October Reading

October ushers in cooler weather and fall vibes. Readers are often drawn to books with darker vibes and thrilling plots during this season so this week I am recommending some reads for the season. Mysteries and thrillers are fun to read on a cozy couch covered by a blanket. I hope you enjoy these!

The Backwater by Vikki Wakefield – The “Trailer Park Murders” made a ghost of Sabine Kelly 12 years ago after she confessed to setting the fire that killed her mother, sister, and seven others and disappeared without a trace. Now, Rachel Weidermann, a recently unemployed journalist, has reignited her investigation into the murders and Sabine’s disappearance, setting off a brutal chain of events. The beautiful scenery and the rhythm of river life combined with the exploration of the themes of class, corruption, family, and justice made this a unique and engaging mystery. For fans of a strong sense of place and solid mysteries.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark – Only child Olivia Dumont has been engaged to write her estranged father's memoir. Vincent Taylor, her father, is a successful horror author who many suspect murdered his siblings years before even though he was cleared of the crime. Now, suffering memory loss and worried about the truth dying with him, he is ready to talk about what happened years ago. The story is relayed in alternating timelines and points of view, and the tension builds through numerous twists and turns and red herrings. For fans of clever thrillers with depth and originality, strong characters, and 1970s nostalgia.

Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke – Following the murders of four wealthy members of an exclusive club in London, a young waitress named Katherine Cole is arrested, and five men begin to question how well they really knew her. Each narrator brings their own biases, blind spots, and agendas to their depiction of Katherine, making readers question whose version of events they can trust. This fascinating commentary on how people, especially women, are perceived has stayed with me since I finished it, and I enjoyed the exploration of power dynamics and conspiracy theories in today’s world as well as gender biases. For fans of novel and intelligent storytelling and thought-provoking tales.

We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry – We Don't Talk About Carol is a deeply haunting, twisty mystery based on a 60-year-old cold case involving six missing Black women whose stories were forgotten by the world but never by their families. Berry expertly explores the themes of family secrets, community, trauma, and motherhood while unraveling a mystery that has some fabulous twists and turns. She also highlights the racial disparities that occur in missing person investigations, which made for tough but compelling reading. For fans of slow-burn mysteries, social commentaries, and topical issues.

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess – After her estranged mother passes away, Cath is cleaning out her mother’s belongings and stumbles across two tickets to England for a murder mystery week. On a lark, she decides to attend, and while there Cath meets two other Americans who she teams up with to solve the fake murder mystery and determine why her mom wanted to attend the mystery week. Bibliophiles will revel in the literary references sprinkled throughout this delightful book, and the quaint English village setting and its entertaining residents make this a highly enjoyable read. For fans of light mysteries, a strong sense of place, and thoroughly engaging characters.

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram.