Literary in the City

Fall and mystery novels go together like peanut butter and jelly–convince me otherwise! Something about the crisp of the leaves underfoot, the chill of the air, and the thick mist cloaking the world screams intrigue.

Many of my recommendations are mystery novels (seeing as it’s my comfort genre). Here are eight of my absolute favorites, perfect to fit with the autumnal atmosphere. You won’t be able to resist curling up with one of these!

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1. Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

After reading Truly Devious, I fell head-over-heels for Maureen Johnson’s work. Her writing style is simultaneously straightforward and captivating; you won’t be able to get enough of it! Death at Morning House follows Marlowe, a teenager sent to work as a tour guide on a historical island over the summer. When peculiar histories coincide with present mysteries, Marlowe realizes that something sinister is afoot…

2. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell

Looking for a comfy read that also satisfies your sweet-tooth? Check out The Golden Spoon and my review of it at this link.

3. The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

This book will send shivers, chills, goosebumps–all of it, really–crawling up your spine. Set in the Swiss Alps, this novel follows a gruesome set of deaths set in an isolated sanatorium-turned-hotel, Le Sommet. On leave, Detective Elin Warner soon finds herself caught up in the eerie mystery and unsure of who to trust. This is the first in a series, so I highly recommend checking out The Retreat afterwards.

4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

For me, the Flavia de Luce Series exudes nostalgia and quirkiness. More than the mystery, I love the protagonist of this series. Flavia is whimsical, a little morbid, and admiringly passionate about her chemistry endeavors. She’s a real treat to read about. Start with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and soon, you’ll be flipping through the entire series!

5. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

Quite a few people recommended this book to me, and because I cannot hold out against peer pressure, I decided to give it a go. While this wasn’t my favorite mystery novel, I do think it is a good, classic thriller that is sure to keep you entertained. When Casey Fletcher sees something horrific while spying on the house across the lake, she tumbles into a world of dangerous secrets and haunting pasts–the only question is, will she make it out alive?

6. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Not only are Richard Osman’s plots good, but his characters are just hysterical. I rarely laugh out loud whilst reading a book, but The Thursday Murder Club managed to make me do that several times. In this story, four friends in a retirement village soon find themselves involved in a murder–much to the dismay of the local police force.

7. The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever find another book like this one. It’s just…so incredibly unique, to the point where I suggest going in blind. Trust me, it’ll make it all worth it. If you’d like some additional reading, check out my chat with Stuart Turton here. 

8. The Body on the Train by Frances Brody

I’m still working my way through this one, but it’s pretty promising so far! We’re in 1920s England for this story, and uncovering a mystery with Detective Kate Shackleton. From rhubarb farms to coal mines, this plot has its twists and turns that is sure to keep you occupied for a rainy, cold afternoon. Make sure to make a cup of tea for your reading!

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Hopefully, you enjoyed these recommendations and found something perfect to jump into. If you end up reading something off this list, let me know what you thought. Enjoy your who-dunnits!

Currently playing Clue,

H.