As the days grow shorter, there’s nothing better than curling up with a hot drink and a good book. Fall is the perfect time for a cozy mystery, witchy romance, or a thriller that’ll keep you up all night. Here are a few of my favorite fall reads:
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie is the queen of mysteries, and And Then There Were None definitely doesn’t disappoint. The story follows ten strangers who each received an invitation to an isolated manor house on an island. When they arrive, they discover that their host is nowhere to be found. At dinner their first night on the island, a recorded voice accuses them all of hiding a guilty secret. By the end of the night, one of the guests is dead and secrets begin to come out. The result is a truly captivating murder mystery that’s not to be missed.
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
The first in a series of witchy romances, Payback’s a Witch is the ideal Fall read. Set in the picturesque magical town of Thistle Grove, this first book follows Emmy Harlow, a not-so-powerful witch from a powerful family. When she returns to her hometown to participate in a traditional spell casting tournament, she runs into her ex, a very powerful witch from the current ruling family. Determined to get him out of the spotlight, Emmy teams up with the other champions to dethrone their rivals and share the magic more evenly. Each book follows a different Thistle Grove resident, with cameos from your favorite characters. They all feature different romance tropes as well, so there’s something for everyone!
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Beautiful Ugly is a thriller that I literally couldn’t put down. Author Grady Green is struggling to write another book after his wife Abby’s disappearance. At his publisher’s suggestion, he moves to a remote Scottish island to spend the summer in a famous author’s old cabin. Grady soon starts seeing glimpses of a woman that looks exactly like his late wife all over the island. As the book shifts between the past and present through Grady’s perspective and Abby’s, readers begin to learn the secrets of the island and the characters before the jaw-dropping twist.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
For a young adult pick that’s truly frightening, Wilder Girls is the only choice. I first read this book in early 2020, right after lockdowns started, which was a mistake. The story centers around an all-girls boarding school that has been struck with a mysterious disease, requiring the students to be quarantined for two years. While they do receive supplies from the outside world, it’s never enough, forcing the girls to fend for themselves. When another girl vanishes, main character Hetty sets out to find her, uncovering secrets about why they’re actually being isolated.
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
To end on a much less spooky note, The Teller of Small Fortunes is the coziest found family adventure you could ever want. Main character Tao is a traveling fortune teller, preferring to be alone and always moving. She only tells small, lighthearted fortunes, but they always become true. One day, she’s helped by a pair of travelers and thanks them with a fortune that ends up meaning much more than she expected. Suddenly she’s no longer alone, and as their little caravan picks up more delightful characters, she realizes that maybe that’s a good thing.
Whether you want a thriller, a romance, or a good old whodunnit, nothing beats a good book on a chilly day. There are plenty of local bookstores to find them at, too! Monarch Books in Arroyo Grande and Nan’s in Grover Beach are personal favorites.