Mystery & Thriller Books to Add to Your Fall TBR
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One of my favorite hobbies is reading, and one of my favorite genres is Mystery/Thriller books. With the season starting to change, there’s something about a dark, twisty novel that feels perfect for fall. So, I put together a list of my favorite reads that you should add to your TBR this autumn. Whether you want something chilling, fast-paced, or just a little unsettling, this list has a book for every type of thriller reader.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Mary Kubica has a way of pulling you in and never letting go, and this might be her best work yet. The story begins with a mother and her daughter who suddenly vanish, and shortly after, another woman in the same town disappears. What follows is a chilling multi-perspective narrative that keeps you questioning everyone.
Why I loved it: The suspense was unreal - I was hooked from the very first page. Every chapter leaves you desperate for the next, and the twists are perfectly timed.
If you liked: Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris, you’ll love this.
She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.75 stars)
This one had me on the edge of my seat. It follows Meghan, an ICU nurse in Chicago, who becomes invested in the case of a young woman who falls from a bridge. What seems like a tragic accident may actually be something much darker.
Why I loved it: I couldn’t put it down. The twists were mostly unpredictable, and the medical setting added an extra layer of intensity.
If you liked: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, you’ll enjoy this one.
The Housemaids Series by Freida McFadden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars overall: 5 for Book 1, 3 for Book 2, 4 for Book 3)
This is hands-down one of my favorite series in the genre, and I cannot wait for the movie adaptation of Book 1, coming this December. The series starts with The Housemaid, where Millie, desperate for a job, accepts a position working for the wealthy Winchester family - only to discover their picture-perfect life is far from what it seems.
Why I loved it: Each book had its own flavor of suspense and shocking twists. The first book is easily the strongest, but all three kept me entertained and guessing.
If you liked: Verity by Colleen Hoover, you’ll love this series.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Casey, a struggling actress, escapes to her family’s lake house to recover from personal setbacks. Across the lake, she starts watching her glamorous neighbors through binoculars - only to suspect that something sinister is happening inside their home.
Why I loved it: Though a bit slower at the start, once the suspense kicked in, it was impossible to put down. Riley Sager knows how to mix gothic atmosphere with a modern thriller.
If you liked: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, you’ll enjoy this.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan get snowed in at a remote estate while house-hunting, only to discover it once belonged to a psychiatrist who mysteriously vanished. As the storm traps them inside, Tricia uncovers shocking secrets about both the house and her husband.
Why I loved it: Creepy, claustrophobic, and unputdownable. It’s a quick read but one that sticks with you.
If you liked: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, this will hit the same notes.
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Amber Patterson is tired of being a nobody. When she sets her sights on Daphne Parrish - the wealthy wife of a real-estate mogul - she concocts a plan to steal her life. But as Amber climbs higher, she realizes there are secrets she could never have anticipated.
Why I loved it: This book was sharp, devious, and such an easy fall read. It’s the kind of story you could devour in one weekend.
If you liked: Big Little LIes by Liane Moriarty, this is a must read.
The Perfect Marriage (The Perfect Series) by Jeneva Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 stars)
Sarah Morgan is a top defense attorney who ends up representing her own husband after he’s accused of murdering his mistress. What unfolds is a tangled web of lies, betrayal, and shocking courtroom drama.
Why I loved it: Yes, it’s a little farfetched at times, but that’s what makes it entertaining. It’s dramatic, fast-paced and full of gasp-worthy reveals.
If you liked: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, you’ll love this.
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
When Emma meets Derrick, he seems like the perfect boyfriend - kind, attentive, and stable. But soon, strange things begin to happen, and Emma starts to wonder if Derrick is hiding a darker side.
Why I loved it: Even though my copy was missing the first 60 pages (airport bookshop fail), I still finished it in one plane ride. The twist completely blindsided me. A perfect fall, creepy one-sitting read.
If you liked: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, you’ll love this signature Freida book.
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
After years of distance, two sisters are brought back together following the disappearance of one of their husbands. As they dig into the past, they begin to uncover horrific truths linked to their family and a string of missing girls.
Why I loved it: Honestly, this one terrified me. It felt disturbingly real, and I had to read it only during the day. It’s one of the best-written thrillers I’ve picked up, but definitely not for the faint of heart.
If you liked: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, you’ll love this dark and unsettling book.
I hop this list helps you find the perfect fall read.
Find more of my favorite books on my GoodReads.