THE SHADOWS WHISPER: YEAR ONE DODECAGON QUEST - OCTOBER'S THEME

OCTOBER'S THEME

This month our Dodecagon Quest leads us into the realm of half-light, where secrets lurk and the familiar turns strange in the dark.

In The Shadows Whisper, you are invited to hide away with a tale that keeps you turning pages late into the night… and maybe glancing at the shadows around you.

The haunting may come as ghosts, witches, vampires, the minds of the imaginative, hidden truths or memories that won’t let go. Some stories will chill, others will unsettle. All will leave an echo long after you’ve finished.

As you choose your book, look for one that lingers. You can draw these from a multitude of genres, gothic horrors, creepy sci-fi, fantasy, psychological fiction, supernatural or historical. Whatever path you take, listen closely to what the darkness is trying to say.

Book ideas for 'The Shadows Whisper' theme

Your task? To select a book where shadows linger. Below are some possibilities to spark your search. Should you uncover a story that fits the theme, send it my way through the button below and we'll be delighted to add it to the Circle’s recommendations!

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill fits The Shadows Whisper perfectly, it also matches well with The Rainbow Rover and Film Forager side quests. There's a chilling atmosphere, ghoulish presence, threat and mystery. I read this book for the Year One prompt, 'I'm Not Afraid of the Dark' and it turns out, I am!

In this extremely spooky Gothic horror, one of my all time favourites, solicitor Arthur Kipps is sent to attend the funeral of Alice Drablow. Isolated in the deceased empty house, Kipps encounters the mysterious Woman in Black. The spectre's presence as the tale continues, precedes devastatingly tragic events, growing the suspense and dread felt by the reader. It's certainly a tale which will haunt your sleep!

A Poisoner's Tale by Cathryn Kemp

Full of dark streets, secrets and corruption, The Poisoner’s Tale shows the dangerous struggle between power and control. Its tense and eerie setting makes it a perfect match for The Shadows Whisper. This true story is full of hidden truths and haunting choices. Though disturbing at times, Giulia’s story and the women she helps make it a book that’s hard to stop reading. It's a difficult read, won't be to everyone's tastes as it deals with some very hard-hitting topics around the treatment of women behind closed doors and within the societal brutality of the 1600s, it is fascinating though and a book I recommend. I read it for the Year One prompt, 'Smooth Criminal', due to the word 'Poisoner's' being in the title and there's an ongoing theme of criminality.

Set in Rome in 1656, herbalist Giulia continues her mother’s secret work, making Acqua Tofana, a poison given to women trapped in violent marriages. As powerful men start to die and the Inquisition closes in, Giulia must find a way to survive while seeking justice and helping those most in need. Kemp’s vivid retelling reveals a world where men hold all the power and a determined woman risks everything to fight back. As it says on the cover, 'Murderer or Saviour? You decide'.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Set in frozen medieval Russia, The Bear and the Nightingale is filled with folklore, family conflict and the quiet power of belief. Its wintry world and magical shadows make it a perfect fit for The Shadows Whisper. Cold, eerie, and beautifully told, it’s a story where faith and fear fight for control of the human heart.

Vasya can see the old spirits of the land, the mythical creatures that protect homes within the isolated forests, but her stepmother forbids her involvement with them and rejects all tradition which keeps the creatures strong and happy. As the village turns from the old gods towards new, dark forces grow stronger in the snow-covered woods. Vasya must choose between tradition and safety, standing against both the living and the dead to protect her home. This is one of my favourite reads of the year. It combines so many elements I love in fiction, there's a historical and mythological grounding, magic and mystery and it has a fairytale with grit feel about it. I used it for the Year One prompt, 'An Ancient Character'.

Whispers from the Dead by Joan Lowery Nixon

A chilling ghost story full of unease and hidden secrets, Whispers from the Dead fits The Shadows Whisper perfectly. It’s tense, mysterious, and filled with the eerie feeling that someone — or something — is watching. A gripping read for anyone who loves suspense mixed with the supernatural. I didn't read this book for the challenge, it is one I read prior, it would work well for the Year One prompts, 'I'm Not Afraid of the Dark', 'Not All as it Seems' and 'A Red Flag'.

After nearly drowning, Sarah starts hearing strange whispers and seeing ghostly visions. Moving into a new house, she realises a terrible crime was once committed there. As she searches for the truth, the line between the living and the dead begins to blur.

The Signalman by Charles Dickens

Short, sharp, and full of tension, The Signal-Man is a classic ghost story that fits The Shadows Whisper beautifully. Its foggy setting and growing sense of dread make it both eerie and unforgettable. A timeless tale about fate, fear and the things we can’t explain.

A lonely signalman tells a visitor about a ghostly figure that appears by the railway line to warn of disaster. Each time the figure is seen, a terrible accident follows. As the story unfolds, the truth behind the haunting becomes even more chilling. I read this prior to the challenge and it would work brilliantly for the 'I'm not Afraid of the Dark' and 'A Short Story' Year One prompts.

How Do I Match Books to ‘The Shadows Whisper’ and the Year One Challenge Prompts?

The Dodecagon Quest goes hand-in-hand with the main prompt challenge. No additional reading is required, with a bit of planning, you can weave each month’s Quest theme into the books you’re already reading for your Year Group’s prompts and hit the other side quests too!

The Year One prompts that could pair beautifully with the October, Year One theme include:

I’m Not Afraid of the Dark

A Heavy Read

A House on the Cover

All I Want for Christmas is…

A Debt to Repay

Extreme Close-Up

A Red Flag

Set During the 1800s

An Ancient Character

Silhouettes on the Cover

A Family in Turmoil

Made into a TV Drama

Not All as it Seems

A Short Story

Smooth Criminal

Enjoy your trip through these shadowy tales, and if you find any books that fit The Shadows Whisper theme, send them my way. I’ll be happy to add them to our Circle’s growing list of recommendations.

Yours in ink and intrigue,

Seraphina