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 - Part 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 - 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