by C.A. Verstraete

Ghosts aren’t just for Halloween.

In fact in fiction, they continue to be popular characters for both their real and un-real actions. While some books with ghostly or paranormal elements are often called “woo-woo” books, that doesn’t mean the story or characters are any less intriguing than their more “solid” counterparts.

For fun, here are some ghostly books and authors for your reading pleasure:

1. Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series is a great read for its ghosts and paranormal elements. In this addicting series, the FBI team has “special” abilities to see, hear and interact with the dead. Okay, maybe these ghosts sometimes are “talkier” or can do things you wouldn’t expect, but the stories are enjoyable enough that I, at least, am willing to go with it.

2. For ghostly elements, you can’t beat Sherlock Holmes, of course. Who can forget the gripping terror of that phantom dog howling in The Hound of the Baskervilles?

3. You can’t beat stories from classic authors like Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens and others for the best ghostly thrills. This collection of Classic Ghost Stories has enough chills to keep you shivering all night.

4. I remember being hooked on the Nancy Drew books. Add in a few ghosts as in The Ghost of Blackwood Hall (#25, 1948) and you had a mystery that kept you reading to the end. There also are newer versions now with Nancy and friends investigating in The Nancy Drew Diaries and collections of short stories for ghost-loving young readers.

5. Once again, I’m going back to one of the classics. The Haunting of Hill House remains one of the classics for its spookiness. After all, what’s a ghost story without that creepy house watching you?

C.A. (Christine) Verstraete is the author of The Haunting of Dr. Bowen and Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter. Learn more at http://www.cverstraete.com or visit her blog, http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com.