Feel that? A gentle breeze in the 90-degree heat, with just a hint of humidity—welcome to fake fall! As a Texas native, I “live laugh love” for fake fall. The moment a single cloud passes by the sun, I’m ready to embrace it, donning my flannel and lacing up my Doc Martin combat boots. Today, I even saw a leaf on the ground, like whoa.
With fall vibes all around me, I’m craving a cup of tea and a gripping murder mystery book. Although I find the term ‘cozy murder mystery’ a bit disturbing, I do believe that a captivating mystery can be just the thing for those rainy days when summer feels like it’s lingering and fall is just on the horizon. In this in-between time, finding a good book is essential to keep the mind engaged and occupied.
That said, here are five murder mystery novels to keep you sane during the transition from summer to fall. Happy reading!
1. Riley Sager, “Survive the Night”
Riley Sager is the pen name of author Todd Ritter. In his novel Survive the Night, we follow a young woman who is leaving university to return home, sharing a ride with a relative stranger. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that he might not be who she thinks he is.
I love this Sager novel! He has a remarkable talent for crafting thrilling mysteries that you can fully fall into, complete with clever narrative twists. I always recommend his works to those who aren’t regular readers but are looking for something engaging to get them out of a reading slump. His characters are fun, relatable, and unique, and his plots keep you eagerly turning the pages. While there may not be any literal cliffhangers in this book, there are certainly plenty of metaphorical ones that will fill your afternoon and evening with excitement during fake fall.
2. Agatha Christie, “Sleeping Murder”
No fake fall reading list would be complete without a true master of the mystery genre: Agatha Christie. Sleeping Murder is a timeless classic and one of my favorite Christie novels. The story follows a woman who begins experiencing traumatic flashbacks after moving into a new house with her husband, despite never having been there before. Fearing that a murder may have taken place in the house, she is drawn into a web of suspense. This excellently penned novel features a captivating atmosphere, rich descriptions, and a thrilling build-up to the climactic conclusion. I highly recommend you do not leaf this one on the shelf.
3. Caitlin Starling, “The Death of Jane Lawrence”
This novel is a must-read for fans of Jane Eyre and Rebecca. It follows a woman who discovers a chilling secret about her new husband: he prefers she not live with him at his estate due to the mysterious fate of his first wife, who may have met a sinister end. Blending magic, science, and mathematics with captivating mystery, this historical fiction adds an extra layer of intrigue to the storytelling and world-building.
4. Joanne Fluke, “A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder”
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder is the first Hannah Swenson mystery that inspired a whole series of Hallmark Original Movies. This delightful story follows cookie crafter extraordinaire Hannah as she teams up with her brother-in-law to solve the mysterious death of her delivery man. It is a light-hearted, recipe-filled mystery that perfectly captures the charm of small-town life during autumn. While it falls under the cozy mystery genre, it thoughtfully addresses the serious incidents within the plot, ensuring that the stakes remain high. If you like Aurora Teagarden Mysteries or feel nostalgic for Nancy Drew, this book might be for you.
5. Anna Mazzola, “The Unseeing”
The Unseeing is a captivating historical fiction novel, loosely inspired by a real murder case in 1800s London, that kept me guessing until the very end. With a richly developed cast of characters and a web of complex emotional stakes, this book beautifully illustrates fictionalized history, bringing to life the muggy, damp, and mysterious streets of London for those of us who have never been. You’ll find yourself rooting for every character and yearning to uncover more with every turn of the page. It’s truly a delightful read!
Bonus Round: Tana French, The Witch Elm
This book truly transformed the mystery novel genre for me. Once you read this, you can’t go back!
Whether you are a mystery reader or not, I highly recommend you embrace fake fall whole heartedly, and give at least one of these amazing novels a chance!
