobo Malaysia Offers 25% Off eBooks from 16 to 18 October 2026
For Malaysian readers planning to add more titles to their digital bookshelves, Rakuten Kobo is offering 25% off eBooks sitewide from 16 to 18 October 2026.
Shoppers can use the promotional code SYOK26102 during the promotional period to enjoy the discount on eligible eBooks.
Exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Readers can visit the official Kobo Malaysia promotional page for further details.
Those interested in purchasing a Kobo eReader or accessories can also explore Kobo's official stores on Lazada and Shopee.
Whether your idea of a perfect Halloween involves Malaysian folklore, unsettling psychological mysteries or graphic supernatural horror, these five books offer plenty of ways to spend a spooky weekend with a good story.
For Malaysian readers planning to add more titles to their digital bookshelves, Rakuten Kobo is offering 25% off eBooks sitewide from 16 to 18 October 2026.
Shoppers can use the promotional code SYOK26102 during the promotional period to enjoy the discount on eligible eBooks.
Exclusions and terms and conditions apply. Readers can visit the official Kobo Malaysia promotional page for further details.
Those interested in purchasing a Kobo eReader or accessories can also explore Kobo's official stores on Lazada and Shopee.
Whether your idea of a perfect Halloween involves Malaysian folklore, unsettling psychological mysteries or graphic supernatural horror, these five books offer plenty of ways to spend a spooky weekend with a good story.
Note: eBook prices are based on the linked Malaysian Kobo editions checked on 12 October 2026 and are subject to change. Reading moods and content notes are editorial guidance rather than official Rakuten Kobo classifications.
