The spooky story clue first crept into the Universal Crossword some time ago and more recently made a quiet return in the NYT Mini, still up to its old tricks. On the surface, this crossword clue sounds like it’s fishing for something like witch or ghost, but give it a second look and you’ll realise it’s playing on something a little more punny.
I actually appreciated the misdirection here. It’s not quite a full-blown cryptic clue, but it leans in that direction just enough to make you pause. The kind that’s annoyingly clever once the penny drops. If you’ve been scratching your head over it, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. We’ve broken down the spooky story clue and served up the answer below. And no ghost-hunting gear required either.
Spooky Story Crossword Clues
Below are some hints that can help you solve the spooky story crossword clue, which appeared in the Universal Crossword on June 19, 2019 and the NYT Mini on March 24, 2025.
- The answer starts with A.
- The word is five letters long.
- The answer is the floor of a house.
Spooky Story Crossword Answer
The answer you’re looking for is ATTIC.
This one’s a quirky little clue that doesn’t literally point to a ghost story or a horror novel, though I’ll admit that’s where my mind went first. Instead, it’s leaning on wordplay. Spooky ties into the attic’s reputation in films and books as a dark, creepy space full of secrets. Story in this clue, on the other hand, refers not to a tale, but to the levels of a building. Put the two together and the uppermost floor makes perfect sense as the answer.
It’s a satisfying clue once you click with it. The kind that makes you nod in reluctant admiration rather than frustration. If you’re into clues like this one, we’ve got plenty more breakdowns and answers across our crossword guides.
