As the crisp air of fall rolls in, there’s nothing quite like cozying up with a good book (or five) to get lost in as the days grow shorter. This spooky season, I’ve handpicked a stack of thrillers and mysteries that promise to be perfect companions for those chilly evenings. From psychological twists to dark secrets, here are the five fantastic books I plan to devour this fall.
1. Lies He Told Me by James Patterson and David Ellis
James Patterson never fails to deliver a gripping tale, and ‘Lies He Told Me’ promises to be no exception. This book dives into a web of deceit, where the truth is as elusive as it is dangerous. The protagonist, a woman betrayed by the one she trusted most, is determined to uncover the truth, but what she finds could shatter her world. Patterson’s knack for fast-paced plots and unexpected twists has me eagerly anticipating every page of this one.
Everyone in Hemingway Grove, Illinois, knows David and Marcie Bowers.
David owns the local pub.
Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law.
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero. His muscled physique, shaved head, and piercing blue eyes are broadcast on every news outlet.
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline.
Concerning David Bowers, it’s a death sentence.
For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test.
(Via Amazon) ~ Available September 30th, 2024
2. Heavy Are the Stones by JD Barker
JD Barker has quickly become one of my favorites this year with his 4MK series. His newest, ‘Heavy Are the Stones’ sounds like it’s going to be right up my dark psychological little alley! The story revolves around a small town haunted by mysterious deaths and a chilling secret buried deep within its history. With Barker’s signature blend of horror and thriller, I’m prepared for some sleepless nights, as I know I won’t be able to put this one down.
Facing the truth can be deadlier than facing the killer.
Ten days to keep a lie.
Ten plagues if you deny.
Ten ways to watch them die.
Five years ago, when Detective Jena Campbell put the Leviticus Killer behind bars, she locked her darkest secret away with him. Something never meant to surface. Something better left to rot with the madman who had destroyed so many lives.
When a strange man calling himself Azrael appears on social media with threats to unleash ten plagues, ten deaths, in ten days, unless Leviticus is released, Jena is forced to reopen that door and face her past.
Unable to share what she knows, she turns to the only man who can help her find Azrael before he kills again, the man she condemned. Jena quickly learns the only thing more terrifying than facing him, is facing herself.
(Via Amazon) ~ Available November 26th, 2024
3. Perfect Strangers by JT Geissinger
If you need a change of pace, this promises to be a romantic suspense novel with a side of nail-biting tension and a dash or two of spice. After seeing this book all over the internet ‘Perfect Strangers’ by JT Geissinger has landed firmly on my radar for this fall.
The story follows two strangers who meet under unusual circumstances and form a connection that’s as dangerous as it is intoxicating. As secrets begin to unravel, the line between trust and betrayal blurs. Geissinger’s talent for crafting steamy, suspenseful tales makes this book a must-read for me this season.
“These kisses of his…they’re demanding and possessive. They’re hungry and deep. They’re the kisses of a man who wants more of a woman—who wants everything—and isn’t going to stop until he gets it.”
Author Olivia Rossi hasn’t been able to write a word since tragedy struck two years ago and ripped her world apart. Heartbroken and still haunted by the past, she accepts an offer to spend the summer at a friend’s apartment in Paris in search of healing and her lost muse.
What she finds instead is James, an enigmatic stranger who ignites in her an unexpected and all-consuming passion.
Agreeing to tell each other nothing more than their first names, Olivia and James embark on a torrid affair. But the more time they spend together, the more Olivia begins to realize her summer fling is turning into a powerful connection…and that the magnetic man she’s falling in love with might not be what he seems at all.
(Via Amazon) ~ Available Now
4. Home Wrecker by JM Dalgliesh
‘Home Wrecker’ by JM Dalgliesh promises a compelling dive into the dark side of domestic life. Set in a seemingly perfect neighborhood, the story peels back the layers of suburban bliss to reveal the chaos lurking underneath. As marriages crumble and friendships fracture, the true cost of keeping up appearances is laid bare. Dalgliesh’s keen eye for human behavior and intricate plots has me excited to explore the secrets of these so-called perfect lives.
‘Sophie Beckett?’ I smile sweetly. ‘I’m your daughter’s new tutor. May I come in?’ My heart thunders in my chest. Sophie has no idea who I really am, and I need it to stay that way. Otherwise, I might not leave this house alive…
When I first meet Sophie, she seems like any normal loving mother, trying desperately to help her teenage daughter. That’s where I come in. The perfect tutor to get Katie’s life back on track.
I connect instantly with Katie, and Sophie’s thoughtful husband Scott. But Sophie’s dark eyes are full of jealousy when I talk to Scott or share a smile with Katie. I know I’m helping her daughter, whatever she thinks.
But when I find my clothes strewn everywhere, it’s clear Sophie has searched my room. Does she know the truth about why I’m here?
Then Scott tells me how his ex-wife died. My stomach twists.
Whatever Sophie does, I can’t leave now. Katie needs me more than ever. And I will do anything to protect her.
Because Sophie might be keeping secrets, but so am I. When I’m done in her beautiful home, somebody’s life will be over. I know it won’t be mine…
(Via Amazon) ~ Available Now
5. We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Marcus Kliewer’s ‘We Used to Live Here’ is a haunting tale of nostalgia and regret, set against the backdrop of a dilapidated home with a dark past. The protagonist returns to her childhood home only to discover that some things should have been left in the past. Kliewer’s ability to create an atmosphere of dread and suspense is something I’m looking forward to experiencing firsthand. This book is likely to leave me questioning how well we ever really know the places we call home.
Get Out meets Parasite in this eerily haunting debut and Reddit hit—soon to be a Netflix original movie starring Blake Lively—about two homeowners whose lives are turned upside down when the house’s previous residents unexpectedly visit.
As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. As they’re working in the house one day, there’s a knock on the door. A man stands there with his family, claiming to have lived there years before and asking if it would be alright if he showed his kids around. People pleaser to a fault, Eve lets them in.
As soon as the strangers enter their home, uncanny and inexplicable things start happening, including the family’s youngest child going missing and a ghostly presence materializing in the basement. Even more weird, the family can’t seem to take the hint that their visit should be over. And when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family—or is Eve just imagining things?
(Via Amazon) ~ Available Now
So there you have it…
My top five fantastic books for reading this fall. With a mix of psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, and chilling mysteries, I’m set for a season full of twists, turns, and late-night reading sessions. If you’re looking for some new books to add to your TBR list, these might just be the perfect fit for your autumn nights.
If you still need to grab your copy of any of these titles, you can get them here on Amazon. Or get one for free when you sign up for a free trial from Audible. For a limited time, some of these novels are currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
Until next time you spooky bookies, keep it brash, keep it bookish, and keep it so very true to you!
