As the days get longer and the flowers start to bloom, it’s easy to think of spring as a time of renewal and hope. But for fans of gothic horror, spring can also be a time of darkness and dread. Here are five gothic horror novels that take place in the spring, perfect for those of us who like their seasonal reading a little on the eerie side.
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Set in the summer of 1950s Mexico, “Mexican Gothic” follows the story of Noemí Taboada, a young socialite who is sent to the isolated High Place estate to check on her cousin’s health. What starts as a simple wellness check quickly turns into a nightmare as Noemí uncovers the secrets of the estate and its twisted inhabitants. The lush and vivid setting of the Mexican countryside in summer contrasts with the horrors that lurk within the mansion’s walls, creating a perfect modern gothic horror story.
- The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell “The Silent Companions” is a chilling tale set in the late 19th century during the springtime. Pregnant and recently widowed Elsie moves to her husband’s crumbling country estate, where she finds a wooden figure that eerily resembles her. As strange occurrences begin to happen around the house and more and more of these “silent companions” appear, Elsie realizes that there is a dark history to the estate that threatens her and her unborn child.
- The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley Set in the spring on the desolate British coast, “The Loney” tells the story of two brothers and their family’s pilgrimage to a shrine believed to have healing powers. But as the group arrives at their destination, strange and terrifying events begin to occur, and the brothers are forced to confront the horrors that lurk within the landscape. The bleak and windswept setting of the English coast during spring sets the perfect tone for this atmospheric and haunting novel.
- The Family Plot by Cherie Priest In “The Family Plot,” a summer job tearing down an old southern mansion turns into a nightmare for the salvage crew hired to do the job. As the crew members start to experience strange occurrences and hear eerie noises within the walls of the mansion, they realize that the house has a dark history that refuses to stay buried. Set against the hot and humid backdrop of a southern summer, “The Family Plot” is a modern take on the classic haunted house story.
- The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyn Kiste Set in a summer in 1980s Cleveland, “The Rust Maidens” follows the story of a group of teenage girls who start to undergo a strange transformation, turning into something not quite human. As the girls’ bodies change and their relationships with their families and friends disintegrate, the abandoned factories and rusting landscapes of Cleveland provide a perfect eerie and gothic backdrop.
These modern gothic horror novels offer a fresh take on the genre, each taking place in the warmer months of the year but still managing to evoke a sense of terror and unease. From haunted mansions to isolated estates, each novel offers its own unique blend of horror against a backdrop of the beauty and warmth of spring and summer.
The Haunted Quill 
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