8 New Mystery + Horror Novels Perfect for Fall

I always think of fall as the perfect time of year for mysteries, thrillers and horror novels. I’ve already read a few this year and I wanted to see what else has come out. If you’re looking something to read in the weeks leading up to Halloween (and after), here are some of the books that I have my eye on.

PRETTY BABY by Mary Kubica is about a woman who brings home a homeless teen and her baby, widening the rift that’s already forming between her and her husband. And things don’t go well. I loved Mary Kubica’s novel THE GOOD GIRL last year, so this was automatically on my list of books to read this year, and this one is apparently even better, so I’m excited to read it.

THE NIGHT SISTER by Jennifer McMahon is about two sisters and their friend who, as children, used to play in a motel in town until they uncovered something dark. Years later, their friend is accused of a terrible crime, forcing them to remember when they used to play in the motel. I like books about sisters and secrets and this one sounds like the kind of story I’d love!

BLACK CAIRN POINT by Claire McFall takes place in Scotland. It’s about Heather, who went on a camping trip with friends a year earlier, but something happened and now she’s waiting for her friend Dougie to wake up from a coma so that he can help prove her sanity and her innocence. The synopsis of this sounds really interesting, it takes place in Scotland, and I’ve heard good things about it. I started reading this already. I’m four chapters in and already hooked!

THE UNINVITED by Cat Winters takes place in 1918 and is about a woman named Ivy, who wakes up after fighting the flu to find that her entire world has changed. Not only must she deal with the paranoia over the Spanish flu epidemic and WWI, but she continues to see the uninvited ones–ghosts of loved ones who come when someone is about to die. I just read IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, which also takes place in 1918 during the flu and WWI and I loved it, so I am really excited to go back to that setting with Winters.

THE CREEPING by Alexandra Sirowy is about Stella, who disappeared eleven years earlier with her friend, but she was the only one to return. And that’s about all I can tell from the synopsis, but it sounds like something’s happening now, eleven years later, and she wants to remember what happened to her friend, hoping that can save her. This has a really cool cover and, even though the synopsis doesn’t say much (sometimes that’s best!), it sounds really cool.

DIARY OF A HAUNTING by M. Verano is about a teen who moves from LA to Idaho with her mom, but once they’re in their new apartment, strange things start happening. It sounds like this one is in diary format (the “discovered” diary after everything takes place) and includes letters and photos. I’m interested in books that take on different formats like that. Also, this one has a creepy cover!

SWEET MADNESS by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie was released on September 1st and tells the story of Lizzie Borden from the point-of-view of the family maid. I just read CREED and really enjoyed it, but I expect to enjoy SWEET MADNESS even more. It sounds more like the kind of story I prefer within the genre and the Lizzie Borden story is a fascinating mystery.

THE HOUSE by Christina Lauren is about a teenage couple, Delilah and Gavin, but Gavin lives in a spooky house, one that might be haunted and one that has a hold on him, and it could threaten their love. I read this one over the weekend and it had some beautiful descriptions and was definitely a bit creepy. It’s a fun read for the cold months.

WHAT “PERFECT FOR FALL” BOOKS DO YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON?

Share your thoughts in the comments and I’ll include them in the recap at the end of the week with a link back to your blog or social media.

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