It’s been a strange summer in many ways and I can’t really say that I’m sorry it’s nearly over. As we move into September and the darker nights and colder weather begin to arrive again, my favourite reading event – R.I.P. (or Readers Imbibing Peril) – is also returning for a fifteenth year.
This year the rules are much more relaxed than usual. There’s no need to officially sign up and there are no levels or targets to aim for. All you need to do to join in is read some spooky, mysterious or suspenseful books in September and October and, if you have Instagram or Twitter, you can follow the event @perilreaders.
Here is a list of some of the possible choices I have on my TBR. I won’t read all of these and could end up reading different books entirely, but I like to have plenty of options.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Dead March for Penelope Blow by George Bellairs
The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale
The Butcher of Berner Street by Alex Reeve
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
The Printer’s Coffin by MJ Carter
A Gathering of Ghosts by Karen Maitland
Tombland by CJ Sansom
The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude
The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters
The Grey King by Susan Cooper
Grim Tales by E Nesbit
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by MR James
Will you be taking part in R.I.P. this year?
She Reads Novels 
I always like reading spooky and suspenseful books…especially this time of year. So in that respect, I’ll for sure be participating in RIP XV. 😀
Yes, these books are perfect for the time of year. I always look forward to RIP!
I am tempted to read Devil and the Dark Water by Turton, but I was very critical of his debut The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and I am not sure at all if I want to delve into his imagination and style again – hope everyone proves me wrong because I love premises on ships! I also earmarked The Silent Companions to read, and my list includes Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson – always “cosy” reads this time of the year!
I really enjoyed The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but I know it didn’t work for everyone. I hope his new book will be more to your taste if you do decide to read it. Du Maurier and Jackson are both perfect for this time of year!
I hope to take part in it this year – for the first time. I’ve only read The Sussex Downs Murder from your list.
There are no targets this year and no pressure to read a certain number of books, so it would be a good year to join in for the first time.
Every year I think I’ll join wholeheartedly into this; every year it slips by with a half-hearted stab at it. I’m contributing to the Gothick theme on Witch Week and that will take some of my attention but I do have Nesbit’s tales of terror and a collection of M R James’s ghost stories to hand, so who knows?
RIP is much more relaxed than usual this year, with no need to commit to a certain number of books, so I hope you’ll manage to join in.
I might retcon today’s post on The Graveyard Book graphic novel then, that sort of works, I think. 😊
I love the RIP challenge – some great choices here!
It’s my favourite challenge, even though I don’t normally end up reading many of the books on my list!
I’m definitely going to read at least two spooky books: Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith and Let the Right One by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I’m also keen to read more Victorian ghost stories, since I had such a good time with M.R. James last year–maybe this year it’ll be Sheridan Le Fanu’s turn.
I’ve enjoyed the few books and stories I’ve read by Sheridan Le Fanu. He’s a perfect choice for RIP!
Fab! Glad to hear that confirmed 😀
Happy reading! I probably won’t join in as I get spooked reading scary stuff late at night! 😀
Thanks! So do I – I will be saving any scary parts for the daylight hours. 🙂
I’m also looking forward to reading The Haunting of Alma Fielding, and I think The Sussex Downs Murder might reach the top of my list sometime soon too. Happy reading!
The Sussex Downs Murder will be my first John Bude book. I’m looking forward to it!
OK I’m in, here’s my list
I’m glad you’re joining in!
Yes, I always have a few mysteries on my list, and this year I’ve purposefully added in some other, more gothic books.
I’m pleased to hear you have some books suitable for RIP on your list. I hope you enjoy them!
Oh, since they count mysteries I always have some I can post! I think I have one gothic this time.
I have not participated in R.I.P for a few years but this year I am sorely tempted, especially because as you stated, the rules are more relaxed. I love your list!
There’s no pressure this year – you can read one book or as many as you like. I won’t be reading everything on my list, but I hope I’ll have time for at least a few of them!
If you get to read The Silent Companions I will be interested to see what you think.
It’s been a while since I have read any suspense type books.
The Silent Companions was on my RIP list last year and I didn’t have time for it, so I would really like to read it this year if I can.
Happy spooky reading, Helen 👻 I enjoyed A Gathering of Ghosts by Karen Maitland so I hope you will, too!
Thank you! A Gathering of Ghosts was on my list for RIP last year too and I never got round to reading it, so I hope I can find time for it this year instead.
Hopefully 🤞
# 1 of 3: Something Wicked This Way Comes 4 Stars
My review of: The House on the Borderland meh, not so much. 2 1/2 stars
# 3 of 3 finished The Hound of the Baskervilles 4 Stars