There’s something immensely satisfying about picking up a new paperback as the nights draw in. Lighter to carry and easier to curl up with, they’re made for the slower pace of autumn—when the evenings stretch out and reading feels like a ritual. And this month’s crop delivers, with stories that that are at once reflective, gripping, and full of surprises.
Among the standout releases are Hattie Crisell’s smart and practical guide to writing, Bill Clinton’s revealing memoir, and Clare Mackintosh’s twist-filled crime novel Other People’s Houses. Whether you’re after insight, intrigue, or inspiration, these are the paperbacks worth reaching for now…
The Widow by Helene Flood
In a dark home atop a hill in Oslo, a woman grieves the sudden, suspicious death of her husband – possessed with paranoia that she might be next and yet blighted by a blurry memory. This propulsive Norwegian thriller sends chills.
MacLehose Press, £10.99
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
Ernest Cunningham – the sleuth also found in Stevenson’s bestsellers, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and Everyone on this Train is a Suspect – is back for a festive mystery formatted like an advent calendar. It’s a clever read for which a TV adaptation is in the works.
Penguin, £9.99
Chasing Fog by Laura Pashby
In this clever meditation on weather, Pashby, a photographer and writer, travels from Dartmoor to Venice seeking out fog and mist, and explores its place in history, literature and myth. A terrific piece of nature writing.
Simon & Schuster, £10.99
A Reason to See You Again by Jami Attenberg
When the patriarch of a family dies, the wife and daughters he leaves behind are each sent into their own crises. This family drama is set against the backdrop of a changing United States over four decades, told with Attenberg’s trademark zingy prose.
Ecco, £10.99
Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner
Frankie Elkin has a new case: in Tuscan, Arizona, a wife, mother and Afghan refugee has gone missing. She soon discovers her past is shrouded in mystery – and in order to find her, Elkin must confront secrets of her own.
Penguin, £9.99
A Knock at the Door by Rob Parsons
At Christmas 1975 in Cardiff, a homeless man knocked on the door of Rob Parsons’ home. After inviting him in to share a meal, he became part of the family for the next 45 years. This heartwarming read is a much-needed testament to human kindness.
William Collins, £10.99
Citizen by Bill Clinton
A sequel of sorts to his 2004 memoir, here Clinton documents what life is like after you stop being president – as well as reflecting on everything from the run-up to the Iraq war to Hillary’s bid for office; Covid-19 to the January 6 insurrection.
Penguin, £10.99
Hope for Cynics by Jamil Zaki
Cynicism might be understandable in today’s world – but its societal effects are detrimental. So says Stanford psychologist in this rallying and optimistic book which advocates for “hopeful scepticism” instead.
Robinson, £10.99
This House of Burning Bones by Stuart MacBride
Marking two decades and thirteen acclaimed books featuring Detective Inspector Logan McRae, here is another read to keep you on the edge of your seat. This time, a hot Aberdeen summer and a stretched police force sees McRae investigating a murder with a band of misfits.
Pan, £9.99
Other People’s Houses by Clare Mackintosh
In an affluent corner of Cheshire, a series of homes have been broken into – the culprit clearly after something (or someone) in particular. Meanwhile, just over the Welsh border, DC Ffion Morgan recovers the body of an estate agent, and soon the two cases become interconnected.
Sphere, £9.99
The Meteorites by Helen Gordon
We may think of them as large clumps of rock, but meteorites provide incredible insight into life both on and beyond our planet. Gordon’s deep dive into these extraterrestrial visitations and the people who orbit them is lively and endlessly fascinating.
Profile, £10.99
Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor
Wicked fever is back. This novel tells the story of Dorothy’s aunt, Emily, who sets off on her own adventure long before her niece ever left Kansas for Oz, while exploring family, obligation and what it takes to find out who you are.
HarperCollins, £9.99
In Writing by Hattie Crisell
Elif Shafak, Meg Mason, Will Storr and Andre Aciman are among those who share their advice and reflect on their craft in this comprehensive guide to writing. Inspired by Crisell’s podcast of the same name, it covers everything from how to find ideas to the structure of storytelling.
Granta, £10.99
The Sugar Man by Nicolás Obregón
When Dakota was growing up, her best friend Flora was murdered and the killer never found. Years later, now a detective, she returns to her small hometown to seek answers. With serial killers and religious cults, this is a dark and twisty read.
Penguin, £10.99
