What qualities make a bookshop in Canada stand out as one of the spookiest? While a vast collection of horror literature is a key factor, the eerie ambiance can also come from rare and vintage books that hold a sense of the past. Additionally, shops offering books on spell-casting, divination, and other mystical practices add to the haunting allure.
Although not all the independent bookstores listed focus solely on horror literature, each provides a unique space for community engagement. These bookshops serve as meeting points for readers and writers, places where unfinished stories are shared and local authors find their works displayed on shelves. They are hubs where tea is not just served but where connections are forged.
Here are six of Canada’s most spine-chilling bookstores, each brimming with atmosphere, individuality, and local charm.
Nocturne Books, Calgary
The inspiration behind the establishment of Nocturne Books in Calgary? A simple answer from owner Scott Ross-Molyneux: his wife. Describing themselves as the quintessential “goth girlfriend, golden retriever boyfriend” duo, Ross-Molyneux and co-owner Alliye Iriye bonded over a shared love for horror literature and films. Iriye’s preference for the macabre shapes the unique selection at Nocturne Books, with titles that delve deep into darkness. One such example is Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica, a chilling dystopian narrative where cannibalism is legalized.
Among Ross-Molyneux’s favorite picks is Episode Thirteen by Calgary author Craig DiLouie, a haunting tale set in a mysterious house. DiLouie’s chance encounter with his own books on Nocturne’s shelves on the store’s opening day highlights the close-knit relationship the shop fosters with local creators. Nocturne Books hosts author events, offers a consignment program for emerging writers, and is set to launch horror and thriller book clubs.
Raven‘s End Books, Winnipeg
At Raven’s End Books in Winnipeg, owner Chelsea McKee-Trenchard curates a selection that goes beyond mainstream horror offerings. The bookstore focuses on works by smaller publishers and lesser-known authors, with dedicated sections for body horror, queer narratives, and Indigenous storytelling. Raven’s End Books frequently hosts events such as craft nights, Silent Reading Club gatherings, queer book clubs, tarot sessions, and showcases by local artisans.