Stephen King, ‘Salem’s Lot

I’m a sucker for any kind of “A [blank] Comes To Town” horror story—a genre into which Weapons is a sterling entry, iykyk. There are a ton of variations on that theme to be found in literature, but I had to go with the big one of the bunch: ‘Salem’s Lot. It’s one of my all-time favorite King novels and it too features that gripping sense of menace as we watch things go from bad to worse in a small town beset by a recently-arrived supernatural evil. Also, I do wonder how Barlow and Gladys might get along. –Drew Broussard, Podcasts Editor

Sam Rebelein, Galloway’s Gospel

It’s not out for a couple more weeks, but Rebelein’s latest return to Renfield County (his fictional horrorscape in Upstate New York) is a treat for folks who love a laugh alongside their horror stories. Multiple timelines, spoooooky children, an early instability about the true extent of the supernatural, laugh-and-gasp-simultaneously horror-humor—Rebelein has a bit of that indie-horror-filmmaker, let’s-have-some-fun energy to his writing and if there’s any justice in the world, this book will be a comparable hit for Rebelein as Weapons has been for Cregger. –DB

Fredrik Backman, Anxious People

Weapons makes a strong structural choice in how the story is revealed, similar to Fredrik Backman’s book about a crime gone sideways told through different points of view and backstories. The book is sad and moving, but it’s also darkly funny, and Anxious People’s slapstick reminded me of how Cregger, true to his sketch comedy roots, will reach for a physical gag in unexpected moments. –James Folta, Staff Writer

Charles Maclean, The Watcher

This book was out of print for too long—a shame since it’s such a classic. An average suburban commuter commits an act of shocking violence on his wife’s birthday, which sends him to a psychiatrist for answers. The doctor takes him deep into the historical layers of his psychic past, told through session notes and transcripts. Are the protagonist’s past lives real, or just figments of his psychosis? A wild “descent into madness” book, this is a fun one to check out if you liked the shifting perspectives in Weapons. –JF

Carissa Orlando, The September House

If you liked Weapons as much for the humor as the horror, you’ll love The September House. This book will have you giggling even as you’re chilled to the bone. The September House is about a woman who moves into her dream home, only to discover that it’s extremely haunted. But this is her dream home, after all, and she’s determined to stay no matter how dark and malicious the ghosts become. It’s witty, it’s spooky, and it goes out in a wild blaze of glory that Weapons fans are sure to appreciate. –McKayla Coyle, Publishing Coordinator

Mona Awad, Rouge

File under: books Gladys would love (if she had time to read. God knows the woman’s busy). Rouge deals heavily in weird, witchy shit, complicated parent/child dynamics, and an obsession with youth—all things that the Weapons antagonist is very into. Mona Awad’s Southern California-gothic novel follows a young woman getting indoctrinated into a supernatural skincare cult. It’s a twisty hall of mirrors and totally unputdownable, and it’s got huge microbangs vibes. What are microbangs vibes? Don’t worry about it. Gladys understands. She gets it. –MC

Tana French, The Secret Place

One thing about Tana French: she’s going to put some kids in danger. Most of the Dublin Murder Squad books deal with murdered and/or missing children to some extent. So, you know, feel free to just pick up a different Tana French book if The Secret Place isn’t your vibe but you definitely want to read about kids having a bad time. The Secret Place is set at an all-girls school and is about kids dealing with the fallout of a traumatic event, much like Alex Lilly. Although there is less soup in this book, and few-to-no fork incidents. Might be witchy shit though! Or is there… –MC