Autumn Reads: Thrillers, Romantic Comedies, and 'High Shelf' Picks

Lucy Clarke "One of the Girls"

Let’s start with thrillers, as they seem to be most commonly associated with the autumn vibe. "One of the Girls" is not just a psychological thriller, but also a complex tale about friendship and relationships. The action unfolds on a Greek island—yes, we aim to extend your summer. Six friends gather for a bachelorette party, as one of the characters—Lexi—is about to get married. She has invited her friends to relax and create unforgettable memories. However, those memories will indeed be "unforgettable" as one of the girls is found dead. Each one becomes a potential victim and suspect. It’s crucial to uncover why the girl was killed and who among the friends had a motive.

Infidelity, hidden secrets, and the lurking danger among close ones—this is what the novel is about. The friends gradually reveal their true selves, and readers learn about the grievances that they have harbored for years. Does each of them have a reason for murder?

The book also addresses issues of sexual violence, accountability for one’s actions, and the complexities of human interaction, so don’t expect it to be a classic thriller.

Daniela Kucafka "Notes from a Execution"

This novel narrates the last 12 hours before the execution of serial killer Ensel Packer. The psychology of serial killers, maniacs, and antagonists fascinates popular culture, and it’s no wonder, as we seek to understand why people commit atrocities.

Packer’s story is told by three women—his mother, detective Sheffi, and a college acquaintance, Hazel. They share their personal experiences with the man and clarify many blank spots in his biography. Through their stories, the reader pieces together a composite image of the killer, reconstructing his motives and tendencies in retrospect. Meanwhile, they learn about the lives and consequences for the victims who interacted with the criminal, empathizing with their fates and drawing conclusions about the trauma people endure after such interactions.

The author touches upon society’s obsession with serial killers and focuses on how often people romanticize criminals while ignoring the victims. Especially when it comes to long-ago crimes. The stories of maniacs are remembered, frequently referenced in art and for comparisons, while the victims remain in the shadows, as they are of no interest to anyone. This novel not only leaves one stunned by the stories of crime but also exposes the strange preferences and horrific subconscious urges of people to learn more about villains.

Elena Armas "The Spanish Love Deception"

A delightful companion for this autumn could be books that warm you with their lightness. "The Spanish Love Deception" is just such a book. It has become a hit on TikTok and has won the hearts of rom-com fans. Readers discuss the plot and joke about the main characters.

Catalina, the protagonist, finds herself in a dilemma: her sister's wedding in Spain is approaching, and she must attend with a boyfriend, or else she’ll be mocked by her sister's friends. The problem is that Catalina doesn’t have a boyfriend, as she just broke up with her beloved. Unexpectedly, her colleague Aaron Blackford, whom she can’t stand, comes to her rescue. Will their fake relationship turn into real love?

The novel is based on the well-known trope of "enemies to lovers." If you love that, this is definitely your book; if not, give it a try, because besides the classic trope, the novel offers a light and romantic atmosphere, plenty of humor, and a splash of vibrant Spain.

Annabel Monaghan "Nora Goes Off Script"

The first thing to praise and love about this book is its cover. It’s bright, cozy, and very rom-com-like (in a good way).

The main character, Nora, is divorced and has to manage raising her children, fixing up an old house that’s about to fall apart, and making a living. Nora is truly struggling with money, so she writes a script about her own life and—oh miracle!—a film is actually made based on her script! In her old house. The entire crew leaves, but the handsome Leo Vance, who played her ex, decides to stay.

Nora finds herself in a tricky situation: she likes Vance, but thinking about her personal life while juggling kids and a mountain of problems feels quite wrong. So she tries to balance being a good mother with building new relationships. But can she really rely on this actor?

The book is filled with humor and comedic situations, and the characters remind us of ourselves in the most awkward and ridiculous predicaments. At the same time, the author addresses the issues of grieving, divorce, and paths to self-healing.

Maggie O'Farrell "The Marriage Portrait"

This novel is based on historical events, and its main character is a real person, whose portrait you can find online or in books. Her story is quite extraordinary, if only because she lived for 16 years.

At the heart of the novel is young Lucrezia de’ Medici, who, despite her youthful passion for art, is forced to marry politician Alfonso II d’Este. This is not her choice; her father decided so, as Lucrezia's elder sister died before the wedding, and d’Este still needs a wife. In the 16th century, a girl has no say, so she must marry a man she does not love.

Her role is reduced to bearing an heir, which she realizes herself, as a son is security for the future. Her struggle between her love for art and societal expectations creates a tense, dramatic atmosphere.

After her marriage, Lucrezia becomes essentially a prisoner. She feels that her husband is not only indifferent to her and her needs but is a terrible tyrant capable of turning her life into hell.

Shehan Karunatilaka "Seven Months in Maali Almeida"

This book won the Booker Prize in 2022. It combines magical realism with "highbrow" reflections on life and death, human destiny, and fate.

The story unfolds in Colombo in 1990, during the civil war in Sri Lanka. The main character is Maali Almeida, a war photographer and gambler. Almeida awakens in a strange place—surrounded by people he knows for certain have already died. This is the Betweenworld—Purgatory, Limbo, call it whatever you prefer. The man knows he was murdered, but who did it remains a mystery.

He has seven months in Betweenworld to investigate his own death and reach out to the living, as they can change the course of the war. That is, not they, but the photographs that Maali carefully hid while he was a photographer. However, reaching the living when you are dead is not so easy, and investigating your own murder with all its bloody details is not the most pleasant task.

Author: Elena Lysenko, book reviewer, literary critic, and PR manager at Vivat publishing house