6 Addictive Mysteries & Thrillers from the 2021 Fall Reading Guide You’ll Stay Up All Night Reading

There’s no better time than fall to cozy up with a twisty mystery and thriller. I don’t know about you, but when the nights get longer, I love nothing more than curling up with a book that makes me gasp, flip pages frantically, and maybe even sleep with the lights on. That’s why I’m so excited to share these mystery & thriller picks from the 2021 Fall Reading Guide—stories that deliver suspense, unforgettable characters, and all the addictive tension we crave this time of year. Whether you love historical conspiracies, psychological suspense, Scandinavian noir, or clever amateur sleuths, you’ll find something here to devour.

Top 6 Mysteries & Thrillers

Rizzio by Denise Mina

Rizzio is a taut, atmospheric historical thriller that plunges you into 1566 Edinburgh, where David Rizzo, private secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, is brutally assassinated in a palace plot. Told over just a few tense hours, the novel explores power, betrayal, and the ripple effects of political violence.

I chose this one because it’s short but unforgettable—Mina brings history alive with razor-sharp tension. For readers who love Wolf Hall or The Name of the Rose, this made me feel like I was right in the candlelit chambers, heart racing, as the fate of a nation hung in the balance.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

In Apples Never Fall, the seemingly perfect Delaney family unravels when matriarch Joy goes missing. As the police dig in, long-buried secrets between Joy, her tennis-coach husband, and their four adult children come to light. It’s part domestic suspense, part exploration of love, betrayal, and the messy truths behind closed doors.

I included this because Moriarty nails the mix of character-driven family drama and “what happened?!” tension. For fans of Big Little Lies or The Husband’s Secret, this made me reflect on how family can be both your greatest comfort and sharpest hurt—and kept me guessing until the end.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal

In this chilling Scandinavian noir, Olof returns to his rural hometown after serving time for a teenage crime, only to find his father dead—and himself the prime suspect. As detective Eira investigates, buried secrets surface, questioning guilt, memory, and the cost of small-town silence.

I picked this one because it’s moody, layered, and full of emotional weight. For readers of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or The Chestnut Man, this novel made me shiver (both from the Nordic setting and the moral unease) and linger on the question: can we ever really leave the past behind?

You can get a copy on Amazon.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

Our beloved Thursday Murder Club is back! This time, Elizabeth receives an SOS from a former spy (who was supposed to be dead), pulling the gang into a new case involving stolen diamonds, dangerous criminals, and, of course, murder.

I included this because it’s a cozy, funny, feel-good mystery with real heart. For fans of Only Murders in the Building or The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, this book made me laugh, cheer, and fall even more in love with Osman’s charming crew of amateur sleuths. It’s smart, warm, and thoroughly delightful.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Last Girl Ghosted by Lisa Unger

Wren thought she’d met “the one” when she connected with Adam online—but after months of intimacy, he vanishes. As she tries to track him down, she uncovers a trail of missing women and realizes she’s caught in something far more sinister than heartbreak.

I chose this because it taps into our deepest modern fears—online dating, deception, and trust. For readers who loved You by Caroline Kepnes or The Wife Between Us, this thriller made my skin crawl (in the best way) and had me questioning how well we ever know the people we let into our lives.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz

In this clever, meta mystery, detective Daniel Hawthorne and author Anthony Horowitz (yes, he writes himself in!) head to a literary festival on a remote island—only for a murder to interrupt the cozy bookish gathering. As secrets bubble to the surface, Hawthorne and Horowitz must piece together the truth.

I included this because it’s witty, sharp, and delightfully self-aware. For fans of Agatha Christie or Magpie Murders, this novel gave me classic whodunnit vibes with a modern twist, and it left me smiling and impressed by Horowitz’s cleverness.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Which Mystery or Thriller Will You Pick Up First?

Are you craving a cozy amateur sleuth story, a dark psychological suspense, or a historical whodunnit from the 2021 Fall Reading Guide? Let me know what’s on your TBR in the comments—I love hearing what you’re reading! And don’t forget, you can download the full 2021 Fall Reading Guide here for even more can’t-miss recommendations to keep you turning pages all season long.