CHECK IT OUT:

Halloween is this week. Trick or treaters will be ringing doorbells, candy will be dispensed, homes will have ghostly decorations, and ghoulish haunted houses will scare over-excited imaginations everywhere.

Why do we love to be frightened and read scary books? Who cares? The main point is to grab some good horror titles, a flashlight and read under the covers where the goblins won’t get ya, ’cause you’ve watched out.

Perfect for late nights, sleepless nights or nightime-nights. Treat yourself to some brand-spanking new, just-released blood-curdling titles.

“The Darkest Evening of the Year” by Dean Koontz: Newport Beach’s own “Master of Horror” offers another suspenseful, thrill-escalating novel belying its humble origins.

After all, what could be more innocuous, innocent and heroic than unselfish and altruistic dog rescue? Discover this New York Times bestselling author, if you dare.

“Borne in Blood” A Novel of the Count Saint-Germain” by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro: This is the 20th title in the continuing saga about the vampire hero Comte de Saint-Germain. Enjoy the mix of historical fiction and fantasy elements while exploring a spine-tingling 19th-century Switzerland and Austria.

“Burnt Offerings: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel” by Laurell K. Hamilton: Vampire killer “Executioner” Blake, the main character in the Vampire Hunter novels, is also a zombie re-animator and supernatural expert with an unusual love life.

Discover the dark underbelly of St. Louis’s vampires and werewolves in these highly original books set in the present century.

“Mister B. Gone” by Clive Barker: English writer Barker details the 600-year-old memoirs of a “major” demon Jakabok. Want to know the nefarious intentions the denizens of hell had in store for hapless humans? Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about the evil one’s plans and were afraid to ask!

“The Museum of Dr. Moses, Tales of Mystery and Suspense ” by Joyce Carol Oates: Multi award-winning Princeton professor and celebrated woman of American letters, Oates presents a collection of tales that will induce goose-bumps in even the most jaded horror fan. Short stories are her forte. Discover the reason why.

“The Devil You Know” by Mike Carey: Exorcist Felix Castor gets a job for much-needed cash, but will the ghostly consequences be supernaturally and actively dangerous for the living? Delve into this first novel for a frightening good time.

“The Haunting of Cambria” by Richard Taylor: Ah Cambria, California — beautiful seaside town of unhurried tourists, glorious sunsets and — haunted bed and breakfasts?

Theo Parker has his hands full after the death of his wife, his relationship with a new girlfriend and a local establishment to operate. Will this drive him over the proverbial rocky edge?

CHECK IT OUT is written by Newport Beach reference librarian Mary Ellen Bowman. Use your Newport Beach Public Library card to reserve these titles at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or call (949) 717-3800 and press 2.