It’s no secret around her that I love a good thriller/mystery book. While I love reading just about any genre, thrillers/mysteries are my go-to because they seem to always give me the urge to want to stay up super late and keep turning pages until I’ve read the book in record speed.
I read thrillers/mysteries all year round, but one of my favorite times to read them are during the month of October. Not only is the month super cozy, but it also is fun to read something spooky around Halloween time.
Below are 10 books (tried and true) that I think would be perfect for the month of October. Hopefully you can find something from this list to scratch your thriller itch.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware is one of my favorite thriller writers. I have read every one of her books, and this one has the most Halloween/Gothic style out of all of them. This book just feels like fall. The story follows Hal, a girl who is all one her own, struggling to get by. One day she gets a mysterious letter bequeathing her a large inheritance, but really it was sent to the wrong person. Hal finds herself in a complex situation when she goes pretending to be someone else to the funeral of the deceased! Read this one if you are a fan of gothic style literature. It seems to be hit or miss for a lot of people, but for me it was a hit!
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
As mentioned above, I love Ruth Ware, and I promise not all of the books on this list are by her, but I had to include her latest, Turn of the Key. If anyone ever watched Disney Channel original movies back in the day, then this book reminded me a lot of the movie Smart House, with just a bit creepier feel. The story follows a girl who takes a nanny position at a smart house with excellent pay. All of it sounds too good to be true, and in fact it is. She doesn’t know that her position will end with a child dead, and find herself in prison. This book is seriously so twisty and interesting! I stayed up way to late reading it!
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
I flew through The Woman in the Window! The story follows a woman who is a shut in to her NYC home. She observes the happenings of all her neighbors, and becomes specifically very interested in her newest neighbors that just moved in, but then she sees something she shouldn’t. Is she just loosing it or did she really see what she thought she saw? This one has a good twist too!
Detective shows anyone? In the Woods is like a detective show in a book. We follow two detectives who are called on to solve the mystery of a little girl, however one of the detectives has ties to the town. He was the solo survivor of a case of two children that went missing and have never been seen since. Are the two related? You will have to read to find out! Also, this book is the first in a series (however they can be read out of order), so if you are a fan of this one you can keep reading!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient has been my favorite thriller I have read this year! This book has the twist you want in a thriller and is a fast read (you might be up past midnight with this one). The story follows a psychotherapist who works with a girl who suddenly stopped speaking after she was accused of her husbands murders. The secrets that are unlocked in this book are nuts!
The Invited by Jennifer McMahon
If you enjoy a ghost story mixed with a bit of history, The Invited is for you. This book follows a couple who have recently moved to the country and might possibly have stumbled upon land that is haunted to build their house. This story is definitely interesting, but nothing too scary.
I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
If Fiction is not your thing, and you love a good Dateline or 20/20 episode then pick up I’ll be Gone in the Dark. The story follows a woman who searches for a very infamous serial killer that wrecked havoc in California. I will say that there is an ending that will make the reader happy, but you will have to look it up online after reading the book! Warning though, this definitely gives a lot of details about the crime. If this is triggering or too much for you, just skip this one!
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
If you want a book that is going to take you on a crazy, almost unrealistic, but still amazingly good ride, then read Behind Her Eyes. The plot is simple to start: a woman meets a man at the bar, finds out that he is married and then becomes friends with his wife. I can’t say too much more or I might spoil it, but this one is CRAY CRAY!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
If you like the classic murder mystery with a twist, then Agatha Christie is your girl! And Then There Were None is my favorite book of hers that I have read to date. The story follows ten strangers who have all been asked to a private island. One by one they start to be taken out, and they all have a mysterious past that is soon to be revealed! This is also a shorter read and perfect for those who want a slightly more Hallmark style murder mystery!
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
If you never have read Harry Potter before then what are you waiting for!? Seriously one of the best series (probably the best) ever written. And no better time to read it then in the Fall and then going into Christmas. Every book starts with Harry and his friends going back to Hogwarts. It will give you all the cozy vibes, and you will get absolutely lost in the world. And even if you have read before, a reread is always a fun throwback!
P.S. the thriller/spooky read I’ve picked for October is The Whisper Man! Review soon to come, but I’ve heard so many great things!
Which will you read first!? Let me know in the comments below!
Also, if thrillers are not your thing, you can check out all my other book reviews here. I read a lot of different genres!
-Kasey
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