Reading Groups

Horror in NYC: Part Three with Marc Abbott

$180

4 sessions

In stock

4 sessions Sundays, 1:00 pm EDT - 2:30 pm EDT October 5, 2025 to January 11, 2026

Online via Zoom

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Meeting Dates:
10/5, 11/2, 12/7, 1/11
Online via Zoom

In this reading group, we will continue our exploration of horror novels set in New York City. We will discuss how they reflect the real anxieties of different eras of the city’s history, from the late 1980s through present day and even the near future, and we will think about why the City that Never Sleeps lends itself to stories of evil beyond human comprehension.

These books touch on many of the issues that face New Yorkers today, from gentrification, the wealthy exploiting the poor, the risks of dating, to creatures dwelling in the vast tunnels of the subway. This mix of horror and thriller tales will keep you up at night! Join us as we follow both human monsters and creatures in and around the streets of NYC.

In The Manhattan Hunt Club, Jeff Converse is a man convicted of a brutal crime he did not commit. But he is soon whisked away to a secret underground Manhattan society with mysterious, twisting tunnels and chambers, where the homeless and desperate live. And they are not alone. Someone has brought them there, creating this shadow society in order to hunt and kill them in their own private killing ground. Jeff must find a way to escape alive from this living hell, with only his bare hands and his wit.

In You, a terrifying exploration of stalking and manipulation (which inspired the hit Netflix series), Joe Goldberg meets beautiful, aspiring writer Guinevere Beck in the East Village bookstore where he works. After a “chance” meeting at a bar, Joe begins to stalk her. As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

When No One is Watching tells the story of Brooklyn-born and raised Sydney Green. Her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, “For Sale” signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she’s known all her life are disappearing. When Sydney and her neighbor Theo do a deep dive into the neighborhood history, their exploration quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

In The Light and the End, ten murders occur on the New York City subway. Ten grisly crimes that defy all reason—no pattern, MO, or leads for police to pursue. The press dubs the fiend the “Subway Psycho.” Everyone will become prey, until a ragtag band of misfit souls dares to descend into a world of manmade darkness, where the real and unreal alike dwell in endless shadow. A place where humanity has been left behind, and the horrifying truth will dawn as a madman’s chilling vendetta comes to light.

What to read in advance of the first meeting: The Manhattan Hunt Club by John Saul

What to expect from this reading group: This course will be conducted in a conversational style. The instructor will start the conversation with a series of questions. Participants will be given a chance to expand on those questions with both the instructor and other participants.

Reading List:

Please note: All virtual classes are recorded. Please click here for information about our recording policy.

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Reading Groups

Whether you’re looking to catch up on great novels or you’re interested in exploring a new writer or literary period, our reading groups offer high-level literary discussion led by experts in the field.

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