Apple TV's Widow's Bay became an instant favorite this summer, blending horror and comedy with a charming New England island setting. The show follows Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) as he tries to turn a quirky, cursed island into a tourist hotspot, all while dealing with a haunted hotel, a resurrected bogeyman, a sea hag, and a curse that dates back to the 17th century. With its witty writing, clever twists, and genuine scares, the series pays homage to classics like The Fog and Jaws while carving out its own identity.
If you're already counting down the days until season 2, these six coastal horror books will satisfy your craving for eerie seaside towns and supernatural mysteries. Each one captures that same blend of local charm and lurking dread that makes Widow's Bay so addictive.
Scuttler's Cove (2025) by David Barnett
For a story that feels like a direct cousin to Widow's Bay, David Barnett's Scuttler's Cove is your best bet. Set in a working Cornish village, it follows Merrin Moon as she returns home after her mother's death. The town is being overrun by wealthy outsiders and rental companies, squeezing out the locals who've lived there for generations. But beneath the financial strain, an older problem stirs: the villagers have kept supernatural secrets buried for centuries, and now those secrets are clawing their way back. With old rites and new foes, this folk horror tale is a brisk, bold read that echoes the show's mix of community tension and otherworldly menace.
The Price Guide to the Occult (2018) by Leslye Walton
If you prefer your coastal horror with a witchy twist, The Price Guide to the Occult delivers. Set on Anathema Island in the Pacific Northwest, the story begins when eight settlers burn a witch named Rona Blackburn out of her home. She curses the island and its descendants, and more than a century later, her lineage still feels the effects. Teenage Nor Blackburn inherits supernatural powers and a mysterious book that promises to cast any spell for a price. This YA magical realism tale is perfect for fans of the show's lighter, more spellbinding moments, like Patricia's Sunset Cocktails. As Nor comes of age, the island's stormy secrets threaten to overwhelm her.
Eynhallow (2024) by Tim McGregor
For a period piece that reimagines a classic, Eynhallow is a standout. Set in the Orkney Islands in 1797, it follows Agnes Tulloch, a mother of four who takes a job as a cook for a mysterious aristocratic scientist who rents a cottage on the remote isle. That scientist is none other than Victor Frankenstein, who has come to create a companion for his creature. Through Agnes's eyes, Tim McGregor turns the island into a gothic landscape where an outsider's arrival threatens to unravel the fragile community. If you loved how Widow's Bay made the island feel like a character itself, Eynhallow offers that same sense of place, but with a Scottish folkloric twist.
The Lighthouse Witches (2021) by C.J. Cooke
The Lighthouse Witches has all the coastal horror essentials: a remote Scottish island, an ominous lighthouse, missing children, and witchcraft. Single mother Liv travels to the island to paint a mural in a century-old lighthouse, hoping for a fresh start with her three daughters. But when two of them vanish, only one returns. Twenty-two years later, the surviving daughter Lune returns to the island after a mysterious call that might offer answers. The story weaves across timelines, revealing the island's dark history and the sinister folklore of "wildlings" that mimic human children. It's an excellent pick for Widow's Bay fans who enjoy a good mystery with supernatural undertones.
More Coastal Horror to Explore
These books are just the beginning. If you're looking for even more intense reads, check out our list of the most intense thriller books ever written. And for those who love a quick scare, these one-day wonders are perfect for a weekend binge. If you're in the mood for something that blends horror and humor like Widow's Bay, you might also enjoy the most fun horror movies ever ranked.
Whether you're drawn to ancient curses, isolated islands, or small-town secrets, these coastal horror books will keep you company until Widow's Bay returns. So grab a blanket, brew some tea, and settle in for a good scare.
