A guest post from Desiree Villena and Tess Patalano of Reedsy.
There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with a cup of tea and a good book while the hours pass idly by. Autumn is the best time of year to begin this restful ritual, and naturally, having the perfect selection of reads by your side is imperative.
I don’t love to be frightened, especially in these comfy moments, but I do like to be enthralled! That’s why I seek out books that keep me in suspense, not terror. These kinds of books (almost “cozy thrillers,” if you will) are absolutely perfect to read curled up in bed while the air begins to chill, and the seven listed here are a few of my favorites: suspenseful enough to captivate you, without scaring you so much that you run away screaming.
1. The Girls by Emma Cline
This fictionalized account of the Manson Family cult may seem intimidating, but Cline’s take on the group and their illicit activities is surprisingly tame. Most of The Girls is spent conjuring the hazy, trance-like atmosphere of their commune, dubbed “the ranch.” This is where protagonist Evie finds herself connecting with her peers for the first time in her life — especially Suzanne, an elusive, raven-haired girl who initiates Evie into the countercultural lifestyle.
Even as readers’ feelings of unease increase over the course of the narration, it never turns into true terror. The book does culminate in a series of murders (based on the actual Manson Family killings in August 1969), but the scene is brief. Cline is much more devoted to creating a certain mood through lyrical, immersive descriptions than shocking her readers with gore; meaning that despite this book’s spine-tingling subject matter, you won’t have to worry about nightmares.
2. Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Fans of Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret will fall right into step with this domestic thriller, which concerns a trio of families that come together on “one ordinary day” for a barbecue. Told through both hair-raising flashbacks and strategically veiled present-day narration, Truly Madly Guilty creates enigmas that keep the reader hooked.
As she unravels these juicy mysteries, Moriarty touches on the complications of friendships, the fragility of family, and the nature of love. Her ruminations are sometimes cheapened by the prolongation of suspense, but overall, it’s still a worthy read. This book falls squarely between the human entanglements of Jodi Picoult and more sophisticated psychological works of Gillian Flynn. Truly Madly Guilty is chock full of thrills, tempered by relatable human drama.
3. The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
Speaking of Gillian Flynn, The Grownup is the perfect choice for those who enjoy her longer works and want something a little less intense for bedtime reading. Originally part of a 2014 collection of short stories The Grownup was later released as a standalone novella — but remains one of Flynn’s lesser-known works, especially seeing as the rest have adapted for the screen in one way or another.
The novella follows its brazen narrator, a former sex worker-turned-“aura reader” and spiritual cleanser, and her client Susan Burke. Susan’s stepson Miles has been acting strange ever since their family moved into an old local mansion — painting on the walls, tormenting his little brother, and screaming bloody murder alone in his room. But is it really Miles that’s so troubled, or the house itself?
Yes, The Grownup is probably the creepiest read on this list. However, it’s also the shortest, and (mild spoiler) the ending isn’t as disturbing as you might anticipate.
4. Sadie by Courtney Summers
Courtney Summers’ novel Sadie, a massive hit on the YA lit scene, is a Gone Girl-esque tale with a twist. The titular heroine embarks on a mission to avenge her sister Mattie, who’s been found dead under suspicious circumstances. After the meager efforts of the police fail to uncover the truth, Sadie begins a renegade road trip to try and find Mattie’s killer herself.
We quickly discover that Sadie herself has now gone missing, leaving behind only her getaway car and duffel bag. The novel backtracks to fill in the gaps with Sadie’s own vivid narration, as well as a present-day chronicle of her story in the form of a true crime podcast. The host of this podcast, West McCray, soon finds himself inexorably intertwined with not just the sisters, but their whole town and the secrets it keeps.
5. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Okay, this is more of a fun one to de-stress you when all that suspense becomes a bit too much. Northanger Abbey may not be one of Austen’s more famous novels, but it’s still a favorite of mine: a hilarious parody of the Gothic romance genre that was sweeping 19th-century shelves at the time. (In order to optimally experience the irony of this book, consider first reading A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe — or Jane Eyre at the very least.)
Northanger Abbey follows our contented but naive young protagonist, Catherine Morland, who’s been made particularly impressionable by the Gothic romances she enjoys reading. Some of her contemporaries scoff at her literary habits; luckily her suitor, Henry Tilney, is like-minded in that he appreciates a good novel, but is wise enough not to put too much stock in them.
All goes well in their courtship until Henry invites Catherine to stay at his family’s stately home, and her imagination begins to run amok. She fantasizes that the many unused rooms in the house have a sinister purpose, and upon learning that Henry’s mother died several years earlier, believes that his father has actually imprisoned her.
All this turns out to be patently untrue, and Catherine, humiliated by her flights of fancy, thinks that Henry’s opinion of her has spoiled. Luckily, because this is Austen and not Radcliffe, they still end up together in the end! There’s also some great meta-commentary throughout the book on the social service of novels, which at the time was a controversial topic: indeed, Northanger Abbey was very ahead of its time.
6. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
As far as suspense and mystery goes, Fates and Furies is a slow but captivating burn.
The book chronicles the romantic relationship of Lancelot “Lotto” Satterwhite and Mathilde Yoder. The first part (“Fates”) is told through Lotto’s eyes, while the second (“Furies”) is Mathilde’s POV. They meet in college and, in a flurry of passion, marry two weeks later… and stay married for twenty-four years. Theirs is an intimate partnership, but the stories they tell about themselves, their relationship, and the world at large, differ vastly.
Through each of their accounts, Groff slowly divulges secrets and resentments that have lain dormant for years. While it’s certainly not the easiest journey with the most likable characters, I found the stories incredibly compelling when wound together, and the relationship a fascinating one. The juxtaposition creates the passageways into which perception shifts, revealing what a little bit of luck and determination can truly mean for two lives lived in union.
7. Kindred by Octavia Butler
If you want to mix a bit of fantasy in with your suspense, Kindred is a wonderful choice. The novel follows Dana, a young African-American woman living in California in the 1970s, who is abruptly transported back in time to the antebellum South. Dana is repeatedly returned to her present day life and then snatched back in time, with each visit longer and more punishing than the one before it.
Octavia Butler is a master of both fantasy and sci-fi, and she uses her command of these genres to stretch even further into historical fiction and social critique. Dana’s relationship with her husband, a white man, further complicates her time travel experiences, as he eventually travels back with her and must also navigate a segregated world. With its mysterious fantastical premise, Kindred is certainly a one-of-a-kind read that hooks readers from the first moment Dana becomes dizzy unpacking her new apartment.
Tess Patalano is a writer at Reedsy, a marketplace giving authors and publishers access to talented professionals and free educational content.
