The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing outside, fall is all around us, and I’m inside reading! I’ll enjoy the fall the way I enjoy all the seasons: by reading some great books!
September looks like a great month for great books. There are more than a few books that I can’t wait to sink my teeth into. The Escapement by Lavie Tidhar looks like a weird mix of fantasy and western that I can’t wait to check out. There is also the No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull which could by my next fantasy series obsession.
There are some really great romance novels coming out this month as well. I’m looking forward to picking up The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood which is the classic “fake relationship turned real” deal, my favorite. I’ll also be reading A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria as I really liked Daria’s first novel.
We have all this and a lot more including some great thrillers, cozy mysteries, and much more. Keep on reading to see my pick for the best upcoming books for September 2021.
Best Upcoming Cozy Mystery Books: September 2021
Here Comes the Fudge by Nancy Coco: I’m in love with the Coco(‘s books)! The ninth edition in the Candy-coated Mystery series sees fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy taking on a role as maid of honor in a friend’s wedding, but soon finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation to clear the name of the groom.
A Darker Reality by Anne Perry: The 1930s set Elena Standish series continues with A Darker Reality. Elena is making her first trip to Washington, D.C. and spending time at her American mother’s wealthy parents’ home. There is a grand party with many influential people, including the President. However, the festivities come to an end when one of the guests is run over by a car. Elena believes that the guest was trying to tell her something. It turns out the murdered guest was a British spy and now Elena’s grandfather is being accused of doing it. Elena will set out to clear his name.
Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis: Coloring book creator and bookstore owner Florrie Fox has invited a psychic author to read some ghost stories at her shop with Halloween right around the corner. When the medium arrives, they swear they saw a foot sticking out of a carpet in the alley. When the police arrive, the body is nowhere to be found. The medium goes on with the reading, but then declares that she feels the killer’s presence in the store. Now, it’s up to Florrie to find them.
The Heron's Cry by Ann Cleeves: The second entry in the Two Rivers series by Ann Cleeves. The first book in the series is soon to be a TV series so I imagine this one will have a lot of fans sooner or later. So I’ll get in before everybody else and checking out this series now.
Hooked on a Feline: This will be the 13th entry in the Magical Cats series. This adventure sees librarian Kathleen Paulson and her cats dealing with the case of a dead musician. A band member turns up dead after Kathleen and her boyfriend attend a concert. The authorities think its a robbery gone wrong, but Kathleen has other ideas and decides to investigate.
Best Upcoming Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books: September 2021
No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull: This will be the first book in a new series known as the Convergence Saga. When Laina gets the news that her brother was shot and killed by Boston cops, she thinks that it is just a case of police brutality. Instead, it is something much stranger: monsters are real and they want everyone to know it. Monsters come out into the world, seeking safety, but why? There is something much worse out there and the world is about to find out about it.
The Escapement by Lavie Tidhar: The Stranger rides into a reality called the Escapement on a quest to rescue his son from a parallel world. He finds it easy to get lost on the ever-shifting landscape, but the flower he needs lies beyond the Mountains of Darkness. He must journey deep into the secret heart of his unforeseen world.
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff: A new dark fantasy saga from bestselling author Jay Kristoff. The book takes place in a world that has gone twenty-seven years without a sunrise. Vampires and humans have been at war and the humans aren’t winning. Gabriel de Leon is a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. When daylight failed, he was the only one left standing. Now, he tells his story of a life of battles and a quest for the Holy Grail.
Among Thieves by M.J. Kuhn: Ryia Cautella has a reputation as the deadliest blade in the dockside city of Carrowwick. What no one knows is that is not her real name as for the past six years she has been keeping a deadly secret in order to stay ahead of the formidable Guildmaster. No matter where she goes, his servants always find her, but she knows he can be defeated. To take him down, she won’t be able to do it alone and teams up with a crew of assorted miscreants, smugglers, and thieves. To succeed will mean freedom, but getting everyone on the same page is easier said than done.
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer: This will be the first book in a new series by Kemmerer. The kingdom of Kandala is on the brink of disaster as the book begins. The rifts between the sectors have only grown and peace is tenuous. There is a sickness ravaging the land and the only cure is severely limited. Tessa does what she can to help and even steals Moonflower petals to try and distribute the elixir to those who need it. When rumors spread that the cure no longer works, rebellion is on the horizon. Tessa makes the decision to sneak into the palace, but what she finds there will leave her wonder if it’s even possible to fix Kandala.
Best Upcoming Horror Books: September 2021
The Sculptor by Michael Aronovitz: Michael Leonard Robinson is a killer ahead of his time. At the age of seven, he committed his first murder. At the age of eighteen, he became an expert with computers and video imaging. Now in his forties, he’s nearly unstoppable. He’s a master of disguise and manages to torment his victims in disguise, film clips, and flashes . Their viewpoints each make up a piece of the puzzle that will become his greatest sculpture when put together.
The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater: In Red Valley, Sadie has just become the Liar. The Liar is the keeper of the town’s secrets and has the power to remake the world with a little blood. What Sadie is wondering is, why? What is the purpose of the Liar? Why is the sheriff after her? And what does the King want from her?
The City of Dr. Moreau by J.S. Barnes: This book picks up where H.G. Wells’ classic The Island of Dr. Moreau left off and tells the story of a century of history of the islanders. Barnes did a similar thing with Dracula’s Child, a sequel to Bram Stoker’s classic, and had great success.
The Peculiarities by David Liss: There have long been rumors of “Peculiarities” in London’s grey fog and now Thomas fears that he is one of them. He finds leaves sprouting on his skin. He needs to do whatever it takes to stop it and save his family’s buiness, including turning to help from London’s occult society and the strange Aleister Crowley.
The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess by Andy Marino: Sydney has built a better life for herself after a rough past that she has tried to bury. One day she opens her front door and a masked intruder knocks her unconscious. When she wakes up in the hospital she tells a a story of escaping and calling the police. However, the cops have a different story where she killed the intruder. She has no memory and no one believes her. Now, an unnatural darkness is whispering in her ear and trying to urge her back to her old ways. As she tries to avoid it, the darkness grows into something unimaginable.
Best Upcoming Mystery/Thriller Books: September 2021
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell: Jewell is a master of the thriller and some are saying this could be her best one yet. The story will follow the disappearance of a young couple after a party a massive country estate. One year later, a writer moves into a cottage at the edge of the woods near the estate. One day on a long walk, the writer finds a note that reads “DIG HERE”.
Apple Never Fall by Liane Moriarty: If your mother went missing, would you tell the police? Of course you would, but what if the most obvious suspect is your father? Would you do it then? That is what the four Delaney siblings are dealing with after the death of their mother. Their father claims to be innocent, but two of them are not so sure.
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead: This is a crime novel, but as is usually the case with Colson Whitehead’s novels it is so much more. The story takes place in Harlem in the 1960s as Ray Carney tries to make a life for himself selling furniture. When money is tight, he gets into some less than legal situations to make ends meet. When he gets on a job to rob the “Waldorf of Harlem”, things go south and he finds himself mixed up with some bad characters. Can Ray avoid getting killed and get his share of the score, while remaining an upstanding furniture salesman?
Riccardino by Andrea Camilleri: Riccardino is a big one, the last book in the long-running Inspector Montalbano series. This will be the 28th and final entry in the beloved series.
The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens: Lila Nash is on the verge of becoming a prosecutor under the Hennepin County Attorney when a new, personal case arrives. A woman is found in the Mississippi River, barely alive, and she believes that the women’s assailant is a local photographer. However, Gavin was prepared for the investigation and justice is becoming elusive. Motivated by the ghosts of her own attack years ago, Lila is determined to put him behind bars.
Best Upcoming Romance Books: September 2021
When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting: Avery Spark is living her best life and has little time for relationships. She keeps busy with her friends and Spark House, the event hotel that her family owns. Her free time is mostly spent hanging with her best friend and roommate, Declan McCormick. He’s always been one to avoid relationships as well and he proves it when he goes on a one-night stand instead of hanging with Avery. When Avery is in a car accident, he feels responsible and agrees to help take care of her. However, the more time they spend together, the more they realize there is something there that they have been trying to hide for a long time.
Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore: The third book in the League of Extraordinary Women series is one of the most anticipated romances in 2021. The book sees a London banking heiress named Hattie Greenfield who wants to find a marriage with a gentleman. Instead, she ends up married to a Scotsman named Lucian Blackstone who has a murky past and is known for his ruthless business practices. Declan sees opportunity with this marriage as he is driven by a desire for revenge. However, a journey to Scotland will change everything – for both of them.
Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert: Sailor Proof will be the first book in a new LBGTQ romance series from Annabeth Albert. The story sees a Naval Chief looking for revenge on his ex who ends up going viral with a gangplank smooch.
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria: Daria’s You Had Me at Hola was a hit and this looks like more of the same. Gabriel left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents, but he also left behind Michelle, his best friend and crush. Now, he owns L.A.’s hottest gym. An investor insists on opening a New York location which brings Michelle back into his life.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood: You know I love my fake relationship stories and this looks like a good one. Olive Smith is a PhD candidate who has no time for relationships despite the objections of her best friend Anh. She ends up convincing Anh that she is dating someone and happy. When her friend is looking for proof, she panics and kisses the first man she sees. That ends up being Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor. He has a reputation as an ass, but agrees to be her fake boyfriend and keep the charade going. When she run into trouble in her career, she’s surprised to see Adam offer his support. This fake relationship experiment is getting dangerously close to becoming a real thing.
These are the books that I am looking forward to reading in September. Did I miss any? What are you reading? Let me know in the comments below! I love talking books!
