The Fury by Alex Michaelides—On first reading The Fury is a murder mystery. Narrated by Elliot, a close friend of Lana Farrar, a very famous movie star, it is the story of a murder, love gone awry, a tale of revenge and a plot that has gone terribly wrong. As Elliot tells the story of Lana’s invitation to her Greek island, we begin to doubt this unreliable narrator. But who are the prime suspects, and actually who is the murder victim? Could it be Lana’s best friend Kate, jealous of Lana’s career and her marriage, husband Jason, cash poor and desperate for Lana’s money, Lana’s son Leo, ready to become an actor but without his mother’s permission, her maid Agathi, protective of Lana’s life and of course, Elliot who knows everyone’s secrets.

If you’ve read The Silent Patient, you will know that there will be twists and turns in the plot. So don’t even try to guess. Just buckle up and read.

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood–Harriet is a widow and a former teacher who leaves her comfort zone and leads a book club in a woman’s prison. She is told not to get involved with her group members but ignores this sage advice. Everyone in the group has a back story, but we learn the most about Violet. She is the youngest, who was leading a good life in a small town, until she got involved with a man who ruined her life. We meet Frank, the widower of the woman who is killed in a drunk driving accident, which Violet was heavily involved in.

All three characters are at the center of this heartwarming story. We learn about defining family, grief, love, beginning life again and opening life to others. Yes I heartily recommend it.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister—It’s Cam’s first day back to work after maternity leave. She takes her 9-month-old to her nursery school but strangely doesn’t hear from Luke, her husband, who left home very early that morning. After leaving messages for him, she assumes he is in the middle of a new book. But when the police arrive, she is informed that he is instead in the middle of a hostage crisis. He is not one of the hostages though. And that is just the first few pages. Cam is left without a clue. As time goes by, she must find her own clues. Who can she trust? Read this page turner and follow the plot twists.

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall–It is 1963 and feisty 9-year-old Starla has had enough of her mean grandmother and is ready to run away from her Mississippi home to Nashville to be with her aspiring singer mother who she is sure is waiting for her. When Starla meets up with Eula, a young Black woman with a big heart, she doesn’t realize that Eula has even bigger problems. Their journey together opens up a new world for Starla as she learns about life on the other side of the color line. And when they finally arrive in Nashville, life becomes even more problematic. Family is not just defined through bloodlines.

Hansel and Gretel Retelling by Stephen King, illustrated by Maurice Sendak—If you are a fairytale fan, a Stephen King fan or a Sendak fan, this deliciously scary tale of a brother and sister lost in the woods, cast out by their evil stepmother and imprisoned in a delicious house, may be the perfect pre Halloween story for you, and possibly your grandchildren.

Sendak’s illustrations complement the writing. Looking at each of the characters makes the story come alive. And together, it’s a wonderful read.

And, by the way:

Enjoy the fall weather with a book at your side. See you next month!