Spooky Frog Horrifying Books Podcast

Two bad decisions, reading a stranger's diary and falling for its author. Pull bookstore worker Ellen into a dark obsession. As she keeps reading, the dairy's entries begin to mirror gruesome murders in the city, and she must choose whether to trust the charming man she's dating or the chilling words on the page. This episode of the Spooky Frog Podcast explores Brian Pinkerton's Killer's Diary, its themes of trauma, trust, and identity, and the eerie line between inner thoughts and evidence.

For the 50th anniversary of Jeff Lieberman’s 1976 eco‑horror Squirm, we trek into the Georgia backwoods to revisit a low‑budget creature feature where an electrical storm turns ordinary earthworms into carnivorous nightmares. We unpack the film’s practical effects (millions of real worms and early Rick Baker work), its MST3K immortality, the film’s unintentional zaniness, and why this slimy cult classic still wriggles into the horror canon.

What if the scariest thing about a mall isn't what's in it, but what it remembers? In this episode Samantha and Jeffy dive into the anthology Escalators from Hell, discussing liminal-space horror tales featuring hungry escalators, watching mannequins, addictive machines, and dying malls. They cover standout stories, author backgrounds, and related books and films while sharing offbeat banter and behind-the-scenes podcast chaos.

Jeffy and Samantha celebrate Critters' 40th anniversary, breaking down New Line Cinema’s 1986 creature feature: the ravenous Krytes, two deadpan bounty hunters, and a farmhouse under siege driven by practical puppetry from the Chiodo Brothers. They cover cast highlights, Gremlins comparisons, practical effects vs. CGI, the film’s blend of horror and comedy, survival tactics, and why this messy, fun 80s monster movie still entertains.

On this episode of the Spooky Frog Podcast, Samantha and Jeffy dive into Nick Cutter's The Queen. A one-day, body-horror nightmare about a missing girl, twisted science, and a transformation that becomes the goal. They follow the breadcrumb mystery, the pheromone-driven hive mind, and the escalating physical changes that erase a sense of self. The hosts discuss themes of friendship and grief amid gruesome, Lovecraft-adjacent imagery, compare Cutter’s work to The Void and The Fly, and share book-club plans and trigger warnings for graphic body horror and insect-related material.

Imagine the ultimate weekend getaway: a private island, old college friends, and a hostess obsessed with elaborate pranks. What starts as trick cigars and collapsing chairs quickly spirals into severed heads and bloody clues — and suddenly the joke isn’t funny anymore. This 1980s-style slasher blends horror, dark comedy, and mystery as the final girl, Kit, navigates a booby-trapped mansion where every gag could be lethal. With synth-heavy music, practical effects, and a twisty ending, the film asks how well you really know your friends — and how far is too far for a killer punchline.

On a routine work trip, salesman Jason drives into Riverton and discovers he can't leave. The town traps newcomers in a repeating, inescapable loop where dying only brings you back and the environment shifts to prevent escape. As Jason learns the rules (respawn points, a wary town cop, a mysterious girl, and unsettling townspeople) he and others struggle with survival, curiosity, and the crushing loss of control. This episode discusses the book's world-building, themes of entrapment, and comparisons to small-town and loop horror.

Jeffy and Samantha dive into a wild John Landis–era vampire mob movie: a French vampire named Marie prowls 1992 Pittsburgh feeding on criminals and accidentally turns mob boss Sal into an undead godfather. They break down the film’s neon-noir tone, explosive practical gore effects, memorable cameos (including Sam Raimi and Don Rickles), and its mix of horror, dark comedy and moral questions about vigilante justice. Hosts discuss soundtrack, makeup effects, cult status and whether this outrageous blend of Sopranos‑meets‑Near Dark works — and why this movie remains a deliciously messy 90s hidden gem.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy discuss Justin Holley’s psychological thriller To Cut a Man, about Annette, a woman with PTSD who skips medication on a weekend getaway and begins to notice the same strangers trailing her at every stop. Dismissed as anxiety by her polite boyfriend Sebastian, Annette must trust her instincts, rely on her service dog Nu, and use her prepper skills when the threat proves real. The episode explores gaslighting, mental-health treatment, and the tension between paranoia and genuine danger.

This episode dissects Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive, a slow-burning, atmospheric film about immortal artists grappling with a decaying world. The hosts debate the movie’s pacing, hipster aesthetics, and standout performances from Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. They explore the Detroit vs. Tangiers contrast, the vinyl-and-blood motifs, Eve and Adam’s differing responses to modernity, and how Ava’s arrival upends their fragile supply—recommending the film to viewers who prefer mood, world-building, and style over fast-paced scares.

Some towns have history, some towns have secrets-this episode of the Spooky Frog uses R.L. Stine’s One Evil Summer as a gateway to explore the Fear Street universe, its place in the rise of 80s-90s YA horror, and how paperbacks, VHS and school book fairs made teen terror accessible. The hosts mix personal nostalgia with analysis of the books’ lore, the Netflix films, and the cultural backlash of the satanic panic. They discuss key themes-teen autonomy, social horror, and small-town curses-share personal anecdotes about childhood reading and fandom, and give content notes (PG‑13 violence, occult themes, bullying) along with a few community event announcements.

In this episode the hosts Jeffy and Spencer dive into Near Dark (1987), a gritty vampire-western scored by Tangerine Dream. They discuss the film’s sunlit-then-twilight visuals, slow-burn pacing, violent set pieces (including the infamous bar massacre), and the nomadic “family” of vampires who feel more like dusty drifters than aristocrats. They compare Near Dark to other 80s vampire films like The Lost Boys, praise its practical effects and cinematography, and debate character depth, tone, and whether the movie’s seriousness helped or hurt its box office. The episode also includes personal asides about the hosts’ lives, upcoming community events, and book-and-movie club plans.

On this episode of the Spooky Frog Podcast hosts Samantha and Jeffy dig into In the Clurb we're all Monsters, a glitter-soaked, blood-spattered queer horror romp by Freak & Asher. They discuss the chaotic opening of Club Hedonia run by the narcissistic Dorian Gray, hallucinogenic drinks, disco spiders, and the messy, sex-fueled attempt of two best friends to repair their bond while monsters and mythic mayhem unfold. The conversation covers the authors’ back-and-forth collaboration, tone and genre (splatterpunk/LGBTQ horror), standout scenes and Easter eggs, and related community happenings like goth prom and upcoming book events.

Hosts Jeffy and Samantha dive into House II, an over-the-top 1980s horror-comedy packed with a crystal skull, an undead party-loving Gramps, dinosaurs, cowboys, puppetry creatures, and plenty of practical effects and synthy soundtrack vibes. They describe the film as light, goofy schlock. PG-friendly gateway horror with slapstick violence, quirky characters (including a John Ratzenberger cameo), and a fun, chaotic tone that makes it great for fans of weird, nostalgic 80s genre mashups.

On this episode of the Spooky Frog Podcast, Jeffy and Sam discuss Peter O'Keefe’s novella White Flight: a haunted-house story where the walls remember violence, a Black teen’s death at the hands of police looms large, and grief and paranoia take over a family’s life. They explore the book’s blend of gothic, grief, and cosmic horror, its confrontation of racism and state violence, and what the story asks about memory, blame, and justice. Trigger warnings include police violence, death of a minor, and psychological distress.

We dig into the 1987 cult classic The Lost Boys — how Joel Schumacher transformed it into MTV-era vampires on leather and motorcycles, the film's iconic soundtrack and gonzo 80s style, the standout scenes, and why it still matters to goth and vampire fans. Along the way we announce podcast changes (book & movie club scheduling), new merch ideas like pins and stickers, upcoming events (Goth Barge, Spooky Frog), and give a playful survival rating if we stumbled into Santa Carla ourselves.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy dive into Kassidy Van Gundy’s Cursed Images, a short-story collection of nostalgia-driven, techno-age horror. From Y2K panic and hacked Tamagotchis to eerie Webkinz and after-hours Blockbuster chills, the episode explores how early digital life warps memory and fear. Along the way they share personal stories — book mail unboxings, vasectomy misadventures, mixtape memories, and prom plans — and explain "pink horror": cute, familiar things twisted into uncanny dread.

In this stylish 1983 cult classic, an immortal vampire watches in horror as century-old companion David Bowie begins to age at a terrifying accelerated rate. Desperate for a cure, they draw a brilliant scientist, Susan Sarandon, into a seductive and dangerous web of bloodlust and eternal obsession. A moody, music-driven film blending gothic erotica, medical horror, and an allegory about addiction, featuring striking visuals, a dark synth soundtrack, and ambiguous storytelling that has made it a lasting cult favorite.

Season 2 opens with Sam and Jeffy unpacking Lazarus by Chris Kauzlarich, a novella about a miracle drug that reverses aging at the cost of harvesting life from vulnerable teens. The hosts wrestle with corporate cover-ups, whistleblowers, and the brutal moral question: who deserves longer life and who pays? They also announce a new book-and-movie format for the podcast, share favorite horror films of the year, and reveal The Hunger as the next movie pick. Expect dark ethical debates, movie recommendations, and the hosts’ trademark banter.

In this episode hosts Samantha and Jeffy unpack the psychological horror novel Portrait of a Nuclear Family. A holiday-set, domestic nightmare about a mother, family tensions, and the scary edges of parental instinct. They discuss the book’s twists, themes of family trauma, and why it lands as effective psychological horror. Between book talk the hosts exchange holiday gifts, joke about gorilla Patreon content, celebrate goth community plans (Goth Prom and New Year’s events), and invite listeners to submit indie horror books and join their community.

Dive into a chaotic, hilarious holiday horror romp where four 1980s college kids find a Nazi treasure ship in the Arctic! Complete with were-reindeer, horny yetis, sexy Mrs. Claus, disturbingly detailed monster anatomy, and gingerbread houses with organic frosting. This fast-paced novella blends B-movie creature fun, schlocky gore, and outrageous comedy for a perfect, short palate cleanser. Hosts Sam and Jeffy banter through behind-the-scenes event talk, book recommendations, and season updates while unpacking why DM Gritzmacher’s The Nazis Stole Christmas is weird, wild, and oddly delightful.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy riff on holiday leftovers, sleep struggles, and memoir-style tangents before diving into Jo Salazar’s The Dead Weight. The episode explores the book’s zombie outbreak set in a residential treatment center and the moral questions it raises—who becomes the “dead weight” in survival, how trauma shapes choices, and whether community or immediate survival should prevail. They also discuss the author’s background, the book’s standalone story (with sequels), and how the novel reframes familiar horror tropes through character-driven drama.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy record a Thanksgiving special where they riff on food, family, and the chilling Argentinian novel Tender Is the Flesh — a dystopia of federally sanctioned cannibalism and industrialized human farms. They discuss the books dry, prescient tone and themes of dehumanization, consumerism, and class. The episode also wanders into holiday tangents: local Krampus and witchcraft events, personal anecdotes about food and health, workplace and labor reflections, and a trigger warning for graphic content. They tease upcoming episodes, ask listeners for favorite books and movies of the year, and promise more holiday horror to come.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy discuss Grace Daly's The Scald Crow, exploring its Irish folklore, haunted-house mystery, and a protagonist living with chronic pain and medical trauma. They weave in event recaps from Slay the Lake, indie book pickups and anthologies, and humorous tangents about mall food courts and Wisconsin cheese myths. The episode balances a thoughtful review of dark themes and character depth with lighthearted conversations about book hoarding, author encounters, and personal anecdotes, giving listeners both serious insight and playful banter.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy unpack Bridgett Nelson's Poisoned Pain, a splatterpunk short-story collection. They highlight standout tales—from cozy pug heroics to extreme gore—discuss splatterpunk vs. extreme horror, share author anecdotes, and mix in their usual banter about live shows, local events, and weird movie detours.

This Band Will Save Your Life by Willis Adler follows Connor, a high‑school senior whose brother and father disappeared years earlier. When a mysterious band from his brother’s favorite poster turns up at a local punk show, Connor sneaks in and follows them into the woods—uncovering monsters, music, and long‑buried truths. The book mixes coming‑of‑age emotion with cozy but gory horror, delivering a tense, fast read about grief, loyalty, and the strange salvation music can bring, with a bittersweet, satisfying resolution.

Halloween edition of the Spooky Frog podcast with Samantha and Jeffy: they discuss Ruth Anna Evans' novella Do Not Go In That House, their wild New Orleans trip, and how the book’s haunted-house mystery intertwines with a podcaster’s manic episode. They also recap the Spooktacular costume contest, big cash prizes, book-fair giveaways, Goth Barge adventures, DJs, and upcoming events — a fast, festive, and eerie wrap-up of spooky season.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy discuss Christopher Triana’s extreme horror Gone to See the Riverman — its unsettling river lore, a strange quest, and why it hooked them — then dive into a massive book haul from their local book fair. They also recap the event vibe, DJs and vendors, upcoming trips (including a New Orleans paddlewheeler), the Halloween Spooktacular costume contest and prize cash, and general spooky-season plans.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy recap a packed spooky season: a lively Cleveland boat event, merch and hot sauce sellouts, and late-night reading obsession over D.M. Gritzmacher’s The Relict. They preview the Spooky Frog Book Fair—authors, vendors, a Fox 6 TV spot, tarot, and curated horror finds—highlighting Gritzmacher’s book and its mix of historical mystery and modern horror. Upcoming events include a New Orleans vampire boat, gallery nights, and more live appearances; listeners are invited to join for books, merch, and spooky fun.

Hosts Sam and Jeffy dive into Killer Lake by Dave Benton and W.D. Gagliani, an 80s-style summer slasher full of classic tropes, satanic cults, and nostalgic thrills. They chat about the authors' collaboration process, indie horror events, and their recent spooky travels. Tune in for book fair updates, community happenings, and a lively discussion that blends horror fandom with personal stories and event news.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy discuss Brian Pinkerton’s techno-horror novel The Perfect Stranger, exploring themes of remote work, deepfakes, AI anxiety, and the creeping fear of losing control in a digital age. The episode also includes quirky travel stories (a nudist camp and roadside attractions), event announcements for book fairs and festivals, and a look ahead to the next horror pick.

Hosts reunite after separate trips to Alaska and New Orleans, swapping travel tales, spicy pickle shots, and podcast updates before diving into their featured book, Hollow Girls — a tightly written small-town horror about friendship, fae, and missing people.

Hosts Sam and Jeffy debut their new mic, gush about a Nine Inch Nails concert, and dive into Christopher Hawkins' I Contain Multitudes — a multiverse thriller about Trina, a woman who shifts between alternate realities while pursued by shadowy figures and clings to an unlikely librarian ally. The episode covers the book's themes, the author's tour experience, ARC notes, and upcoming episodes (including Hollow Girls), plus Patreon and P.O. box plans.

Hosts Sam and Jeffy dive into a wild, nostalgia-heavy episode: a raucous Mallgoth/nu-metal event, upcoming Nine Inch Nails plans, and heartfelt reactions to Jesse Rose’s devastating novel Atomic Love. Expect vivid concert memories, trigger warnings, spicy hot-sauce talk, and plans for live shows and Patreon support.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy recap a lively road trip to the Books and Brews event, share author and artist encounters, listener mail from Ross Kiley, and behind‑the‑scenes podcasting moments from their basement setup. They also discuss Samantha’s new audiobook narration of Jason R. Davis’s Book Mail, warn listeners about the book’s extreme content, announce a Patreon and book‑club plans, and invite the audience to join, vote, and support future live events and recordings.

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy casually chat about Spooky Frog events, Goth Barge boat parties, new merch and local hot sauce while sharing behind-the-scenes moments. The episode spotlights Milwaukee author Nick Botic and his novel Daughter's Drawings—a NoSleep/Reddit-origin story about a family road trip that becomes the focus of a terrifying, patient stalker when a child’s sketchbook goes missing and returns with sinister additions. The hosts discuss the book's themes, the author’s recovery and community roots, upcoming author events and boat shows, and provide trigger warnings (stalking, child endangerment, and a dog death).

Hosts Samantha and Jeffy celebrate a McDonald’s-themed birthday and dive into two contrasting horror reads: Matthew Salinas’s Something Truly Dreadful, a nostalgic haunted-attraction novella inspired by childhood fears and museum mannequins, and Sean McDonough’s Not Another 80s Horror Novel, a schlocky, over-the-top tribute to 80s exploitation with werewolves, killer robots, and outrageous humor. The episode mixes banter about local events, museum nostalgia, retro toys, and indie horror recommendations, while encouraging listeners to submit books and support indie authors.

On this episode of the Spooky Frog Horrifying Book Podcast, hosts Samantha and Jeffy shred into the indie horror novel Cadaverous by Jay Bower. This visceral and surreal story is told through the blog posts of Gaige Penrod, a teenage metal guitarist whose creative ambition summons a demonic presence. The episode explores the book's blend of raw teen angst and supernatural dread, documenting a descent where the lines between artistic passion and self-destruction completely blur. Samantha also shares some behind-the-scenes details about the author, a Spooky Frog Book Fair alum, and the real-life inspirations behind the novel—from its origins as an emotional purge to a legendary Ozzy Osbourne concert during a solar eclipse. Tune in for a discussion on demonic bargains, creative obsession, and the heavy-metal horror of this unique indie gem! 

Welcome to the first episode of the Spooky Frog Horrifying Book Podcast! Join hosts Samantha and Jeffy as they discuss the indie horror novel 'Pen Pal' by Dathan Auerbach. This psychological horror story started as a viral Reddit post and evolved into a community-supported novel. The episode explores the book's nostalgic yet unsettling narrative, characterized by its depiction of childhood memories and the creeping dread that unravels as the protagonist revisits forgotten events from his past. With a nostalgic setting and an atmosphere of escalating unease, 'Pen Pal' offers an eerie look at how ordinary childhood events can mask darker truths. Tune in for an engaging discussion about horror, nostalgia, and the vibrant world of indie novels!