We’ve got a big list for you this month with these nine selected reads. And since it happens to be the month of ghouls and goblins, we’re sharing some especially dark and monsterish books. There’s plenty of love and romance here, but you’ll also find horror, serial killers, cults and murder, so grab your pumpkin-spice drink of choice, a cozy blanket and settle in for some romantic and delightfully horrifying fall reads!
The Ferryman's Daughter by Yasmin Angoe
October 1, 2026
You can run but you can’t hide. Forensic science teacher Sanaa Karrem did her best to build a new life for herself after her serial killer father, “the Ferryman” disappeared 18 years ago. But when a copycat starts following in her father’s footsteps, and she begins receiving threatening messages and questionable gifts, her nightmares return. And since her fiancé is the lead investigator on the case, she must keep quiet about what’s happening. As Sanna uses her experience as a former medical examiner to try to solve the case, the legacy of her father continues, and she may be next in line.
Sleepers in the Snow by Joanne Harris
October 6, 2026
When a new resident moves into the snowy house on the moor called Kirkhill, ghosts and memories will resurface. The unsuspecting occupant is looking for a new start after a divorce, and the home is perfect for her. It’s peaceful, isolated and cozy. But as night turns and weather gets worse, the house becomes menacing, and she has the feeling that she’s being watched. When diaries from the previous owner are discovered, the new owner learns of a horrible tragedy that occurred at Kirkhill, and she’s afraid she may not escape the grasp the home has on her.
Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham
October 6, 2026
New York Times bestselling author of Outlander Diana Gabaldon says that “Winterset Hollow is one of the most interesting books” she’s read in years, so you know it’s going to be a winner! Eamon, Caroline and Mark head to Addington Isle to research the story behind their favorite childhood book, Winterset Hollow, which is a story about a bunch of animals who are preparing for their end of the summer festival, Barley Day. When the group breaks into the author’s abandoned estate, fantasy and reality blur, and the story turns dark and dangerous. If you’re into horror that the internet has been raving about, check out Winterset Hollow. It will make a great Halloween read.
The Bluff by Wade Rouse
October 13, 2026
When Kat Chapman skews tradition and invites her (God-forbid) working-class parents to the family Christmas at the lake house on Mackinac Island, things are about to get bad. Because the Chapman’s don’t share their holiday or their traditions. As several generations come together and a snowstorm traps them all, it will surely be a holiday to remember. This messy and tender drama about marriage, money and power has been compared to Succession and The Family Stone.
Once in a Timeline by Iman Hariri-Kia
October 13, 2026
Laia Grace refuses to fail as a New York City lifestyle influencer, set on putting her past behind her, determined to make the greatest content on the internet. But there’s a glitch and she becomes trapped inside her “day in the life” videos where she is now the content in a new and unreal timeline, reliving the day over and over in an infinite loop. When Noah, a brooding unfiltered man ends up in Laia’s timeline too, they must figure out how to outwit the algorithm to escape, and as they do, they will uncover secrets and biases. Laia may even realize that the one thing she’s been trying to avoid all along may be herself.
The Plus-One List by Amy Ewing
October 20, 2026
Eloise, who suffers from anxiety, is not thrilled when her best friend shares that she’s getting married in Mexico City and that every guest must bring a date. She is paired up with Agustín, an immigrant from Mexico now living in New York City. Agustín is a journalist looking to snag an interview with an impossible source who will be at the wedding, and he is all too happy to be Eloise’s plus-one for the purely transactional date. But as Agustín shares his hometown with Eloise, she begins to come out of her shell and starts falling for him. Agustín doesn’t want to tell her his real reason for accepting the date, but he knows that if he doesn’t tell the truth, he may lose the connection that’s becoming stronger day by day.
Monster in the Mirror by Janasha Prabhu
October 20, 2026
Another serial killer book, and we are here for it, especially because Monster in the Mirror has been compared to The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon. Jiah Rai is suspected of killing her girlfriend when she is discovered holding Georgia’s dead body at the bottom of a cliff. While there wasn’t enough evidence, the town was sure she was guilty. After all, her uncle was a serial killer whose legacy lives on in the town even after he died in prison. When the killer resurfaces and starts playing mind games with Jiah, she’ll begin a hunt of her own to clear her name and quite possibly save the next victim.
Dark Messiah by Sara Z. Carson
October 20, 2026
Nell’s world is over when her younger sister tragically dies and her parents get divorced when she is fifteen. Then during her grief, her mother meets Father, the charismatic cult leader of Church of the People. Conned into his world of peace and healing, Nell’s mother joins the cult, and naturally, Nell does too. But while Nell’s mother stays oblivious to the workings of the cult, Nell becomes concerned and suspicious as they are indoctrinated into the cult’s ways. When Father takes them to the jungles of South America and promises them paradise, they instead find themselves in a living nightmare. If you love books with mother-daughter relationships, cults, and psychological suspense you’ll want to pick this one up for sure!
Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalaluddin
October 27, 2026
Attorney Dina Haq’s influencer sister is about to get married and she doesn’t want to ruin the festivities by sharing that her own marriage is over. The day is about her sister, not her marriage drama. But when she discovers that the groom’s best man is “Lucky” Latif, her law school crush who ghosted her, things get very complicated. When Lucky sees Dina again, he’s beside himself. After all, she blew him off and married his best friend. As the wedding celebrations begin, Dina and Lucky reconnect and discover that her manipulative ex had a hand in keeping the two apart back in law school. Will they get a second chance at love? Our guess is a hopeful Yes!
