Ryanne Molinari

Autumn is upon us, which means I am devouring mystery novels. Here are a few of my favorite spooky season reads:

1. Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers: Oxford, clever wordplay, romance, and a chilling mystery—what’s not to love? Plus, Harriet Vane and Peter Wimsey are two of the most quirky, endearing characters ever created.
2. The Secret History by Donna Tart: I’ve read this twice and, both times, could not put it down. It can only be described as a creepy combination of Harry Potter, The Bacchae, and an Agatha Christie mystery. Dark academia at its finest.
3. Misery by Stephen King: I’m not much for horror, but this thriller about an author held hostage kept me reading despite the misery of a transatlantic flight. By far the best King novel I’ve read.
4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson: I just read this one and am still trying to decide what I thought. The fact that I keep thinking about it is a good sign, though. Less about the supernatural, this book is most terrifying in its bold look at the human psyche.
5. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie: No spooky reading list would be complete without the queen of mystery. This book rescued me from a severe reading slump and, although I love anything by Christie, this is among my favorites.
6. Crooked House by Agatha Christie: Another phenomenal mystery by Christie, with a good bit of family drama thrown in.
7. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury: Although he has several books specifically about Halloween, I still believe this is his masterpiece. Each story leaves the reader feeling slightly on edge, either because of a plot twist or a brutally honest portrayal of human nature.