Halloween Book Festival Names ‘Reliquary of the Dead’ for Top Honors
LOS ANGELES_ The story of an archaeologist who finds a chilling secret that is devastating a far-away planet is the top book of the 2025 Halloween Book Festival, which honors the best and scariest books of the season.
Author David A. Falk’s Reliquary of the Dead (Lagomorph Rampant Studios) is the story of Pierre Gulet, an archaeologist blacklisted into exile on a distant world. There, he uncovers a mystery on why a small colony is struggling for survival.
The author uses his doctorate in Egyptology to paint a vivid picture of the secret uncovered in an excavation. He must use his unique skills to save the future of a planet that is on the precipice of disaster. But as he seeks to uncover the truth, he is opposed by intransigent colonists, jealous predecessors, and an ancient power lurking deep in the earth.
The book is the first in the War of the Gods series, inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Indiana Jones, and the cosmic mythos of the ancient Near East.
Other winners in the competition:
CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
WINNER: Moonbeam’s Halloween Wish – Joan Enockson
RUNNERS-UP:
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed – J.W. Zarek
No Veggies in Mummy’s Tummy – Kristin Blakely
The Bumpy Pumpkin – Natalie Horseman
Monsters Don’t Say Meep – Bridgetta Tomarchio
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Adventures of Buzzalier – Park 1 – Roya Hendesi
Vlad: A Vampire’s Secret – Vassi Rombis
The Adventures of Syd – Danielle Simone
YOUNG ADULT:
WINNER: Weun Academy – The Shadow Maker – Michael Zummo
RUNNER-UP: Hollywood High Chronicles Book Six – Melissa Velasco
HONORABLE MENTION:
Witches of Willow Creek – Jennie Wren Foster
TIME TRAVEL:
WINNER: Mysteries of a Middle Schooler – Dr. Tonmar Johnson
GENERAL FICTION:
WINNER: Under Strange, Strange Skies – Don Stansberry
RUNNERS-UP:
Silence – Julia Park Tracey
The Legend of Stuckey’s Bridge – Lori Crane
Born Posthumous – Fish Nealman
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Dream Me Dead: A Story of Betrayal, Infidelity, and Love – Laurie Elizabeth Murphy
The Pool Centre – Miguel Arrufat Millan
HORROR:
WINNER: Kijo Games – Yurie Kiri
RUNNERS-UP:
Passages of Peculiarity: A Collection of Dark Tales – Mark K. McClain
The Chosen – Sean O’Neil
The House on Melvin Road – Dr. Ray W. Clark
Monsterland – Michael Okon
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Witch Dance – Lori Crane
Where Despair Comes to Play – Clifton Wilcox
Harvest of Eyes – Clifton Wilcox
Souls Adrift: A Novel of Supernatural Suspense – Max MacCaigh
WILD CARD:
WINNER: Asteroid 6 and Other Tales of Cosmic Horror – R. David Fulcher
RUNNER-UP:
I Am That I Am: The Human Origin Story – Edward B. Kirkwood
HONORABLE MENTION:
Confronting the White Shadow – Marcus W. Williams, Esq.
BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY:
WINNER: Consumed by Misery Up On Hell’s Half-Acre – Richard Lee Cook
RUNNER-UP:
Becoming Comfortably Numb – Catherine Allard
HONORABLE MENTION:
Teach, Pray, Drink – Dr. Giani Clarkson
UNCONVENTIONAL ROMANCE:
WINNER: The Last Son: The Meido Chronicles – Jolene D. Campbell
RUNNER-UP:
Angel – Charles Lunsford
HONORABLE MENTION:
A Three Body Solution – Ken Breniman
Living on a Prayer – Katrina Alexander
ALTERNATIVE FUTURE:
WINNER: The Alternative World – Kathryn Starke
RUNNER-UP:
A Three Body Solution – Ken Breniman
GENERAL NONFICTION:
WINNER: True Crime and Consequences – David Lyons
RUNNERS-UP:
Love and Connection – Celine Ong
Embrace Your Shadows – Christina Prokos
Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really? – M.J. Kelley II
SCIENCE FICTION:
WINNER: Reliquary of the Dead – David A. Falk
RUNNER-UPS:
Silent Soldiers – Kendall C. Stark
Swimming with Manatees – Bill Bennett
HONORABLE MENTION:
Monsterland Reanimated – Michael Okon
FANTASY:
WINNER: Isle of Clouds – JW Warner
RUNNER-UP:
Vork Chronicles Welcome to Superhero School – Gracie Dix