Halloween in February? Reading Out of Season

by Shari Randall

Back when I worked as a children’s librarian, there was a little boy named Jamie who loved to read Halloween books – no matter the season.  And when I say Halloween books, I don’t mean just scary books. He liked books set on the holiday itself. He loved Halloween.

So what did he check out when his family gathered books for a trip to the beach? Halloween books.

When his family picked up books to read over spring break? Halloween books.

Christmas break? Halloween books.

I myself tend to save holiday reading for the holidays. It feels funny to take a A Christmas Carol to the beach.

I set my latest mystery, DRAWN AND BUTTERED, at Halloween. I have to give it to Jamie – there’s something so enticing about Halloween, all the excitement, the thinning-veil-between-the-world-of-the-living-and-the-dead, the masquerades. The nights are longer and the dark itself is heavy with excitement and deception – perfect for a mystery.

But my publisher is releasing DRAWN AND BUTTERED on February 26. They know what they are doing and I put my trust in them but I can’t help thinking, Halloween in February?

So what do you think, Dear Readers? Do you read Halloween books all year round? Was Jamie onto something? Let me know in the comments.

Shari Randall is the author of the Lobster Shack Mystery series from St. Martin's Press. She loves lobster, but may be a teensy bit allergic to it.