Four Fall Reads Perfect for Spooky Season
With Halloween just over a week away and spooky season in full effect, there is no better time to dive into some classic murder mysteries or contemporary horror novels — these four are on Port and Polish’s fall reading list (accompanied by some hot cider and our favorite weighted blanket!)
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
A murder during a wedding weekend on an exclusive island off the coast of Ireland makes for a confusing and creepy whodunnit. The picture-perfect wedding becomes a horrific weekend when a body is found on the island. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a member of the bridal party and jealousy, biases and old feuds arise between this group of friends. Lucy Foley’s The Guest List is a cold and intriguing book with plenty of twists and turns.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Secret History takes place in an idealistic autumnal setting: a small New England college campus where Richard Papen finds his way into a charismatic group of friends joined by an eclectic professor. Richard soon discovers the dangers of this new group’s way of thinking - think beauty, betrayal...and murder.
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
Anything adapted by Jordan Peele is bound to be a complex and terrifying mystery, and Lovecraft Country is no exception. Author Matt Ruff details the horrors of racism in the 1950’s when Atticus Turner, a 22-year-old Black veteran, recieves a letter revealing his father has gone missing. Season 1, produced by Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams, is streaming now on HBO!
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christy
If you haven’t taken the dive into Agatha Christie’s iconic mysteries, autumn is the perfect time. Murder on the Orient Express, written in 1934, details the trials of a group of passengers stuck on the Orient Express with a murder to solve and a Belgian dectective to lead the investigation. Christie’s inspiration for the novel was taken from the biggest news story of the time, the abduction of Charles Lindbergh’s son. With a vintage feel in her language and a classic true crime story, Murder on the Orient Express is a great read for spooky season.