October looks to be another outstanding month for reading. The weather is getting cool outside so I can finally put on my sweaters and cozy up with a good book under a blanket. It’s just like reading on a chair outside, but more comfortable! Fall weather is my time to shine when it comes to reading and this month’s new releases should keep my nose buried in a book where it belongs.
A big highlight of this month looks to be a brand new fantasy series from Terry Brooks beginning. Child of Light features a prison escape, Fae, and a magical world. That sounds right up my alley! A Spindle Splintered is another fantasy book that looks like a great read. It’s an update on Sleeping Beauty which looks really interesting.
There are some really good books in the mystery and thriller genres dropping this month as well. New Jack Reacher, new John Grisham, and an interesting looking book from John Le Carre. This month also sees Hilary Clinton making her writing debut with Louise Penny. I’m not a political person or anything, but I’m really curious what that book will be like.
If you like long-running series, this is the month for you! I already mentioned the new Jack Reacher. We also have the next book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, new Wits’ End Cozy Mystery, and a new Meg Lanslow mystery!
I’m always surprised, but always ready for the sheer amount of Christmas books that start dropping in October. I know it’s early for some, but it’s never too early for me. The earlier the books come out, the earlier I can hang my decorations! I am really looking forward to The Twelve Jays of Christmas by Donna Andrews, a cozy mystery, and Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber.
Best Upcoming Cozy Mystery Books: October 2021
The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith: The latest installment in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series sees Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni starting a new business venture with an old friend which could have effects on the detective agency. While Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi take on a case investigating a nurse who may have taken advantage of one of her patients.
Gnome Alone by Kirsten Weiss: The next entry in the Wits’ End Cozy Mystery sees Susan investigating a case of missing garden gnomes when one of the singers from her caroling group is murdered. She’ll need all of her investigation and organization skills to juggle missing gnomes and track down the killer.
Claws for Alarm by Rita Mae Brown: Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen will get help from her husband in order to solve the murder of a equine veterinarian. The young vet was killed and all the ketamine was stolen from his clinic. Was he killed for his supply? Or was he mixed up in something bigger? Harry and Fair Haristeen set out to find out.
The Enemy You Gnocchi by Catherine Bruns: This will be the third entry in the Italian Chef Mysteries series and it is Christmas themed. The story sees a local Scrooge named Mario who is found dead in a Santa suit. When one of Tessa’s closest friends is blamed for the crime, she’ll make like Santa and make a list of suspects, and check it twice.
The Twelve Jays of Christmas by Donna Andrews: The Meg Lanslow mystery series is back with a great holiday story. It is a busy time for the Lanslow family as this story begins. They have a full house of relatives, plus Roderick Castlemayne, the wildlife artist, is occupying the library painting birds. When Castlemayne is murdered in the middle of a blizzard and the birds are set loose, Meg will have to work to catch the killer before they strike again.
Best Upcoming Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books: October 2021
Child of Light by Terry Brooks: An all-new fantasy series from Terry Brooks begins with nineteen-year-old Auris Afton Grieg who has been trapped in a prison for the past four years. She has no idea why she’s here, but she’s about to age out of the children’s prison and head to the far worse adult prison. In order to avoid it, she and some friends stage an escape that will send them into the wastelands. There, she is rescued by a stranger who claims to be part of the magical race known as the Fae. He believes that she is one of them and takes her to his homeland.
Glimmer by Marjorie B. Kellogg: The story takes place in 2110 in a future version of Manhattan where climate change has ravaged the Earth. While many have fled, a few die-hards believe that the best way to survive is by staying here and making things work. Among the leftovers is a young girl named Glimmer who must choose who and how to be, and who and what to believe in, even if it means giving up on the love she has found here.
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow: The classic story of Sleeping Beauty is retold in a dark fantasy world by Alix E. Harrow. Zinnia Gray’s twenty-first birthday is the last she’ll ever have thanks to a rare condition that no one lives past twenty-one with. Her friend Charm is set to make it special with a sleeping beauty experience, but when Zinnia pricks her finger, her whole world is turned upside down. She finds herself falling through worlds with another sleeping beauty who is also desperate to escape an awful fate.
Trinity by Dave Bara: One of the masters of space and military science fiction releases a new book in October. The story follows former Rim Confederacy Navy Capt. Jared Clement of the gunship Beauregard as he heads to a newly discovered star system where humanity made their first alien contact. Clement and his crew will either propel humanity to ultimate destruction—or into a new starfaring age of exploration and conflict.
Far from the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson: A tense, space thriller where a ship known as Ragtime travels light-years to bring one thousand sleeping souls to a new home among the stars. When first mate Michelle wakes up, she discovers that some will never wake up. Investigator Rasheed Fin is called in to find out who is responsible for the deaths. As the mystery unfolds, repercussions will be felt throughout the solar system.
Best Upcoming Horror Books: October 2021
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling: Jane Shoringfield decides on a marriage of convenience with a doctor named Augustine Lawrence. He agrees to her proposal on the condition that she never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor. On their wedding night, an accident sends her to his door and the man she meets there is completely different than the one she knows. In the morning he is himself again, but she knows there is something deeply wrong with him and this place.
Where They Wait by Scott Carson: A desperate for work reporter takes a job writing a profile of a new mindfulness app. The app seems like a retread of old ideas, but the “Sleep Songs” set it apart. A woman’s hauntingly beautiful voice sings a ballad that is anything but soothing, but it works when it comes to bringing him deep, refreshing sleep. It also brings nightmares that start to permeate his waking life.
Cackle by Rachel Harrison: Annie is looking for a new life so she leaves behind her place in Manhattan and heads to a small village in upstate New York. She meets Sophie who helps her to start living for herself. She is drawn to Sophie and wants to spend more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the town is afraid of her. There are good reasons for this, of course, but Annie can’t believe that Sophie’s really a witch. Can she?
The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke: Twenty-one years ago, two sisters went missing on a Scottish island. Now, after all this time, one of them is found. There’s only one problem: she’s still the same age as when she went missing.
Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw: An abandoned Heian-era mansion is the perfect place for a group of thrill-seeking friends to meet up for a night of food, drinks, and games. Their fun night is ruined as secrets are revealed and their relationships are tested. What they don’t know is that the house has secrets of its own and there is a ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart lurking among them.
Best Upcoming Mystery/Thriller Books: October 2021
Silverview by John le Carre: Julian Lawndsely has left behind his life in the city for a simple life in a small English seaside town. However, his evenings are soon interrupted by Edward who is quite interested in the inner workings of his job. When a letter turns up in the office of a spy chief in London warning him of a dangerous leak, he’ll be led to the same small seaside town.
The Judge's List by John Grisham: The latest from Grisham focuses on an investigator named Lacy Stoltz who is put on the trail of a serial killer who may be a sitting judge. The killer has operated for years and gotten away with it thanks to his brilliance and patience. Lacy will need to figure out how to pursue them without becoming the next victim.
Litani by Jess Lourey: When Frankie moved to Litani, Minnesota she was warned by her mother to stay out of the woods and away from adults. There are rumors abound about The Game and curiosity will get the best of her when a group of girls invites her to The Game. She accepts to find out what is really going on, but what she’ll find is the awful truth that she might be living among monsters.
State of Terror by Louise Penny and Hilary Rodham Clinton: The former Secret of State wrote a book with Louise Penny about a Secretary of State who needs to defeat an intricate, carefully constructed conspiracy.
Better Off Dead by Andrew Child: Jack Reacher returns by finding a Jeep crashed into a tree with a woman slumped over the wheel. The woman is an army veteran turned FBI agent who was trying to find her brother who is mixed up with some bad people. Reacher offers to use his skills to help her even as he suspects she has secrets of her own. He’ll go up against the mysterious Dendoncker in the riskiest job of his life. Failure is not an option because failure equals death.
Best Upcoming Romance Books: October 2021
The Butler by Danielle Steel: Joachim moves to Paris in his teens with his mother and begins to train to be a butler. He is fascinated by the job and goes on to work in some of the great homes of England. While a woman named Olivia White heads to Paris to reinvent herself after a business failure. She needs to set up a home and cross paths with Joachim. He ends up taking the job as a lark and the two grow closer together, enjoying working side by side. Olivia struggles to put her life back together as Joachim is dealing with some dark secrets of his past. The two will discover truths about themselves and those around them, and grow close in a place where the only thing that matters is what they are doing right now.
A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout: Sera’s entire life was decided before birth as she was promised to the Primal of Death as his Consort. She has always known that her future was not hers and that this would one day happen. However, she has also been trained from a young age to be an assassin with the goal of ending the Primal of Death. Her mission is to make him fall in love with her and then end his life, but there is one thing she wasn’t counting on: falling in love with him.
Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber: Is it too early for some Christmas romance? Never! Lindy isn’t feeling particularly joyful about returning home for the holidays, but when her mother encourages her to write a letter to Santa she’ll find her dreams coming true.
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca: After twelve years, April Walker has decided to move on from her quaint small town. She asks her friend, and Renaissance Faire legend, Mitch to help her get the house ready to sell. Mitch is known for wearing a kilt and not much else to the Renaissance Faire which shows off his muscled body. He asks her for a favor in return: pretend to be his girlfriend at a family dinner. April agrees, but dinner turns into a weekend and it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s fake. It ends there until summer comes around and April volunteers at the Renaissance Faire. When Mitch’s family shows up, it’s back to pretending… or is it real?
Forgiving Paris by Karen Kingsbury: Two decades ago, Ashley made a mistake in Paris and she’s never fully forgiven herself for it. Now, she’s set to go back with her husband on an anniversary trip. Just before they are to leave, Ashley gets a call from her niece who says that her boyfriend’s mother, Alice, remembers working at a bakery with an American named Ashley. The two women get back together and a flood of memories returns for both women. Can the reunion bring healing and closure?
If you made it this far, you know there are a ton of great books to read this month! Were there any that I missed? Let me know what you’re reading in the comments below!.
