16 Novels To Read To Get You In The Mood For Fall

Bookshops are just about the most autumny thing. This sweet book tells the story of Emilia Nightingale, the owner of Nightingale Books, as she struggles to keep her bookstore open after her father’s death, and all the customers in her tiny town who have become like family to her. If you’re in the mood for something heartwarming, this is the perfect book. 

French is regarded as one of the greatest contemporary mystery writers, so any fall-themed book list without her would be incomplete. Cassie Maddox, an Irish detective, is shocked when she discovers a murdered woman who not only bears a striking resemblance to her, but whose ID has the exact same name that Cassie used years ago as an undercover detective. Will she be able to figure out the woman’s true identity? 

Christie, regarded as the queen of mysteries, is one author you can’t go wrong with – but The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is arguably her best murder mystery. We follow along as Hercule Poirot, an odd, brilliant, and meticulous Belgian detective, is asked to solve a particularly twisted, confusing, strange murder case. And in classic Christie fashion, the twists and turns it takes are ones you’ll never expect. 

This incredibly mysterious, dark, haunting, intense book tells the story of a husband and wife who live on a rural farm. One day, a strange man arrives at their house and informs the husband that he’s been chosen to participate in an experiment that will take him far away from the farm for a long period of time. But his wife won’t be left alone all that time – in fact, she’ll have an oddly familiar presence to keep her company. This is a page-turner that will give you all the creepy fall vibes. 

This fun series focuses on Enola Holmes, the teenage little sister of the beloved Sherlock Holmes. When Enola’s mother disappears, she puts on her detective hat and makes the journey to London in search of her. And is there anything more perfect to welcome the coming of autumn than a British mystery? 

This incredible book asks the question, What if? Nora Seed is an English woman who lives with so many regrets. Upon attempting to end her life, she finds herself in a library, in which each book represents a different life she could’ve lived, had she made a different choice. By trying on a myriad of different lives, Nora learns a very important lesson. This cozy yet thought-provoking British read couldn’t be more perfect for a rainy night at home. 

This classic story tells the tale of Anne Shirley, an idealistic, passionate, red-haired orphan, as she finds a home in the fictional town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Filled with quirky yet lovable characters and dialogue so witty you’ll be chuckling, this is one of the coziest books you’ll come across, perfectly suited for an October night. As Anne says, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”  

Set in the tiny mountain town of Cedar Valley, Colorado, detective Gemma Monroe is heavily pregnant and assigned the task of solving the gruesome murder of a clown who’d been part of a traveling circus. Gemma begins to question who she can trust, whether her partner has the best intentions, and if this murder is connected to the town’s string of unsolved murders from three decades prior. This book is truly a gem, filled with intriguing characters, a beautiful mountain setting, and all the autumn feels. 

Nora Pennington is the owner of Miracle Books in North Carolina and has a knack for making scones and prescribing the perfect book to make someone forget all their problems. When a businessman asks for her help, she’s happy to offer it – until he’s found dead. Nora then forms the Secret, Book & Scone Society, meeting in her charming bookstore, in order to solve his murder. 

Any of Austen’s classics will be a wonderfully cozy read, but you’ve probably already read her most famous ones! Mansfield Park tells the story of Fanny Price, a spirited but poor young girl who’s sent to live with her affluent cousins, and soon enough, family drama and romantic entanglements ensue. Best read by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate nearby, this book is often called one of Austen’s most mature works. 

In the Pacific Northwest’s Olympic National Forest (the most autumny setting you could possibly think of), a little girl suddenly appears out of nowhere – and Dr. Julia Cates is left to figure out who she is and where she came from. Enlisting her estranged sister, a local police officer, Julia makes it her mission to save the little girl and put together the puzzle of her past, all while making a new home for herself. 

Olivia Rawlings is a successful pastry chef in Boston. But after she nearly burns her workplace down, she’s in need of an escape and finds herself in a sweet, charming, tiny Vermont town. Knowing her time in Boston is up, she decides to take a job at The Sugar Maple Inn. This book has everything autumnal: small-town life, apple pie contests, and romance. But fair warning: Don’t read this on an empty stomach! 

The dark academia vibes are strong with this one! At an elite New England college, a group of isolated, oddball, intelligent students long to live life in a way that escapes the mundanity of the everyday and their banal peers. But soon, someone is murdered, and nothing is the same afterward. 

Nina Redmond’s passion is leading people to the right book for them – she’s sort of a “literary matchmaker.” But after losing her librarian job, Nina takes it upon herself to create a life she’s happy to live, buying a van and changing it into a mobile bookstore, driving from town to town and continuing to bring stories to people. The Bookshop on the Corner will leave you feeling warm, happy, and hungry for another book to fall in love with. 

Calling all fans of Midsommar and The Blair Witch Project! Set in Sweden, Alice is a documentary filmmaker who’s become obsessed with figuring out the mystery behind a town’s vanishing residents, gathering a group of friends to make a film about it. But after they set up camp, things start to get strange. If you’re in the mood for something spooky, this is a great place to start. 

If you’re a fan of supernatural thrillers, look no further. In this unsettling story, the tiny college town of Ashton is threatened by a force from another realm, and soon, it becomes clear that the entire world is at risk. A small-town reporter and a pastor team up to uncover the mysterious happenings.