By Jim Mcleod 
Welcome to the very first instalment of the Ginger Nuts of Horror’s Summer Reading List. Here, you will discover five carefully selected books that we believe every horror enthusiast should be diving into this season. This particular edition shines a spotlight on five talented UK horror authors, each of whom has exciting new books being released this summer that are not to be missed.
A Summer Reading List, No AI Books Here
The Coffee Creaminator by Phil Sloman
In The Coffee Creaminator by Phil Sloman, the literary world is thrown into chaos as a mysterious serial killer emerges, targeting the UK’s most prominent horror authors. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque but eerie English countryside, the story follows Detective Inspector Stephen Bacon, who is tasked with unravelling the chilling murders that leave the literary community in fear and disbelief. As the killer strikes one after another, each victim is found with coffee cream chocolates lodged in their throats, a sinister signature that connects the murders.
Detective Bacon digs deep into the lives and works of these horror writers, navigating a twisted web of professional jealousy, hidden rivalries, and dark secrets. With the pressure mounting and public panic rising, he must race against time to uncover the identity of the killer before they claim another victim. Rich with suspense and laced with dark humour, The Coffee Creaminator explores the fine line between creativity and madness. Sloman crafts a gripping narrative that delves into the psychology of both the predator and prey, offering readers a chilling commentary on the cost of literary ambition and the depths of human depravity.
The Legs that Never End by Mark West
The prestigious We Have Horror Books Con promises literary delights, but for unsuspecting attendees, it becomes a hunting ground for pure nightmare fuel. Lurking within the bustling halls and echoing corridors is the Bennett – a creature ripped from forgotten folklore, defined by its impossible height and a terrifying, insatiable hunger: human legs.
Attendees begin vanishing. The lucky ones are found later, traumatized and inexplicably amputated. The unlucky become grotesque additions to the Bennett itself. Driven by a primal need, the creature stalks the convention, singling out victims before unleashing horrific strength to rip their legs clean off. These stolen limbs are then horrifically grafted onto its own ever-growing, monstrous frame, creating a shambling tower of mismatched, twitching legs – a cobbled-together abomination growing taller with each attack.
As panic erupts and escape routes seal, ordinary book lovers are trapped with a predator straight from myth. Librarian Lisa Warren, attending her first major con, finds herself thrust into a desperate fight for survival. Can she unravel the Bennett’s weakness hidden within dusty legends before the creature’s collection becomes complete, leaving the convention center littered with legless victims and a monstrosity whose reach literally has no end? The Legs that Never End delivers relentless, visceral horror where the ultimate bookworm nightmare comes horrifically to life.
A Summer Reading List, No AI Books Here fore 2025
The Brick that Wouldn’t Die by Laura Mauro
In The Brick that Wouldn’t Die by Laura Mauro, London is turned upside down when a seemingly ordinary brick becomes the unwitting vessel for the restless spirit of a cockney named Benny Jones. Initially discarded on a construction site,Benny Jones awakens with a mischievous intent, fueled by an inexplicable grudge against anyone with ginger hair. This peculiar vendetta spirals into chaos as the animated brick begins a rampage across the city, targeting redheads with an alarming accuracy.
As Benny Jones wreaks havoc, he encounters a group of bemused friends caught in the crossfire, each uniquely tied to the brick’s odd quest for revenge. Together, they must unravel the mystery behind Benny Jones animosity and find a way to bring peace to the agitated spirit before the chaos escalates further. With humor intermingled with elements of the supernatural, the story navigates themes of forgiveness, identity, and the idea that even the most inanimate objects can carry burdens.
As tensions rise and the city descends into madness, will Benny Jones fiery spirit be calmed, or will the brick’s rampage leave a long-lasting mark on both the community and its own troubled soul? Join this outrageous adventure that blurs the lines between comedy, horror, and heart.
The IRN Bru of Death” by Simon Bestwick
In The IRN Bru of Death by Simon Bestwick, a chilling tale unfolds in the heart of Scotland, where the line between the living and the dead blurs. The story centres around Angus MacAlister, a deranged Scotsman who, after a lifetime of grievances and betrayals, discovers a mystical power that allows him to generate a jet of the iconic Scottish drink—Irn Bru— infused with dark, otherworldly energy.
After his untimely death, Angus refuses to be silenced. With vengeance coursing through his veins, he returns from the grave to haunt those he feels have wronged him. As he unleashes his supernatural ability, the vibrant orange liquid becomes a conduit for his wrath, transforming it into a weapon of terror. The unsuspecting townsfolk soon realize that the bubbly drink is now laced with Angus’s malevolence, leading to bizarre and terrifying consequences.
As the village spirals into chaos, a small group of unlikely heroes must piece together Angus’s tragic story and find a way to quell his vengeful spirit before it consumes them all. Blending dark humor with horror, this gripping tale explores themes of retribution, legacy, and the extreme lengths one may go to settle old scores.
The Last of The Lost Boys by Kit Power
In the rain-slicked streets of a decaying coastal town, a serial killer dubbed “The Curator” stalks those who dare to celebrate the 1987 vampire film The Lost Boys, or worse, play the saxophone like the iconic boardwalk scene that defined its soundtrack. Victims, from nostalgic goths to jazz musicians, are found mutilated with cursed DVDs of “superior” vampire films (Near Dark, Let the Right One In) embedded in their flesh, each disc a brutal critique of their flawed tastes. As body counts rise, disgraced true-crime podcaster George Daniel Lea uncovers the killer’s manifesto: a warped mission to “purify” horror fandom by exterminating those clinging to the “overrated schlock” of Joel Schumacher’s cult classic.
George’s investigation plunges him into a subculture where fandom borders on fanaticism. The Curator’s traps grow increasingly elaborate, luring targets with Kiefer Sutherland’s sneering David-quotes or saxophone covers of “Cry Little Sister.” To survive, George must confront his own Lost Boys obsession and decode the killer’s filmic “corrections” before he becomes the next victim, forced to reenact the movie’s bloodiest scenes with a razor-edged Blu-ray. In a climax drenched in neon and blood, the truth emerges: The Curator isn’t just punishing bad taste… they’re recruiting for a real-life vampire coven where only the most “cinematically enlightened” earn immortality
Editors Note
I hope you enjoyed A Summer Reading List, No AI Books Here fore 2025 which was written in response to that viral piece where the author used AI to generate a summer reading list that featured half of the books that didn’t even exist. Unfortunately, none of these titles are real; they are just the ramblings of my deteriorating mind, even if they all do sound quite brilliant.
Further Reading
If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales and hair-raising suspense, then you won’t want to miss the horror features page on The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website. This is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis, thrilling reviews, and exclusive interviews with some of the best minds in the genre. From independent films to mainstream blockbusters, the site covers a broad spectrum of horror media, ensuring that you’re always in the loop about the latest and greatest.
The passionate team behind The Ginger Nuts of Horror delivers thoughtful critiques and recommendations that delve into the nuances of storytelling, character development, and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems to stream on a dark and stormy night or want to explore the work of up-and-coming horror filmmakers, this page is packed with content that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.
So grab your favorite horror-themed snacks, settle into a cozy spot, and immerse yourself in the chilling world of horror literature and film. Head over to The Ginger Nuts of Horror and embark on a journey through the eerie and the extraordinary it’s an adventure you won’t soon forget!
Em Reed