How to Read the Horrorscopes Series
Published in 1995 by the UK imprint Mammoth, the Horrorscopes series is a collection of young adult horror novels that ties the mysteries of astrology to supernatural terror. Because each novel is a standalone story centering on a completely different set of characters and situations, there is no strict chronological narrative connecting them. Readers can comfortably dive in based on their own zodiac sign or follow the original order in which they hit shelves.
We recommend reading them in their original publication order to experience the series as it was rolled out to teens in 1995. Alternatively, you can start with your own star sign to see how your celestial traits are twisted into a nightmare!
Horrorscopes Books in Publication Order
Here is the complete list of the twelve books in the series, following the sequence of their publication in 1995. Although all books were published under the house pseudonym Maria Palmer, we have identified the actual authors behind each title where documented in literary archives:
- Sagittarius: Missing (Written by Theresa Breslin) – The series kicks off with Andi, a teenager trapped in a burning shopping mall while being hunted by a killer armed with a crossbow.
- Capricorn: Capricorn's Children (Written by J.H. Brennan) – A dark tale featuring Herbie Brennan's signature blend of occult mystery and suspense.
- Aquarius: Trapped (Written by Ian Strachan or Alick Rowe) – A tense, claustrophobic thriller where teenagers face a deadly trap that tests their collective survival instincts.
- Aries: Blood Storm (Written by Terrance Dicks) – The story of Jack Carter and his family as they confront a series of bizarre, violent storms and dark secrets.
- Pisces: Revenge (Written by Anthony Masters) – A chilling story of vengeance that explores the deep, emotional waters associated with the Pisces sign.
- Taurus: Mirror Image (Written by Dave Morris) – A psychological horror story focusing on identity, body doubles, and deep-seated deception.
- Leo: Blood Ties (Written by Paul Cornell) – Written by the acclaimed Doctor Who contributor, this novel focuses on family legacies, pride, and dangerous secrets.
- Gemini: Sliced Apart (Written by Ian Strachan) – A terrifying look at duality, twin dynamics, and split personalities gone wrong.
- Cancer: Black Death (Written by J.H. Brennan) – Another contribution by Brennan, blending biological dread and supernatural elements.
- Virgo: Snake Inside (Written by Lisa Tuttle) – Lia is forced to unravel a dark family secret, questioning if she has inherited a legacy of murder.
- Scorpio: Shadow (Written by Anthony Masters) – A moody, atmospheric mystery that delves into the dark, secretive traits of Scorpios.
- Libra: The Inheritance (Written by Alick Rowe) – The series closes with a classic tale of cursed inheritances, balance, and cosmic justice.
Decoding the Pseudonym: Who Wrote Horrorscopes?
In the mid-1990s, teen horror was experiencing a massive boom led by series like R.L. Stine's Goosebumps and Christopher Pike's novels. The publisher Mammoth commissioned a group of established British, Irish, and American science fiction, fantasy, and children's writers to create a zodiac-themed horror series. To maintain a unified brand, all books were credited to the house name Maria Palmer.
The name itself is a clever play on words. As revealed by contributor Theresa Breslin, "Maria Palmer" was chosen because a palmist (or palm reader) is a closely related concept to astrology and horoscopes (Horoscope → Palm reader → Palmer).
Among the contributors were acclaimed figures like feminist sci-fi pioneer Lisa Tuttle (who later reissued her Virgo contribution under her own name), veteran television writer and Doctor Who novelist Terrance Dicks, gamebook designer Dave Morris, and Carnegie Medal winner Theresa Breslin.
What to Know Before You Start
Although some promotional materials and modern database entries erroneously state that the series contains thirteen novels, there are actually only twelve books in the collection. The publisher did not include the disputed thirteenth zodiac sign, Ophiuchus. Every book stands completely on its own, meaning you do not have to worry about spoilers or cliffhangers carrying over from one volume to the next. The books are relatively short, fast-paced, and capture the specific, nostalgic atmosphere of 90s teen horror.