30 Thriller and Mystery Fall Books That’ll Keep You Up (In a Good Way!)

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this site. Your purchases help fund my content and come at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Ever since I finally took the plunge and started reading proper thriller and mystery books, I honestly don’t need any excuse to pick them up – I just love them.

I’ve read some truly amazing psychological thrillers, but my personal favorites are always domestic thrillers. There’s something about them that feels so tense and creepy in the best way.

And really, fall is by far the most atmospheric season of the entire year, so it’s perfect for thrillers or any book that makes you want to curl up under a blanket with a hot drink.

For the thriller books in this post, I tried my best to pick ones that are actually set in the fall and I think I did a pretty good job.

But for the others, I focused on thrillers that are just super atmospheric and totally fitting for the cozy, mysterious vibe that fall brings.

Another genre I think is perfect for this time of year is dark academia – I’ve written a whole post on that too, so definitely check it out if you’re interested.

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall

This gave me big haunted house in the middle of nowhere feelings. 

It’s about a girl named Helen who’s drawn back to her family’s old house, Harrowstone Hall.

She’s been away from this creepy house for years and never really knew why. But after her grandfather dies, she inherits the whole place – house, land, money – everything. 

The catch is that she has to live there for a full year or lose it all.

But Harrow is no normal house. It’s like the walls are whispering. It makes her sick. There are strange holes in the woods at night. 

It feels like the house is alive and playing with her. The deeper she digs into her family’s secrets, the scarier things get. 

And it made me wonder – could I stay in a house that dark just for money? Honestly, I’d run by day three. But Helen is braver than I’ll ever be.

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

The story begins in the Boston Public Library, in the quiet reading room, where four strangers are sitting together. 

Everything’s peaceful until someone screams. And just like that, the calm breaks and they all get stuck in there, waiting.

To pass time, they talk and slowly get to know each other. New friendships form – or so it seems. But one of them is actually a murderer. 

I loved how this book plays with your mind – can you really trust the person sitting next to you? 

It’s both charming and deeply unsettling. It felt like I was also sitting at that table, trying to guess who was hiding something. 

If you love gentle suspense that sneaks up on you, this is such a fun pick.

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson

Marinka is a sweet 12-year-old girl who lives in the strangest house ever – a house with actual chicken legs.

It moves from place to place, never staying long, and that makes Marinka lonely. 

Her grandmother is a Yaga, someone who helps guide spirits to the afterlife. Marinka is supposed to grow up to be a Yaga too, but all she wants is a real friend.

When she breaks the rules to make a human friend, things go terribly wrong – her grandma disappears, and Marinka has to brave the unknown to get her back. 

The story felt dreamy, soft, and sad – like being lost in the forest at dusk. 

Honestly, this book made my heart feel full and a little broken at the same time.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

This one is about three couples who rent a fancy cabin in the woods for a cozy weekend away.

Warm fire, hot tub, delicious food, but something’s not right. The host is weirdly nosy. The personal chef has creepy stories about the house. And the couples? They all have secrets they’d rather keep hidden.

Then a big storm traps them there and someone clearly wants revenge for old wrongs. 

I kept thinking  about how I would never go to a cabin this remote with so much hidden drama.

It’s twisty and dark but also really fun in that locked-room, who’s the bad guy? kind of way. Perfect for when you want a scary thrill while staying warm and safe at home.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Gemma is a 16-year-old girl from India who is sent to a gloomy English boarding school after her mother dies in such a sad, strange way. 

The school is dark and cold, and the girls there are both cruel and charming – you never quite know what they’ll do.

Gemma has visions – spooky, strange visions – and they lead her to an old diary, full of secrets about magic and power. 

I loved how this book felt old and mysterious, like a forgotten letter in a dusty attic. And, it’s perfect for fall, when the air feels thick with mystery.

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

This book follows an author (he’s also our narrator) who boards a fancy train in Australia with other mystery writers for a fun crime-writing festival. 

Sounds cute, but then someone on the train is murdered.

Now, the writers have to solve the crime before the killer strikes again.

The twist is that all these authors know how to kill and get away with it since they write about murder for a living. 

I kept wondering if could I solve this mystery if I was trapped there? (Probably not.) It’s witty, funny, and a little spooky and the most amazing autumn thriller book. 

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

Everything starts with one woman disappearing, then a mom and her little girl vanish just down the street. 

No one knows if they’re connected, but everyone is scared. The case goes cold – no answers, no peace.

But then, 11 years later, the little girl returns. She’s alive. And everyone wants to know what happened.

But the truth is worse than anyone imagined.

I couldn’t put this down. Every chapter was dark, emotional, and full of shocking twists. 

If you want a book that grabs you tight and doesn’t let go, this one’s perfect for your fall reading list.

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

Nora’s father was a big, famous hotel owner. To the world, he seemed perfect. 

But to his family, he was something else entirely – secretive, distant, full of mystery. 

When he dies under strange circumstances, everyone says it was an accident, but Nora and her brother don’t believe it.

As they dig into his past, they find secrets so big and shocking that everything they thought they knew falls apart. 

I really liked how this book combined family drama with mystery and it was sad, suspenseful, and beautiful in its quiet way.

Cider Mill Coven by Vanessa Abigail Lambert

In this one, three cousins once discovered their magical powers at their grandma’s orchard – a place full of cider, spells, and secrets. 

But their parents sent them far apart until now. 

When Raven, one of the cousins, almost dies, the magic comes rushing back.

Soon, the other two cousins – the funny and fiery Killian and the sweet Adelaide – are pulled in. 

Their grandma, Lydia, has been waiting for them at Cider Mill, baking pies and hiding spells. But the family has dark secrets too, ones that might tear them apart. 

The Housekeepers by Alex Hay

Full of that characteristic London charm, this fall thriller book follows Mrs. King, a housekeeper with a secret past as a thief. 

She worked in the fanciest house in Mayfair – full of treasures and secrets – until she was unfairly fired. 

So what does she do? Plans a big heist with other women like her: a smuggler, an actress, a seamstress all ready to turn the rich world upside down.

The best part is that their heist is about revenge, justice, and women standing up for themselves in a world that tries to keep them quiet. 

If you like stories where the underdogs win, this one will make you smile.

These books will keep you glued for hours, so don’t hesitate to check them out and let me know what you think in the comments below.

If you’ve read any especially atmospheric books that you feel are perfect for fall, I’d love your recommendations, so feel free to drop them here.

In the meantime, make sure you also check out my list of the very best dark academia books – they’re seriously so special to my heart. 

And, if you’re in the mood for something a little spicier, I’ve also got a post on dark romance books.