RED Friday: Gothic Horror Night

If you’re in the mood for shivers, shadows, and something a little decadent, you’re in the right place. Welcome back to RED (Read, Eat, Drink)—your one-stop shop for the perfect book club night in, where the pages crackle, the snacks surprise, and the cocktails just might cast a spell.

This Friday, we’re diving headfirst into the dark. The theme? Gothic horror. The vibe? Candlelit, a little eerie, and oh-so-satisfying.

Read: Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

“Anna has two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly and survive.”

There’s a reason your eyes linger on the cover of Diavola. It’s moody, it’s artistic, and it’s the kind of book you want to leave face-up on your coffee table just to see who dares pick it up. Jennifer Thorne takes the gothic tradition and runs with it—straight into the haunted heart of the Italian countryside. Think crumbling villas, secrets that echo through the halls, and a slow-burn terror that sticks with you long after you turn the last page. This one’s for fans of Shirley Jackson, or anyone who’s ever heard something go bump in the night and wanted to know the story behind it.

Favorite quote: “Control was antithetical to life. To be alive is to be battered about. To endure and adapt and keep stumbling onward despite it all.”

Eat: Antipasto Eyeballs Appetizer

You’re going to want to eat these eyes. Seriously. They’re savory, they’re a little bit creepy (perfect for a horror night), and they’re almost too cute to bite into. Almost. Picture mozzarella, olives, and a pop of roasted pepper—everything you love about an antipasto platter, turned into a conversation piece. The best thing about these is that they are so easy to make – no cooking involved – but they are sure to make a big impression at your next book club gathering, or any gathering for that matter!

Curious? Get the full recipe and step-by-step instructions right here.

Drink: Black Cherry Stinger Cocktail

No gothic gathering is complete without a cocktail that looks like it might just be a little bit haunted. Enter the Black Cherry Stinger: deep, dark, and just sweet enough to take the edge off those ghost stories. With their blood-red color, they are sure to pop at any gothic gathering.

Mix up a batch using the recipe from HGTV, found here. Cheers to a night where the only thing scarier than the book is how fast the snacks disappear!

Book Club Talking Points

• How does the setting in Diavola shape the mood and tension of the story?

• Which character did you find most compelling—or most unsettling?

• Gothic horror often blurs the line between the supernatural and the psychological. Where do you see this in Thorne’s writing?

• Did the “haunted house” trope feel fresh or familiar? Why?

• How did the food and drink choices enhance your experience of the story?

• Would you recommend Diavola to a friend new to gothic horror? Why or why not?

• If you were to set your own gothic horror tale, where would it take place?

  
  

Happy reading, eating, and drinking—see you next Friday for another RED night!