12 new science fiction and fantasy releases to get chills with this October
By Lacy Baugher
October 2021 release: Cackle – Rachel Harrison
A witchy tale arriving just in time for Halloween from Rachel Harrison, author of the very creepy The Return? Yes, please!
Harrison’s latest novel, Cackle, follows the story of Annie, a young teacher on the hunt for a fresh start after a break-up with her longtime boyfriend. In search of new beginnings, she moves to a picturesque small town in upstate New York, takes a new teaching job, and vows to remake herself.
But she gets more than she bargained for when she meets Sophie, a self-possessed, charismatic woman who encourages Annie to stop claim her own power and stop apologizing for herself. But the more time Annie spends with Sophie, the more she starts to realize there’s more to her new friend than she seems. Like her ageless appearance and the strange powers she seems to wield.
The official synopsis reads as follows.
"All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation. Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?"
Cackle is available on October 5.