Spooky Rivers: 25 Strange and Mysterious Rivers that Snake Across Our Planet

by Geo Rutherford

Rivers are Earth’s restless travelers―carving landscapes, shaping history, and holding secrets. Some are forces of destruction, sweeping away everything in their path, while others are lifelines, sustaining civilizations for millennia. And some are both, bringing prosperity and devastation in equal measure. From deadly whirlpools to lost cities submerged beneath their waves, these rivers challenge everything we think we know about the natural world. Some rivers catch fire; some boil; and some are so deep they seem bottomless. Some slither beneath the ground you stand on, while others vanish without a trace.

From Geo Rutherford, the creator of the hit series "Spooky Lake Month," comes this thrilling nonfiction picture book that follows the winding histories of twenty-five mysterious rivers around the world. Readers will explore natural phenomena, scientific oddities, historical events, and environmental disasters as well as the myths and legends tied to these waterways, which are increasingly threatened by climate change. Backed by extensive research and packed with all-new content, including eerie and eye-popping gouache illustrations in full color, Spooky Rivers takes readers on an adventure through weird and wild waters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Middle Grade, Childrens, History, Audiobook, Picture Books

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

Reviews

[Anna-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um yes, Hello everyone should read this!

[Allie Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spooky Rivers is definitely light on the spook. It’s much more scientifically and factually oriented than Spooky Lakes, which focused more on folklore and human history, but that doesn’t make it a bad book, just different. It’s well-written, interesting, and a quick read, but adjust your expectations, and expect minimal spookiness!

3 out of 5 stars ✨

[Dread · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Solace: "Um, yes Hello..." We're back, but this time with spooky rivers. This was yet another amazing collection with incredible hand painted illustrations and hauntingly beautiful stories. I love readong these because I always learn SO much about Earth's long and short, shallow and deep, and wide and narrow waters and their natural, human-destructive, and sometimes mysterious phenomena. Geo also does so a great job at making it interesting while respectful, too.

The Dread: I think I wanted more actually - this was just so good.

Overall, this was an incredible learning filled with intriguing stories and gorgeous illustrations. Dare I say this was better than Spooky Lakes - Geo has refined her writing, art, and collection.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sounded interesting, and it was, but I was expecting "rivers" - read the book and you'll see why I put rivers in quotes - that are currently spooky and not rivers that were spooky, historically.

At the beginning of this book are a list of "River Facts."
For each river, there is the name of the river, the Continent and Country where the river is located, a generalized map of the river's basin, the length of the river (in miles and kilometers), and the basin size. Following is a multi-page essay about the river, what makes / made it spooky, if improvements have been made, etc. There are informational boxes, as well. Also, illustrations are big, bold, and colorful.

At the end of the book is a "Conclusion," Author's Note, Glossary, Bibliography, and Index.

[The Leppy]

I really loved the author's first book Spooky Lakes and lucky for me the library got this book too! I had a good time learning a lot about different and unique rivers some I knew vaguely of and others were new to me. I especially loved learning that there is a part of the Amazon that is literally boiling while another is black, acidic, and home to pink dolphins! Nature is amazing and I'm glad I got to learn more ^_^

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky rivers is a great addition to the spooky water trilogy. I’ve been a spooky lake month follower for years now so I’m excited for another years’ spookies. I think about the strid more than I should since it’s not a risk to me. But that thing is scary.

Good soup

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um yes, hello. I am both thrilled that this book has come out and bummed that there’s only one left in the trilogy. Like many of us, I wait all year for Spooky Lake Month. Geo’s books give us access to haunted hydrology year round.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I learned a lot and once again, the illustrations are incredible.

I hope there's future books!

[Sarah · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Um yes, hello, this was a delight as expected.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of fact filled science and nature book I loved as a kid. Interesting information on 25 rivers with attractive illustrations. Thematically, there's a focus on mystery and danger, but it isn't overwhelming, and tends to mostly take the form of reminders that nature isn't tame, and can be very dangerous.

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um, yes, hello, perfect one to enjoy during spooky month! I listened to the audiobook which was a pleasure, narrated by Geo herself. I can't wait to enjoy looking at the art in the physical book when I cam get my hands on it.

[Jeana Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook and it was like listening to hours of spooky lake month videos. I wish I had the actual book as I listened because I’m sure the illustrations and visuals would’ve only enhanced the material.

[Sesana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as delightful as Spooky Lakes. The setup is very similar: brief profiles of waterways highlighting eerie, unsettling facts, and illustrated with Rutherford's distinctive art. I hugely enjoyed reading this one, especially the rivers I was familiar with. Especially thankful to Rutherford for doing a profile on the Cuyahoga that accurately discusses both the burning and the rehabilitation of the river. The tiny hidden ghosts are still here, and I think even more difficult to find this time. Like the previous book, this will appeal to a wide range of ages, but you definitely need a sense of curiosity about the natural world.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Geo Rutherford—the creator of the hit series Spooky Lake Month (over 79 million likes!)—comes this thrilling nonfiction book that follows the winding histories of 25 mysterious rivers around the world. Listeners will explore natural phenomena, scientific oddities, historical events, and environmental disasters, as well as the myths and legends tied to these waterways, which are increasingly threatened by climate change.

Thank you RBMedia for sending me a free copy of this audiobook on Spotify! I enjoyed reading this book. I’ve never read a book about spooky rivers before.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the other Spooky Lakes so I was excited to read about these rivers with the same curiosity and unique storytelling that this series gives to the subject. I was just as blown away by this one that details areas of the world that have unknown origins, that are buried beneath cities, that no one has emerged from alive, etc. It's the kind of cool book of facts that this audience LOVES and it knows it.

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gorgeously painted and illustrated, illuminated book on some of the weirdest and most wonderful waterways of the world and their deadly reputations.

Spooky fact: the first featured Spooky River has killed a member of my own family. 10/10 spookies.

Maintaining the same accessible but fascinating and educational content Spooky Rivers is just as brilliant as Spooky Lakes and has me jonesing for October to start for the 7th annual spooky Lakes month.

[Lauren Knijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun continuation of spooky lake month! It seems heavy on the western hemisphere however geo herself said it was hard to find the sources to do others in the rest of the world.

I love the artistry and the book is so beautifully illustrated it feels like a coffee table book!

I started listening to spooky lake month about 5 years ago! I love the fun facts about haunted hydrology! And I wish that there will be more books in the future! What’s next? Haunted seas 👀

[Sarah R]

I knew I'd love it and I was right! I'm so grateful to have had the chance to get this book a little early and to get it signed when I met Geo in person at the National Book Festival. It was the highlight of my weekend and I'm so glad I have this beautiful art to share with my kids and my spooky friends

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of the "Spooky Lake Month" videos, I enjoyed this addition to the series. There was a bit less spookiness and a bit more science, but that wasn't a bad thing. I certainly learned a lot about different types of rivers in the world! The illustrations are fantastic and I'm excited for whatever the next spooky hydrology book might be!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting that I should finish this on the day after spooky lake month. I love this unique and interesting series, so I am always happy to support its creator by purchasing her books. The illustrations she does alone are worth the purchase, but pair it with her unique brand of story telling and science, and it is always a good time!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummmmm yes hello. Geo, you’ve done it again!!! What a great read. I’ve learned a lot, and the artwork has the same charm as the previous one. I think what has made this book even more special for me is that my son is old enough to wanna look at it too! 😌

Can’t wait for October!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

[LakeON · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to the Spooky water series. I learned so much about this earth and what its capable of, gorgeous illustrations really showcase the rivers and everything that lives inside it. Always a blast hunting for the little ghosts on each page I cant wait to keep learning more this Spooky Lakes month.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. This author is an awesome artist and very knowledgeable about the material she writes about in this book. This author also does "Spooky Lake Month" every October on Instagram and TikTok. I believe this book is an awesome read for adults as well as youth.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! the artwork is gorgeous and the book is informative. It was really interesting to read about a few places I have visited.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

another delightful, informative, and beautifully illustrated collection of spooky hydrology~

[Lisa Hostetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be re-reading again to find all the little ghosties

[Kyle Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books and love learning cool and kinda creepy things!! And the art work is fantastic!!! Such a beautiful book!

[Julie Sechrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as amazing as the first one!!! I always love searching for those little ghosties.👻

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read his Spooky Lakes and loved it. Loved reading about all the spooky rivers! Our Earth is a very fascinating place. It has so many cool and terrifying stuff. I LOVE learning about our Earth!

[Casey Darbyshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geo is just the best! It was so fun to meet her on her book tour and obviously so fun to read Spooky Rivers!